Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-06-20
AGNES AND 1.

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AGNES AND L.
was the happiest man in the city as
/ folded and laid away in my pocket
book q letter from the dearest girl in
the world, and jumped on the horse-car,
en- route for my Office!
Some months had passed since I saw
my Agnes, for the first time, at a dinner
at the Peytons had frequently met
Miss George Peyton in society, and had
been several times invited to her recep-
tons, so l was not surprised to receive
one day an invitation to dine with her
informally" to meet a young lady
from Aiken, S. G. OF course l present
ed myself at this informal dinner in full
evening dress, where l met some other
gentlemen in similar attire-Clarkson
was one of them-and a few young
ladies, and was introduced to my Agnes.
Ii [ could only make you see her as she
appeared to me that night-so fresh and
blooming; the blue OF her clear, peace
full eyes; the delicious curve of the deli
cate lips! But enough that then and
there l yielded, and became her ardent
adorer.
From the first she distinguished me
with her favor. I Was her escort to
concert and opera. / was allowed TO
claim the best dances; they were always
nuy flowers that she carried, and, finally,
before she returned to Aiken, I was her
accepted lover!
The year had flown swiftly, and now
n brilliant prospect seemed to open be-
fore me. My firm We're about to estab-
fish a branch department in another
part of the city, and proposed to make
one of their clerks a junior partner, and
manager of the new concern. l had
been the longest in their employ, and
had reason to think I was regarded with
favor by ''Old Grutf"-as Mr.. Gruffiand,
the senior partner, was called-and he
would be the one tomake the promotion,
and settle the question of salary.
Indeed, for some weeks l 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, and in
the letter received that morning she told
me she was coming again to make a
long visit at the Peytons, to edo some
shopping" Enhancing words! What
did they not imply? And that eff all
went well''-if 1 got the position, of
course-''we might be married before
uery longr' I was the happiest man
in the world, as I folded the dear
little letter away, resolving, if it was in
the power of man to win promotion, 1
would make myself indispensable to my
employers.
Well, she came. There was a demure
but delightful meeting at the station,
and an enchanting twenty minutes, un~
til l delivered her to Miss Georges
arms at the Peytons' door.
Then followed days of devotion to
work, followed by evenings of unalloyed
bliss. l say "unalloyed," but there
was one drawback. The Peyton family
were very considerable, Miss George
especially so, but my darling Agnes
was haunted with the fear that they
would think her visit 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 a bore, but a mild one
p~aterfamilias an unmitigated one; Miss
George was benignant, but slightly
tiresome. There was only one other
member of the family, apretty little fell
low named Ralph, but the girls had
taken to calling him ''Raphael,"
from some fancied resemblance to one
of the Sistine cherubs. He seemed a
quiet little chap, with a sweet innocence
of expression and demeanor, who posed
a good deal of the time with his cheek
on his hand after the manner aforesaid.
He was devoted to Agnes, and hung
round her more than was pleasant, for
which | occasionally snubbed him rather
severely, but she always interceded for
him. ''He was such a little fellow
and then he was so lovely! was he not
ones ideal of a boy?"
Agnes had been in the city q few
weeks when one morning the telephone
bell in our Office rang sharply: This
was of frequent occurrence, andSClark-
sons desk was stationed neal it to save
time in answering the call. The rest of
us scarcely looked up as the familiar
''Hullo!' was shouted, or the conclud-
ing: ''All right! I'll tell MI. Grufiand.
Good by" But this morning Clarkson
turned to me with: This is for you,
Dixon!" Accordingly I shouted
''Hullo!" and in return heard Miss
Georges voice:
"ls that you, Mr.. Dixon? Agnes is
here, and wants to try to speak to
you"
Then l heard her giving directions.
Stand a little nearer; press this close
to your ear-so."
'Good morning. called.
In return l heard a gigsle, and my
Agnes voice exclaiming. "Oh, oh! l.
'tickles my earl" Then more directions
from Miss PeYton. and at last the sweet.