The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-08-31
CHAPTER XX.-CoNTrNUED.

"Oh," cried in thought, my 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 bearP Why, ah,
why, must we both pass through this
terrible affliction 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 ungratifled
wish II he had the power of administer
ing to II. 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 meP Why must throw
away the substance and hold hopeless
ly to shadow asked myself this
question, and reason answered that I
ought not, but love said must, and
/ Sve always has It's 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 l think
how happy that heart Is now, and how
soon its joyful pulsations must cease,
Iwish could run away-somewhere-
and die.
'Agnes," he is saying, ''the one thing
want to complete my happiness Is
your lote-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 O word.
NY tongue Glove to the roof of my
mouth and trembled visibly. l
felt that II was wicked TO let him go
on, and cruel 10 deceive him with the
false hope my silence inspired, but l
could not help It. Again he spoke.
Agnes" he said, II love you, and I
want you for my own. VIII you be my
wife?"
Still l was silent. l was able to
speak now, but ! was 10th TO say
what candor and duty required. His
courage grew stronger and bolder. 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 10 him and
attempted to kiss me. l realized then
that must speak and act. drew away
from him as far as could and took my
hand from his.
"No, no, no." cried, 81 cannot, l
cannot"
He started, and for a moment looked
in my face blankly. His features paled,
flushed and paled alternately; then
again lighted up with new hope. He
ciasped my hand once more and held II
with a vice-like grip. tried to wrench
II away, but he tightened his hold until
Iwinced with pain. He leaned towards
me until his hot breath scorched my
CHEEK In hoarse, strange whisper he
addressed me.
"No, Agnes" he said, pleadingly, do
do not, You do not mean II. You sure
ly cannot. You will be my wife, won't
you2"
wept How hard II was to resist his
pleadingl How hard TO deny him after
all his kindness and loving carei How
hard TO mar and cripple his lifel Yet, I
must. | do not love him and l could
not marry without love. became quito
calm directly by strenuously exerting
myself to that end, and looking up into
his eyes answered him quietly.
'No, Mr., Cornell" said, ~ cannot
marry you, because would wrong
both you and myself II did so when
did not love you. know / am not
: worthy Of such love as yours, and that
in putting II away from me ! am ppt-
ting away noble love and a noble
heart, but duty compels me 10 act as l
do.p y IL
yrhen you do not love meY' he
questioned calmly, but oh, so sadly.
His was the calmness and sadness Of
despair.
~ do not" replied, shut would 70
Heaven l did"
"But You may learn TO love me- he
urged II will wait and hope"
mo, cannot promise that" l
answered. ~ love one already, and I
can never love another"
He sighed deeply.
"Agnes," he continued, after short
silence, this Is the bitterest hour OF my
life, because II has brought the death OF
my fondest hope. Unjust give you up
now apd forever7" 49, 4.
Eyes, Mr.. coneiL giye ~ NJ. .aId