The Irish standard., 1892-08-20

HE GAzED INTO MY EYES.
''you perhaps think me rather imperti-
nent in questioning you concerning
matters that l have no right to know
anything about?"
':No," replied, II have no such
thought
ssWell, I'm going to say something
that no doubt will cause you to think
so,'' he continued. SIT is a good deal
like presumption for me to say what
have in mind, and | would not under
any other circumstances. but as you are
situated it becomes a matter of neces-
sity, Some one must speak and, IN lieu
one better qualified. take that duty
upon myself Remember, speak as a
friend and as the representative Of my
mother, and if I wound you or touch
your pride, l beg forgiveness in ad~
vance. Will you hear me?'
81 suppose So" answered, wonder
ingly. II cannot comprehend your
meaning, and haven't the least idea
what it is you wish to say
1ICA A il LOll ,you' Aoe1 ASu1S4AA NN4
you wrote to my mother something
about scene in your room one night
in which your employer hgured?''
nodded in the Affirmative
"You remember, too" he continued,
shat you expressed some uneasiness
on account of his conduct?"
nodded again, and almost breath
Fc,. 1,s,,, ,,rocoo1
"Well, he went on. presently, your
letter caused my mother much anxiety,
and she would not rest until promised
to come to see you and talk with you
for her. She said you were SO unsus-
pecting, and knew so little of the world,
and were so innocent yourself, that peo-
pie could easily impose on your cona-
dence.
81 realized the truth of her remarks,
and feeling it my duty undertook to
comply with her requests. So I am
here, and. to come to the point at once,
/ am here for the purpose of warning
you against Mr.. Bernard. Beware Of
him. Miss Owens, for your own sake.
Do not permit him. on the strength of
relationship, to become too familiar.
Remember that in spite Of your inno-
cence and purity, a. designing, unscrup-
ulous man may do you much harm. BY
his enforced attentions, and his public
" exhibited preferences, he can fur
nish food to slanderous minds and do
much to injure your reputation, Be-
ware of your employer, Miss Owens,
and keep the proper distance between
you
was not as much surprised at Mr..
Cornells utterances as one might sup
pose. I had already entertained some
thing Of the same idea. and his speech
only served to confirm me in it. OF
course ordinarily it would have been a
bold thing for a young man to speak to
young lady as he had to me, and if
anyone else had presumed to address
me so should have been shocked and
angered, but not SO with Charles Cor
nell. AS T have once remarked, his air
and bearing impressed me on first sight
with the idea of his being the natural
champion, friend and defender of the
weak, and it did not appear to me at all
that he was overstepping the bounds OF
propriety in saying what he did. There
was hearty earnestness, a naodesty
and friendliness in his manner which
precluded all thought of his having any
other object save that of advancing the
happiness of humanity.
Charles Cornell was not like other
young men. His mind was SO lofty. and
his thoughts SO mature, that few heads
whitened by the suns of fifty summers
were more serious aud sensible. Though
his disposition was lively and interest
ing, his thoughts were never trifiing or
in any way nngentlemanly. His advice
or suggestions came to me as from one
possessing wisdom and knowledge far
hyperion to mine, and therefore excited
o. feeling of resentment in my bosom.
I realized how ignorant and inexper1-
enced was, and how utterly incapable
of controlling my own destiny.
We had walked in silence little way
when Mr.. Cornell resumed, saying
kindly:
II trust, Miss Owens, that I have not
wounded you by speaking as have?"
'sNo, not at au,'' replied.
''And you do not think hard OF me?''
he continued.
.'No: but, on the contrary, I thank
you with all my heart for the interest
you manifest in me"
''And you will be careful. too?" he
asked.
Eyes, shall be careful to keep the
proper distance. between Mr.. Bernard
and myself"
Then am content, and can satisfy
nv mother and set her mind at rest.
She loves youvery much. and is as great
" concerned for You as she would be-
for daughter; and there is never day,
and scarcely an hour. I believe, that
she does not think Of you. She speaks
Of you often, and always with the ten
derest solicitude."
.sshe cannot love me more than / dc
her." I replied "She is more like q
mother to me than anyone lever knew,
and often think would give the
world to have such mother. Z