Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1885-05-23
into the sparkling orbs raised to his

! u
once held an interest in the place !;
but she gave her share, and | prom
ised then to give her a home as long
as she lives"
SWELL, what of that? You did
not made the promise IN writing, did
you?" asked Agnes, fippantly.
81 pledged my HONOR returned
Leslie, sternly. "And promise
is sacred to me. But even if |
were not pledged, Agnes, gratitude
would compel me to act as do"
every we'll, then," Agnes tossed
back one of the satlny braids on
which she had been readjusting bow
Of pink ribbon. "You have my an
swcr. l will never marry you while
she is there" ...-
SIS that your final answer ?" asked
Leslie, turning to 60. ''.
eyes," she returned shortly.
But once out of her lovers presence
the clouds vanished from the pretty
face. ...- s.......
81 know how to manage en- she
said, a complacent smile dmpled the
velvet cheek. 'Ieslie will find some
way to get rid Of his troubles aunt,
and then he will come back here to
make it up with me-
For she never dreamed he could
give her up. ..-..
* x
whats that, Miss Pauliny? What
in creation do you want with that
old cabin: Hain't quarrelled with
Less, have you ? Thunderation
Agnes won't you have here when she
is married. Then, by gracious, if l
was Leslie, I'd sec Agnes in Guinea
before I'd marry her."
And Farmer Tarleton's face grew
as red as turkey-gobbler i'll his
honest Indignation.
"But-but he thinks so much of
her, you see," faltered Miss Pinke;
"and want hlm to be happy. l
won't let him know till they're mar
ried, though, for he would never
agree" ..
"Humph"'
They were IN the sitting room
of the homestead-tlie very room
where Miss Pinke had planned out
her lonely future, as she busted the
plaster of Paris shepherdess.
"I'll tell you what tits, Miss
Pauliny," said Farmer Tarleton, sud-
denly, though you'd be welcome to
the old cabin, of course-but when
Agnes marries ] marries, | shall need
some one to take her place. Mandy's
too young, and-and-" -
His evident confusion embarrassed
Miss Pinke, who blushed frantically.
''I-I mean-it'll be kind of lone
some after she's gone, Miss Pauliny,
and lf-if you'd hev the goodness to
marry mel need wife"
1t was out at last.
Miss Pinke had stammered her
consent and Farmer Tarleton rode
away, his honest face beamlng with
delight.
x
81 must say, I-never thought pa
would make such a fool of himself as
that !" shifted Agnes, as she impart-
ed the news to her cousin Clementina
who taught the village school.
Clementina was not so pretty as
her cousin, being plump and round,
like a rolypoly pudding, while Agnes
was tall and picturesque, slim as q
racer, and naughty as Spanish
senorita.
But Clemmy had very pleasant
face, nevertheless, with merry blue
eyes and saucy nose, which just es-
capped being pug.
II don't see what he wanted to
marry anybody at his age" grumbled
Agnes, "much less horrid old maid
like her."
"Oh, Agnes" cried her cousin,
much distressed, "you-you oughtn't
to talk so. Uncle has a right to
marry, if he wants to, Pm sure.
And | think Miss Pauline Pinke just
suits him. She's nice, good woman
too"
"Oh, it's all very well for you to
talk! retorted Agnes, sourly. "It's
good way to get rid of Miss Pinke,
anyhow. And now / shall be the
undlsputed mistress of Leslie Garnet's
nice big house"
And the smiles and dimples came