The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-15
NOW HAPPY COULD BE
WITH EITHER.
NJ. PAYNE SMITH.


creature"
II am not a creature, but an able
bodied woman, with all my wits about
ma Why should I make believe to be
the weak kneed specimen of feminine
foolishness that is your ideal woman|
"Oh, never mind me, do just as you
like" cried Mr.. Bartlett, testify, as a
voice from the inner room called, "What
are you two quarreling about now?"
at is only Mr.. Bartlett talking non
sense, mother" said Agnes, gayly; che
thinks can't go up to town for days
shopping without chaperon."
is that all? Why, my dear Gus,
Agnes always goes about alone. Indeed,
there is no one to go with her, SO she has
TO; she has never come to any harm yet"
and Mrs. Oldham looked up appealingly
from her sofa.
Mr.. Bartlett promptly subsidized, as he
always did, when any remark of his had
brought Mrs. Oldham's poverty into full
view Neither Agnes nor her mother
ever troubled themselves about the mar
rowness of their income, but it was a
-pr,Ainsul subject to Gus, who would will
them He returned to the charge-a.. IAN
hour later, when he and Agnes were out
in the garden
"You might let me come with you to-
morrow" he said, persuasively; 81 could
see you over the crossings, at any rate"
"Oh, the policeman does that" an
swered Agnes, merrily. "You are dying
to know what | do with myself, of
course, but l don't mean to encourage
you in inquisitive habits, SO shall go
~ ioOh - .--.,t.--Sz-
man. Don't you think, Tor !,
theirs sake, you could put up with me?"
he went on, in pleading tone.
THAT is either the third or fourth time
that you have proposed to me in the last
month" said Miss Oldham, calmly. "If
you do it again before Christmas will
have you bound over to keep the peace"
81 wish you would not chaff fellow
so. am quite in earnest"
$50 am II / may marry some day,
but it, or perhaps fought to say he, won't
be you. So be a sensible boy, Gus, and
leave off sentiment. 1t does not suit
your figure" and Agnes laughed, mis-
chievously.
Gus was used to- snubbing, and bore it
with fair amount of fortitude. He and
Agnes had been playfellows since child
hood. and he had, as he thought, fallen
In love with her on his return from Ok
ford. He had lately got into habit of
proposing or half proposing to her after
every one of her numerous squabbles,
and always met with the same laughing
but unqualified refusal. Agnes looked
on him as a brother, and was extremely
fond of him, but Gus Barton was not the
sort of man to inspire clever, practical
woman with any very deep affection,
and she could never even take his devo-
ton seriously. which was depressing for
Gus.
"Florrie, allow me to introduce our
squire, Mr.. Augustus Bartlett of that
ilk-Miss Marsh, Gusi' and Agnes fin
ished the introduction with sweeping
curtsey.
Mr.. Bartlett looked distressed. 81 did
not know you were bringing friend
down." he said, "and I've only got the
dog cart here. I suppose you had better
drive, and let me walk" he added.
SHOULD you be very much surprised
II you heard that the greengrocer's cart
Is waiting for Miss Marsh's luggage?'
cried Agnes. ~ would have told you
she was coming, only you were SO dis
agreeable yesterday. We can pack in
the dog cart all right" and SO they did.
Gus invariably met Agnes at the sta
tion when she returned from her visits
to London, but on this occasion he was
much astonished, for she had never
brought friend back with her before.
and this friend was both pretty and
charming. She very much enlivened the
evening OF thu cottage, whittier Gus
Strolled as usual after dinner, and, gen.
orally speaking, made good impression
on her friends; but for all that Mr.. Bart
lett was not quite happy in her society.
He could not help thinking that there
must be something uncanny in her sud-
den appearance, or else land this brilliant
idea rather took his fancy Agnes had
brought her down for him to fall in love
with.
"Just as if anything, or anybody,
could make me give up Aggie" he
thought to himself as he went home
wards. ut would serve her right if l
did have little firtation;" then, as a
brilliant idea struck him, II declare, I'll
ask Nugent down, and he can look after
Miss Marsh while take care of Aggie."
Which determination was promptly act
ed on, for Gus wrote letter that night,
and sent it off by early post as soon as he
came down the following morning.
"Wbat do you think of our squire,
Flor"
Zine, well grown young man, with
restful absence of ideas" answered Miss
Marsh, carelessly.
HE has some ideas, but they are main
ly practical" said Agnes. "He is an ex-
cellent landlord, besides being a dear
good boy, but he certainly is not brill |
iant.'
How does he come to reign all alone
IN this forlorn way?" inquired Florrie.
has he no belongings"
None to speak of. His mother died
when he was a baby, his father three
years ago. l think mamma looked after
nim more than any one else, though he
mas some aunts and cousins. He and
are just like brother and sister"
THAT must be rather pleasant. as Won
have no proper brother. Why. surely
that is he coming up the lane? And
thsre is come one with him! Fancy find-
Ing two young men in country village
like this"