Agatha Webb

iled out through the ample doorway, on their way home, the first faint streak of early dawn became visible in the east. One

is the daylight! This

rland

slight figure of a young man coming from the hous

ne answered till he had dashed out of the gate and disappeared in t

r. Fred

in a despe

d on my

words he was mutte

calculated to rouse any intere

d him say something, but I

id: 'Thank God, this night of horror is over!' Think of that! After such a dance and such a spread, he calls

di

so di

nged looks, then huddled

with his sweethea

declared another. "I never

tered the ungainly yout

they necessarily spoke low; but their tones were rife with curiosity, and it was evident that th

l you, boys, there was a mighty deal of difference in the way he conducted himself toward her in the beginning of the evening and the l

retty girl she is! Many a fellow as rich as he and as wel

y the young man whom I have before characterised as ungainly. "I refuse to ac

And why does she have every fellow in the room danglin

t a regula

ake when it isn't her featur

't lik

follow

ore to the point. And he'll marry her yet; he can't help it. Why, she'd witch the dev

that," muttered the fellow just

e one on the doors

om the open doorway. Behind her shone a blaze of light-the candles not having been yet extinguished in the hall-a

r strange, sweet face. But the question remained unanswered, for at that moment her attention, as well as that of

itement that the five musicians recoiled from the gate, and one of them went so far as to start back toward the house. As he did so he noticed a curious thing. Th

n. Then came in hoarse explanation from the jostling group as they stopped at t

. W

oved, they to a man uttered a cry. Mrs. Webb! Why, it was impossible

ted. "Who could have the dar

e from the highway. "But she

've always said he would turn on his best friend some day.

est of the words was lost in an inarticulate gurg

awe and admiration in the spectator. No man in the country-I was going to say no woman was more beloved, or he

s face showed bot

ting out there?" he bro

Agatha We

es at once. "We've just come from the house. A

lf-inaudible response. "Philemon Webb might end h

raising his voice, addressed the

. Where is Frederick?" he demanded of such me

ne k

ind my son. I want him t

ds there," volunteere

eated the father, i

saw him go. Shall

ery well without him." A

pped out again

en laid on his arm and an insinuat

with you? I will no

young lady we

ned-he who never frown

rder is no pla

ned to his rem

ietly persisted. "I can eas

er and more serviceable one, and perhaps this token of her determination may have had its influence in silencing him. He joined the crowd, and together they moved down-hill. This was too much for the servants of the house. One by one they too left the house till it stood absolutel