The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1917-01-16

AFFAIR with Agnes Shotwell as any more
serious than those had had with 9TH
er girls. l had by this time made up
my mind that she had given me a kiss
in the dark and that her innocence was
assumed. Acting upon this theory, I
suddenly clasped her in my arms and
ratned kisses upon her cheeks and lips.
A man may sometimes kiss a girl
without having declared himself and
not appear disrespectful. l. having as
sumed that Agnes had overstepped the
boundary Of feminine modesty, gave
her too many kisses.
AS soon as she could release herself
she turned from me without a word.
went to the steps leading below and
disappeared. There was that in her
manner to tell me it would be useless
to follow her; that she was incensed
beyond measure and if l obtained for
giveness l must wait and strive for It,
Had | known her better I would not
have feared that she would make it
unpleasant for me with the others Of
her party, but my limited knowledge Of
her made me fear that she would.
/ confess l was very much disgrun-
tied. To have made such a mistake
troubled me very much, for l was at
an age when man is especially sensi-
ton of women. brooded over the
matter during the day and lay awake
thinking of it at night.
did not see her again till the after
noon Of the next day, when l ap-
preached her while she was with her
father and aunt. She received me nei-
Their kindly nor unkindly, there being
nothing in her manner to indicate to
the others that she was offended with
me. But when l again met her alone
she passed me without recognition.
was now badly cut up. l knew
from her manner that she was not act
ing part, and 1t was plain to me that
the kiss given me in the coach had not
been impaired by her. was in a di-
lemma. l must either acknowledge
myself culprft or excuse myself by
telling her of the kiss in the coach,
story so improbable that it was not
likely to be believed.
Very soon after my offense we ar
rived at the landing at Cincinnati.
That Mr.. Shotwell did not know of
anything amiss between his daughter
and me was made plain by his giving
me an invitation to call at his house.
| looked at Agnes to note If she acqui-
esced, but saw no sign that would or
would not be welcome. We parted on
leaving the boat, the Shotwell party
driving to their home in the city, 1
to my hotel
After much brooding over the matter
concluded to make the call. I had In
me the consciousness of not being quite
so bad as l appeared and l must bide
my time for an opportunity to explain.
Upon entering the ShotweH residence
l received the surprise of my life.
Agnes came into the drawing room
alone and with a very different look
on her face from any had seen there
since my transgression. 1t was very
cordial.
l was of course relieved, but puz-
zled. l did not believe for moment
that Agnes had pretended to be offend
ed with me, and yet as a sensitive girl
how could she suddenly return to her
former treatment of me without even
an apology? started to make one, but
she checked me and went on talking
about something else.
By this time I was madly in love,
and love overcame curiosity. Be she
good, bad or Indifferent, Agnes pos
sessed me. Instead Of staying a week
In Cincinnati, l remained there
month. When l left was engaged to
Agnes. After our engagement asked
her why she had forgiven me without
my having asked to be forgiven. She
only said, LET that pass" But a mo-
ment later she added Forgive me for
my part in that matter, will your?
1 forgave her and felt very compla-
cent at my magnanimity. left her to
be gone till the following spring, then
returned for our wedding.
Nov. 10, 1s55.-My wife's Aunt Anne
lila died week ago. This morning
Agnes came to me and told me that the
change toward me without explanation
or apology for my transgression was
due to her aunt's having confessed to
her that she had kissed me in the
coach.