The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-08-23
CoeYaleH1 49, 81 AIEkllloes rewsxrR Co

realized only too well to what his
thoughts were leading, and l would
have checked him, but | had not the
courage to speak out. could not say
or do anything to saddcn his spirits,
and waited IN dread and trembling for
him to proceed.
/ believe he construed my actions to
HIS favor, for immediately he took
heart and spoke out more boldly.
"Agncs," he said, calling me by that
name for the first time, there is but
one thing want to make my happiness
perfect. Can you guess what that one
thing is?'
Still said nothing. could not have
spoken If my life had depended on it.
i dreaded to hear the declaration he
was about to make, for knew must
deny his suit and crush his great and
good heart, and oh, liked him so much.
For all the riches of the world would
not cause him one moment Of suffering,
and yet l must blight his dearest hopes
and make his life dark and sad, per-
haps forever.
''Oh,"I cried in thought, my soul
wrenched with agony, 'why does he
love me when do not and cannot love
him? Why must cause him to suffer
what am forced to bear? Why, ah,
why, must we both pass through this
terrible affection OF loving and being
unloved?"
Why, / wondered, could / not love
Charles Cornell? knew that he was
good and noble, and in every way the
peer of VIII Hanley. / knew that as his
wife should never have an ungratified
wish if he had the power of administer
ing to it. Iknew that the great study
of his life would be to advance my hap
piness and add to my comfort. He
would do for me all that VIII Hanley
could do, and maybe more. Then why
must refuse his love and cling to one
who ignored me? Why must throw
away the substance and hold hopeless
ly to shadow? | asked myself this
question, and reason answered that
ought not, but love said must, and
love always has it's way.
Again hear Charles Corncll's voice.
He has drawn closer to me and is
speaking very low and earnestly. feel
his breath on my cheek, and hear the
wild throbbing of his heart. think
how happy that heart is now, and how
soon it's joyful pulsations must cease.
wish l could run away-somewhere-
and die.
"Agnes," he is saying, ''the one thing
want to complete my happiness is
your love-you. / want you to be
mine-my wife"
He paused and drew nearer, and 1
thought he was waiting for me to
speak; but T could not utter word.
My tongue Glove to the roof of my
mouth and trembled visibly. l
felt that it was wicked to let him go
on, and cruel to deceive him with the
false hope my silence inspired, but
could not help it. Again he spoke.
agnes" he said, II love you, and
want you for my own. viii you be my
wife?"
Still / was silent. I was able to
speak now, but was 10th to say
what candor and duty required. His
courage grew stronger and holder. In
an ecstacy of delight he grasped my
hand, crying:
"You will. Agnes, for you are silent,
You do love me and you will be my
wife"
AS he spoke he drew me to him and
attempted to kiss me. i realized then
that / must speak and act. drew away
from him as far as l could and took my
hand from his.
mo, no, no." cried, 81 cannot, I
cannot"
He started, and for moment looked
in my face blanl1ly. His features paled,
flushed and paled alternately; then
again lighted up with new hope. He
clasped my hand once more and held it
with vice-like grip. tried to wrench
it away, but he frightened his hold until
i WINGED with pain. He leaned towards
me until his hot breath scorched my
cheek. In hoarse, strange whisper he
addressed me.
"No, Agnes" he said, pleadingly, "do
not say that. For the love of Heaven
do not. You do not mean it. You sure
ly cannot. You will be my wife. won't
you?"
Iwept. Hoy hard it was to resist his
pleading! How hard to deny him after
all his kindness and loving care! How
hard TO mar and cripple his life Yet, l
must. do not love him and / could
not marry without love. / became quite
calm directly by strenuously excrting
myself to that end, and looking up into
his eyes answered him quietly.
"No, Mr.. Cornell" l said, Il cannot
marry you, because would wrong
both you and myself if / did so when
l did not love you. / know l am not
worthy of such love as yours, ard that
in putting it away from me l am put
ting away noble love and a noble
heart. but duty compels me to act as l
do"
.sThen you do not love me?'' he
questioned calmly, but oh, SO sadly.
His was the calmness and sadness of
despair.
~ do not" replied, "but would to
Heaven did"
"But you may learn to love me-" he
urged. 81 will wait and hope"
mo, l cannot promise that"
answered. 81 love one already, and
can never love another"
He sighed deeply.
agnes" he continued, after short
silence, this is the bittercst hour of my