Johnstown weekly Democrat. (Johnstown, Cambria County, Pa.) 1889-1916, 1890-03-21


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 Aggiew he
thought to himself as he went home
wards. 1T would serve her right if
did have iittIe 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 of by early post as soon as he
came down the following morning.
''What do ym think of our squire.
Flo:"
Pine, well grown young man, with a
restful absence of IDEAS" answered Miss
Marsh, carelessly.
"IIe has some ideas, but they are main
ly PRACTICAL said Agnes. "He is an ex-
cellent landlord, besides being a dear
| good boy, hut he certainly is not brill
| iant.'
''How does he come to reign all alone
in this forlorn wayT' inquired Florrie.
"Has he no belongings"
| "None to speak of. His mother died
when he was a baby, his father three
| years ago. | think mamma looked after
him more than any one else, though he
has some aunts and cousins. He and /
are just like brother and sister,"
"That must be rather pleasant, as you
have no proper brother. Why, surely,
that is he coming up the lane? And
there is some one with him! Fancy find
ing two young men in country village
like this!"
Miss Marsh had been at the cottage
three days, and was enjoying the fresh
country air thoroughly; and having
keen interest in her fellow creatures, she
had been studying Gus because there
was no one else to study. Now her at
tention was distracted by the new conner,
who was, indeed, very agreeable and
interesting specimen of humanity.
Richard Nugent had been at college
with Gus, but had been far more sue
cessful in the schools, and less in the
cricket grounds, than his friend. Now
he was hard working London curate
while Gus was enjoying the less labor
ious position of wealthy country gen.
tleman, but their friendship was as great
as ever.
"Mrs. Oldham, will you come up to
the Grange tomorrow? said Gus one
afternoon, as he lay on the grass at her
feet. "Nugent and want to have some
tennis with the girls, and you can look
on and chaperon."
Very well, | will come with pleasure,
but you must send the pony carriage for
me, you know"
"Of course; send for you and send you
back. You will stay to dinner, won't
you?''
"You must consult the girls about
that" said Mrs. Oldham, ''for have an
idea that they may be busy; they are
reading together good deal, you know"
'Miss Marsh went in to write letters,
didn't she? l don't know where Agnes
has gone remarked the young man,
rising from his lazy attitude and looking
about him. "Oh, there she is, with Nu-
gent, right at the end of the field. How
can people be so energetic this weather."
Agnes and Mr., Nugent did not seem to
find the heat oppressive; they are stroll
ing quietly along the shady side of the
field, talking, and were SO much inter-
ested in their conversation that it was
quite long time before they returned to
the lawn. Agnes was hearing of world
that was new and strange to her, but
which seemed the exact thing she had
desired for years.
In the quiet village there was but lit
tie for an energetic woman to do; but
the life Mr.. Nugent spoke of had oppor-
tunitjes for every one. Real hard self |
denying labor among the poor, depress-
ing at times, but cheered and lightened |
by the fellow feeling of many workers,
all struggling towards a noble and |
worthy aim, was the very work she |
would have chosen had the choice been |
given her Now she heard of it from
one of the workers, and her face glowed |
with enthusiasm as she listened, while |
Mr.. Nugent could not help longing to |
have such ready sympathy and apprecia-
ton near him to soothe and cheer him in |
the troubles and disappointments which |
were a necessary accompaniment of the
work.
"Why don't you come to London and |
work with us, Miss Oldham?" he asked
"You have strength and energy. Why |
waste them on trifles when you might
be doing real good with them?"
81 don't think my mother could live
in London said the girl, slowly, land
we could not afford it, either. But l
shall work some day, and meanwhile, l
dare say, it is good to have to exercise
patience. And l am young enough as
yet" she added, with smile, as they re-
turned to the lawn to join the others.
The afternoon at the Grange was a
success. Mrs. Oldham sat in low chair
under a great cedar tree, and enjoyed
herself quietly; indeed, the view and the
sight of the four merry young people
was pleasure enough for her. The tennis
court was a very good one, and Gus and
Florrie played Mr.. Nugent and Agnes
with great effect. When they were
tired Florrie insisted on being taken all
over the house, and gave the master of
it intense pleasure by the interest she