The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-10-04

what 10 you mean? demanded,
with rising anger, sure that ] under
stood the puiport of her language.
II only mean" she replied, that I
hope you win not bring further disgrace
to our family by repeating your be-
havior of two years ago with that man
Bernard. You know what / refer to, of
course"
A flash of hot resentment swept over
me, and ! came near giving vent to
some wrathful expressions; but l
cubed my temper in time, and when l
spoke it was more in sorrow than
anger.
eyes," said, 81 know to what you
refer. I have suffered enough from
that mans prosecutions not to forget
them soon. have experienced enough
misery as result Of his ISLANDERS to inn
press them indelibly on my mind. But,
Mary, have done nothing to disgrace
myself or anyone else, SO you can rest
easy on that point.
She made no reply, but stood looking
ixedly at the ground. waited mo-
ment, then went on.
MARY" asked, "do you believe
those reports against my character?"
81 don't know, Pm sure" she replied,
with freezing GOODNESS. at may not
have been SO bad as we heard it was,
but you remember the old saying about
where there is so much smoke there
must be some fire. There was evident
ly some basis for those rumors."
"There was, Mary" / answered.
"Therc was basis of malicious false
hood"
81 should be glad to think SO, Agnes"
"Then you do not think SOP"
81 am afraid do not. You see your
mothers cousin, Mrs. Bernard, wrote
to papa about it, and she was quite pos
tive in her statements relative to an
undue intimacy existing between you
ard her husband. 1t worried papa I'M
til he was sick, and he said Tor his sake
you ought to lead respectable life, if
you cared nothing for yourself"
"For his sake?" | repeated. "Why
for his sake, I wonder? What has he
ever done to make his sake consider
ntion with me? What has he ever
DONE" continued, growing more We
hcmcnt rs memories crowded up, ito
make me respectable? Has he trained
me up in Kindness and love? Has he
sheltered me from the cold world and
protected me, as a father should,
from the wicked deceit Of such men as
Bernard? No. He denied me his love
strangers, ignorant and penniless. 1t
is not TO him owe any thanks for be-
ing what l am, and he can take 10
credit to himself for the fact that am
pure and stainless. He gave me every
chance to go to wreck. and if | had he
would have no cause to feel surprised"
II do not care to hear papa abused"
she said, with an injured air.
"Nor do not care to abuse him." l
replied. Sometimes, though, it is hard
to suffer in silence, and then the truth
will out. But enough of that Let the
past sleep. You believe those rumors
that were reported against my char
Rcter?"
81 dislike to, but do not see how 1
am to help it."
"Then, Mary, we cannot be friends.
I can forgive deep wrongs, but that is
one cannot forgive"
Without another word / turned and
walked away. Hanley had not spoken
once during our short interview, and /
had no idea what his thoughts were,
for never gave him glance while we
stood there. He followed me soon, how
ever, and coming to where had stopped
in the lane, he said:
"Agnes, do not feel grieved at what
Mary has said. She does not know and
is not so much to blame as her mother.
| believe in you and mean that she
shall"
mo, Mr.. Hanley," replied, "she
will never believe in me. But it doesn't
matter. know my heart, and God
knows it, and while it is cruel to be
misjudged, there is a consolation in the
thought of my own rectitude. Though
all the world forsalles me, God is with
me-"
81 will not forsalse YOU" he cried. 81
believe in you, and | am friend, or
will be if you will let me-"
mo, our ways lie apart" answered.
"You misjudged me once, and told
you could never forget"
Agnes" he said, ''you are cruel and
memorable, offer you all have to
give and you spurn it from you. would
to Heaven had more to Offer"
mo, do not spurn your friendship"
said, but simply say it cannot be
mine. must go now. Good-by."
MAY not accompany You. Agnes?'
he said.
mo, wish TO be alone" replied.
He looked after me for some time,
evidently half inclined to give me his
company whether wished it or not |
glanced back when reached rise be.
yond the bridge, and | saw that he had
sat down, with the intention, no doubt,
Of awaiting my return. | wished to
avoid another meeting with him, so
went across field and returned home
by another route.
Three or four days passed during
which ! managed to avoid Hanley al.
most entirely by remaining closely in
my room. Mary and never held any
conversation after that mentioned, and
nothing more than q formal converse
ton passed between us Mrs. Lawton
suspect, found her position a very
TRYING one. for she understood perfect.