People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-12-23
CHAPTER XXVII.-CoYT1NUED.


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, presumed" he
remarked, after a short pause.
Eyes, sir" l answered, slightly color
ing at the recollection OF the scene just
passed. "He is in the house. l will re-
turn with you and introduce you to
Mrs. Lawton."
"Were you going somewhere" he
asked.
Eyes, sir; to the village, but my
errand can wait"
IF you have no objection l will &C
company you to the village. My bust
ness can wait, too"
had no objection to offer, so he set
his valise over the fence and went with
me. He was in good spirits and talked
lightly and cheerfully, and before we
reached the village my embarrassment
had so far subsidized that l conversed
quite freely, too. We talked of many
things going and coming, chiefly of
transient nature, but when we were
nearing home again he suddenly said:
miss Owens, l fear you suffered a
great deal from Demands prosecutions.
1 went there after you left, at my
mothers request, to see if l could learn
anything relative to your whereabouts,
and | learned something of the way he
had treated you; and though, Of course,
1 do not know all, l know enough to
stamp Bernard as a black-hearted vii
lain"
He had heard the slanderous tales
against my character, and l wondered
If he believed them. l hardly dared
hope that he did not, because others
did, and he had as good reasons as they.
l did not remain in doubt long, how
ever, for directly he went on, saying:
Bernard is a 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 a brute who will malicious
ly SANDER lady, and especially a lady
who Is unprotected"
Hooked 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 them?" he repeated, in some
surprise. "Why, certainly not. I never
ente- tanned such an idea for an instant.
l knew they were false from the first.
Did you think so i'll of me as to suppose
l would so wrong yOu?"
NO" I answered, ashamed in the
face of his generosity that 1 had ever
entertained doubt of him. 81 did not
think you would wrong me in thought,
even; but if 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-"
II had no cause to doubt you, Miss
0wens-not the least in the world.
knew you and l knew Bernard. l knew
you to be incapable of wrong and de-
ceit and / knew him to be an unprinci-
pied ibertine. l knew every word he
uttered was false and / compelled him
to acknowledge it."
We had reached the house now and
our conversation ceased. l introduced
Mr.. Cornell to Mrs. Lawton, then re-
paired to my own room. TWAS a great
relief to me to know that Charles Cor
nell had perfect faith in me, and sitting
alone with my thoughts, felt almost
happy. l attached a curious impor-
lance to his opinion-an Importance
could not account for on the grounds Of
friendship, and to know that he had a
good opinion of me afforded me great |
relief. 1t was as if dark cloud had
suddenly rolled away, letting the sun
light fall on the earth.
For an hour remained in my room
tryipg to analyze my heart and under
stand its sentiments, which seemed curl
ously complex. / said to myself that |
l loved VIII Hanley, and did not love
Charles Cornell, yet for some reason l !
cared more for the latter's good opinion,
and was more interested in what he
thought and said, ten times over, than |
in the former.
The fact is, l was experiencing a
change OF heart. Twas putting off the |
old love and taking on the new; or |
rather, | was awakening to a knowl- !
edge Of the real state of my feelings. /!
was coming to an understanding with /
myself and began to comprehend that /
the feeling had for Hanley was not I
true love, but mad passion, kept alive |
by the glamour of romance engendered /
by long absence; while that which l |
felt for Cornell was a love that had !
grown up out of knowledge Of his
goodness and worthiness-a love
prompted and nourished BY reason
rather than iniatuation. Twas passing