The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-02-19

IL! GnOugnC S1o was Tree, ana that ne
cared for the other girl. / suppose she
was only civil to me because / am his
friend and he betook himself to bed
and, after nights tossing and tumbling
went back to London by the earliest pos
sible train, without taking formal fare
well of the ladies of the Cottage.
Agnes was angry, very angry: she had
been most cavalierly treated, as she con
sidered, and longed for some one or
whom to vent her ire.
What did he mean by running away
without even word of thanks for the
civility they had shown him? He must
have thought she was making eyes al
him-just as if she cared a fig about him
or looked upon him from any other point
of view than, that of guide to the East
of London! How horribly conceited mer
were! Oh, there comes Gus! he might
have left us alone for one day and she
went to open the door. and quarrel will
her visitor if possible. Gus was little
bit cross, too, for Florrie had had to join
her relations in Normandy, and he and
the Oldhams were left alone, and things
were fiat in consequence, though he
fancied he should like it.
''It's very nice being together again
isn't it, Aggie?' he said as he entered.
81 don't think so at all, she answered
promptly. 81 dare say you don't miss
Mr.. Nugent, but am very dull without
Florrie, and SO are you, should think,
she proceeded, rather spitefully.
II only want you, as you know" he
said, not as pleasantly as usual. "Nu-
gent has promised to come and marry
us, and I really think you might make
up your mind to it soon.
''Marry you! Never! have told you
so dozen times at least (Which was an
exaggeration) land now. after flirting
with FlOrrie all the summer, you have
the impertinence to ask me again, and
to ask Mr.. Nugent to marry us, just as
if we were engaged. I don't wonder he
went away! I'm not surprised at all
now!' and Agnes suddenly flung herself
on the sofa and burst into tears.
AS to Gus, he stood and gazed at her,
open mouthed. For one thing, he had
never seen her cry since she was tiny
child; for another, a new idea had pene-
,trated his slow brain, and the world
Seemed upside down.
" 80 Florrie! had he flirted with her? No.
BE had only been blind. He had had a
strange new feeling for some time.
which had alternately made him happy
and miserabl@ and which must nave
heen'-
Here his meaitations were interrupted
by Agnes, who had left off crying and
recovered her temper
Don't stand there with your mouth
open, Gus" she cried: you do look sc
silly. Just make up your mind, once
and for all, which of us you really care
for, and take the next boat for Dieppe
The Marshes will be there till the end OF
the week"
Mr.. Bartlett took her advice. and g
few days later Mr.. Nugent, who was
trying to work off his bitter disappoint
ment, got letter from Dieppe with the
astonishing intelligence that Gus anC
Florrie were engaged, and that hit
friends affection for Agnes was of to
tally different kind to what he had beer
led to believe. ''In fact" the letter con
Guided, agnes knew me better than
did myself, and was perfectly righ1
when she brought dear Flo down to stay
with her, Don't forget that you have
promised to marry us.
Hard work was very pleasant to Mr.
Il L.