The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-08-02

I'LL i4dttCIo VI OuoihCoog 81 Aeh4o ~ W -
my pen and pushed the letters back. /
was sure he had purpose in his action,
and I believed that purpose had to do
with the Cornells; and was not mis-
taken.
$50 those are your friends from whom
you had the letter, eh?" he remarked,
rather abruptly.
"Yes, sir" / replied, shat was Mr..
Cornell and his son."
well, the old gentleman appears to
be very friendly old fellow" he OBJ
served, with a sarcastic smile.
"I'm sure" replied with a tinge of
warmth, "that he's most excellent
man, and as generous and kind-hearted
as he can be-"
''Oh, yes, / suppose he's very well In
that respect. Now, how about the son?
He's generous and kind-hearted, too,
think you said?"
"He is" answered.
Sand a most excellent man, I be-
lieve?"
HE certainly is"
"Weli, sometimes people deceive
their appearances"
"What do you mean by that?' l
asked.
"Why, simply that / didn't see any
thing remarkable in the young man.
But then, perhaps, / am not good at
reading character from outward APP
pearances, and especially where these
country pumpkins are in it"
l bit my lip in very vexation. Why
would Mr.. Bernard persist in speaking
slightingly of Charles Cornell? Why
should he show dislike of him when
he certainly had no cause to feel it?
Why need he refer to him in terms so
uncomplimcntary and so entirely map
propriate to his looks and character? 1t
seemed to me unwarranted and rude, to
say the least, because Charles Cornell
was not an enemy TO Mr.. Bernard, and
he was 4 friend to me.
"I'm sure" said, with an unusual
show Of spirit for me, ''if you see any
thing in Charles Cornell's outward APP
pearance that contradicts what | have
said of him, you are not capable Of
reading his character from them. |
speak the truth of him, and l speak
from actual knowledge"
"Why, dear me-" he exclaimed, sour
ly, ''one would think you warm
champion of the young farmer to hear
you SO readily defend him. A woman
must feel very deep interest in a man
when she shows such spirit in his de-
Tense. Now, without any intention of
boasting, and not wishing to remind
you of what have done, venture to
say that have been as mindful of you
and as generous in my conduct toward
you as this Cornell has. Do you deny
that?"
-"No, sir; l do not deny that you nave
been very good to me, and that you
have favored me far beyond my de-
serts. do not want you to think me
ungrateful enough to ever be unmind-
full of the debt of gratitude owe YOU"
''There, there" he cried, holding up
his hand that is enough. told you
that did not speak to remind you of
anything / have done. make no merit
of the little favors and services | have
been able to render you. But I am
jealous"
"Jealous?" l repeated, wonderingly.
"Yes, am," he answered. 81 have
tried to be true friend to you in every
way, and believe / have showed as
much interest in you as this farmer ever
has. Yet you are quick to speak his
praises, or raise in arms for his defense.
while as for Newell, you don't have
much to say"
81 have had no occasion to speak of
your kindnesses," said, NOR to arise
in arms in your defense. appreciate
it all, though, | assure YOU"
"That's all right" he replied "What-
ever have done has not been done for
the sake of praise. | only did my duty,
and do not want you to speak of it.
What l object to is that you should lay
as much stress on the little services this
Cornell has rendered you. Anyone else
might have done twice as much and not
elected one-half so much gratitude. l
have shown that by contrast, think"
He was silent for q minute or so,
thoughtfully looking down at the floor
and drumming his desk absently with
his fingers. His air and tone were
quite serious - far more serious,
thought, than the occasion and subject
demanded.
"What l mean" he continued, pres
emily, sis that you give Charles Cornell
too much credit. I'm convinced that
your gratitude is not altogether simple
gratitude, but that there is deeper
sentiment which inspires your feelings.
Excuse me for speaking plainly. am
positive that you love Charles Cornell"
1t appeared to me that Mr.. Bernard
was going entirely too far, and | did
not hesitate to tell him so.
sit may seem so to you," he contin-
ned, but think differently. dislike
to speak of these things, and if did
not feel it my duty l would not. l
hold myself to some extent responsible
for your conduct while you are in my
employ. You came to us for friend
ship, intrusting yourself to our care,
and l should consider that was
wantonly derelict in the discharge
of kinsman's duty If failed to make
every possible effort to train your
thoughts into the right channels. Now,
believe you have given Cornell a
place in your affections that friend is
denied, and l do not approve of it. As
l told you once before there is higher