Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-13

l. my grief gurged mp afresh, submerging me completely. How could he look on my face, all scared and drawn, with out feeling of revulsion? How could he like me now, when had become SO repulsive that could not look upon my own image without sludder?
 He will not, he will not" I cried, burying my face in my hands and pour ing forth my grief in a flow of tears. ''He will never like me again, and I shall be all alone, with not one friend in all the world"
 thought then that would never have the courage to meet Will again, for felt that it would grieve me be- yond recovery to have him turn from me with loathing, as thought he sure ly must when he saw my dis6gured face. l felt that I must keep away from him, hide from him, and never, never let him look upon my features. Yet how could bear to do that2 How could live without his friendship and his cheering words? There was a bit ter struggle in my heart and was ex- quisitely miserable. knew not what to do, and in any case there was only suffering before me.
 was still weeping when I heard a footstep on the stairs. I listened, and my heart began to beat wildly. I knew that step was not Aunt Mary's, and I could associate it with but one person. It was, it surely was, I thought, the step of Will Hanley. would have fled from the room, but that was impossible, as he was already at the door. I looked about for a place to hide and there was none, and all I could do was to sink down by the bedside and bury my face in the covers. I was resolved that he should not see my sadly altered fen lures.
 He came to the door and knocked. heard him distinctly, but made no an swer. I hoped he might go away, and yet did not want him to do that. He knocked again, then entered. I knew it was Will Hanley now, because could feel his presence. For an instant he stood on the threshold, evidently sur veying me in silent wonder, and unable to comprehend the meaning of the re- ception gave him. Finally he spoke:
 "Agnes," he said, 'didn't you hear me knock?"
 made no reply, but buried my head deeper among the bed clothing. He was certainly perplexed by the strange ness of my behavior. It was so differ ent from what he had always known of me. Coming step or two nearer he spoke again, and there was a trace of sadness in his voice, am sure.
 "Agnes, have come to see you at last," he said. Have you no welcome for me?''
 Still did not answer one word. could not have spoken if I had tried, for was choking with grief.
 "Agnes," he continued, "are you angry with me? would have come sooner but they wouldn't let me. came to the house every day and begged them to let me come to your room, but they said couldn't. shouldn't be here now only everybody is from home ex- cept Aunt Mary, and plead and begged till she let me come. I've thought of you every hour, and wanted to come because I thought you'd be glad to see me-
 He paused as if expecting me to say something, but I maintained a strict silence. He continued:
 "Agnes, ain't you glad came2 You ain't angry with me, are you?'
 He was by my side now, and his tone was so pathetic, so pleading, so sad, that it went to my heart like dagger. would have given the world to have turned my face to him and told him how, glad was to have him there. But dared not. Icould not bear to let him look upon me.
 He waited a moment, then came close to me and placed his hands on my head to lift me up. I struggled but his strength was so much greater than mine that he overcame me directly, and in spite of all my efforts he raised my head and looked fairly in my face.
 shall never forget the look that swept over his features at that instant. The blank astonishment, the slight re- vulsion. and the mingling of pity and love. For moment he shranlk from me, but pity overcame every other feeling in his heart, and drawing me to him he kissed me. Oh, what relief it was to have the trying ordeal over, and i to know that my one friend had not turned from me with loathing. To know that, altered as I was, his sym pathy his pity and his love were still '. mine.
 why, now 1ooIlSh you are, ne Sald when expressed my emotions to him. "Did you suppose I would think less of you because you met with this great misfortune?"
 ''I thought you must" replied. ''My face looked so terrible when saw it in the mirror that almost loathed it my. self"
 ''Well, don't" he replied, emphatic. ally, "and like you just as well as | ever did. Of course miss your beau. tiful hair, and I'd give everything ! ever saw If your face wasn't scared; but don't think any less of you for that. You're just as good as you was before, and that's why liked you, and you won't look so bad, neither, when we get used to you as you are.''
 How those words cheered me Aftar