People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-12-23

out of the first love, which is dream
of dazzling splendor and short lived,
into the second love, which is a solid
substance, burning with steady, even
glow and living forever.
After an hour Of serious thought and
self-examination left my room believ-
ing that loved Charles Cornell. was
not positive of the fact yet, but | knew
the symptoms of my heart pointed that
way, and then when l contrasted Han
ley and him l freely admitted that ne
possessed all the advantages and char
acteristics of pure, high and noble
manhood. was cognizant Of the truth
that he was far the most worthy OF a
true woman's love, and giving him that
idea l was not far from giving him my
heart.
passed few words with Mr.. Cornell
that day, as he and Hanley devoted
several hours to the discussion OF their
business affairs, leaving him little time
to give to other purposes. ! heard a
part of their discussion relative TO the
land troubles and was struck by the
great contrast in their manner of treat
ing a subject of such moment. Cornell
was serious, wise and sympathetic,
while Hanley was light, flippant and
careless. The one put his whole soul
into the work, anxious, it seemed, to do
everything in his power for the better
ment of the condition of the settlers,
while the other appeared to have no
particular interest in the matter, show
ing no disposition to Cypress the unfor-
tunate farmers, but at the same time
showing no sympathy for them. l think
the two men meant equally well so far
as they were capable of feeling, but the
difference lay in the depth Of their
minds. Hanley could not see and feel
the wants and sufferings Of his fellow
men, while Cornell did. The one could
sympathize with his friends, the other
with the whole world.
When Cornell had completed his con-
ference with Hanley he announced his
intention of returning home. He asked
me if | would show him the grounds
while he was waiting for the train,
which was not due for an hour, and I
gladly consented, doing my best to ex-
plain everything to him as we walked
leisurely through the lawn and garden.
1t did not seem to me that he was very
much impressed with what he saw or
what l said, for he apparently took no
heed of either but walked about in an
absent-minded way that finally became
most trying. was explaining to him
the merits of certain shrub which
grew at the lower side of the lawn, and
had dilated on its beauty for near five
minutes, when suddenly he said:
Miss Owens, sit down here. l want
to talk with you moment"
1 obeyed, taking a seat on rustic
bench which stood near, and he sat
down beside me. He did not speak at
once, but for time-a long time, it
seemed to me-he gazed blankly out be-
fore him. Finally he turned to me,
saying:
Miss Owens, l don't know why I
should say to you what have in mind;
but something prompts me to do it, and
l feel that ought"
He was silent again, and the same
vacant stare came back to him. A mo-
ment elapsed, then, with suddenness
that quite took my breath away, he
said:
Miss Owens, do you think you shall
ever marry?"
l flushed scarlet, the blood tingled in
my veins, and l looked up to him in
amazement. He saw my embarrass-
ment and Immediately apologized for
his want of consideration in PROFOUND
ing such question.
Pardon me, Miss Owens" he said. 81
forgot to whom was speaking. Ny
thoughts are so tumbled together just
now that hardly know how to begin to
say what have in mind"
l began to tremble now, half from
fear and half from Joy, because l be-
ieved he was on the point of reiterat-