The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1893-09-27
EoPraIaHT 1872 sr HITEtltgsa CtEasmPfR Co

Gun you HCIp ilc W ny IOOli' dill
too weak to walk alone
You had better remain here little
while, Agnes" she replied. you viii
get stronger directly
mo, want to go to my room"
Mrs. Lawton extended her hand and
arose. could scarcely stand, but by
leaning on her arm | managed to get
out of the room and up the stairs, where
threw myself on the bed Mrs. Law
ton did not leave me, but took seat by
my side where she remained for near
minute gazing silently and thoughtful
ly into my face. At lost she spoke.
"Agnes," she said, in sympathetic
tones, "Win Hanley said something
that hurt you VIII you tell mic what
it is?"
only sobbed in reply. She waited
an instant, then went on.
Agnes" she said, tell me if Will
Hanleys wife is any connection Of
yours. The name is the same"
"She is my sister," answered.
"Indecd!" Mrs. Lawton exclaimed. 81
did not think ut the time Of any rela-
tionship that might exist between you.
1t is a common name"
Then there was q long pause during
which Mrs, Lawton seemed undecided
whether to drop the matter there or
whether to pursue it further. Finally
she arose and started from the room,
but whom she preached the door she turned
back. she came and took my hands
between hers and cGressed them, eX-
pressing in that way the sympathy she
could not speak.
Agnes, / am sorry my nephew has
come here with his wife" she said,
finally, "and if had known he should
not have come. l would do nothing to
bring trouble to you"
81 know that, Mrs. Lawton," re-
piled "You have always consulted my
happiness in everything"
"Yea, have tried to make your stay
with me as pleasant as could But
not of that now. Agnes. want to
speak Of your Sister Do you wish to
avoid a meeting with her? Remember
that while she was the cause Of much
suiferinr on your part she was small
and hardly accountable. She perhaps
regrets all that now, and If she knew
you she might love you"
| saw with n feeling Of relief that
Mrs. Lawton had not guessed my
secret. She aseribed my emotions to
the prospect Of meeting my sister and
left win IIanlcy entirely ont of account
Yet | did not wish to see my sister
under existing circumstances. As Mary
Owens should have been glad to meet
her, and had she accepted my love
should have freely given it to her. But
now it was different ! could not meet
her as the wife of the man ! loved and
feel toward her as a sister should feel
felt bitterly toward her, and for the
time hated her.
Mrs. Lawton waited some time, and
getting no answer from me, she con-
tinued:
at is very ungenerous thing for
sisters" she said, 'to hold ill-fcelings
against each other, and | think you
would be happier, Agnes, if you met
your sister and showed a willingness to
forgive the past and be friendly"
mot to-day, Mrs. Lawton," replied.
"Perhaps l viii see her tomorrow.
am tired and weak and sick, now, and !
want TO rest in cniet."
Just then q carnage dTo7e up to the
door.
"Thcy have como" Mrs. Lawtan ro-
marked, "and | must go down.
viii come mp again Is soon rs I c2n,"
She stopped and kissed me, then
turned away. | waited uatl she was
out Of hearing, then I let the pcnt up
tears Tow.
''Wby is it." | moancG, 'that my
sister must have everything and moth
ing? Was it not enough that she had
al the love and attentions at home,
without taking from me the man love:
Ali Heavens, is it right that she should
take from ne all have? Is it just?'
spent the day in my room musina
and cherishing my grief; but when ii
grew dark l stole downstairs and out
through the garden to the highway.
wanted action, and it was my intention
to take n long walk in the open air.
felt it would do me good.
took course that led out into the
country-a lonely lane where there wa;
little prospect of meeting anyone al
that time of evening walked couple
of miles about, then turned to retrace
my steps. 1t had grown quite dark by
that time, but before l reached home
the moon rose.
Preached the garden gate and was il
the act of entering when form sud
denly barred the way. One glance TOLD
me whose form it was, and, placing my
hand to my heart, shrank back, hop
ing TO avoid detection. was too late
however, for Win Hapley had seen me
and Immediately came forward.
agnes" he said, extending his hand
'''do you not know mc?"
l realized that | should be sei-pos
sessed, if possible, for to show any
semotion would reveal the secret Of my