Year: 1878

teacher and up the walk to speak to her
cousin.


Who cousin Ralph was, Agnes had
not the remotest idea. She walked on
humming tune, as she turned into
cross street that led to her home, wholly
unmindful ofthe remarks that were be-
ing made concerning her.


There is the little organist told you
Of, Ralph" said Arthur, hastily drawing
his cousin out again on the piazza a


What! that homely little thing ia a
calico gown? Whew!' and he gave
long low whistle. Il thought from your
description, Arthur, she must be equal
to Venus,stleast."


Arthur shrugged his shoulders, smiled
an odd little smile, and led the way up
stairs. His mental comment was agnes
is no firt; but there is witchery about
her that few can resist. want to see
how Ralph will make it, rather think
that both have found their match


The next Sunday Ralph and Arthur
were in their pew when Agnes came in
One sweeping glance she cast over the
congregation, as she seated herselfa the
organ, then bent her eyes intently on
the book. Ralph started slightly as he
encountered those eyes. Arthur was on
the watch and something very like a
smile curved his lips. Strange as it may
seem, Arthur was anxious that Agnes
should fascinate Ralph. Perhaps the
truest explanation of his feelings was, he
did not relish the idea of his most init
mate friend. Ralph, being more invul-
nerable than himself He had yielded
to the charms of Agnes's presence, had
offered himself and been refused in so
delicate a manner that he felt none Of
the littleness usual on such occasions.
He was still her friend and esteemed her
highly. He did not speak of her again
to Ralph; and, as his cousin had no pre-
text for mentioning her, the subject
was dropped.


One May day the acadamy had a pic
mic. A May picnic with its May queen,
May pole and all its pleasant accompani-
ments, and all the annoying details on
such occasions.


Agnes led her little troop, and when
their wants had been attended to and
their appetites appeased, she left them
merry with their games, and wandered
down the brook little way. She was
tired and wanted little rest, so seating
herself on a grassy plat beneath an old
oak, she leaned back against its friendly
trunk, her eyes half closed, her little
brown hands lying Gstlessly in her lap.
A delicious languor stole over her.
Suddenly she heard a step beside her
and started up, slightly bewildered to
find Arthur Benton and his cousin
beside her. Her selfpossession returned
in an instant as Arthur presented his
cousin, Mr.. Wilson. In a week, Ralph
Wilson had forgotten that Agnes owler
was plain; had forgotten every thing
save the sweetness of her smile, the rose
charm that hung like a witchery about
her, and the sly glances he now and then
caught from those brown eyes usually
veiled beneath their long lashes. Two,
three, or four months passed, and yet
Ralph fingered, anxious, yet fearful to
tell the little village maiden of his love.


He had flirted desperately with many
city bellies, had breathed sweet nathings
into their ears time and again Why
should he stand in awe of this little
country girl? He could not fathom the
reason. He had never said to her what
he had said to them. In fact there had
been no love passages between them


He had fingered near her, he had
studied her every word and look, but she
was sacred to him as a goddess. Her
manner puzzled him. He believed her
notwholly Indifferent to him; yet some
times he fincied he saw look of con-
tempt upon her face, as she sat upon the
rustic seat in the yard, her hands always
busy with some useful work while he,
lounging carelessly upon the greensward
near, toyed idly with his cane, or thread
ed the wavy masses of his hair with his
jeweled hand.


September came and Ralph was
obliged to return to the city. do you
know Agnes he said one night why
1 have fingered here so long," The
brown eyes gave one quick, puzzling
glance, then were resolutely veiled-


Because our village is a charming
place to tarry in, presume" she an
swered quietly.


agnes" he said earnestly. you
know why 1 have fingered: 1t is is be-
cause 1 love you and have not dared to
tell you 80. have wealth, Agnes; share
it with me-"


There was a nervous trembling about
the sensitive mouth, tremor Of the
eyelids and then the eyes grave and
earnest now, though humid with unshed
tears, looked into his.


aMr Wilson-Ralph," she said slowly,
Il will not deny that you are more to
me than a friend but 1 promised my
father on his death bed that ] would
never marry any man who had no pro-
fession or trade, one whose hands were
soft and white, who, should wealth take
wings knew not how to labor Tor hls