Milford chronicle., 1889-01-18

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once more found himself tete-a-tete witt
Agatha. Outwardly he was quite sci
! possessed but alasl the trepidation o
his heartl It thumped away at such
rate that his power Of speech seemed II
danger of forsalIing him at any moment
Agatha, tantalizingly collected, sa
waving a huge feather fan with lazl
grace, smiling softly in her companion
restless eyes. 'You were saying, SKI
began, interrogatively, that you were
great admirer Of Ruskin2"
"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 hi;
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 1t, you know / missed your
last paper In The Architects Assistant
on the subject" This was a long speech
for John, and he was trife flushed as
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 tomorrow. F."
Although Agatha was secretly proud
of the fact that her dabbllng in such top
les had attracted some attention, she did
not care to discuss these problems at this
time It was, therefore, with a touch Of
cool formality that she added: Il was not
aware that you were interested in archi-
lecture Mr. Roswick
1Oh, but l ami" he exclaimed, enthusi-
astically. Il have just let the contracts
for a row of flats in Acton square
oh To- low.
I'm glad you like 1t"
This was spoken before he realized 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 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, nervously.
Agatha did not look up. He could go no
further. His speech absolutely failed
him. It was with an inartieulate 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 Importance to
say to you"
''Yesg" said Agatha, softly.
"You must lnow-it can be no secret
to you-that have long esteemed you as
more than a friend"
why, Mr.. Roswickl" It 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, ''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 appeal?), "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 sum
mer dawn. 20, Johnw she exclaimed
rapturously. Nothing more.
Then she threw her arms around his
neck most gracefuny-she had studied |
Delsarte-and whispered in his ear: q
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. Roswicz's puzzled |
brow cleared as a thought flashed across
his 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 |
were confirmed. 1t was the one he had |
been experimenting upon in his workshop
two nights previously, and again the
had been inadvertently set
going
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 tremulously
well, said the voice, rather sharply,
1T must come off next week or / may
'hange my mind altogether That's
itraightw
"Oh, Johnp exclaimed the young
Toman. ''How impetuous you arei But
'-shyly taking the lapels Of his coat in
'ither hand-"I think can get ready by
hat time. w C. Fulton in Chicago
Herald.