The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1885-06-12
AGNES.

as a stone"
Az the kind old housekeeper looked into the
room her face took on an anxious expression.
as she saw the bowed young head, and heard
the smothered sobs of the mistress of whom
abe was 80 unselfshly fond.
"What is it, dearg Did the letter bring bad
news? Tell me all about it, and maybe the
telling of your troubleu make it easier To bear -
Agnes raised her head and looked at
Mrs. Willard in a dazed sort of way for an in
slant Then, with an effort, she controlled
herself sufficiently to speak end unburden her
mind of the sad truth which pressed so heayi-
ly upon 1T
We'll soon be without a home, Mrs. VIII
lard. The money that papa left me is all lost.
The letter is to me-"
We'll, Miss Agnes, you have your cousin
Ernest to look to. He willtake care of you"
A crimson flush chased away the girls pal
lor.
Flush, Mrs. Willard! Don't speak to me Of
him again; he is married The news came this
morning"
Dad luck to him, and he engaged to you. He
is a black hearted"
'No, Mrs. Willard; he's only fckle and
thoughtless. He fell desperately in love with
the pretty young thing he has married, and
they have made a runaway match. l am glad
he found out the nature of mis- liking for me
before instead of after our union had taken
place. He had a ~cousinly feeling for me, that
was all"
Agnes spoke with a silent dignity which ST.
fenced her listener at once.
"Well, come and have your lunch now. L
broiled a bit Of chicken for you, and | hope il will
taste good. Sitting here and fretting won't mend
things a bit"
She succeeded in coaxing Agnes into the
dining room, and poured her q cup OF fragrant
Mocha, laid the morning paper beside her plate
and then left her alone.
Agnes slipped the coffee and tasted the chick
en- Then she glanced over the columns of the
newspaper.
An advertisement attracted her attention. II
was this:
"Wanted, a housekeeper. She must be &C
tive and good-tempered, as well as competent
to direct the domestics under her particular
charge"
II will have to earn my living now, - thought
Agnes, with a sigh; "And l kept house for
papa, so why can't i for some one else? Atany
rate / will answer this advertisement and find
out what kind Of duties are required"
She wrote g note and sent It TO the address
given
The following day brought a reply from Mr..
Durant, requesting her to call at the writer's
house, giving its number and the name Of the
street
After a long walk she reached the place.
1t was quite an imposing looking structure.
A carriage was drawn up before it, and q
iyeried footman ran up the steps and gave a
tremendous pull at the door-bell, glancing at
Agnes curiously as he did so.
servant came to the door.
Agnes gavs him her card, and he moved
noiselessly away, returning to say, ''please
Miss, walk into the library"
A gentleman was seated az Q writing table,
be turned his head as Agnes entered, care
lessly at first, then curiously. His eyes were
very dark and bright, and their expression was
one Of unmistakable surprise.
Il hope you viii pardon me- said he, ssfor
saying Jour youth is against you"
Agnes tried to make her voice steady as she
answered, but in spite Of her efforts it trem-
Il never had any trouble with our own SER
wants, sir, SO thought / might manage other
peoples; but / see my mistake"
II must again ask pardon for intruding my
opinions upon you. But why, may wa, have
you selected this particular kind of employ
ment?"
'Tt was a sudden impulse which led me to
answer your notice. Poor papa has been Como
from me a whole year, and now / have just
heard that all the money he left is lost /
must earn my living some way
Il like your spirit The taking of such q
responsible place as that of the directing spirit
OF my household machinery 2 ould not be FEAST
pie; but ! have an invalid apALt who is about
70 part with her companlon-a lady who has
cons into small property lately and doea not
ID making a favorable impression upon the old
lady, who is rather queerin her way, ri will be
amuch easier employment than that OF Q house
Keeper, will conduct you oher, and see how
the plan is likely to succeed
Agnes modest face at once attracted the in
Ssiids fancy and she was engaged TO take the
place on the following week.
one fulfilled her duties every day, and after
several months became very much attached to
ner, and she had every reason to make her
Journey through life as happy as it could be
WnLelenduring so much pain
her death came suddenly, and was such q
snock to the kind young care-taker that At
rrst II put all ether thoughts out OF her mind
Ihsn she awoke to the knowledge that she
must lea-e the hospitable home that had shell
1rsd her. When she preached the matter TO
mr; Durant, however, he would not listen to it,
! ana 70 her great surprise supplemented his re-
iusai with an offer OF marriage.
never thought to put trust IN woman
again" he said; "but / have learned TO like to
see You about this lonesome old house. You
are SUI on the sunny side of life, and am for
y, put 1 viii try to make You happy, DO not
answer me now. Think Of what ! have said
spa give me my reply tomorrow at this time
surprised and bewildered at the sudden prop
vsuon, Agnes withdrew from Mr.. Durants
presence.
Was there such q thing as true love in the
mans HEARTH
Her own sad experience aughther to answer.
No.
che did not love Mr.. Durant, but she was
luscious OF a feeling of respect and admlra-
- " ulm
ne had not professed to love her.
uwould be purely friendly union and was It
nvrtn truest kind Of marriage after ally
mus she reasoned her conscientious scru-
Rass, and at last made mp her mind to tell MI.
purant that il he would take her for his wife
moving that her heart had once received 2
uoW which had gwen love its ~dcath-wound,