The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-02
LA cHARMEusE DE PIGEONS
WRITTEN BY LucIEN ARNOLD.
CONTINUED

CONTINUED
 May Since last date George has almost lmperceptibly but steadily lost in condition. He is losing slightly in fssh now.
 May 2o-The change in George is now too decided to admit of doubt. He has not yet mentioned it, but am sure he is aware of it. do not detect the slightest symptom of any special disorder. Agnes is very anxious, but says nothing. Her manner, when in his presence, is unchanged; when alone with me, how ever, she is no longer always grave !; she is sometimes inclined to be satirical in speaking of her own sex; her remarks <esd toward general accusation of exac- tion and sel6shness on the part of wives toward husbands this is very note worthy, as Miss Toxel's conversation has hitherto been remarkable for considera- ton and wide benevolence. She is not so much with Aylie as she was at one time; she does not see him every day he, on the contrary, is never happy away from her, and is urgent that their mar riage shall take place on the Io.h of next month. Agnes refuses to give decisive answer.
 AMACANsETT, L. l.
 June 5.-Mrs. Baxter, Miss Toxel, Ay- lie and myself are all here, in a quiet farm house very near the sea, for the summer. It is certain that George health is steadily failing. We take only short strolls, and he often sits down to rest. He is as thin now as he was at the close of his training. He sleeps late mornings, but does not sleep soundly un- til after daylight. He dreams vividly and P continually; his dreams are neither very pleasant nor very unpleasant, but they seem to destroy his rest in the night. He and Agnes are together constantly. We have brought piano with us, and they spend nearly every evening in music. Agnes improves in strength and flesh constantly her form is full and she has more endurance by far, than anyone else we meet. She has become great swim. mer, and while George sleeps in the morning she bathes and rambles on the beach, and makes curious ac luaintances. She is a capital mimic, and her delinea- tions of country character are very droll. She has made one friend, woman of about her own age, who is spending the SS~SOA 0e O toA HI hOuSC Adlk o lIlLC HUH where we are, Mrs. Johnson. do not quite understand Mrs. Johnson. She is peculiarly beautiful, of a fine English type, rather of the ample order, auburn haired, brown.eyed, regular-fea,ured; :; her characteristic is an all-includng be- nevolence and kindness. Miss Toxel an l Mrs. Johnson are much together in the morning. My impressions of Mrs John- son are favorable and she is delightfully."- frank, innocent, unaffective and simple in appearance. She conceals something, however what, do not know. Agnes avoids opportunities for private conver- Sation with me, and makes no reference to George when we are alone. She has changed entirely in her manner toward me, and is defiant rather than conhding. l believe fully understand her course of thought; and should fear to have her alone, were it not that had such confidence in her, that do not believe she would take any decided step without informing me.
 June o.-Thls morning early, Agnes, Mrs. Johnson and myself were on the beach. Mrs. Johnson is constantly ac- comPanied by smallish white poodle, shorn like a lion; very dignihed and unsocial little brute, with an aversion to Miss Toxel. The morning was lovely. As we walked along the beach Agnes said, Mrs. ohnson, let me tell Dr. Arndt about the birds" Mrs, Johnson laughed shyly and said Agnes could do as she chose. Agnes then went on to relate that the first time she saw Mrs. Johnson she was calling robin, wild bird, to her fha Mrc TAhNeA. A~1I L as she would to child, and the bird fn- ally came to he. and lighted on her hand. At this Mrs. Johnson laughed blushed very prettily, and said it was peculiarity that she disliked to have com- monly spoken of, as it was liable to lead her to be called on for examples of her art under embarrassing circumstances was much interested, and asked Mrs. Johnson many questions. It seems that hsr charm holds only over certain species of birds pigeons are her favoiites next come robins, and few O! the singing birds complete the list of her feathered subjects. She exercised her power over pigeons quite uuconsciously when she was child she just wanted them to come to her, they were so soft and pretty, and held out her arms and they came, she said. Agnes said that at the farm house were Mrs. Johnson was boarding there was large flock of pigeons, every one of which knew her, and that they clustered over her like bees when she would let them. asked Mrs. Johnson how far she could call her birds, and she told me that with wild bird she must be very near, but that pigeons which knew her would come to her from ,s far away as she could see them it she held out her arms.
 We walked toward the habitation of Mrs. Johnson, and came in view of the pigeon house one white bird, shining in the morning sun, was perched upon the roof; it was long way of; could only be sure that the bird was there.
 That is one of my lovers," said Mrs. Johnson. "See here" She ran a few steps in advance of us, and extended her arms toward the distant bird. " He sees Il II