The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-24

re- ne conrnGoa: 10 JARED her Agatha
g,ibly enough when INK EMBARRASSED by
her presence. Indccd. Dis habit Cf think
ing aloud had becc me, through circum
stances, fixed one and, ~ On several
previous occasions, he recounted the
events Of their last meeting.
Il cant stand this any iongerl" he cx-
claimed, aGG1cnly. IN Sc her tenor
row night and have it all settled IL scEle
way. This foolshness must be stopped.
Tho ideal AErcid OF q women And /
know-at least, I'm quite -lre-slc-she
likes me. Let lac sec" ko continued,
musingly How can ! introduce the sub
iect2 l lrowl" he calculated, with sud
den inspiration. IN cek her il she thinks
there il any danger CT sewer gas in my
new row Of Acts, That VIII lead up to
the subject ricely." AID then Roswicks
mind skipped gayly from ono point to an
other az he formulated in lis own way tho
conversation leading up 20 the ell in
pcr.ant question. lie cYen went 20 far
as to act 1t e.! out low 10 should stand
at such moment, with bent head, wait
ing for her reply. Ec would go on thus
and thus until, having in his imagination
heard all sic cid cs he pa ,ccd at differ
ent tinos, lie would eventually throw ono
erri around her iii,.l waist rs lie made tho
one greet plunge. II his enthusiasm no
threw his lett crn around convenient
post and beaiaeI fondly on 2 last months
calendar This aroused hill 80 sense Of
bis surroundings and he was silent for
few moments.
A low tapping at the door Of his work
sbop aroused him. He listened somewhat
iupatiently TO the soft tones of his Sis
tors well modulated voice.
Don't let me disturb you, John, she
was sowing Il r.crcly wanted TO tell
Won We have dcci.ed that the Chlidren's
party viii be givCr on Oil own lawn.
"Wcn, said Jrhn. rather sharply, II
must como of next week or | may change
nv mind altogether Thots straight.
Very we'll that will suit us pei
fcctly.'
Rosvick followed his sisters rctro-tag
footsteps down the long hail almosj i'll
mediatcly.
The next evening he was Unexpectedly
allied to the upper end of tho city, and 1t
was not until the following night that lac
once more found himself tetc-a-tete with
Agatha. Outwardly he was quite self
possessed, but alas the trepidatiOn Of
his heart 1t thumped awGy at such
rate that his power of speech seemed in
danger of forsaking him at any moment.
Agatha, tantalzingly collected, sat
waving huge feather fan with lazy
grace, smiling softly in her companions
restless eyes. You were saying, she
began, interrogatiyely, that you were
great admircr OF RuskinR'
"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
corsummation OF his plan caused his
tongue to halt; by the way, | want
mean | would like TO know more fully
your theory in regard to sewer gas-how
10 combat it, you know. missed your
last paper in The Architects Assistant
on tho subject" This was a long speech
for John and he was Il triflc flushed a.
he paused.
1T 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 to morrow"
Although Agatha was secretly proud
OF the fact that her dabbhng 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 formality that she added: II was not
aware that you were interested III archi-
lecture, Mr.. Roswick."
oh. but | am" he exclaimed enthusi-
astically. Il have just let the contracts
for row Of flats in Acton square
"Indeedl What charming location!
I'm glad you lilo it
This was spoken before he realized 1t.
Now was his chance. The cognizance of
the critical moment at once paralyzed his
power of speech. Agatha, with eyes
mOdcstly doWncast, was toying aimlessly
with tho 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
furth His speech absolutely failed
him 1t was with an inarticulate gasp
that he heard what seemed 20 be his own
voice; but oh, so much more clear and
confident.
Miss West--Agatha, said the voice,
pardon Inc if I seem too bold, but have
something of the utmost Importance 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.
Il wanted to tell you this long ago, it
said, land beg you to accept Of my love.
For | DO love you better than anything
on earth. You are not angry with me?'
No. very softly.
Johns expression was something Won
dcrfui. Ills lips moved, but no sound
came forth. Again the voice:
Dear Agatha. - il continued (who could
re Is. such an appealgl, "be lly wiiel Make
nc forever happy
There was en- interruption. Miss West