The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-12-25
" VOL. RISING sun, CECIL COUNTY, MID. FRIDAY DECI

Agnes and he were placed opposite
each other at table. and both tried to
preserve their usual air of cheerful
friendship an attempt which proved a
dismal failure-their spasmodie efforts
at careless conversation generally end
ing in discontinue. Col. Howard once
or twice rallied his son upon his low
spirits, but, attributing the cause to his
lack of sport, bade him hope for better
luck next time.
AS special compliment to her hus-
band and children, Mrs. Howard came
in to dessert this evening, and Frank
ceased to think OF his own affairs in
| looking after the comfort of his beloved
and still beautiful mother, whose gra-
cious presence caused the remainder of
the meal to pass off delightfully."-, all Vie
ing with each other in their courteous
efforts to amuse and entertain the gem
tie invalid, to whom the occasion was a
rare treat. Shortly after the ladies
had retired, Frank excused himself to
his father and Mr.. Graydon, the only
guest, and strolled out through the
grounds.
The mild September night was calm
| and cloudless, and the full moon, shin
ing with mellow radiance upon the
tranquil scene, glanced along the wind
ing paths and brought out the shadows
of the dark green frs in strong relief.
For some time the young man wandered
aimlessly about, thinking of that one
whom he now too well knew was dearer
to him than all the world beside; and
H.
whether it were possible that she had
discovered his secret? Soon, while TAX
| ing no heed to his course, be came to a
tangled mass of shrubbery which, for
| lack of better name, was known as
''the labyrinth and his heart throbbed
violently as, seated on messy rock, he
saw the object of all his thoughts.
Miss Graydon rose quickly on hearing
his step and would fain have made a
swift retreat; but it was too late.
In a moment Frank stood before
her, and. as she glanced timidly up, the
struggling moonbeams flashed tell
tale light upon her lovely face, all wet
| with tears. ''Oh, Mr.. Howard" she be-
gan, in that instructive effort at de-
fense which modest maiden ever
makes ,,,.+ o.r,. an- 80.
now-and-" But she could get no
further. There was potent some
thing in Franks searching eyes which
checked the feeble protest on her lips
and compelled her, tremblingly, to meet
them with her own.
Even in this extremity her truthful
soul could not stoop to subterfuge.
| Frank, strong resolute man though
he was, now that the crisis of his
young life had come was scarcely less
moved than she; but, as the rushing
whirlwind in its resistless course
sweeps.all obstructions from its path,
so now the pent up torrent of his love
broke through all doubts, bore down all
fears and carried him, a willing cap
tive, on its flood.
Yet, when at last he spoke, his deep
toned words were few and low, while
falling with that subtle power which
comes alone from out the fullness of
! true and honest heart. Comino, ah! so
dangerously close to the fair girls side.
he simply said: x.1.
Miss Graydon-agnes! Doyou know
that love you? May tell you all?''
No more than this. No fowery
speeches; no vehement protestations.
But Agnes Graydon understood; and
her beauteous head bent like lily on
its stem, and a roseleaf tint suffused
her cheeks as she raised her glorious
eyes and bravely faltered:
sNo-Mr. How! Frank! / did not
know it, but-I-I-feared-o no
hoped--that-that- Oh, Frank"
and the rest Of the sentence was whis-
pered on her lovers shoulder, for now
he caught her impetuously to his heart,
drew her yielding form to his bosom
and their lips met in that most blissful
of all earth's joys-the long, clinging,
| rapturous, first kiss of pure and youthful
love! Afterward, as, all unwitting of
their way, they walked through an en-
chanted land of arching glades and
fairy dells, only Agnes and the silent
trees and silver moon might hear the
| story-old as mans creation, yet new
as this mornings sun-which Frank,
with sweet reiteration, told and told
again, while She All, no; poor night
ingale, who trill your joyous song
from out the thicket's depths, never
may You hope to rival the matchless
music OF those responsive murmurs,
those sweet confessions of maiden's
first-told love. Happy, trustful, inno-
cent childrenl they fondly dreamed
that now their lives should flow in one
unbroken stream of perfect joy.
An only daughter and an only son,
equals by birth, family connections.
education and personal charms--their
fathers. old friends and comrades-in-
arms, would doubtless hail with delight
their new-formed ties. What cloud
could darlren the brilliant sunshine of
their future hopes? What tempest wreck
their love-laden barque? Alas! alasl
for guileless hearts unslkilled in worldly
wa~ei
obliyious of time, the lovers fingered
long IN that sweet converse which
cynics deem but foolish talk, because,
forsooth. its truest wisdom is sealed
book to them; but at last the lengthen-
ing shadows told of the moons decline,
and Agnes, startled by the lateness of
the hour, exclaimed: 'sOh, Frank, we
must go mi tits nearly midnighto
'sWhy. dearest" he rejoined, tive have
been here only few moments. 1 am
sure II Is no more than ten o'clock"
''Well, look At your watch" Frank re.
luetantlY dFew Il from his fob, but, be-
fore opening the case, said: :.Agnes, L
know IL Is not yet ten. / viii wager
i l.. Il.