Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-27
THORNS and ROSES.
BY rHos. P. 1oNrFonD.
Copyright by A. Kellogg Newspaper Co.
 CHAPTER xx-
Al LOVED BUT DO NOT LOVE.

'
 AM LOVED BUT DO NOT LOVE.
 The events of my life during the next three or four months are hardly worth relating, as nothing of particular i'm. | portance transpired. The next day after my meeting with Will Hanley resumed my work at the office, and from thenceforth kept to it continu- ously. MT. Bernard left home a day or so later and for several weeks did not see him. I corresponded regularly with Mrs. Cornell, and three or four times Charles Cornell had visited me. Mrs. Bond and her lodgers had for a time annoyed me with their suspicious glances, mods and speeches, but after a week or so that wore away and every thing in the house ran along smoothly and peacefully.
 I had seen nor heard nothing of Will Hanley since that day met him on the street. Charles Cornell could probably have told me something concerning him, had asked, but did not choose to do so. The storm was over and the first wild surges of my grief had stilled, leaving me calm and collected, yet was unhappy, and below the placid surface my soul was in turbulent state. My love for Will Hanley knew no diminution, but burned as deeply as ever, amount ing to a mad infatuation that refused Ito be conquered or quelled. Sometimes when alone in my own room my calm ness and self-control gave way, and in secret my tears flowed and my heart moaned for my lost love.
 Then one day there came to me new source of grief, and one that weighed heavily on me. I do not know whether there is more pain in a disappointment in love, or in bringing disappointment to another. Perhaps, having the bitter experience of a denial myself, knew fully how to feel for another Charles Cornell came down to town one Sunday and took me for drive. It was in the early autumn, and the day and the roads were fine and the air ex- hilarating, and as we sped along the smooth lanes I felt thrill of pleasure and life, such as had not known for weeks. My companion was in better spirits than I had ever seen him, and he laughed and chatted with a gayety and lightness of heart that was con- tagious, and for the nonce I almost forgot the sorrow that burdened me.
 We had gone several miles, and had ridden a little way in silence, my com. panion becoming suddenly taciturn, when he turned his eyes to me, and, ex- aming my features closely, asked:
 'Do you enjoy this ride, Miss Owens?'
 'I do, very much," replied.
 "There is but one thing about it that do not like" he remarked.
 "What is that?" questioned. "It is the end," he answered. "If it could continue on, and on, forever, would ask for nothing more."
 You'd get tired of it before a great while, think. and enjoy a walk for change"
 "Whether walking or riding, it would be all the same to me if you were by my side"
 blushe and hung my head. realized only too well to what his thoughts were leading, and I would have checked him, but had not the courage to speak out. could not say or do anything to sadden his spirits, and waited in dread and trembling for him to proceed.
 believe he construed my actions to his favor, for immediately he took heart and spoke out more boldly.
 "Agnes," he said, calling me by that name for the first time, ''there is but one thing want to make my happiness | perfect. Can you guess what that one thing is2''
 Still said nothing. could not have spoken if my life had depended on it. I dreaded to hear the declaration he was about to make, for knew must deny his suit and crush his great and | good heart, and oh. liked him SO much. l For all the riches of the world I would not cause him one moment of suffering, and yet must blight his dearest hopes and make his life dark and sad, per haps forever.
 ''Oh,'I cried in thought, my soul wrenched with agony, ''why does he love me when I do not and cannot love him? Why must cause him to suffer what am forced to bear? Why, ah, why, must we both pass through this terrible af1iction of loving and being unloved?"
 Why, 1 wondered, could I not love Charles Cornell? I knew that he was good and noble, and in every way the peer of Will Hanley. knew that as his wife I should never have an ungratif1ed wish if he had the power of administer ing to it. knew that the great study of his life would be to advance my hap piness and add to my comfort. He would do for me all that Will Hanley could do, and maybe more. Then why must refuse his love and cling to one who ignored me? Why must throw away the substance and hold hopeless ly to a shadow? I asked myself this question, and reason answered that ought not, but love said must, and love always has its way.
 Again hear Charles Cornell's voice. He has drawn closer to me and is speaking very low and earnestly. l feel his breath on my check, and hear the wild throbbing of his heart. I think how happy that heart is now, and how soon it's joyful pulsations must cease.