People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-12-30
CHAPTER XXvIH.-CoNT1NUED.


'Ihope you may, Mr.. Hanley. There
is so much satisfaction to be got out of
throwing ones self to the dogs should
think. 1t no doubt makes one think
so much better of ones self, and then it
is so gratifying to ones friends. You
have adopted wise notion, certainly,
and one that is great credit to you"
agnes, for Heavens sake don't be
sarcastic. | am not in a humor to bear
ridicule, and especially from you. If
you can't comfort me, or at the least
show some sort Of sympathy for me,
don't talk at all"
''Mr. Hanley," replied, in all serious
ness, 81 do sympathize with you from
the bottom of my heart, and if it was in
my power to comfort you l would sure
ly do it. But there is only one thing l
can say to you, and you would perhaps
never thank me for saying that"
Say it," he answered. 81 don't sup
pose it will comfort me much, and it
may pain me, but don't care. want
to know what you think of me, so speak
out and spare not. Say I'm a fool, a
beast, a scoundrel. anything you like"
81 cannot say that you are a scoun-
drel, VIII, because you are not. can
not say that You are q beast, but must
say that you are taking a course that
leads in that direction; and as to being a
fool. | am compelled to admit that you
are acting very much like one"
That's right, he interrupted. ''You
are certainly honest and plain spoken,
and admire such traits. Speak on"
81 have nothing more to say, except
this; am ashamed of your talk and
behavior. It's unmanly, weak and
wicked. You may have made one mis-
take and married your life by it. but
don't be 50 foolish as to spoil your
whole existence on that account. No
one compelled you to marry my sister,
and if you made mistake it is all your
own fault and you have nobody but
yourself to blame"
That's true, Agnes" he replied. 81
don't blame anyone but myself, and it's
on myself propose to take revenge"
"Well, that's foohshness again, and
won't talk with you about it. What
want to show you is the duty you owe
yourwife. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
love and cherish her-to devote your
life and its efforts to the advancement
of her happiness, and she has perfect
right to expect that much of you. II
you entered into a disagreeable compact,
you are none the less duty bound to
comply with your part of it. For her
sake, if not for your own, you must be
man, living a straight, honest, sober
life, performing well your part Of your
marriage agreement. Manhood and
honor require that much of you"
agnes, it is easy for you to say that
but you don't know what it requires"
eyes, | do. | know it requires self
sacrifice, but that makes heroes. 1t re
quires world of unrequited labor, but
the final reward for its faithful per
Torrance will be all the greater from
Its being done through duty and moi
through the promptings of love anC
pleasure"
l paused a long time. There wa.
something else felt | ought to say, bur
a sense of delicacy made me hesitate
My companion understood my thoughts
I think, for he urged me to speak on
and finally did so.
"Will," l said, you must never com,
here again while am here. 1t is bette
that our lives lie as far separated a
we can make them, and if we neve
meet again it willbe the better for u
both. Perhaps in that way you vii
forget the sentiment you entertain
now, and in time learn to love you
wife as you should love her. That
your only hope of happiness"
ether shall never be happy" h
said, sadly.
"You think so now, viii, answered
"but time brings changes"
''Yes, admit that, Agnes, but it wi
never change my love for you. Never.
well, we shall see. You do we
your part and am not afraid of the n
suit. Remember always that your Low
for ne is hopeless, and that nothing ca
ever come of it" s,sa...... ..,-..
'4}geause Nassa- spo%snd made
50. That is what hurts me, Agnes.
/ hal not married it would be so di
fercnt with Us now"
'No, it would not be different.