The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-09-08

seeming incongruity Of the clipping
and his ardent wish TO believe in him
During the year rumor discussed the
young man with greater fervor. but
Agnes steadily refused TO talk OF the
matter. She met new friends and be-
lieved she was forgetting Jack.
That morning, the anniversary Of
their betrothal. Jack Wilson arrived on
the City of Paris. sending a telegram
from his club announcing his arrival
and a request for an interview. Agnes
decided TO see him once more.
When Agnes spoke of his ideals as
we have seen, Jack leaned toward the
graceful figure with intent TO seize the
delicate hand in close proximity. but
she, apparently unconscious of his in
tent, quickly swept il among the folds
of her gown.
Up 10 this time Agnes, with woman
ly deftness, had kept the conversation
upon conventional lines, but the mag
netism of congeniality had thawed her
feelings and an approaching scene was
impending.
her fingers trembling with emotion.
See, Jack. this white rose.' she
added, nervously. 1T is one of Dor
othy's wedding roses. She threw her
bouquet and whispered, when secured
il, that as il was an emblem of her
happiness. Sic was pleased that | had
been the favored one" Touching its
petals daintily, Agnes. with scornful
intonation, interrupted the exclama-
tion of Jack. 1T is like those ideals
you men worship. frail. delicate, ten
der and pure. If il had soul-who
knows but that it may have one-it
might be sympathetic, noble and for
giving. As we view il, il is simply
symbol which a breath. "A touch, will
destroy. /, too. once worshiped such
ideals, but time has blown his breath
upon them and | now realize the utter
worthlessness of such fetch worship"
agnes. l beg of you," cried Jack. in
passionate protest. ''Let me explain"
Explanations, like comparisons.
dear Jack, are odious, unconventional
and unutterably wcarisome. Why al
lude TO episodes. disagreeable and I'M
welcome, on this Heaven-born night?
Blcst is the bride the sun shines on,
may well be supplemented by moon and
stars of such refulgence as those above.
Ii was n perfect wedding day-high
noon. and the bride exquisitely lovely.
Your former belle, Julia Lathrop. was
present. gowned magnificently. as
usual. Paquin stared AT one from every
seam and screamed at every rustic of
her bewildering train. True, age is
lowering near her. but in that light
she didn't look a day older since you
sailed for"
Springing 10 his feet. Jack advanced
several steps toward the door. then
turned suddenly, strobe toward the ex-
asperating. tantalizing, fascinating
woman whose image had been with
him through all the troub.ous months
Of his absence. Sinking upon one
knee. he grasped her hands so violent
~ that the fragile sticks of her pref
~ fan snapped in quick succession.
Agnes" he hoarSely cried. "you
shall listen TO me. conventionalitv has
not crushed out the womanhood re-
vealed 10 me in our blissful life few
years ago. You know full well YOU are
my ideal. brilliant. patient, tender. low
ing. sympathetic. noble. You belle
your character when you utter plati-
iudes more fit for a cynic's shriveled
soul than a true woman loyal tout
and inanities upon which the average
woman feeds. Your beautiful soul
cannot contain SUCH heresics as you
have uttered tonight. the divine will
never separate itself from you. Speak
TO me a in the past. Of things gathered
in that rare soul which j. like the
jewel in the diaden. worth a mans
ransom. Open you heart to me. my
darling. in which pain. tears. and JOY
blend in such exquisite harmony. Tell
me OF God. of visions wherein visits TO
the universal realm. debarred from me
through gross material pursuits. but
revealed TO you that higher light which
is reflected in your lustrous eyes. An
swer me, Agnes. you still have faith in
me?'
His voice sank in musical cadence,
as the realization of her purity i'm
pressed itself upon him and that the
loss Of her guiding spirit would wreck
his life.
Agnes. astonished beyond measure
at this outburst of passionate appeal,
experienced revolution Of feeling
quite the opposite of the flippant persi-
iiage which characterized her previous
remarks.
Don't. Jack Forgive me- was
wrong TO use that tone. fancied YOU
were Indifferent TO such qualities in
women. | trust the sincerity in your
voice. The voice is always true 10 char
acter when under stress of emotion.
whatever its quality Jack. ! wonder
YOU did not detect the sham in mine
She said these words as he held her
hands. more moved than she cared TO
acknowledge TO herself Pressing a
kiss upon her trembling fingers.
crushed and almost bruised. Jack rose
silently and 1poked down upou her