Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-08-18

$4,000
Mrs. Lnwton."
Were you going somewhere2" he
asked.
Eyes, sir; TO the village, but my
errand can wait"
"If you have no objection I will nc.
company you TO the village. My bust.
ness can wait, tool"
had no objection 10 offer, 80 he set
his valise over the fence and went with
me. lie was In good spirits and talked
lightly and cheerfully, and before we
reached the village my embarrassment nj
had so far subsidized that ! converted
quite freely, too. We talked Of many
things going and coming, chiefly OF q
transient nature, but when we were
nearing home again he suddenly said.
Miss Owens, fear you suffered n
great deal from Demands prosecutions.
| went there after you left, ut my
mothers request, TO see II could learn
anything relative 20 your whereabouts.
and learned something OF the way nc
had treated you; and though, OF course
] do not know all, ! know enough u
stamp Bernard as a black.hcarted viii
lain"
lie had heard the slanderous tales
against my character, and wondered
" he believed them. hardly dared
hope that no did not, because others
did, and he had Ms good reasons as they.
! did not remain In doubt long, how
ever, for directly he went on, saying;
BERNARD II vile wretch, unworthy
tho name OF man, Miss Owens, or no
never would have condescended SO low
as 10 attempt TO rob helpless woman
Of her name and character. lie Is little
better than u brute who will malicious
ly Islander lady, and especially a lady
who IL unprotected"
looked up TO him, n radiant light on
my features and my heart throbbing
with gladncss.
"Ah, Mr.. Cornell" cried, trembling
ly, you did not believe those reports
them"
"Bellevc them?" he repeated, In some
surprise. "Why, certainly not. never
entertained such an idea for an instant.
| knew they were false from the first
Did You think so III of me Us to suppose
would 30 wrong you?"
NO" | answered, ashamed in the
face Of his generosity that had ever
entertained a doubt Of him. 81 did not
think you would wrong me In thought,
even; but II you had lost confidence in
me could not blame you. You Ind so
little cause to believe in my honesty,
while those who had good cause doubted
me-"
I'm M % IL
Owens--not the least In tho world.
knew you and knew Bernard. knew
you to be incapable Of wrong and de-
ceit and knew him to be an unprinci-
pied libcrtinc. ! knew every word he
uttered was false and compelled him
TO acknowledge IT,"
We had reached tho house now and
our conversation ceased. introduced
Mr.. Cornell TO Mrs Lawton, then re-
paired 10 my own room. II was a great
relief TO me TO know that Charles Cor
nell had perfect faith in me, and sitting
alone with my thoughts felt almost
happy. | attached "a curious impor-
lance TO his opinion-an importance
could not account for on the grounds Of
friendship, and TO know that he had II
good opinion Of me afforded me great
relief IL was as II dark cloud had
suddenly rolled away, letting the sun
light fall on the earth.
For an hour remained In my room
trying to analyzc my heart and under
stand its sentiments, which seemed curl.
ously complex. ! said TO myself that
| loved WIN Ilanlcy, and did not love
Charles Cornell, yet for some reason
cared more for tho latters good opinion,
and was more interested In what no
thought and said, ten times over, than
In the former.
The fact Is, | was experiencing n
change of heart. ! was putting off the
old love and taking on the new; or
rather, was awakening 10 knowl-
edge of the real state of my feelings.
was coming to an understanding with
myself and began TO comprehend that
the feeling had for IIanlcy was not
true love, but a mad passion, kept alive
by the glamour of romance engendered
by long absence; while that which |
felt for Cornell was love that had
grown up out OF n knowledge of his
goodness and worthiness-a love
prompted and nourishcd by reason
rather than infatuation. was passing
out Of the first love, which is a dream
Of dazzling splcndor and short lived,
into the second love, which is solid
substance, burning with a steady, even
glow aud living forever.
After an hour Of serious thought and
left my room believ-
ing that loved Charles Cornell. was
not positive of tho fact yet, but knew
the symptoms Of my heart pointed that
way, and then when contrasted Han
ley and him ! freely admitted that he
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 ] 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 10 the
land troubles, and was struck by the
great contrast In their manner of treat |
ing subject Of such moment. Cornell
was serious, wise and sympathetic, |
while uanley was light, hippant and |
The one put his whole soul |
into the work, anxious, Il seemed, 70 do |
everything ia his power for the better
ment Of the condition OF tho settlers. |
while tho other appeared to have no |
particular interest in the matter, show
ing no disposition TO Cypress the unfor-
tunate farmers, but at the same timc