The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-09
Bitter Sweet
ay ANNIE SHANNON MONROE.

Agnes Lothian sat in her small study
A low fire burned in the
pretty crate. 1t shot up bright points
of flame and perhaps felt itself respon-
sible for the soft glow that had crept
over Agnes usually pale cheeks. Her
desk WAS open; her lists lay untouch-
ed before her; her pen was idle. Her
busy world had paused; her poor were
her consuming philan-
thropies that for years had stolen the
bloom from a face that should still be
girlish. were far. far away.
People did not usually call Agnes
beautiful-save the sick and the dy-
ing. Her eyes were too intensely
bright. She seemed to be straining
every fiber of her being in an effort
to attain, to accomplish. to put through
she was never in repose She had no
time for petty femininities. But to-
day she sat idle-the first time in ten
years-a glow On her cheek. a soft ra-
dance suffusing her. dreaming.
One could almost follow her dreams,
so delieately were they written on her
sensitive face; she had that look of
pleasurable emotion that comes only
from love fulfilled and which is seen
most often on, a young mothers face
as she gazes down at the babe.
Her thoughts flew back along the
years to the time when she had been
an lmpetuouS, warm hearted school
girl, just leaving college. There had
come into her life man on whom
she had lavished all the passionate
love of her young life. How she had
loved him. with that love that knows
no restraint. but gives itself full. free.
to it's posSesSor. Fate had other plans,
however. Agnes noticedihat her dear
est friend was dropping day by day.
One night she sobbed out her grief
on Agnes bosom. She. too, loved the
man. and he had been her all, till
Agnes came. Arms twined about each
other, the two girls cried softly togeth-
er. Agnes whispered: You can have
him, dear; no. oh no. of course I do
not love him as you do. / couldn't,
when you had him first. He is yours"
And then she had gone away.
Time had passed. There was no low
ing. sobbing young girl to lie in her
arms all through the long dreary years
and make it eaSy-to renounce.
1t is not so hard to follow the gener-
al on the battle field to victory: but
the gun wound received in the battle
becomes more and more trying as the
years pass by. The old soldier loses
the glory of his own heroism in the
constant irritation of the fostering
wound that will go with him to the
grave. So with Agnes Lothian. She
had buried herself in service to hui
manity. but the wound, though deeply
hidden. was still there
"A cold woman. but with a good
heart" people said.
Now had come the greater awaken
ing and this time it was a woman's
soul, not child's, that rose and flew
to meet it's keeper.
Il have not lived an unselfish life
-
hem of your skirt" he had confessed.
hunbly.
But love you, Archibald" she had
answered, softly.
L have wasted my years; you have
done good deeds only. 1 am not
worthy"
when love you?" she still asked,
frowning
"Oh, I could yet be man in the
light OF your souls perfect radiance
ibut-but 1T is asking too much of you.
You deserve better. And yet, how 1
love you!"
With the love light in her eyes, the
soft glow about her person. she looked
down at him indulgently as a mother
might gaze at her naughty child.
must tell you all, everything" he
went on. There was a little girl I
loved in a way, till 1 met you"
AT the words terrible light flashed
into Agnes dark eyes. The same old
story-must she ever renounce, re-
nounce, live only to renounce?
She threw herself into his arms,
those great strong arms where alone
she could find rest. "a thousand girls
could not take you from me-" she
cried in the terror of her passion.
You are mine, mine, mine! / will not
give you up!"
His arms closed about her; his lips
met hers; and the angels wept
Now she was living it all over
again; she had given the morning to
dreaming and planning their life to-
gether, but she could get no further
than that first kiss. Her soul stayed
its flight and rested there.
Someone knocked lightly at the door.
The knock was repeated and finally
Agnes heard it.
Come in" she called, still in her
dream.
young girl entered, timidly.
sit down." said Agnes, through
force of habit. She had so many de-
mands on her time and her pocket
book. Why couldn't they let her have
this one day free? She was still
and when she spoke it was
as through a veil
Did you want something's"
'T-I-just wanted to look at you"
said the girl. This was not strange.
They often asked for her autograph,
too.
1T is cold" the girl said. shivering.
Cold? Il hadn't noticed it. Draw
nearer the fire, dear" Then, after a
few moments she spoke again, me-
still through force of habit,
the habit of a philanthropist, con-
stantly appealed to.
Are you in trouble?"
eyes," faltered the girl, her eyes on
the fire. She was certainly very tim
i'd. Agnes gradually came out of the
mists.
Tell me about-it, or tell me what
l can do, which ever you wish"
III tell you about il"
"WeH?"
81 haven't been in the city long. 1
came from the country. My position
would hardly pay my board. I got ac-
quainted with some girls at the store,
and found that men helped them; that
was why they dressed SO well. / met
man who was willing to help me,
too I know it was very wicked and
wrong, but-because loved him and I
couldn't bear for him to see me look
ing ugly. Oh. I know it was very
wrong"
"Wrong?" Agnes fairly blazed out.
''You are the one who Is wronged. Oh,
men, men. why will you trade on young
girls hearts, then trample them! Tell
me, dear. everything"
The girls eyes sought the fire: she
was very pretty
.And now he doesn't love me any
more. for he is going to marry rich
woman. He told me some time ago
that we must be just friends. but how
-&,,cr, Il opd ha friandc uvyor