The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-09-28
CHApTER XXvm.-CoYrrNUEp.

CHAPTER XXVIL-CoNTIEUED.
He spoke earnestly but not en-
Enthusiastically. There was more than
ordinary politeness in his tone, but not
more than real friendly regard.
''Mr. Hanley is here, l presume?" he
remarked, after short pause.
Eyes, SIR" answered, slightly color
ing at the recollection of the scene just
passed. "IIe is in the house. I will re-
turn with you and introduce you to
Mrs. Lawton."
"Were you going somewhereP" he
asked.
eyes, sir; to the village, but my
errand can wait"
"If you have no objection / will ac-
company you to the village. My busi-
ness can wait, tool"
had no objection to offer, so 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
had so far subsidized that conversed
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 a
great deal from Bernard's prosecutions.
/ went there after you left, at my
mothers request, to see If / could learn
anything relative to your whereabouts,
and learned something of the way he
had treated you; and though, Of course,
do not know all, l know enough 10
stamp Bernard as black-hearted vii
lain"
He had heard the slanderous tales
against my character, and / wondered
II he believed them. / hardly dared
hope that he did not, because others
did, and he had as good reasons as they.
did not remain in doubt long, how.
ever. for directly he went on, saying:
Bernard Is vile wretch, unworthy
the name of man, Miss Owens, or he
never would have condescended so low
as TO attempt to rob helpless woman
other name and character. He is little
better than brute who will malicious.
ly SANDER lady, and especially lady
who IS unprotected"
looked up to him, radiant light on
my features and my heart throbbing
with gladness.
"Ah, Mr.. Cornell" cried, trembling
ly, 'you did not believe those reports
then?"
Believe them2" 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 i'll Of me as to suppose
I'would so wrong you?"
emo" l answered, ashamed in the
face Of his generosity that had ever
entertained doubt of him. ~ did not
think you would wrong me in thought,
even; but II you had lost confidence in
me could not blame you. You had SO
little cause TO believe in my honesty,
while those who had good cause doubted
me-"
~ had no cause 10 doubt You, Miss
Owens-not the least in the world.
know you and knew Bernard. knew
you TO be incapable of wrong and do
ceit and knew him TO be an unprinci.
pied libertine. l knew every word he
uttered was false and compelled him
70 acknowledge it."
We had reached the house now and
our conversation ceased. introduced
Mr.. Cornell TO Mrs. Lawton, then re-
paired 10 my own room. twas 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.
tance TO his opinion-an Importance
could not account for on the grounds OF
friendship, and 10 know that he had .
good opinion Of me afforded me great
relief. It was as II dark cloud had
suddenly rolled away, letting the sun
light fall on the earth.
For an hour I remained In my room
trying TO analyEe my heart and under.
stand its sentiments, which seemed curl
ously complex. said 10 myself that
I loved WIN Hanloy, and did not love
Charles Cornell, yet for some reason !
cared more for the latter's good opinion,
and was moro interested In what he
thought and said. ten times over, than
In the former.
The fact y, was experiencing
change Of heart. was putting of the
old love and taking on the new; OF
rather, / was awakening 70 . knowL
edge Of the real state Of my feslingA
was coming 70 IN understanding with
myself and ! began 70 comprehend that
tho feeling I had for Hanlsy was not
true love, but mad passion, kept alive
By the glamour Of romance engenderod
~ long sbaence; whils that which ]
nit for Cornell Tas love that had
grown up out q lrnowisAgs of hi
goodness and w6rthiness--s low
promptsd and nourished By rsasor
rsthsr than infatnaaion. I Iwss PASSING