The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-10-18

thar.
Frank burst into grent laugh.
Agnes is a splendid girl. said he,
"and worth waiting for, if she is little
high headed ana self willed. She re-
quires most delicate and careful angling,
but III bet yon. Percy, twenty to one
that you'll land her yet.
mo said Percy. shaking his head, II
won't bet, for to tell you the honest
truth | think Darcy chances at this mo-
ment are better than mine.
TOO modest by half. said Frank, as
he strolled away hurnrning a little love
ballad.
Fallon came forward now and greeted
the ladies and bowed to Darcy, who had
attached himself to Agnes side, evident
" with the design OF staying there.
Heavens, said Mrs. Ransom, whis-
pering in her daughters disengaged ear,
he IS not staying here IN the house, Is
her
"Oh, no" said Agnes aloud, ssif you
mean Mr.. Fallon He boards at McKin-
stry's, three miles away
.sWho is that ghurlY drawied Darcy,
eying Phemy through his glass as she
brought out little table and began to
spread it for an improvised luncheon of
strawberries and cream. sShes eccen-
twic; by Jove, deliciously eccentwic.
She Is girl have taken to help me-,
in fact, have partly adopted. She was
reared on the poor farm and has been
sadly abused and neglected. but have
hope Of making something of her.
She looks like an original natural
curiosity" said Darcy; as if she'd been
captured in the woods and had escaped
from cage.
eShe looks like scarecrow, sid Mrs.
Ransom severely. Agnes, you GER
tainly have very remarkable taste in
pets.
Excuse me-" said Agnes, with dig
nifty. q must go and see about the lun-
cheon, for am sure you are all fam
ishsd. Percy Fallon had overheard the
words and now darted forward to her
aid. do allow me to fetch out chairs, =
he cried. and proceeded at once to make
himself at home
'Confound the fellow" said Darcy,
under his breath; s.he's too officious BY
half.
Presently the ladies were all seated
outside the door in the full enjoyment
of the al fresco luncheon, and Phemy,
on the top OF the wave Of importance
and delight, was handing about plates
and coffee cups Agnes certainly had
never before looked SO beautiful. The
pure country air and simple living had
deepened her bloom. made her eye
brighter, her hair more lustrous. slightly
filed and rounded the exquisite lines of
her form. Teddy Darcy was not in the
habit Of taking much trouble in love af-
fairs, but he was so we'll convinced that
Agnes would have stunning effect on
couch, in an opera box or In ball
room he was disposed to struggle for the
prize. "Confound that color singer,
he said to himself, II can't contwiye
what women see in such poor devils to
admire"
Mrs. Bruce, one Of Agnes married
sisters. had been on an exploring expedi-
ton over the house. She now got up.
with her coffee cup in her hand, and APP
preached Fallon, who was lounging
about rather disconsolasely with his
hands in his pockets. 'sThose sketches
of yours in the keeping room are perfect
gems, said she; 'they turn the quaint
old place into bower of beauty"
..0h, by the way, Fallon, drawled
Darcy, ''what would you take for the
lot? I suppose you don't object to turn
penny"
More than you could pay said Fal-
lon, turning on his heel. "Those sketches
are not for SALE"
Il should like to correct that chaps
bad manners" said Darcy, turning to
Mrs. Ransom.
Agnes" whispered the lady to her
daughter, II am afraid Darcy means to
pick quarrel with Percy Fallon."
well, let him. returned the incor-
rigible Agnes. II haven't any doubt as
to who would win"
Frank Havdock. seeing the situation
was little strained, took his beloved
violin out of its case and began to tight
en- and tune the strings. "Corne, Fal-
lon," said he. II saw your banjo in there
on the table; let us play few jigs for
the girls to dance"
The proposition was met with delight
ed outcries on the part of the young
women, and in a trice the coffee cups
and strawberry dishes were hurried
away, and chairs moved back ON the
greensward Burns had cut the grass
that morning, and the turf was smooth
ard elastic to the feet.
'sCome, mother. you must open the
ball with me" cried VIII Ransom, and
he led ont the unwilling lady by main
force. The others paired off as they
could, Darcy taking Agnes, with look
of scornful triumph in the direction Of
Percy Fallon.
'.Well, never" said Mrs. Burns,
peeping round the corner of the house;
II guess the folks that pass on the road
win think we've opened an insane asy-
lum.
1t was pretty sight. though, themer-
~ party led by win and his unwilling
mother, who had. been forced into the
fun, all jigging delightedly to the in
spring music. Phemy. determined not
to be excluded from the good time,
whirled about, taking extraordinary
steps in one corner Of the grass plat till
her hair was blown wildly about and her