The sun., 1900-12-10

ALllu pul ueepiy SeuSltlNe nature mao
been urged into an engagement with a
man she did not like. Though the
conflict this occasioned her and the
misery which accompanied it were ap-
parent TO everybody, nobody stirred in
her behalf until Agatha Webb took it
up. She went to see her, and, though
it was within fortnight Of the we'd
ding, she did not hesitate to advise the
girl to give him up, and when the poor
child said she lacked the courage
Agatha herself went to the man and
urged him into display of generosity
which saved the poor, timid thing
from life of misery. They say this
was no easy task for Agatha and that
the man was sullen for year. But
the girls gratitude was boundless.
OF her daring, which was always on
the side of right and justice. the sto-
ries were numerous. So were the &C.
counts, mostly among the women, of
her rare tenderness and sympathy for
the weak and the erring. Never was
man talked to as she talked to Jake
Cobleigh the evening after he struck
his mother, and if she had been in
town ON the day when Clarissa May
hew ran away with that Philadelphia
rascal many said it would never have
happened. for no girl could stand the
admonition or resist the pleading of
this childless mother.
1t was reserved for Mr.. Halliday
and Mr.. Sutherland to talk of her
mental qualities. Her character was
so marked and her manners so simple
fhat few gave attention to the intellect
that was the real basis of her power.
The two mentioned gentlemen, how
ever, appreciated her to the full, and it
was while listening to their remarks
that Frederick was suddenly startled
by some one saying to him:
You are the only person In town
who has nothing to say about Agatha
Webb. Didn't you ever exchange any
words with her, for | can hardly be-
lieye you could have met her eye to
eye without having some remark to
make about her beauty or her innu-
ence?"
Tho speaker was Agnes Halliday,
who had come In with her father for q
social chat. She was one OF Freder-
ick's earliest playmates. but one with
whom he lad never assimDated and
who did not Like him. He knew this,
as did every one else Ia town. and it
was with some hesitation he turned to
answer her.
"I have but one recollection" he be-
gan and for the moment got no fur
ther, for in turning his head to address
his young guest he had allowed his
gaze to wander through the open Win
dow by which she sat into the garden
beyond where Amabel could be seen
picking flowers. AS he spoke Amabel
lifted her face with one of her sug-
gestive looks. She had doubtless heard
Miss Halliday's remark.
Recovering himself with an effort,
he repeated his words. II have but
one recollection of Mrs. Webb that |
can give you. Years ago, when | was
lad, was playing on the green with
several other boys We had had some
dispute about lost ball. and ! was
swearing angrily and loud when sud
denly perceived before ME the tall form
and compassionate face of Mrs. Webb
She was dressed in her usual simple
way and had basket on her arm
but she looked SO superior to any other
woman l had ever met that | did moi
know whether to hide my face in hel
skirts or to follow my first impulse and
run away. She saw the emotion she
had aroused, and, lifting up my face
by the chin. she said: Little boy,
have buried six children, all of then
younger than you. and now my hus
band and myself live alone. Otter
and often have l wished that one a
least OF those darling infants Nigh
have been spared Us. But had Goo
given me the choice Of having then
die young and innocent or of CROWN.
up to swear as have heard you toda,
should have prayed God to take then
as he did. You have a mother. D,
not break her heart by taking the nam
of the God she reyeres in vain Ant
with that she kissed me. and, strang
as 1t may seem to you, In whateve
folly or wickedness | have INDUCED
l have never made use of an oath from
that day to this-and / thank God fo
it,"
There was such unusual feeling Il
his voice, feeling that none had eve
suspected him capable of before, tina
Miss Halliday regarded him with as
tonishment and quite forgot to indulg
in her usual banter. Even the gen
tlemen sat still, and there was a nc
mentary silence, through which ther
presently broke the incongruous soun,
of shrill and mocking laugh.
1t came from Amabel, who had jus
finished gathering her bouquet in tn
garden outside.
CHAPTER Y.
THE MAN WITH THE LONG BEARD.