The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-10-05
CHAPTER xxvII1.-ooxrINuED

"Ihope you may, Mr.. Hanley. There
Is so much satisfaction to be got out of
throwing ones self to the dogs,I should
think. 1t no doubt makes one think
so much better of ones self, and then it
Is so gratifying to ones friends. You
have adopted wise notion, certainly,
and one that is great credit TO YOU"
"Agnes, for Heavens sake don't be
sarcastic. am not In q humor TO bear
ridicule, and especially from you. If
you can't comfort me, or at the least
show some sort of sympathy for me,
don't talk at all"
''Mr. Hanley," replied, in all serious
ness, 81 do sympathize with you from
the bottom of my heart, and If it was in
my power to comfort you l would sure
ly do it. But there is only one thing
can say to you, and you would perhaps
never thank me for saying that"
"Say it." he answered. 81 don't sup
pose it will comfort me much, and 1t
may pain me, but don't care. want
TO know what you think of me, so speak
out and spare not. Say Pm fool,
beast, scoundrel, anything you like"
81 cannot say that you are a scoun-
drel, viii, because you are not. | cam
not say that you are beast, but must
say that you are taking a course that
leads in that direction; and as TO beinga
fool, am compelled to admit that you
are acting very much like one"
"That's right" he interrupted. "You
are certainly honest and plain spoken,
and / admire such traits. Speak on"
81 have nothing more to say, except
this: am ashamed of your talk and
behavior. It's unmanly, weak and
wicked. You may have made one mis-
take and marred your life by it, but
don't be so foolish as to spoil your
whole existence on that account. No
one compelled you to marry my sister,
and If you made mistake 1t Is all your
own fault and you have nobody but
yourself to blame"
''That's true, Agnes" he replied. II
don't blame anyone but myself, and it's
on myself propose to take revenge"
"Well, that's foolishness again, and !
won't talk with you about 1t. What j
want to show you is the duty you owe
yourwife. You married herpromisingto
love and cherish her-to devote your
life and its efforts TO the advancement
of her happiness, and she has perfect
right TO expect that much of you. II
you entered into q disagreeable compact,
you are none the less duty bound to
comply with your part Of it. For her
sake, If not for your own, you must be
man, living straight, honest, sober
life, performing we'll your part of your
marriage agreement. Manhood and
honor require that much Of you"
"Agnes, II Is easy for you to say TINT,
but you don't know what 1t requires"
"Yes, l do. know It requires self
sacrifice, but that makes heroes. II re-
uuires a world Of unrequited labor, but
the final reward for its faithful per
formance will be all the greater from
its being done through duty and not
through the promptings Of love and
pleasure"
paused long time. There was
something else felt ought TO say, but
q sense OF delicacy made me hesitate.
My companion understood my thoughts,
think, for he urged me TO speak on;
and finally ] did so.
"Will," / said, 'yon must never como
here again whilo am here. II Ia better
that our lives lie as far separated as
we can make them, and II we never
meet again II viii be the better for us
both. Perhaps In that way you will
forget the sentiment you entertain
now, and In time learn 10 love your
wife as you should love her. That Is
your only hope Of happiness"
"Then Lhall never be happy" he
said, sadly.
"You think 30 now, Will" Ianswered,
"but time brings changes"
"Yes, I admit that, Agnes, but II win
never change my love for you. Never"
"Well, we shall soc. You do well
your part and am not afraid Of the re-
suit Remember always that your love
for me is hopeless, and that nothing can
ever come Of it."
because was fool and made II
30. That is what hurts me, Agnes. II
] had not married 1t would be 80 diff!
ferent with us now"
"No, II would not be different /