Telegram-herald., 1891-11-15

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that, foe poor u,e. you u1st wander for
years. Tar from your home snd country,
seems more than can bear
IL was now Prank tarn 20 strengthen
and console; and leading the distressed
girl 10 q seat. he koeis ~ her feet and
drawing her rounded arms about his
neck whispered sweetest words of hope
and comfort aud soos she became more
calm and was able to speak Of the
future with soans show Of cou posurs.
MY sweet Agnes" said Prank. ''the
hardest part Of our great Trial ", thaA
In the true spirit Of the eosnpset with
my father, we are forbidden TO write
each other. or even send nsasagcs; but
be has, this morning, 50 tar modified
this arrangement as 70 consent that
the contents Of my mothers weekly
letters to me shall be left entirely TO
her own discretion, and as my own let
ters to her may be read by you. we
shall thus. virtually, Be- in constant cor
respordenec-
''And Agnes. do you know that have
not the least fear of my exile extending
70 i've years? My fathers heart u real
ly most kind and generous aud viii
every day plead more and more strongly
for US Aud, moreover. dearest, rely
greatly upon Sir George Msnsdrld's de-
termination to win the countess OF Mill.
brook and Lady Louisa over TO his own
views. God grant he may succeed, and
quickiy.'
And SO the lovers talked themselves
into almost cheerfulness-as such lovers
ever will-until Frank could no longer
delay his departure, and he now drew
from its case costly ring, the great.
single diamond OF which flashed in
brilliant. star.ile rays on every move
ment.
This he gently placed on Agnes hand
saying rs lie did so: MY betrothed
wife. it needs not such baubles TO bind
our faith; but, let this little gem, when
ever you look upon its scintillating
light, be to yon the star Of hope; and"
removing plain gold band from ono of
her fingers TO his owr<<''I will wear this
simple circle as pledge and symbol OF
our endless love. And now once moro
good-by--my darling. Oh. my darliDg-"
But what pen could describe parting
such as this?
The very last possible moment Of his
stay had come; and Agnes, with match
less heroism, restrained her tears, ard
actually smiled-true heart-so that
her lover might bear away no sad i'm
age in his mind; and not until the car
riage had disappeared did she give way
TO all the abandonment of her woman
hoods first grief. IL was well for the
poor girl, in this crisis. that the voice of
duty called her to life of active usc-
fulncss-though. indeed, she was not
one to sit down and idly brood over un-
avoidable ills.
The circumstances OF her father
who was totally untitled for any kind
of business-made it imperative that she
should augment his scanty income by
her own earnings, and hence she at
once looked for and readily found. .anoth-
er remunerative situation. Indeed, 90
high was the general estimation IN
which the character aud accomplish
ments of Miss Graydon" were held. that
there arose quite o rivalry between sew
eral noble families Of the neighborhood
as to which should secure her services;
but finally she gave the preference to
Lady Mansfield, mother of Sir George,
chiefly because her mansion was but .
short half-milc from her own fathers
house, and she would therefore be abls
to spend her nights and holidays at
home. The fact that Sir George was
Frank Howard's dearest friend also had
great weight in determining her choice,
which proved most happy one, as. from
the very first, she and Gertrude Mans
field, her only pupil, were like sisters;
and the whole household, all Of whom
knew something Of her touching story.
petted and made much Of her.
Some few days after assuming her new
duties Agnes walked over TO Linwood
hall to see Mrs. Howard, who showed
her letter, just arrived, from Frank.
ard it was really very difficult to say,
judging from its contepts, whether the
long cpistle was intended for his
mother or bis fancec, so cunningiy had
the writer interviewer his tale Of flisl
affection with that Of lover-like devo-
ton. But the puzzle was easily read
by Agnes, who went homo with .
thankful and happy heart.
Everything at Linwood, Mrs. Howard
said, was very dull since her "boy"
had gone; the girls greatly missed their
brother, aud even Col Howard himself
moped about in n most disconsolate
manner, though fondly imagining that
no one knew the cause. Certainly, to
Agnes, the whole aspect of the place
eemed changed by the absence Of one
whose joyous presence had been it, life
and greatest charm.
Thus the time wore on In . monot-
onous routine, which would have been
insupportably tedious but for Franks
weekly letter, filed with everything
which he thought might amuse the
home circle and cheer Agnes IN her SOL
itude. Autumn passed into winter and
winter gave place to spring. The early
days of April bad come. and Frank had
now for quite six months been wander
ing from one historic spot 70 austher,
through Germany, Switzerland. France
and Italy, but always saying in each Of
his letters where the next enc from
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