Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-02

fectly.'
Roswick followed his sisters retreating
footsteps down the long hall almost i'm
mediately.
The next evening he was Unexpectedly
called to the upper end of the city, and it
was not until the following night that he
once more found himself tete-a -tete with
Agatha. Outwardly he was quite self
possessed, but alasl the trepidation Of
his hearth It thumped away at such q
rate that his power Of speech seemed in
danger of forsaking him at any moment.
Agatha, tantalizingly collected, sat
waving huge feather fan with lazy
grace, smiling softly In her companion s
restless eyes. you were saying" she
began, interrogatively, that you were q
great admirer of Ruskin?'
"Yes-that is, his Stones Of Venice,
you know. Such works interest me
greatly. By the way" and the very
| thought that he was about to begin tho
consummation of his plan caused his
tongue to halt; "by the way. want-I
mean / would like to know more fully
your theory in regard to sewer gas-how
to combat it, you know. I missed your
last paper in The Architects Assistant
on the subject" This was long speech
for John, and he was trife flushed as
he paused.
ut is very. kind in you to ask my
opinion" Agatha said, sweetly, but I
prefer to let you read it for yourself.
will send the journal to you tomorrow. +"
Although Agatha was secretly proud
of the fact that her dabbllng in such top
les had attracted some attention, she did
not care to discuss these problems at this
time. 1t was, therefore, with touch of
cool fornality that she added: 81 was not
aware that you were interested in archi-
lecture, Mr. Roswick."
'Oh, but am" he exclaimed, enthusi-
astically. II have just let the contracts
for q row Of fats in Acton square"
Indeed? What charming location!"
''Im glad you like it."
This was spoken before he realized it.
Now was his chance. The cognizance Of
the critical moment at once paralyzed his
power of speech. Agatha, with eyes
modestly downcast, was toying aimlessly
with the various articles on the small
table at her left hand, and seemed to
offer as much encouragement as any man
could ask.
"Miss West" he began, nervously.
Agatha did not look up. He could go no
further. His speech absolutely failed
him. It was with an inarticulate gasp
that he heard what seemed to be his own
voice; but oh, so much more clear and
confident
miss West-Agatha," said the voice,
pardon me if 1 seem too bold, but have
something of the utmost Importance to
say to you"
tYesT said Agatha, softly.
You must know-it can be no secret
to you-that have long esteemed you as
more than friend"
"Why, Mr.. Roswickl" 1t was a very
gentle exclamation, iageniously indica-
tive Of mild surprise.
John Roswick was, by this time, dumb
with establishment. Fortunately Agatha's
eyes were averted. He again tried to
speak, when the voice was heard once
more.
Il wanted to tell you this long ago." it
said, land beg you to accept Of my love.
For l do love you better than anything
on earth. You are not angry with me?"
mo" very softly.
Johns expression was something Won
derful. His lips moved, but no sound
came forth. Again the voice:
Dear Agatha, it continued (who could
resist such an appealD. ''be my wife! Make
me forever happy
There was an interruption. Miss WesS
now raised her head for the first time,
flushing all rosy red, like the early sum-
mer dawn. 20, Johnl" she exclaimed,
rapturously. Nothing more.
Then she threw her arms around his
neck most gracefully-she had studied
Delsarte-and whispered in his ear: II
think-I know love you, John"
Roswick, to his credit be it said, i'm
proved the opportunity and kissed her
then and there upon her very charming
mouth.
From the center of the table came a
faint, whirring sound. Roswick's puzzled
brow cleared as thought flashed across
his mind. He turned pale when, with
sudden fiirt of the newspaper, he saw the
photograph he had sent Agatha the day
before, and realized that his suspicious
were confirmed 1t was the one he had
been experimenting upon in his workshop
two nights previously, and again tho
mechanism had been Inadvertently set
going.
Agatha West, resting in his embrace,
was almost too happy for speech. She
sighed gently. "And do you really want
me to marry your" very TREMENDOUSLY.
WELL" said the voice, rather sharply,
at must come off next week or l may
change my mind altogether. That's
straight
"Oh, John" exclaimed the young
woman. How impetuous you arel But
F-shyly taking the lapels of his coat in
either hand-"Tthink can get ready by
that time."-W. G. Fulton In Chicago
Herald.