The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-09-14

and cherishing my grief; but when II
grew dark | stole downstairs and out
through the garden to the highway. |
wanted action, and It was my intention
TO take long walk in the open air. |
felt 1t would do me good.
took course that led out into the
country-a lonely lane where there was
little prospect Of meeting anyone at
that time of evening. walked couple
of miles about then turned to retrace
my steps. 1t had grown quite dark by
that time, but before l reached home
the moon rose.
reached the garden gate and was in
the act of entering when form sud-
denly barred the way. One glance told
me whose form it was, and, placing my
hand to my heart, shrank back, hop
ing to avoid detection. was too late,
however, for win Hanley had seen me,
and Immediately came forward
"Agnes," he said, extending his hand,
''do you not know me?"
realized that should be self-pos-
sessed, II possible, for TO show any
emotion would reveal the secret of my
soul-the secret of a disappointed love,
which would not have him know for
all the world. exerted myself, and
assumed an air Of tolerable calmness.
"Yes," Ireplied, holding out my hand,
II know you"
He took my hand and gave It warm
pressure, which sent sharp pain
through my heart. He bent his eyes
on me for an instant inquiringly, then
said:
"Are you not glad to see me, Agnes?"
eyes, very glad" ] answered
81 am not sure of that" he replied,
letting my hand drop. ''You have given
me no welcome, and your greeting Is
cold. We used to be such good friends,
and our separation has been 80 long
that 1t seems you ought. to show little
Joy at our meeting. Did you not recog-
nize me to-day when you came into the
room where WASP"
"Yes."
sand yet You gave me no welcome?"
"No," admitted, II did not. Neither
did you evince any sign of pleasure in
meeting me-"
II did not know you, Agnes, and I
would not know you now had not aunt
told me who you were. Do you think I
have so far forgotten our childhood
friendship as TO treat you like stran-
ger2"
more than two years ago, Mr.. Han
ley" said, 1--WE met and were intro
duced by Mr.. Charles Cornell, and yet
you did not choose TO recognize me-"
81 did not know you even then, Ag-
mes. Remember how changed you were
since / had seen you last"
"But Mr. Cornell spoke my name"
"Yes; he introduced you as Miss
Owens, but how was to know, or even
guess, that you were Agnes Owens? /
say, remember how you were changed.
When left you to go away TO school
your face was all SCARED and drawn,
and when / met you again the scars
were all gone and your features were
perfect There are hundreds OF Miss
Owens; and, aside from the change in
your appearance, II Is not a matter Of
wonder that did not recognize you
there where / had no thought of meet
ing you"
What he said seemed plausible, and I
did not doubt the truth OF II. believed
now that he had not Intentionally
ignored me, and that afforded me lit
tie relief; but II was very little In the
face Of the knowledge that he was lost
TO me, and that no reconciliation could
ever result. Friendship would not an
swer between us any more. II must be
love or complete separation, and with
us II could not be love.
"Agnes," he continued, II accidental
ly learned from the Cornells several
months after our meeting that II was
you to whom Charles Cornell intro
duced me. Then went Immediately
In search Of you, but on making In
quiry Of Mr.. Bernard learned thatyou
had disappeared, and no one could give
any information as 10 your where
abouts."
He paused as II undecided whether 10
say more or not, but finally he went
on:
~ did not seek for you, Agnes, be-
cause after talking with Bernard and
Mrs. Bond felt that / would rather
not sec you again. You know what 1
mean"
Eyes, Mr.. Hanley, I know what you
mean," replied, looking brayely up
into his face and speaking with start
ling frmness. "You believed the lies
they told you, and thought me the base
thing they represented me TO be-"
He blushed and dropped his eyes In
confusion.
"How could I know, Agnes2" he
asked, sadly. "Their stories were In
genious and could not persuade my
self that they were all false, as hard as
tried TO do so. You cannot imagine,
Agnes, what suffered because Of those
reports. They hurt me through and
through. Agnes, Ihave no right TO say
II now, but will say It once; loved
you then, and when / realized that you
were lost TO me, my grief was almost
unbearable. / prayed that our paths
might never cross again, and tried 10
forget you"
My soul lowered aloft now, and felt
80 far superior to VIM Hanley that I
looked down on him with pity.
"Mr. Hanley," said, II, too, pray
that our paths may never cross again,
] know you now as never knew you
before, and from henceforth we cannot
DO even frierds. The awakening to q
true knowledge Of your disposi-
ton y bitter, because never Thought