St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-09
semed in danger of forsaking him at

any moment.
Agatha, tantalizingiy collected, sat
waving huge feather fan with lazy
grace. smiling softly in her companions
restless eyes. You were saying" she
began, interrogatively, ''that you were
great admirer of Ruskin?"
''Yes-that is, his Stones Of Venice,
You know. Such works interest me
greatly. BY the way" and the very
contamination of his plan caused his
tongue to halt, "by the way, want-I
mean L wish to know your theory in
regard to sewer gaS-hOw to combat it,
you know. | missed your last paper in
the Architects Assistant on the sub
ject." This was long speech for John,
and he was trifie flushed as he paused.
lit is very kind in you to ask my
opinion" Agatha said sweetly, ''but /
prefer to let you read it for yourself.
will send the journal to you tomorrow.
E Although Agatha was secretly proud
of the fact that her dabbling in such
topics had attracted some attention, she
did not care to discuss these problems
at this time. 1t was, therefore, with
touch of cool formality that she added:
81 was not aware that you were inter
ested in architecture, Mr.. ROswick."
"Oh, but l ami" he exclaimed. enthu-
siastically. II have just let the con-
tracts for row of flats in Acton
square,"
Indeed? What a charming loca-
tion.'
Pm 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 speech. Agatha, with eyes mod
eStly 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, nervous ly.
Agatha did not look up. He could go
no further. His speech absolutely
failed him. 1t 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 L seem too bold, but
have something of the utmost i'm
pOrtance to say to YOU"
"Yes?" said Agatha, softly.
'You must know-it can be no secret
to you-that | have long esteemed you
as more than friend"
"Why, Mr.. RoSWick!" 1t was very
gentle exclamation, ingeniously 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.
81 wanted to tell you this long ago."
1t said, and beg you to accept OF my
love. For l do love you better than
anything OH earth. You are not angry
with me?
mo-" very soft.
Johns expression was something
wonderful. His lips moved, but no
Dear Agatha" it continued (who
could resist such an appeaD, '.be my
wife! Make me forever happy"
There was an interruption. Miss
West now raised her head for the first
time, flushing all rosy red, like the early
summer dawn. 20, Johnr' she eX-
claimed, rapturously. Nothing IN o'e.
Then she threw her arms around his
neck most gracefully-she had studied
Delsarte-and whispered in his ear:
81 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 puz-
lied brow cleared as a thought flashed
across his mind. He turned pale when,
with a sudden fiirt of the newspaper, he
saw the phonOgraph he had sent Agatha
tile day before and realized that his sus-
PIGEONS were confirmed. 1t was the one
he had been experimenting upon in his
workshop two nights previously, and
again the mechanism had been inadyer-
tently 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 you?" very tremu-
lousy.
e'Well," said the Voice, rather sharp
ly; lit must come off next week Or |
may change my mind altogether. That's
straight!'
''Oh, John" exclaimed the young
woman. How impetuous you are!
But I"-shyly taking the lapels of his
coat in either hand-'I think l can get
ready bV that time"