The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-10-25
"best matches of the city during her

"best matches of the city during her
two seasons, much to the relief of
those young men who had not yet sum-
moned up courage enough to try their
fate, and much to the disgust of a few
amiable young women and several de-
signing mammas. The latter could not
help but deprecate the wicked selfish
ness of a young girl who Hypothetical
and thus rendered temporarily un-
available much potential matrimonial
stock, which, in the nature of things,
would ultimately be thrown back on
the market upon the selection by the
fair one of that single bond to whose
exclusive possession she vas limited
by the laws of church and state.
The fact of the matter was, that
Agnes Murdock's ideal of life was high.
She was determined, if she ever en-
barked upon a matrimonial venture,
to do SO only with q reasonably good
prospect of finding in the welded state
a satisfactory outlet for the depths of
affection which had remained so long
unapplied in her tender maiden heart.
No one among the young men who
had sought her hand had seemed
worthy of the great love she was ready
to bestow. She was, therefore, still
awaiting her fate.
"You wished to see me, SIR" the
young girl gently insinuated.
EYES," said MURDOCH, with great de,
liberation; 81 wished to speak to you
about"
He watched her face intently, as if to
read the effect which his words would
produce. The light in his eyes was
almost tender; but Agnes was not
skilled in reading their scarcely per-
ceptible shades of expression. She
looked up inquiringly, noting only the
slight hesitation in her fathers speech.
"About a young man continued
Murdoch, with a quizzical smile.
A flush mounted to the girls cheeks,
and she fixed her eyes upon space.
"A young man who admires you
greatly, and who"
HAS he'asked you to tell me this?:'
inquired Agnes, somewhat impatiently.
"Oh! dear no." laughed the chemist;
she is only too anxious to do SO him
self. He is a most impetuous fellow.
But 1 thought it best to prepare you"
MAY l ask the name of your pro-
tege?" interrupted the young girl.
did I say he was my protege??'
asked Murdoch, gently. 81 certainly
| hol NO infapfiNp IF onrvauinr ony-
such impression. His nam is Chat
ham-Thomas Chatham"
A look, half of amusement, half of
veXation, came into the girls eyes. 1t
did not escape Murdock's close
scrutiny.
81 judge from your reception of the
g~entleman's name, that his suit is not
likely to meet with much favor in your
eyes,"
81 am not aware that I have evcr
given Mr.. Chatham any reason to be-
lieve that it would" answered Agnes,
stif1y.
"And yet you must have understood
the drift of his attentions during the
last few months, since"
''Since it has been perfectly clear to
every one else, you mean?
"And yet" the young girl continued,
ref1ectively, 81 do not see how, with
out downright r%udeness, I could have
done more than 1 have to show him
that his attentions have been distastc-
full to me-"
''Then 1 may infer" said Murdoch
smiling, "that you would not break
your heart if"
He seemed to hesitate in the choice
of his words.
"If he should conclude to go abroad
on a long journey without subjectine
you to his impending proposal"
ION the contrary, father" admitted
Agnes, 81 should be ev~erlastingl.
grateful to you if such a consumma
ton could be brought about withou
unnecessary rudeness or cruelty to
wards Mr.. Chatham"
Every well, Agnes, that is all l want
ed to see you about"
Agnes looked c%uriously at her father
as if to read the purpose hidden in tn
depths of his %inscrutable eyes. Sh
saw nothing but a polite dismissal i
his calm face; and the interview bt
tween father and daughter ended, as
had begun, with formal courtesy o
both sides.