The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-08-17


men like him are not apt to care any
thing about their wife's poor lrinfolks,
and especially when it comes to second
cousins" tH5 a
She paused and looked at me as II in
viting reply, but offered none, and
after the lapse of moment she pro-
ceeded:
mind now" she said, 'I don't say
there ss anything improper in Mr..
Bernard's attentions to you, and I don't
mean to hint that he has any improper
motives, but at the same time must
say that people have room to form sus-
picions. l don't say that I have them,
but know other people will, because
they can't see what good motive would
prompt man like Bernard to interest
himself so much in behalf of poor girl
like you."
These words brought all the dehlge
of grief and fear back to my heart
again, agitating me beyond description.
Could it be possible, l wondered, that
Mr.. Bernard entertained wicked de-
signs on me? Was it true that because
of his attentions I should be made a
target for scandal, and be pointed at
and remarked about Us characterlcss
woman? All! how longed then for
some one to advise with me and in
struct me. How keenly felt the need
Of mothers counsel or fathers pro-
toction.
f., could not advise with Mrs. Bond,
for felt that she was cold and unsym-
pathetic, having far more interest in
gossip and scandal than in the poor
creature who might be maligned. To
make any revelations to her would be
like scattering them to the four winds,
and knew enough Of the world to un-
derstand how things were magnihed
and distorted by gossips until a very lit
} tie was made to mean great deal.
could not advise with Mrs. Bond with
out making my situation worse, and
there was no one else In the town to
whom could go, because there was no
one else with whom l was sufficiently
intimate to warrant my making a con-
fidante of her.
l would have given the world could
have only had the privilege Of seeing
and talking with Mrs. Cornell. My
heart turned to her as to a mother, and
to her should not have hesitated an
instant In pouring out all the circum.
stances Of my situation, knowing that
she would have advised me well, keep
ing all my secrets safely locked In her
own bosom. But Mrs. Cornell was far
away, and could not go TO her with all
my troubles and griefs.
'Mrs. Bond" said, breaking the
long silence, you don't believe Mr..
Bernard has any improper thoughts
toward me, do youP"
Law, Miss Ovens" she exclaimed,
show do know what TO believer l
can't tell what he has In his heart.
You ought to know better than what
he thinks, because you know what he
says and does, and l don't. II l knew
what he says and does could toll you
what he means"
This was another bid for my conf
dence, but affected not to understand.
She continued, considerably exasper-
ated, / think, and showing some dis
pleasure In her tones:
There's one thing about It, though,
and that Is this: II don't look well for
a married man, who is no nearer re-
lated TO you than he is, to be coming
here Of nights, and for hours being
closeted with you in your room. Any
body seeing him when he went out
and seeing you now, would know well
enough that something took place be.
tween You very much out of common,
and II you won't tell what It was peo-
pie will form their own opinions about
1t; and perhaps you couldn't wonder
much If those ideas were not very COM
plimentary to you"
saw that Mrs. Bond was disposed 10
put an unfavorablc construction on the
affair II left 10 draw her own infer
ences, but I did not see wherein would
be benefited by giving her my conf
dences, since she would augment every
possibility into an assumed fact. l
pondered the matter long and arrived
at the conclusion that had better keep
my own counsel and go on about my
duties just as though nothing had hap
pened, relying on my own strength Of
character, love Of right and conscious
ness Of innocence to bear me safely
through.
/ left Mrs. Bond to form whatever
conclusion she chose, and making what
were necessary, went d.
rect TO the store. Mr.. Bernard was
sitting at his desk when entered the
office, and he looked up and spoke, sim
ply passing the compliments of the
morning. He was quiet, calm and col
lected, apparently having forgotten
our meeting of the night before. He
made no reference TO the fact that !
was later than usual-madc no remarks
to me at all except TO give me few
brief instructions regarding my work.
He was courteous, but nothing more,
and within an hour the embarrassment
first felt wore away, leaving our rela-
tions undisturbcd and easy, just as they
had always been.
CHAPTER XVII