The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-08-10

amazed, but was alarmed, and dread
apprehension stole into my heart, filing
II with an unaccountable fear. / could
not speak and l could hardly think.
Mr.. Bernard saw that / was alarmed
and hastened TO reassure me, saying,
quietly:
Remember, Miss Owens, that Ispeak
as a friend, relative, and, in sense,
as q guardian. In nothing, however,
shall seek TO compel your acquies-
cence IN my views. shall only try to
influence you. do not know whom
you may marry, but would not have
you throw yourself away. Mr.. Cornell
may be very well In his way, but you
owe II TO yourself TO aspire higher"
was somewhat collected now, and
steadyinR myself with an effort said:
~ have had no thought Of marrying
Mr.. Cornell, and, as far as l know, he
has had no thought Of marrying me. I
think you need not be alarmed on that
score"
'Is that really true?" he asked, eye
ing me inquiringly.
ut Is" | replied.
He evidently believed me, for his face
cleared up and he appeared greatly re-
lieved. He said nothing further regard
ing Charles Cornell, but for a time en-
gagged In commonplace conversation
touching my work at the Office and 9TH
err triAing matters. Then suddenly he
leaned forward and abruptly asked:
"Do you know, Miss Owens, why
take such interest in you2"
l was startled and alarmed again.
but managed TO say:
because am alone"
Eyes, "he replied, "that Is IL In part,
but 1t Is not all. There Is something
else besides that and relationship. You
remember / said The other day that I
knew your mother years ago and that
we were very good friendsP"
nodded and he went on.
1--WE were more than friends, Miss
Owens, at least was moro than a
friend TO her. was lover, and l
loved her with all the ardor man can
feel. l worshiped her, in fact She
did not return my love, and when she
married was sadly disappointed
man. have never forgotten that love,
and to-day your mothers memory Is
fresh In my heart. married, hoping
TO forget, but / could not forget.
loved your mothers shadow better than
/ loved my wife, and do vet"
He paused, resting his head in his
hands, and as looked upon him, read
ing In his attitude and actions the grief
that was In his soul, | pitied him deep
ly, and at once forgave him all he had
said about Charles Cornell
~ have never, never forgotten my
love for your mother" he resumed,
after awhile, land II is because Of that
love am so interested in you. You
are 80 like her. both In looks and char
acter."
Again he paused for moment, then
continued, half speaking to himself:
"Was II wrong TO love woman 30
well that my love could not diep Was
II wrong TO love her memory more than
love the woman who Is my wifcp Is
It wrong 10 love the dead, and the liv-
ing counterpart Of the deadp Is IL
crime, a sin for maa TO love that
which he cannot resist2 Can man
control his heart? Can he bridle his
love and turn II here and there at his
will2 Can he be anything but human2"
In his agitation. which increased
alarmingly every moment Mr.. Ber-
nard arose and walked the floor, his
face drawn and white and his hands
clutched firmly. He did not look at
me, and seemingly rather avoided my
presence. His soul, knew, was ex-
periencing the most exquisite agony,
but I could not account for the cause.
Surely the remembrance Of one he had
s--A-i-ss ..s-i 49,