The Globe-republican., 1903-06-04
A Strange Occurrence
please Agnes have prom moa Of the weight that realized

I moval of the weight that we realize
how oppressed we had been.
Instantly my girl seemed to revlv
and Theo to grow more like the ga!
happy boy Of past years. had a
along felt that these two were suite
to each other, and, with all my affet
ton for Harold, felt he was not til
mate for my gentle girl. So, being
woman, and therefore q matchmaker
l managed to leave them together, ais
sent them for a walk in the garden a
twilight. When they Games in | say
all was well between them, and whel
they sat down, one Gil each side o
me, and began to pay me compliments
me, an old woman, Of course, knew
all was right. So presently they con
fessed their happiness, witt blushes
and shy glances at each other, to gail
courage for the telling.
| never saw such look of hate ant
rage in my life as that which flashed
from Harold's face when the news was
told him on his return. "We all know
what happens when the cat is away
he said harshly, and in an instant, re.
covering himself, he wished them all
happiness and kissed Agnes upon the
brow with apparent brotherly affec-
ton.
No one seemed to distrust him but
myself, and | said nothing TO spoil the
happiness Of the two SO dear to me.
1t was a week later that, coming
into Agnes's room, found her lying
face down on the bed sobbing her
heart away, nor would she listen to
my comforting nor tell me her dis.
tress. "She had promised not to tell
and she wanted to be Alone" she
and was still moaning when
Theo rushed into the room, his face so
white 1t startled me. He did not seem
to see me, but looked only at Agnes.
"You have nothing else to say to
me, Agnes?" he asked, hoarsely. "For
the last time, ask you for the chance
to defend myself. Even the criminal
1t the dock has that"
She shook her head "It's no use,
rheo. | have seen the proofs. You
couldn't explain away the truth"
"It's my brother who has done this"
lie cried out bitterly; done 1t to get
ne out Of the way. And l am going.
But I tell you this, you shall never
marry him. l will prevent it even IL
am dead. | swear I'll" And, turn
ng quickly, he rushed from the room.
Her cry of pain and wretchedness
ollowed him. "0h, what shall I do,
what shall l do! | can't believe it!
lnd yet l saw the proofs, auntie, |
aw the proofs" And so she cried pit
ously, over and over.
When | had cOmforted her a little |
,oked for my boy, but nowhere was
e to be found. He had gone, and gone
yithout word.
Time passed slowly. | never was
I'D the reason of the trouble; and,
Tough | distrusted Harold, I had no
luse to accuse him. pleaded for the
bsent one, but finally ceased, seeing
was useless.
What l had long expected came to
ISIS. Agnes promised herself to Har-
d. All her pretty animation was
,ne, and In the same listless way she
d everything now prepared for her
edding. Often, as | looked at them, !
n words of an earliey time came back |
me; he did, indeed, seem to have a
range power over her, even her t
oughts were echoes Of his. S
1t was about 6 O'Clock the evening t
eceding the day set for the wed.
ng. Agnes and / were sitting in the !
tie morning room, which opened on |
porch that led into the garden. She v
rs sitting at my knee and l was v
nothing the golden head that lay so a
,arily on my lap. Suddenly we heard V
step on the porch and the next In Il
int Theo stood before u.s.. With I
that told only too eloquently Of the II
,ret longing SO long hidden, Agnes o
rang to her feet and rushed toward Il
n. He stopped her with a gesture, g
10 you still belie'c me guilty, Ag- n
81 Il
No. mol" she cried. "and even II | II