The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-12-10
Gbe firesioe.
The FoOlishness of IL.

cnange IN ner manner I'm sure
couldn't have told in just what way it
manifested itself, only the change was
there Enthusiastically.
Agnes was beauty, and had always
been considered exceedingly pretty
from her childhood; but during the last
year, since she had been my Cousin
Frank Spears wife-and so had become
"Cousin Agnes" to me-her sweet
face had been more beautiful than ever,
with its look of perfect content and
assured happiness. Agnes had been
poor, and obliged to support herself as
a girl, but as Franks cherished wife,
she was petted like child, and dressed
and bejewelled always in perfectly
ladylike and becoming way; but one
look at her appearance now would
serve to convince any one she must be
somebody's darling who loved her well.
But this change.
AT first l thought her unconscious of
it; then 1 think she recognized its ex-
istence, and did her best to conceal it.
Finally, it seemed so far to conquer
and distress her, that with me, at least
we were excellent FRIENDSHIP made
no effort to disguise her feelings, al
though she evidently wished to avoid
all illusions to the cause of her trouble,
whatever it might be.
l began wondering, after awhile, if
Cousin Frank was cognizant of Agnes
dropping eyes and air of detection, and
meeting him casually one morning, en-
quired for Agnes.
81 don't know what's come over
Aggie," he said, in a slow, puzzled
way; 81 haven't spoken to her about
it, but she seems kind of blue of late
Do run in and see her often as you can !;
perhaps she's little homesick for the
country"
/ promised to call that day, if posi-
$ BILE, but l knew the remark about the
country was the veriest excuse and
= mistake. Agnes thoroughly disliked
the country, where she had been obliged
to live for years, and was perfectly de-
lighted at the prospect of having home
in city suburb However, l called as
/ promised, and found Agnes very glad
to see me; but l still felt convinced
she was nursing some secret grief
which she was determined for the pres
ent, at least, should remain secret.
Things had gone on in this way fol
about four weeks, when one radiant
day Agnes came smiling into our sit
ting-room, and knew at glance that
the shadow, or whatever it was that
had palled or oppressed her, had beer
lifted, and she was her happy, con
tented self again.
There was just suspicion of shynes'
in her manner, as if she were wonder
: ing what thought of her, and during
the first few moments of her call sht
s eyed me curiously, as if only waiting
d the proper moment to make disclosure
4 of some kind or other.
AT length she began, little nerv
ously: Have l impressed you as hav
ing felt troubled about anything re
cently?"
I frankly acknowledged she had.
Then she continued, as if determine,
on a dreaded recital: "My deares
cousin, Pm going to tell you what ma,
Il make you condemn me as the weakest
2 silliest mortal you ever knew; but any
" way, I'm bound to confess, though I'm
v terribly ashamed of myself, and tell thi
g as a sort of penance.
!. "When l was being brought up il
my uncle's family, being an orphan,
-. felt myself looked upon as the od
n child of the family. My aunt used t
IS say was jealous, but 1 didn't believ
her; l thought l was only unhappy"
q Poor Aggie had no idea how sweet
n she looked, as with flushed cheeks an
Is clear, honest eyes she went on with he
It story.
% 81 certainly think if there's any on
l. trait on earth smaller and meaner tina
all others, it is jealousy; but In
, forced to admit my aunt may hav
D been correct, though never intend
shall remain characteristic of mine i
the future if, indeed, it has been such i
, the past. Now, suppose you mistrus
. what's coming.
Well, one morning about mont
, ago, after Frank had taken his usu;
D affectionate leave of me, l saw him boz
. and lift his hat to Mrs. Winslow, VIII
lives opposite us farther down tn
), street.
y MRS. Winslow is a young wife, yer
,e handsome, and I've often heard Fran
g say unusually accomplis he'd; he kne
her before she was married.
(. 81 was looking through the blind
u and saw that Mr.. Winslow joined Fran
- close by his house, and they wake
together to the corner; then / sa
Frank plainly wanted to leave NJ
Winslow, instead of keeping on to Il
depot as usual.
Judge of my surprise, when Fran
came quickly back, rang the bell at NJ
Winslow's house, and was admitted |
the lady herself, who seemed muC
pleased to see him. OF course l toe
to wondering what could have been h
object in calling, and began at on'
to feel uncomfortable. ! didn't wat(
to see how long he stayed, but tn
afternoon l happened to meet Mr.
Winslow, and when l limited ha
sportively at her having been favor,
with callers through the day, 81
blushed, stammered, and finally a
ruptly changed the subject.
81 never felt such pang in my Ii
as shot through me when l saw h
confusion, and l felt my very hea
grow sick within me.
"When Frank came home, l was {
] my guard, but nervous and suspicion
- After asking him few adroit que
tons, / found he, too, intended to co
ceal the fact of his call.
Or. " A few days afterwards, saw FraI
esn go again to Mrs. Winslow's, and whe
tly with an air of assumed indifference,