Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-26
THORNS and ROSEs.
BY THos. ?. MoNTgonD.
Copyright by AN. Kellogg Newspaper Co
 CHATTER XR

AA tuC 4OICLOOA OA tlC hC4b A0J SS T was returning from the store met Charles Cornell on the street. I was walking along with my eyes cast down, and buried in thought, and did not know he was near me until he spoke. I glanced up to find him standing in front of me, while to one side there stood an- other gentleman whom noticed only cursorily, supposing, as 8 matter of course, that he was some one whom I had never seen, and in whom could have no interest whatever.
 "I was just on my way to the store to tell you good-by," MT. Cornell an- nounced, ''and I am very glad met you"
 "Then you are going away to-dayP" I questioned
 "Yes. had expected to remain un- til tomorrow, but a part of my bust ness here was In relation to the land troubles, and as Mir. Hanley, the repre- sentative of the creditors, is going out to my neighborhood thought it best to accompany him."
 ''Mr. HanleyI" Reader, you cannot imagine what effect the announcement of that name, so unexpected as it was, had on me; nor how much greater the effect was when looked up to find that Will Hanley was standing within an arms length of me. It twould be an impossiblity to describe my sensations. I know that my breath and my strength left me, and that I gasped, and came near falling to the ground. For a moment my senses left me, think, for everything was blank and unreal and the sunshine was so dim and uncertain. seemed to be in dream, and nothing appeared real
 I recognized my boy friend in an in- stant. He was unchanged except that he was taller and more graceful. He was a man grown now, but there was the same happy, boyish expression about his features, the same tender light in his eyes. He had grown hand somer and more elegant, and as looked upon him thought him very beautiful. My first impulse was to extend my hand in greeting to my old friend, but something in his manner checked me. He evinced no sign of pleasure in meet ing me, but looked upon me as one would upon a stranger. The thought came to me that he had perhaps forgot ! ten the little girl he had once known, or that, at least, he did not recognize her in the tall woman who now stood before him. There had been wonderful changes in my appearance within the last three years.
 "No,"I said to myself, Che does not know me-"
 Again I was about to address him and make myself known. But Charles Cornell anticipated me. I heard him say:
 Miss Owens, Mir. Hanley."
 I looked up expectantly and hal1 reached forth my hand. As suddenly ] let my eyes fall and drew my hand back, while cold chill ran to my heart, freezing all the light out of it and leav- ing it blank and desolate. Will Hanley showed no pleasure in meeting me. He did not even so much as manifest 6 sign of recognition. He simply touched his hat, bowed stif1y, distantly, coldly and, turning about, walked away with only formal word of greeting.
 That action filled my soul with a pain that I could scarcely bear. It cut my heart deeper than any af1iction ha6 ever known. For three long years had loved Will Hanley, and found com fort in the thought of the joy of my meeting with him. In my dark hours when I was all alone and friendless, had solaced myself with the remem brance of the time coming, when my one friend of my childhood would come back to me with his love. And now hc had come; but oh, how different wa his coming from what had pictured il He did not love me. He did not eve choose to recognize me; but with tn coldness of a stranger turned from mC
 How bitter and terrible was m awakening from the fond dreams Ina so long cherished! Oh, God, how SUI
 fered! What agonies racked my sou r What torture rent my heartI It was g B if powerful, merciless hand ha 8 struck me a death blow. l staggere back and would have fallen but for tn support of a fence which was near. an
 which I clutched convulsively. M
 head swan, my face paled to an ash
 wilderness and my eyes started frol
 their sockets.
 Charles Cornell saw my agitation an d stepped quickly to my side.
 Miss Owens," he cried, anxiousl,
 "What Is the matter?"
 q must go home," gasped, leanin heavily on his arm. "Please take me "You are sick" he said, land mu
 not leave you. MT. Hanley can brir
 a carriage"
 Is 'No, mo-" cried, vehemently. "Ju
 wait moment and will be able
 walk. It is only little way" 'I do not think you should wal
 Miss Owens," he replied. "You are vel
 pale and weak. See how you trembl
 had better call MT. Hanley and ha' r him bring a carriage"
 Q ''No, no; please don't" said, almo
 pleadingly. Don't calI-anybody. I
 be better directly"
 ' Mir. Cornell cast a wondering glan
 at me, but urged the point no furthe and after the lapse of minute or SO
 took my arm and conducted me hom