People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1892-12-23
CHAPTER XVIII
A SCENE on THE LAWN.

Charles Cornells abrupt departure
was great disappointment to me, but
it served one purpose at least. 1t
aroused me to a sense OF my regard for
him, not to say love, for even yet l was
not sure loved him, though | realized
that it would be a sad thing to live
without him. OF one thing | was posi-
tive. l wanted him to love me, and l
was certain that he did.
1t grleved me that he should go with
out knowing how | was disposed to-
ward him. did not want him to go
away with the idea that his love was
hopeless, because that, l thought, would
make him sad and unhappy, and l did
not want him to suffer for one moment
unnecessarily. Although | did not have
it in my heart just then to promise him
my love, ! could have said something to
give hope and good cheer to his soul,
and-shall l own up to the truth-to
bring him back to me again.
am afraid that the secret OF my So
licitude lay in the fear that he would
not return. tried to persuade myself
that | was solicitous only for his well
fare; but in spite of my efforts the
thought that he might never come back
would surge up and overtop all other
thoughts, making me very unhappy.
A week passed and then there came
letter from Mrs. Cornell. 1t was full
of love and had all the tenderness and
sympathy one could possibly expect or
ask, yet it was far from satisfactory.
1t did not contain that which sought
and for which my soul yearned. There
was in all its pages never word from
or about Charles, and when l read it |
folded it and laid it away with sigh Of
disappointment.
"He has given me up, indeed" l
unused, sorrowfully. "He will never seek
my love again, but believing me still
obdurate will marry the other woman
of whom he spoke. Oh, why" l cried,
did not make him understand my
feelings that day? But word, look
or an action would have made it plain
to him that there was room for hope,
and for the want of it had no doubt
lost him forever"
VIII Hanley and Mary remained buta
few days, and though l avoided them
both as far as it was possible, / was
thrown into contact with them to some
extent. Mary made no effort to con-
ceal her dislike of me, but on every oc-
casion made it as manifest as she could.
She treated me with the utmost
rudeness, and by every possible means
attempted to impress me with the
knowledge that she believed every
word that had ever been spoken against
me. On one occasion she remarked:
"Whatever you do, Agnes, don't ever
claim relationship with me. We are
related, and it can't be helped, but we
can let the fact remain a secret. | de-
sire that our relationship should be
kept among ourselves"
Il am sure such arrangement meets
my approval" replied, "for have no
desire to make our relationship known.
have nothing to gain by it, and per-
haps you have nothing either"
81 certainly have nothing to gain by
it." she rejoined, resentfully, "but |
have much to lose, something that am
sure you have not"
MARY" said, Practically, 'let us be
reasonable. l spoke hastily and re-
greet it. We are sisters, and there ought
to be a sisterly tie between US. 1t is
folly for us to deny our relationship, or
to assert that we will never have aught
to do with one another except as
strangers. Neither of us knows what
the future has in store nor to what con-
ditions we may be brought before life
ends. The time may come when we
will each need the love and sympathy
of the other. l am willing to forgive
and forget the past, and from this time
on dwell with you in sisterly love-"
''You, no doubt, feel inclined that
way" Mary replied, land | do not Won
der that you do. If Il was in your situa-
ton should evidently feel so, too. The
time may come when you will need my
love and sympathy-it is very apt to
come, l think; but 1t is not at all prob
able that shall ever feel the need of
any of your love and sympathy, not
the least probable, I'm sure"
81 hope you never may, Mary" / an
swered. "Bnt we can't tell what may
happen. Stranger things have come to
pass before now"
"That may be, but none more I'M
likely, I'm sure. If l ever ask you for
any favor, however small and insignif-
cant, hope you will be so generous as
to refuse it."
81 shall do nothing Of the kind, but,
on the contrary, shall grant it if it is
in my power to do So"
Thanks. 1t Is not likely you will
ever have that pleasure. 1t is far more
likely to come the other way, and will
be as generous as you propose to be. I
will grant your requests, but l will do
it as to a stranger. ! repeat again, that
if we ever meet after this it is my
wish that our relationship be kept
secret. cannot consent to bear the
shame and disgrace Of being known as
your sister"
She tossed her head disdainfully and
swept out of the room. No other word
was exchanged between us during the
rest of her stay, and when she left she
did not bid me good-by.
Hanley made several efforts TO gain
q saorat audiance with me lint man.