The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1888-07-21
AGNES TRACY'S
MISTAKE.

Oil'Hi l'HNt SiNhliiNh hiii ihoiioh III
the afternoon sunlight like molten
silver.
But it was the lovely face of Agnes
Tracy that | was Watching, not the
beautiful panorama which glided
past US as the steamboat moved
maicstically on her way, farther and
farther from the scene of my sum-
mer's holiday.
was in love with Agnes Tracy,
hopelessly, as | believed-for it was
said that she had been engaged to
Hugh Morton for months, and his
attention to her during the past sum
mer and the kindness with which
she smiled on him, seemed to war
rant the truth of the report.
AT this moment he was bending
over her, speaking in an earnest inn
passioned manner, that caused my
heart to throb with jealous fury.
She averted her face from his gaze
and as she did so her eyes caught
mine.
A vivid flush dyed her cheek, and
l turned, with something akin to
hate ranking in my breast, toward
the man who had won the heart of
the only woman l had ever loved.
'Did you ever see Il lovlier view ?"
said the soft voice of Nora Tracy,
Agnes younger sister, at my side.
She was fair and sweet as spring
violet, and had l not been so madl y
in love with Agnes her shy
beauty would have wakened in my
heart something more than friend
ship.
at is, indeed, lovely" respon-
ded, "and one which would arouse
the soul of an artist to enthusiasm.
But such a cold, practical nature as
mine, Miss Nora, has outgrown all
such feelings long ago, and l find
myself wondering how profitable
the cattle and sheep are that we see
grazing on yonder grassy shores,
and if it would not be paying in
vestment to buy and stock some of
this fine pasture land.
A low, incredulous laugh behind
startled me, and the next moment
the clear voice of Agnes spoke.
How refreshingly practical you
are, Mr.. Hunter When we were
down at Ocaan View l fancied you
quite enthusiastic, over the rocks
and the breakers that night of the
storm, but suppose | was mistak-
en- in your sentiments"
| colored and bit my lips, and
Hugh Morton, who had followed
Agnes to where we stood, looked
flushed and annoyed, as he always
did when an allusion was made to
that night when Agnes and | had
been out in the storm alone, and
death had stared us in the face to-
gether.
"There are moments in life" l
replied, " when everything combi-
mes to stir in mans soul n depth OF
feeling which he had never suspec-
ted he possessed before. That night
of the storm was such an era to me
Miss Agnes"
Something of the passion which
filled my heart on that night when !
dared for Il moment to hold Agnes
Tracy in my arms, came to me now
and must of found expression in
my voice, for her dark eyes dropped
beneath my gaze and warm flush
mounted to her forehead.
She made no reply, and Hugh
Morton led her to the other end OF
the boat.
Again Nora's little bird-like voice
broke in on my disturbed thoughts.
What fearful night that must
of been And yet Agnes told me
when she got back, all drenched
and shiyering as she was, that she
had never been so happy in her life
as out in that awful storm. But
then Agnes is so brave and loves
things which frighten and appal
me-"
My heart gave great bound OF
Joy. Did she, then, love me? The
thought was joy unutterable, but |
dare not harbor it.
fingered with Nora for over an
hour, listening to her sweet, child
like prattle, and striving in vain to
rcpress the feeling of triumph that
swelled in my heart when her in
nocont confession of her sisters
words came across me.
The sun sank, like a great ball oi
fire, below the western sky, and the
bright stars pceped out, one by one
and were reflected in the shining
water beneath in throbbing quiver-
ing brightness.
Thn rnst of the nnrtv were ON the