, 1888-11-18

his surroundings and he was silent for a
few moments.
A low tapping at the door of his work
shop aroused him. He listened somewhat
impatiently to the soft tones of his sis
tor's well modulated voice.
Don't let me disturb you, john" she
was saying, Il merely wanted to tell
you we nave decided that the children's
party will be given on our own lawn"
Well" said John, rather sharply, lit
must come off next week or l may change
my mind altogether. That's straight.
Very well; that will suit US per.
fectly."
Roswick followed his sisters retreatlng
footsteps down the long hall almost i'm
meGiately.
- he1 next evening he was-unexpectedly
called to the upper end of the city, and It
was not until the following night that lie
once more found himself tete-a-tete with
Agatha. Outwardly he was quite self
possessed, but alasl the t%repidation of
his heartl 1t thumped away at such a
rate that his power of speech seemed in
danger of forsaking him at any moment.
Agatha. tantalizingly collected, sat
waving a huge feather fan with lazy
grace, smiling softly in her companions
restless eyes. you were saying" she
began, in~terrogatively, that you were Il
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 the
contamination of his plan caused his
tongue to halt; ''by the way, l want
mean | would like to know more fully
your theory in regard to sewer gas-how
to combat it, you know. l missed your
InGN =. NJ -
on the subject" This. was a long speech
toT John, and he was a trife flushed as
he paused.
1T is very kind in you to ask my
opinion" Agatha said, s~weetly, '"but l
prefer to let you read it for yourself. l
will send the journal to you tomorrow
Although Agatha was secretly proud
of the fact hat 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 a touch of
cool formality that she added: 81 was not
aware that you were interested in archi
lecture, Mr.. Roswick."
"Oh, but l amp he exclaimed, enthusi-
astically. II have just let the contracts
for a row of fats in Acton square"
"lndeed2 What a charming locationl'
I'm glad you like it,"
This was spoken before he reali zed 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 aimlesslv
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, n~ervously
Agatha did not look up. lie could go no
further. His speech absolutely failed
him. 1t was with an in~articulate gasp
that he heard what seemed to be his own
voice; but oh, so much more clean and
confident.
Miss West-Agatha," said the voice.
pardon me if l seem too bold, but l nave
something of the utmost Importance to
say to you"
'Yes2' said Agatha, softly.
You must know-it can be no secret
to you-that have long esteemed you as
more than a friend"
Why, Mr.. Roswickl' 1t was q 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 tho voice was heard once
more.
Il wanted to tell you this long ago" it
said, and beg you to accept of my love.
For do love you better than anything
on earth. You are not angry with me2"
NO" 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 wifel Make
me forever happy
There was IN interruption. Miss West
nnvr roiea5 how had ~ 49, E,.4 4.-.a
flushing all rosy red, like the early sum
mer dawn. 90, Johnl' she exclaimed,
rapturously. Nothing more.
Thcn she threw her arms around his
neck most gracefully-she had studied
Delsarte-and whispered in his ear: 81
lhink-I know l 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 a thought flashed across
ais mind. He turned pale when. with a
sudden hirt of the newspaper, he saw the
photograph he had sent Agatha the day
before, and realized that his suspicious
we're confirmed. 1t was the one he had
been experimenting upon in his workshop
wo nights previously, and again the
mechanism had been inadvertently set
yoing.
Agatha West, resting in his embrace,
was almost too happy for speech. She
sighed gently. And do you really want
ne to marry your" very TREMENDOUSLY.
"Well," said the voice, rather sharply,
lit must come off next week or | may
change my mind altogether. That's
7traightl'
"oh, John!" exclaimed the young
roman. "How impetuous you arel But
2-shyly taking the lapels of his coat in
either hand-"1 think l can get ready by
that time."-W. c. Fulton in Chicago
Herald.
A Method of Preserving Food.