The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-08-22

conversation leading up to the all i'm
portant question. He even went so ~
as to act it all out. How he should stand
at such moment, with bent head, wait
ing for her reply. lie would go on thus
and thus until, having in his Imagination
heard all she said, as he paused at differ
ent times, he would eventually throw one
arm around her trim waist as he made the
one great plunge. In his enthusiasm he
threw his left arm around convenient
post and beamed fondly on last months
calendar. This aroused him to a sense of
his surroundings and he was silent for a
few moments
A low tapping at the door of his work
shop aroused him. He listened somewhat
impatiently to the soft tones of his Sis
ter's well modulated voice.
Don't let me disturb you, john" she
was saying. Il merely wanted to tell
you we have decided that the childrens
party will be given on our own lawn"
well" said John, rather sharply, lit
must come off next week or | may change
my mind altogether. That's straight. 3"
Very well; that win suit us per-
fectly."
Roswick followed his sisters retreating
footsteps down the long hall almost i'm
mediately.
LuS utAb cNtulLg ne WAS uIcA DtCLbulg
called to the upper end of the city and it
was not until the following night that he
once more found himself tete-a-tete with
Agatha. Outwardly he was quite self
possessed, but alasl the trepidation of
his heart 1t thumped away at such
rate that his power of speech seemed in
danger of forsaking him at any moment.
Agatha, tantalizingly collected sat
waving a huge feather fan with lazy
grace, smiling softly in her companions
restless eyes You were saying" she
began, interrogatively, that you were a
great admirer of Ruskin?"
"Yes-that is, his Stones of Venice
you know. Such works interest me
greatly By the way" and the very
thought that he was about TO begin the
contamination Of his plan caused his
tongue to halt; "by the way, want-I
mean l would like to know more fully
your theory in regard to sewer gas-how
to combat it, you know / missed your
last paper in The Architects Assistant
on the subject" This was a long speech
for john and he was trife flushed as
he paused.
1T is very kind in you to ask my
opinion" Agatha said, sweetly, but /
prefer to let you read it for yourself. |
will send the journal to you tomorrow"
Although Agatha was secretly proud
of the fact that her dabbllng in such top
les had attracted some attention, she did
not care to discuss these problems at this
time. 1t was, therefore, with touch of
cool formality that she added Il was not
aware that you were interested in archi-
lecture, Mr.. Roswick"
"Oh, but l ami" he exclaimed, enthusi-
astically. Il have just let the contracts
for row of flats in Acton square"
'Indeed2 What charming location!"
I'm glad you like it.
This was spoken before he realized it.
Now was his chance. The cognizance Of
the critical moment at once paralyzed his
power of speech. Agatha, with eyes
modestly downcast, was toying aimlessly
with the various articles on the small
table at her left hand, and seemed to
offer as much encouragement as any man
could ask.
"Miss West" he began, nervously.
further. His speech absolutely failed
him. 1t was with an inarticulate gasp
that he heard what seemed to be his own
voice; but oh, SO much more clear and
confident.
Miss West-Agatha, said the voice.
pardon me if / seem too bold, but have
something of the utmost Importance to
say to you"
''Yes?' said Agatha, softly.
You must know-it can be no secret
to you-that l have long esteemed you as
more than a friend"
''Why, Mr. Roswick!" 1t was a very
gentle exclamation, ingeniously indica-
tive of mild surprise.
John Roswick was, by this time, dumb
with establishment. Fortunately Agatha's
ewes were aVartpd He apain tried tn
speak, when the voice was heard once
more.
Il wanted to tell you this long ago." it
said, land beg you to accept of my love.
For | do love you better than anything
on earth. You are not angry with met"
mo" very softly.
Johns expression was something won
derful. His lips moved, but no sound
came forth. Again the voice.
Dear Agatha" it continued (who could
resist such an appealfl, be my wifel Make
me forever happy
There was an interruption. Miss West
now raised her head for the first time,
flushing all rosy red, like the early sum
mer dawn. 20, John" she exclaimed,
rapturously. Nothing more.
Then she threw her arms around his
neck most gracefully-she had studied
Delsarte-and whispered in his ear IL
think know l love you, John"
ROswick, to his credit be it said, i'm
proved the opportunity and kissed her
then and there upon her very charming
mouth
From the center of the table came a
faint, whirring sound. Roswicks puzzled
brow cleared as a thought flashed across
his mind. He turned pale when, with a
sudden tiirt of the newspaper he saw the