Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1905-01-06
AoNETA's COMPLIANT.
As Advises Her in Way That
Brings Happiness.

ne AuN'oos Uer !" wy '"s
Brings Happiness.
called on Agneta late one after
he IN and found her alone. She wa
pnded by empty teacups. an
tired. folly" she began, n
la me her hand-my name
re a IS oliver. but l knew Ag
eta b. she was quite capable
Sf either ,lly. I've been LITERAL!
bombarded! weakly told James
40 say at home to Lady Clifford
fhe didn't understand that she wa'
TO be the sole exception. and before
l could stop him he'd let in per-
feet stream. I've just been giving
him a piece of my mind"
you've evidently Hurried him."
admit me-"
He'd better!" said Agneta
laughing; why I look upon you
as"
"As an elder brother" l quoted,
and Agneta blushed.
There was a short pause. then
she suggested that l should ring for
more tea, and | refused, having
had three teas already.
do you know I'm rather glad you
won't" she declared; my wrist
positively aches with holding the
teapot" She leaned back lazily in
her chair. "Tolly," she continued.
1--WE won't even have the lamps. A
twilight chat is all 1 feel equal to;
besides-I want to ask your advice"
Il can see you're not up to the
mark" l observed cheerfully.
Agneta disregarded this sarcasm
and played abstractedly with her
bangles.
"Tve had a proposal she re-
marked suddenly.
Another" l murmured dropping
into a chair on the opposite side of
the fireplace.
"And I want your advice about ac-
cepting it."
rs it as bad as that?" I asked
alphabetically; then here goes"
and l stretched out my hands to the
blaze. rs he nice?"
"Very--at least most people think
So"
Good looking?"
Agneta regarded me thoughtfully.
II think" she said, ~ should hardly |
call him that; but he's not very |
rlain."
'l"Rich?"
rAbominably!"
"And he adores you, of course?"
and for the life of me l couldn't keep
i suspicion of bitterness from my
lone.
Agneta looked grave. That's the
difficulty; I'm not SO sure that he
loes."
Then, why on earth did he ask
you to marry him." I demanded.
You're not particularly rich, GER
ainly not clever, and I've often seen
more beautiful women. and"
Don't be rude, folly, and don't
ak rubbish; of course he liked me
hem ,
MY dear girl'-I threw my hands
ut with gesture of impatience- ,
we're playing at cross purposes.
bought you said it happened yes !,
arday." !
Il never said when it happened; !
certainly wasn't yesterday, nor :
ven the day before"
looked puzzled. But" l expost- y
lated, eff it occurred long ago, =
urely you answered him at the
me?" =
Il did"-and she smiled don't T
now why-"and I refused him"
"Well--"
"Well, I've been thinking ever
nee, and I'm not sure that meant
changed my position and regard
her severely. IF I'm to be Of the
asst use to you in the matter you
ust be more explicit" is
'TH try" said Agneta ingenious FL
+; ASK me as many questions as "
u like, folly" a,
do you love him." :,
She turned her face away and :,
oked dreamily into the glowing -
1bers. yes" she whispered, and lie
e monosyllable was so soft that | ia
d to bend my head to catch it. / ps
lied myself together. After all, it
faced this moment in my imag- nc
ltion for years. I'd told myself mr.
ousand times it must come some ~
v. 1t was only Agneta herself -
lo'd hitherto denied the POSSIBLE -
Well, she had inherited her wo-
ms kingdom at last, and / would to
t be the one to refuse her homage. w
got up and stood leaning on the yo
intel shelf, looking down at her III,
Well" l said, controlling my mi
ce by an effort, 'fts very simple. We
u must see him. or write to him, ha
! tell him you've changed your TO
nd. Poor chap! You've no bust ne
IS to keep him out of heaven exi
ment longer than necessary" are
But suppose he doesn't want i'm
wen? Suppose he's ceased to on
e?" lul
laughed. 1t wasn't a very mirth- 80
laugh. but it was the best mai
Id manage. oul
People don't cease to care-for hal