Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-24

e>A' 0A ~ ecciHiy, Il nlgnL De mcuneu to agree with you"
 As that reply passed his lips, the old nurse appeared again at the door, announcing another visitor.
 I'm sorry to disturb you, my dear. But here IS little Mrs. Ferrari wanting to know when she may say few words to you"
 Agnes turned to Henry before she replied. "You remember Emily Bidwell, my favorite pupil years ago at the village school, and afterward my maid! She left me, to marry an Italian courier, named Ferrarl-and am afraid it has not turned out very well. Do you mind my having her in here for minute or twor
 Henry rose to take his leave "I should be glad to see Emily again at any other time," he said. "But it is best that should go now. My mind is disturbed, Agnes; I might say things to you, if stayed here any longer, whlch-which are better not said now. I shall cross the channel by the mail tonight, and see how few weeks change will help me-" He took her hand. "Is there anything in the world that can do for your he asked, very earnestly. She thanked him, and tried to release her hand. He held it with trem- ulous, lingering grasp. God bless you, Agnes!" he said, in faltering tones, with his eyes on the ground. Her face flushed again, and the next instant turned paler than ever; she knew his heart as we'll as he knew 1t him. self-she was too distressed to speak. He lifted her hand to his lips, kissed it fervently, and, without looking at her again, left the room The nurse hobbled after him to the head of the stairs; she had not forgotten the time when the younger brother had been the unsuccessful rival of the elder for the hand of Agnes. "Don't be downhearted, Master Henry" whispered the old woman, with the interruptions common sense of persons i'll the lower rank of life. Cry her again, when you come backp
 Left alone for few moments, Agnes took a turn in the room, trying to compose her self Sue paused before little water color rawing on tue wall, which had belonged to her mother; it was her own portrait when she was child. "How much happier we should be-" she thought to herself, sadly, Eff we never grew upT
 The courier's wife was shown ina little meek, melancholy woman, with white eye lashes, and watery eyes. who courtesied deferentially, and was troubled with small chronic cough. Agnes shook hands with her kindly. "Well, Emily, what can do for you2"
 The courier:s wife made rather a strange answer: "Im afraid to tell you, miss"
 s Sit down, and let me hear how you are going on. Perhaps the petition will slip out while we are talking. How does your husband be- have to you2"
 Emly's light gray eyes looked more watery than ever She shook her head and sighed resignedly.
 "I have no positive complaint to make against him, miss. But I'm afraid he doesn't care about ne; and he seems to take no in- terest ill his home. may almost say he's tired of his home. It might be better for both of us, miss, if he went travelling for awhile-not to mention the money, which is beginning to be wanted sadly"
 She put her handkerchief to her eyes, and sighed again more resignedly than ever.
 "I don't quite understand" said Agnes. 'I thought your husband had an engagement to take some ladies to Switzerland and Italy7"
 9Th t was his ill luck, miss. One of the ladies fell ill-and the others wouldn't go without her. They paid him months salary as compensation. But they had engaged him for the autumn and wlnter-and the loss Is serious"
 II am sorry to hear it, Emily. Let as hope he will soon have another chance"
 aIt's not his turn, miss, to be recommended when the next applications come to the couriers' office. You see there are SD many of them out of employment just now. If he could be privately recommended"- She stopped, and left the unfinished sentence to speak for itself.
 Agnes understood her directly. "You want my recommendation" she rejoined. "Why couldn't you say so at oncei"
 Emily blushed.
 Ut would be such chance for my bus band," she answered, confusedly. "A letter, inquiring for good courier Ia six months engagement, missD came to the office this morning It's another mans turn to be ohosen-and the secretary will recommend him. If my husband could only send his testimonials by the same post-with just a word in your name, nliss-it might turn the the scale, as they say. A private recommen- dation between gentlefolks goes so far"
 She stopped again, and sighed again, and looked down at the carpet, as if she lad some private reason for feeling little ashamed of herself.
 Agnes began to be rather weary of the persistent tone of mystery in which her visitor spoke.
 "If you want my interest with friend of mine," she said, "why can't you tell the name2"
 The courier's wife began to cry.
 "I'm ashamed to tell you, miss."
 For the first time Agnes spoke sharply.
 "Nonsense. Emily! Tell me the name di- rectly-or drop the subject-whichever you like best"
 Emily made last desperate effort. She wrung her handkerchief hard in her lap, and let off the name as if she had been letting of a loaded gun: r
 "Lord Montbarryl"
 Agnes rose and looked at her.
 "You have disappointed me" she said, very quietly, but with look which the courier's wife had never seen in her face before. "Knowing what you know, you ought to be aware that it is impossible for me to com municate with Lord Montbarry. always supposed you had some delicacy of feeling. l am sorry to find that have been mistaken.
 Weak as sue was, Emily had spirit enough to feel the reproof. She walked in her meek noiseless way to the door. "I beg your par don, miss. l am not quite so bad as you think me. But beg your pardon, all the same"
 She opened the door, Agnes called her back. There was something in the woman's apology that appealed irresistibly to her just and generous nature. "Come," she said, "we must not part in this way. Let me not mis- understand you. What is it that you ex- pected me to do7"
 Emily was wise enough to answer this time without any reserve. My husband will send his testimonials, miss, to Lord Montbarry in Scotland I only wanted you to let him sav