The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-09-27

NA So V e=.Ssa4,I s177's Ia
"AGNEs, DO YOU NOT KNOW ME?"
soul-the secret of a disappointed love,
which I would not have him know for
all the world. | exerted myself, and
assumed an air of tolerable calmness.
Eyes" Ireplied, holding out my hand,
81 know you"
He took nay hand and gave it a warm
pressure, which sent sharp pain
through my heart lie bent his eyes
on me for an instant inquiringly, then
said:
care you not glad to see me, Agncs?"
eyes, very glad l answered.
81 am not sure Of that" he replied,
letting my hand drop. you have given
me no welcome, and your greeting is
cold. We used to be such good friends,
and our separation has been SO long
that it seems you ought to show q little
! Joy at our meeting Did You not recog-
nize me to-day when you came into the
room where WASP"
"Yes."
And yet you gave me no welcome?'
mo" admitted, II did not Neither
did You ovince any sign Of pleasure in
meeting me-"
Il did not know you, Agnes, and I
would not know you now had not aunt
told me who you We're. Do you think
have so far forgotten our childhood
friendship as to treat you like a stran-
ger?"
More than two years ago, IIr. Han
ley" said, 1--WE met and were intro
duced by Mr.. Charles Cornell, and yet
you did not choose to recognize me-
81 did not know you even then, Ag-
nes Bemcmborhow changed you We're
since had seen you last"
sBut Mr. Cornell spoke my name"
YES; he introduced you as Miss
Owens, but how was | to know, or even
guess, that you were Agnes Owens? |
say, remember how you were changed.
When left you to so away to school
your face was all SCARED and drawn,
and when | met you again the sears
were all gone and your features were
perfect. There are hundreds Of Miss
Owens; and, aside from the change in
your appearance, it is not matter OF
wonder that did not recognize you
there where l had no thought of meet
ing You"
What he said seemed plausible, and !
did not doubt the truth of it. believed
now that he had not intentionally
ignored me, and that afforded me lit.
tie relief; but it was very little in the
face of the knowledge that he was lost
to me, and that no reconciliation could
ever result. Friendship would not an,
swer between us any more. 1t must be
love or complete separation, and with
US it could not be love.
"Agnes," he continued, ~ accidental
ly learned from the Cornells several
months after our meeting that it was
you to whom Charles Cornell intro.
duced me. Then / went Immediately
in search of you, but on making in,
curry of Mr.. Bernard learned thatyou
had disappeared, and no one could give
any information as to your where.
abopts,"
lie paused as if undecided whether tc
say more or not, but finally he went
on:
81 did not seek for you, Agnes, be-
cause after talking with Bernard ant
Mrs, Bond felt that | would rather
not sec you again. You know what
mean"
YES, NLr. Dea1ey, know what 20,
mean" | replied, looking bravely W
into his face and speaking with start
ling frlapess. "You believed the lie'
they told you, and thought me the bas'
thing they represented me to be-"
he blushed and dropped his eyes il
confusion.
"How could know, Agnes?' h
asked, sadly. Their stories were in
genious and l could not persuade my
self that they were all false, as hard a
tried to do so. You cannot imagine
Agnes. what suffered because Of thost
reports. They hurt ne through ant
through. Agnes, have no right to sa,
it now, but will say it once: love-
you then. and when realized that yo,
were lost to me, my grief was almos
unbcarable. prayed that our path
might never cross again, and tried Il
forget you"
Ny soul lowered aloft now, and fel
SO far superior to Win Hanley that
looked down on him with pity.
'Mr. Hanley," said, II, too, pro.
that our paths may never cross again
! know you now as never knew yo
before. and from henceforth we canno
be even friends. The awakening to
true knowledge of your disposi
ton is bitter, because | never though
you could so wrongfully misirdge me
All the long years when had n
friends and no sympathy ! solaeed my
self with the thought that you were m
friend. and that however others nigh
misjudgc me you would always under
s.ard rlc c=l believe il rv honesty