People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-11-18
CHAPTER XX.-CoNrINrEn.


''0h," cried in thought, nv soul
wrenched with agony, "why does he
love me when | do not and cannot love
him? Why must cause him to suffer
what ! am forced to bear? Why, all. |
why, must we both pass through this |
terrible affection of loving and being
unloved?"
Why, wondered, could | not love
Charles Cornell? knew that he was
good and noble, and in every way the
peer of VIII Hanley. knew that as his |
wife should never have an unqualified |
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 VIII 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? 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. feel |
his breath on my cheek, and hear the
wild throbbing of his heart think
how happy that heart is now, and how
soon its joyful pulsations must cease.
! wish could run away-somewhere-
and die.
Agnes" he is saying, ''the one thing |
| want to complete my happiness is
your love-you. want You to be |
mine-my wife"
He paused and drew nearer, and I |
thought he was waiting for me to
speak; but | could not utter a word.
My tongue Glove to the roof of nv
mouth and | trembled visibly. II
felt that it was wicked to let him 90
on, and cruel to deceive him with the
false hope my silence inspired. but
could not helpit Again he spoke.
Agnes" he said, Il love you, and
want you for my own. VIII you be my
wife?"
Still | was silent. / was able to
speak now, but was 10th to say
what candor and duty required. His
courage grew stronger and holder. In
an ecstacy Of delight he grasped my
hand, crying;
"You will, Agnes, for YOU are silent
You do love ME and you will be my
wife"
As he spoke he drew me to him and
attempted to kiss me. | realized then
that must speak and act. drew away
from him as far as could and took nv
hand from his.
mo, no, no." l cried, 81 cannot, I
cannot"
He started, and for moment looked
in my face blankly. His features paled,
flushed and paled alternately; then
again lighted up with new hope. He
claSped my hand once more and held it
with vice-like grip. tried to wrench
it away, but he frightened his hold until
WINGED with pain. He leaned towards
me until his hot breath scorched nv
cheek. In hOarse. strange whisper he
addressed me.
mo, Agnes he said, pleadingly, do
not say that For the love of Heaven
do not. You do not mean it. You sure
ly cannot. You will be my wife, won't
you?"
wept. How hard it was to resist his
pleadingl How hard to deny him after
all his kindness and loving care How
hard to mar and cripple his life! Yet, |
must. | do not love him and | could
not marry without love. became quite
calm directly by strenuously exerting
myself to that end, and looking up into
his eyes answered him quietly.
NOi nl' SOlHVlli SdIu, i cannot
marry you, because | would wrong
both you and myself if l did SO when
did not love you. know | am not
worthy of such love as yours, and that
in putting it away from me am put
ting away noble love and noble
heart, but duty compels me to act as
do"
Then you do not love me?" he
questioned calmly, but oh, so sadly.
His was the calmness and sadness of
despair.
81 do not" I replied, "but would to
Heaven did"
"Bat you may learn to- love me, he
urged. II will wait and hope" -
mo, cannot promise that y. j
answered. 81 love one already, 6ds |
can never love another" v"
he sighed deeply. W
"Agnes," he continued, after a short
silence, this is the bitterest hour of my
life, because it has brought the death of
my fondest hope. Must give you up
now and foreyer?s
"Yes. Mr.. Cornell, gisa1Ae up aud