Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-08-11

"" NV hh'' JNuf hBhUni onn
would not know you now had not aunt
told me who you were. DO you think |
have 40 far forgotten our childhood
friendship as to treat you like n stran-
gcrP"
More than two years ago, Mr.. Han
ley" ] said, I've 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"
"fes; 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 10 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
Owensi and, aside from the change In
your appearance, IL 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
did not doubt the truth Of IL. believed
now that he had not Intentionally
ignored me, and that afforded me u lit
tie relief; but IL 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
swcr between us any more. IL must be
love or complete separation, and with
MS IL could not he love.
agnes" he continued, 81 accidental.
ly learned from the Cornells several
months after our meeting that II was
YOU 20 whom Charles Cornell intro.
duccd me. Then went Immediately
in search Of you, but on making in.
quiry Of Mr.. Bernard learned that YOU
had disappeared, and no one could give
any information us TO your where.
abouts."
lie paused as II undecided whether TO
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 see you again. You know what
mean"
"Ycs, Mr.. llnnlcy. know what you
mean" | replied, looking bravcly up
into his face and speaking with start.
ling irmncss. "You believed the lies
they told you, and thought me the base
thing they represented me to be-"
lie blushcd and dropped his eyes in
confusion.
GLOW could | lSrcw, Agncs?" he
asked. sadly. "Thcir stories were In.
gcnious and could rot persuade my.
self that they were all false, rs hard rs
tried To do 50 You cannot imagine
Agnes, what ! suffered because Of those
reports They hurt me through and
through. Agnes, have no right to say
II now, but ! will say IL once; ! loved
you then, and when realized that you
were lost To- me, my grief was almost
unbcnrablc. ! prayed that our paths
might never cross again, and tried to
forget you.'
My soul lowered nloft now, and felt
50 far superior to win llanlcy that |
looked down an him with pity.
"Mr llunlcy," ! said, 81, too, pray
that our paths may never cross again.
] know You now as never knew you
before, and from hcnccforth we cannot
bc even friends. The awakening to n
true knowledge of your DISPOSE.
ton Is bitter, because | never thought
you could 50 wrongfullv misiudgc me.
All the long years when | had no
friends and no sympathy solnccd my
self with the thought that you were my
friend, and that however others might
misjudge mo you would always under
stand me and believe in my honesty.
Iut now that thought proves but u
dream, and II Is gone
agnes" lie said, "do not condemn
me. know ] was wrong, and that
you have right TO dcspi,c mc Tor ever
doubling you an instant. But | was
fool, and have hurt myself worse than
have hurt YOU Try to find some cX-
cuSc for me, Agnes, won't yuu?'
No, Mr.. llhnley,' ! answered, there
Is no excuse for you. You turned
against me In my darkest hour. and
preferred to believe the vile ISLANDERS
that were uttered against me rather
than believe in me-"
win you not forgive me, Agnes?" he
asked, pleHdingly.
YES" ! replied, II will forgive Won,
but ! will never forget. llcnccforth /
must think of you differently from
what have in the past We can never
again be friends"
"Never|' he echoed, sadly.
"No, never" answered, firmly.
! passed through the gate and started
toward the house. heard him sigh,
and then In u moment he came after