The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-09-05
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
]TELL AGNES
BY Dorothy Douglas.

10y VIRUS ne hau neard during the
last fortnight were these two-"Tell
agnes He had come TO believe that
MS trip to America was planned
merely that he might convey endless
&nessages from one sister to the other.
On the contrary, he was going to
New York solely on business, and it
was more or less of bore to have
10 look up all the sisters and uncles
nd aunss who had gone to America.
! IL was gross exaggeration on EN-
J rvs part to imagine that he had
N look up all the relatives who had
It the home land. Because he had
a ard the words Tell Agnes" so
any times he had come to look upon
4 snes as a tyranny. But because
mes was the sister of She girl
- ON Emery intended to propose to
IN his return from America, she
to be endured. She had left the
+ ne land some months before John
yhery- had found his way into the
iendship OF the Doan family.
There is only one more message
nave for Agnes" Mary DOan told
Fhim the night before his departure,
and l am telling you because you
Will see her before my letter reaches
her" Mary blushed shyly and John
Emery felt a strange drop in the tenn
perature.
Tell Agnes that-G am going to
marry Billy Wade in September and
that | want her to be my bridesmaid"
John Emery never could remember
Just how he got out of the house and
away from Mary Doan's blushing face.
Tell Agnes-nothing," muttered
emery as he stepped OFF the boat on
me New York side Of the Atlantic.
1 will not even look her up now"
"Oh-are you Mr.. John Emery?"
asked feminine voice at his side.
emery looked up from the steamer
trunk he had been opening for the
customs man.
"Oh, 1 say!" the Englshman ccaught
MS breath. Afeer acknowledging his
right to the name of Emery, he raised
a belated hand to his tweed cap.
Il am Agnes Doan," the girl con-
tinued, and Emery knew then why he
had found her so beautiful.
she is so like Mary" he said half
under his breath while he took the
, hand Agnes extended.
Mary cabled me to meet YOU" Ag-
mes was saying, so thaS you would
not get lost" She laughed and EN-
cry looked up at the sound.
Just fancy your knowing me-" he
said with the tinkle of her laugh
ringing in his ears.
Sister sent me a coaching picture
taken down at Ilfracombe, and it is
so good a likeness that l had no diff
fculty. Mary tries TO keep me from
being homesick by telling me about
the jolly times" Her voice trailed
of and Emery felt his first emotion
for Mary's sitter.
I'VE will go and have a cup OF tea"
he said quickly, eff you will be good
enough TO show me about. / have
many things 20 tell Agnes" he told
her, using the familiar words. I'm
sorry" he apologized, noting her
blush, Il was quoting your sister"
Il would forgive you anything since
you have invited me to have a cup
of tea. Fancy" she said in a voice
that was not quite steady, Il have
not been asked to have a cup of tea
since left home"
by Jove, that is rough, Isn't it
proper for chap to take a girl to
tea here asked Emery.
"Oh, perfectly" laughed Agnes,
r-but it is not tea in New York"
81 see. Then if you've nothing else
to do we will have a cup of tea every
afternoon shat 1 am here" Emery
hardly realized that he awaited an
answer to his words. He found Ag-
mes blushing and for the third time
during their short acquaintance his
heart tripped beat.
THAT will depend" said Agnes,
upon how long you will be staying
here"
T+ o,ddo,r,- ooo,,--oa 3. H. - 4bo.
it was not going to be a bore to con-
vey the messages to Agnes. In fact
he felS that telling Agnes was going
to prove a most delightful change
from business.
When they were seated az a small
table in one OF the little tea rooms
which he learned later was one of
many in New York, Emery leaned
back in contentment. Agnes's fin
gers fingered over the teapot and
seemed to caress it. Emery found
himself slightly jealous of the cups
and saucers, then realized that he
was foolish, considering the fact that
he was IN love with the sister of Ag-
mes.
is my sister Mary as beautiful as
ever?" ne heard her asking.
'tAS beautiful as wild rose"
Emory found that he could speak
without bitterness of Mary's beauty.
''She told me to tell you that" he
floundered for a second, that she has
made Billy Wade a happy fellow.
They are to be married in September,
and Mary wants you to be her brides
maid" Emery breathed more freely
now tha5 the hardest of the messages
had been given
"Oh, 1 am glad!" cried Agnes, then
stopped short. Distress was evident
in her big, expressive eyes.
at does not in the least matter"
Emery comforted her; "it is no doubt
best that Mary did not love me-" He
looked at Agnes in so direct a man
ner that the color mounted her cheeks
for the third time.
ALSO" went on Emery, conscious
that his eyes had betrayed his inner
most thoughts and desiring to put her
at her ease. MARY wanted you to
know that there are six pink roses
Reeping into your easement window,
&nd that she has had your room dress