Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-01-07

cesses," ne could VOW to her that he
had always kept himself free from dis
honor. He afirms that during the pc
Rod he suffered most from poverty he
was compelled to live In seclusion; and
that although his bard-hearted enc
mics had invented stories about him,
he had made one of them an example
in suit for libel, and had won his
case. So hurt was he that she could
entertain such thoughts about him.
that heawent to see her in person be-
fore she had opportunity to again re-
ply; and besought her not to deny him
the love which would make his life
happy forever.
BY this time Helen was warmly at
tached to him, but was not yet willing
to confess her feeling. Poe then told
her to take week in which to con-
slider it, but to by all means send him
a reply. She was painfully anxious
at this; for, though she could not yet
answer favorably, neither could she
bear the thought of having him leave
her altogether. Consequently she was
silent for some time; and finally sent
another evasive answer. This was
hard blow to the bard, and he hasten
ed once more to see her in person.
She loved him, but she wished from
her very heart it were possible to defer
the interview. He waited at his hotel
in Providence until she set an hour for
him to call. Impulsively, as usual, ne
sent word that he must see her imme-
diately. following the first message
with a note, saying, IF you cannot see
me, write me one word to say that you
do love me-" She replied, telling him
to call at noon. He met her and with
all the irresistible eloquence of tender
words besought her to hear him favor
ably. She, woman-like, continued to
hesitate; and he returned the next day
to renew his efforts to win her. She
then produced communications con-
tanning cruel references to his charac-
ter. He read one without word, and,
as other callers came, he got up to de-
part He took her hand silently, but
affectionately, in his own; and when
she said. Twill you come again this
evening, Mr.. Poe?" he fastened away
without answering.
He returned to his hotel, wrote a
note to Helen that they should never
meet again; and then spent the unhap-
piest night of his life. Early next day
his love reawakened with all the Wild
ness of it's yearning, and he hurried to
Helen's house, entered the hall, and
called out to her in the most stirring
words to hear him, and to love him.
Helen's mother met him and for long
time endeavored to dissuade him; but
he called for Helen until she came
down. He then addressed her in the
sweetest language love can inspire.
The neighbors heard him, and certain
malicious persons circulated the report
that he was under the influence OF
stimulants, and that he had to be
taken in charge of by police officer.
This was a pure fabrication.
The result was that Helen confessed
her heart and hand on condition that
he VOW to her he would never again
indulge in intoXicants. He accepted
the condition, and went back home to
New York to prepare to take her as
his own. His love letters during this
interval are characteristic of his Pe-
culiar nature. He was hopeful in the
highest sense, and in due season re-
turned to Providence to claim her.
She sadly refused to fulfill her VOW.
The statement has repeatedly been
made in print that the reason Helen
declined was never known. This Is
mistake. She never told Poe just why
she could not accept him; but the
facts are as follows, related afterward
by herself:
She had waited his return, conscious
that she loved him as she herself was
loved; but certain persons in whom
she trusted told her that he had
violated his VOW to touch stimulants
again. This was hard stroke; but
she still waited for him. When he
entered the room she Immediately saw
that, although he was not under the
influence Of his unfortunate habit, he
was still clearly subject to its power,
and this decided her fully against ever
marrying him. She went silently up
to him, returned some paper OF his In
her possession, and then fell back on
a couch, with her hands before her
face. He was ON his knees at once,
bsseeching her to speak Gust one
word"
What can I say?" she asked be-
tween her tears.
Say that you love me-" he cried.
81 love you," she responded passion
ately. And with that they were part
ed finally. Every kind Of conjecture
was maliciously sent forth by Poe's
enemies when it was known that they
had separated; but the two ever after
ward cherished mutual admiration
and affection, Notwithstanding they
never married.