Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-07-04
AGNES AND I.

was the happiest man in the city as
folded and laid away in my pocketbook
letter from the dearest girl in the world
and jumped or horsecar en- route for my
office.
Some months had passed since ha(
seen my Agnes, for the first time, at {
dinner at the Peytons. I had frequentl.
met Miss George Peyton in society, ant
had been several times invited to her re
ceptions, so I was not surprised to receive
oae day an invitation to dine with her in
| formally to meet young lady from
| Aiken. s. G. OF course l presented mysel
at this informal dinner in full evening
| dress, where met some other gentlemen
in similar attire-Clarkson was one Of
them-and few young ladies, and wa'
introduced to my Agnes. If could only
make you see her as she appeared to mt
that night-so fresh and blooming; thu
blue of her clear, peaceful eye; the deli
cious curve of her delicate lips But
enough that; then and there yielded and
became her ardent adorer.
From the first she distinguished mt
with her favor, was her escort to con
cert and opera. 1 was allowed to claim
the best dances; they were always my
flowers that she carried, and, finally. be-
fore she returned to Aiken, was her &C
oG nt OF lOvar
The year had flown swiftly, and now Q
brilliant prospect seemed to open before
me. My firm was about to establish q
branch department in another part of the
city, and proposed to make one Of theil
clerks junior partner and manager oil
the new concern. had been the longest
in their employ, and had reason to think
I was regarded with favor by odd Gruff
as Mr.. Grufland, the senior partner
was called-and he would be the one to
make the promotion and settle the ques'
ton of salary.
Indeed, for some weeks / had seen that
he was working the management into my
hands, so l felt justified in writing to
Agnes, urging our immediate union. The
dear girl consented, aid in the letter re-
ceived that morning she told me that she
was coming again to make long visit to
the Peytons. to do some shopping En-
tlancing words! What did they not i'm
ply (? And that If all went well'-if got
the position, of course-'we might be
married before long p was the happiest
man in the world, as 1 folded the deal
little letter away, resolving, if 1T we're in
the power of man to earn promotion,
would make myself indispensable to my
employers.
Well. she came. There was demure,
but delightful meeting at the station, and
an enchanting 20 minutes, until deliver
I'd her to Miss Georges arms at the Pey
tons door.
Then followed days of devotion to work
followed by evenings of unalloyed bliss.
say 'unalloyed bliss but there was one
drawback. The Peyton family were very
considerate, Miss G orgie especially So
but my darling Agnes was haunted " 18th
the fear that they they would think her
witt to them was only to enjoy my society
and was constantly suggesting that we
should Join the family in the sitting
ROOM Old Mrs. Peyton was bore, bu,
mild one-paterfamilias, an unmitigated
ont; Miss George was benignant, but
slightly tiresome. There was only one
other member of the family. pretty little
fellow named Ralph, but the girls had
taken to calling him Raphael from some
fancied resemblance to one of the Sistine
cherubs. He seemed quiet little chap
with sweet innocence of expression and
demeanor, who posed good deal Of the
time with his cheek on his hand, after the
manner If the cherub aforesaid. He was
devoted to Agnes, and hung around hei
more than was pleasant, for which l oc.
casionally snubbed him rather severely
but she always interceded for. him. He
was such little fellow-and then he was
so lovely Was he not ones ideal of a
boy p
Agnes had been in the city few weeks
when, one morning. tie telephone tell in
our office rang sharply. This was of fire.
quept occurrence. and Clarkson's desk
was stationed near it to save time in an.
ing the call. The rest of us scarcely
looked up as the familiar 'Hullo = was
shouted, or the concluding All right III
tell MIR. Grufland. Good-by." But this
morning Clarkson turned to me with:
This Is for you, Dixon ~ Accordingly
shouted ''Hullo ~ and in return heard
Miss Georges voice.
lis that you, Mr.. Dixon Agnes il
here, and wants to try to speak to you."
Then I heard her giving directions
"Stand little nearer; press this close tc
your ear-so.'
Good morning." | called.
In return I heard Qiggle. and nv Ag