The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1889-02-09

On the CONTRARY nothing could interest me
more" assured him, and settling back comfort
ably in his easy chair he told me his strange
story.
About eight years ago first met Agnes Dayton,
and in nay usual impulsive style fell madly in
love with her almost first sight. In less than
three months we were engaged The match was
agreeable to all our friends and only postponed
our marriage until should get fair start in my
profession. l think If every thing had not run so
smoothly with affairs, it would have been
better for me at least. The necessity of fighting
in some way to win a woman is good thing for q
man; it adds interest to the pursuit. But every
thing was 80 very serene, think il became monot
onous to me after q year had passed. Agnes was
beautiful girl, plump, petite brunette with the
oveliest large soft dark eyes in whose clear depths
could read her very soul. Like most women Of
that style where no has taught them, by q
bitter experience, the lesson of deceit or conceal
ment of feeling she was very frank and aectionate,
and THE more shame to mel think sometimes
tired of her lavish caresses and words OF endear-
ment. | was a wretch, | admit, unworthy of such
a woman. did not know how to appreciate her
then. Ii was, as in the old song, 81 think that |
should love her more, did she but love me less"
All; but learned, when too late, the worth OF
such love!
How selfshly blind and unjust we are TO women
in this respect. We accuse them of coquetry,
deceit, heartlessness-a will not that have
taught them the bitter lesson. woman who has
given her heart frankly, unreservedly to lover,
and seen him grow Indifferent and at last turn
away from her altogether, is ready to meet the
next with heartless coquetry no other man will
ever have the opportunity of reading her heart
But it is too frequently the case, that an honest
hearted man, who would have priced her love as
Gods most precious gift lie the one who suffers for
the wrong done by former lover
1t would be happy world ii men and women
only understood what was necessary for their
happiness. learned wisdom only through sin and
suffering. Little by little | had grown careless
and Indifferent
If Agnes observed any change in my conduct
towards her. she never spoke OF it. Sometimes |
iancied q sad look in the depths of her dark eyes,
but whatever she may have thought she uttered
no word of reprOach. At last | became deeply
fascinated by a stately, dashing blonde, the
know lodged belle of the season. AT heart | was
not Intentionally false to Agnes, and never once
thought of breaking my engagement but l was
greatly interested in Maude Hartley and neglected
Agnes for her. | do not think Agnes suspected ii,
for invariably, man fashion, pleaded business
engagement whenever | passed an evening in
Maudes society.
In July / followed my fascinating blonde to
Newport, and for two weeks had neither seen nor
heard from Agnes. One night on returning to my
hotel after an evening spent with Maude, | found
letter from Charlie Dayton, Agnes brother. l
felt as if the hand of God had smitten me as
read:
"Agnes died very suddenly an hour ago. after an
illness of two days-we had not thought her con-
dition dangerous until a few hours before her
death. Her last words were of you. Tell Fred l
love him most enderly to the last she said, 'snd If
there is any power in love to rend the veil that
separates u.s. will come back to him, and will
ind some means of communicating with him."
Can you imagine how q man must feel, who sees
lying at his feet the lifeless body of one most
tenderly beloved and know that in a moment of
insane rage his hand had dealt the fatal blow !
think l knew at that moment. / felt / was
Agnes murderer as much as If had plunged
has HWnnu Wznfh wOf fhA ci0k
ness it is true, what might have been the causes
which led to her death she might not have known
the great wrong had done her, but felt, all the
same, was her murderer. Now that no amount
of sorrow or remorse could restore her to me, how
very, very precious seemed the love had sighted
| thought of all her tender caresses, her loving