The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1892-09-17
Ii, = he replied, dog : little talken

is SO much satisfaction to be got int Of
throwing ones self to the dogs,I should
think. It 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 a great credit to you. :
ssAgnes, for Heavens sake don't be
sarcastic. 1 am not in a humor to bear
ridicule, and especially from you. Il
you can't comfort me, or at the least
show some sort of sympathy for me,
don't talk at ALL
s:Mr. Hanley,"I replied. in all serious
ness, Il do sympathize with you from
the bottom of my heart, and if it was in
my power to comfort you 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"
ssSay it, he answered. II don't sup
pose twill comfort me much, and it
may painAme, but don't care. want
to know what you think of me, so speak
out and spare not. Say I'm a fool,
beast, scoundrel, anything you like"
81 cannot say that you are q scoun-
drel, Will, because you are not. can
not say that you are a 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"
'sThats 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 humanity, weak and
wicked. You may hare made one mis-
take and married 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 it is all your
own fault and YOU have nobody but
yourself to blame"
''Thats true, Agnes he replied. IL
don't blame anyone but myself, and it's
On myself I propose to take revenge"
''Well, that's foolishness again, and I
won't talk with you about it. What l
want to show you is the duty you owe
your wife You married her promisingto
y
life and it's efforts to the advancement
of her happiness, and she has perfect
right to expect that much of you. Ii
YOU entered into 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
a man, living d straight, honest, sober
life, performing well your part Of your
marriage agreement. Manhood and
honor require that much of you.'
'sAgnes, it is easy for you to say that,
but you don't know what it requires"
s:Yes, I do. know it requires self
sacrifice, but that makes heroes. It re-
uuires world of 7'nrequited labor, but
the final reward for it's faithful per-
formance will be all the greater from
it's being done through duty and not
through the promptings of love and
pleasure
I paused long time. There was
something else felt ought to say, but
q sense of delicacy made me hesitate.
My companion understood my thoughts,
I think, for he urged me to speak on;
and finally did So
"Will," said, syou must never come
here again while I am here. It is better
that our lives lie as far separated as
we can make them, and if we never
meet again it will be the better for rls
both. Perhaps in that way you will
forget the sentiment you entertain
now, and in time learn to love your
wife as you should love her. That is
your only hope of happiness.
''Then 1 shall never be happy he
said, sadly.
''You think SO now, Will, +" l answered,
'sbut time brings changes"
'sYes, I admit that Agnes, but it will
never change my love for you. Never"
ssWell, we shall see. 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."
so. That is what hurts me, Agnes. If
l had not married it would be- so diff
ferent with us now.''
''No, it would not be different. I
would not marry you if you were free,
because, Will, do not love you
.''Do not?" he repeated. agnes, you
are only saying that for effect
81 am saying it because it is true. I
do not love you.''
spoke in such way as to leave 10
room for doubling my words, and he
believed me. He was panied deeply, as
I knew he would be, but thought it
better for bin to know the truth. 1t
would help him to forget There was
a long pause, after which he said:
'sAgnes, I know now how it is. You
love Cornell. Isn't it sop
II think a great deal of him." I ad-
mitted
''You love him. Don't evade my ques-
ton, but answer it fairly
II think do replied. 81 am sure
I care more for him than for anyone
else.''
'sAgnes," he said, after long silence,
tsthis is bitter. 1t is the hardest blow of
all"
He arose and started away, but after
ooinp q short distance ho Gonna hoo1x