Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-05-04

paired to my own room. It was great relief to me to know that Charles Cor nell had perfect faith in me, and sitting alone with my thoughts, felt almost happy. I attached curious impor- tance to his opinion-an importance I could not account for on the grounds of friendship, and to know that he had a good opinion of me afforded me great relief. It was as if dark cloud had suddenly rolled away, letting the sun light fall on the earth.
 For an hour remained in my room trying to analyze my heart and under stand its sentiments, which seemed curi- ously complex. I said to myself that loved Will Hanley, and did not love Charles Cornell, yet for some reason cared more for the latter's good opinion, and was more interested in what he thought and said, ten times over, than in the former.
 The fact is, I was experiencing a change of heart. I was putting off the old love and taking on the new; or rather, I was awakening to a knowl- edge of the real state of my feelings. l was coming to an understanding with myself and began to comprehend that the feeling had for Hanley was not true love, but mad passion, kept alive by the glamour of romance engendered by long absence; while that which felt for Cornell was a love that had grown up out of a knowledge of his goodness and worthiness-a love prompted and nourished by reason rather than infatuation. I was passing out of the first love, which is a dream <,f e1, into the second love, which is solid substance, burning with a steady, even glow and living forever
 After an hour of serious thought and sclf-eXamination left my room believ- ing that loved Charles Cornell. I was not positive of the fact yet, but knew the symptoms of my heart pointed that way, and then when contrasted Han ley and him I freely admitted that he possessed all the advantages and char acteristics of pure, high and noble manhood. I was cognizant of the truth that he was far the most worthy of a true woman's love, and giving him that idea was not far from giving him my heart.
 passed few words with MT. Cornell that day, as he and Hanley devoted several hours to the discussion of their business affairs, leaving him little time to give to other purposes. heard a part of their discussion relative to the land troubles, and was struck by the great contrast in their manner of treat ing subject of such moment. Cornell was serious, wise and sympathetic, while Hanley was light, hippant and careless. The one put his whole soul into the work, anxious, it seemed, to do everything in his power for the better mcnt of the condition of the settlers, while the other appeared to have no particular interest in the matter, show ing no disposition to oppress the unfor- tunate farmers, but at the same time showing no sympathy for them. think the two men meant equally well so far as they were capable of feeling, but the difference lay in the depth of their minds. Hanley could not see and feel the wants and sufferings of his fellow men, while Cornell did. The one could sympathize with his friends. the other with the whole world.
 When Cornell had completed his con- ference with Hanley he announced his intention of returning home. He asked
 
 while he was waiting for the train, which was not due for an hour, and gladly consented, doing my best to ex- l plain everything to him as we walked leisurely through the lawn and garden. | It did not seem to me that he was very much impressed with what he saw or what l said, for he apparently took nc heed of either but walked about in an absent-minded way that finally became most trying. l was explaining to him the merits of q certain shrub which grew at the lower side of the lawn, and had dilated on it's beauty for near five minutes, when suddenly he said:
 Miss Owens, sit down here. want to talk with you moment"
 l obeyed, taking seat on rustic l bench which stood near, and he sal | down beside me. He did not speak al once, but for a time-a long time, il seemed to me-he gazed blanlxly out be fore him. Finally he turned to me saying:
 ",ti@3 Owens, don't know why | a,,s..'l ccI to you what have in mind | Gl.t something prompts me to do it, an! feel th:.t ought"
 He wa, silent again, and the same vacant stare came back to him. A mo !uent elapsed, then, with suddennes! that quite took my breath away, hC said:
 Miss Owens, do you think you shal ever marry?"
 | flushed scarlet, the blood tingled il my veins, and I looked up to him il amazement. He saw my embarrass ment and immediately apologized fo his want of consideration in propound ing such question.
 Pardon me, Miss Owens, he said. |" forgot to whom I was speaking. M! J thoughts are so tumbled together jus now that hardly know how to begin t. say what have in mind"
 I began to tremble now, half iron fear and half from joy, because I be lieved he was on the point of reiterat tug his sentiments of love, and alread, l was wondering what should say il