The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-07-26
ran one refrain and that was this:

arose and walked the floor for an
hour, then threw myself on the bed
and slept. Exhaustion had conquered
and brought rest and peace. l slept
soundly and when / awoke the sun was
shining into the room and knew it
was late. 1t did not take me long to
decide what to do, and arising dressed
and went down to breakfast / resolved
to go to the Office and work as usual,
continuing my relations with Mr.. Ber-
nard as though nothing had transpired.
My mind was calm and collected
when / awole and / reasoned easily.
My position was good one. thought,
inasmuch as it enabled me to live by my
own exertions, and if gave it up re-
allied how difficult l should find it to
secure another through my own efforts.
Then, / remembered, Mr.. Bernard was
connection, and ought not to have
any fear of him. 1t was true he had
done and said things that ! considered
improper, and even shocking, but was
inclined to excuse him now, believing
that he had lost control of himself for
the instant, and that in his calmer mo-
ments he would regret his conduct
most sincerely. l reasoned, too, that /
had but to maintain my own proper
conduct, deporting myself toward him
as prudence demanded, to be safe from
any designs he might have. My reason
ing may not have been very philosoph-
ical, but it must be remembered that
was ignorant land unschooled in the
ways of the world and the arts of man.
When came down to breakfast my
altered, haggard looks attracted the at
tention of my landlady, and all during
the meal she kept her eyes on me
with curious, inquiring gaze Her
action embarrassed me, sending a
crimson glow to my cheeks and causing
me to cast my eyes down. When | was
about to leave the table she detained
me, saying:
"You are not looking well this morn
ing, Miss Owens. Are you sick?"
mo, ma'am," replied, little short
ly, wishing above all things to be
spared any questioning just then.
"You nre looking real peaked, I'm
sure" she continued, land one would
think you spent bad night. think
you must either be sick or troubled. l
hope you have had no bad news?"
mo, have not" answered.
'I'm very glad" she said. 81 saw
you had a letter last night, and didn't
know but you might have had unpleas-
ant news"
l assured Mrs. Bond, my landlady,
that she was wrong in her surmises,
ard, wishing TO escape any further con-
versation on the subject of myappear-
ance, made another effort to leave the
room. Mrs. Bond, however, was one
of those curious, prying old women who
are not satisfied until they get to the
bottom of everybody's secrets and who
have no respect for anyone's rights and
feelings, but who continue to probe
and delve into peoples actions until
they unearth their motives and the
causes that influence them to the very
bottom.
Perhaps" she observed with a
smile / did not like, "the gentleman
who came to visit you last night had
something to do with your appearance
this morning?"
offered norcply, but I was conscious
that the increasing color in my face be-
trayed the fact that she had guessed
Alright, and that added still more to my
confusion, thus the more plainly con-
firming her supposition.
II thought when saw HIM go out
last night" she went on, that some
thing of an unpleasant nature must
have transpired between you He was
so excited that he hardly seemed to
know what he was doing or where he
was going. | couldn't imagine, though,
whatever could have taken place be-
tween YOU"
understood perfectly that she had
offered that observation as bid for an
explanation on my part, but did not
choose to accept it as such, so kept 81
lent. She continued, apparently lit
tie disappointed that did not proceed
to crafty her curiosity and enlighten
her as to what had taken place in my
room.
"He had the appearance of one of the
finest of gentlemen" she remarked,
land suppose he is, though | know
very little about him. never saw Mr..
Bernard but two or three times before
that dcy he came here with You, but
I've always heard him spoken of very
highly. Still, he's rich, and rich men
can do pretty much as they please, and
not be faulted either. don't doubt
but what if Mr.. Bernard was poor, peo-
pie would find plenty to say against
him. But, law! | don't suppose you
will believe that, for he appears to take
a great interest in you, and reckon
he's doing great deal for you. I've
often wondered why it is he shows SO
much concern for your welfare. OF
course, in way, there's q sort of con-
nection between you, but land salles,
men like him are not apt to care any
thing about their wife's poor ltinfoll;s,
and especially when it comes to second
cousins"
She paused and looked at me as If In
wiling reply, but offered none, and
after the lapse of moment she pro.
cecoed:
mind now" she said, 81 don't say
there is anything improper in Mr.
Bernards attentions to you, and DOM
mean to hint that he has any improper
motives, but ut the same time | mus
say that people have room to form sus
picions. Iuon't say that have them
but know other people will, because