The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-10-08 00:00:00

BY THEE
Author of" The Heiress of Atherstone Grange."

CHAPTER XXXII'.
WEAT HAD BECOME OF HELEN.
Stand not upon the order of your going,
But go at once.—'HAKESPEARr.
THE three ladies looked at one another in the dim

light of Babette's little room with amazement and dig-

may
'lmpossible,' Mrs. Churchill exclairced, Jules must
have been mistaken.'

*No,' BaN3tte replied, in the patois that made her so
terribly unintelligible to every one but Helen, who
had caught the trick of her mixed speech with
wonderful rapidity. 'Jules was quite sure: the dear
Lady spoke to him, and there were tears in her voice;
This was more wonderful still. Whathad there been
in the pact few days to cause Helen any uneasiness?
And Babette proceeded to say Jules had told her that
he asked Helen if he could carry her bag and cloak
for her, she seemed so flurried and nervous; and. of
course, he knew she had been ill. All her humble
friends had known and deplored her illness. She
woul I not let him, but thanked him, and gave him
some money, and he watched her till she was out of

sight.
Where does this Jules live P' asked Mr. Churchill.
when Babatte had come to the end of her story. 'I
must 50e him; perhaps he saw where she went to.
You see she has not come home,' she want on, seeing
the old woman's wondering stare. and we are rather
anxious about her. It is growing late; she may

_
only have been going to some of her friends : but I
begm to think something has happened to her.'
Ale, no! Bahette said welt simple fervour, 'she
was so good—the blessed Virgin and the saints would
have her in their keeping—they would not let harm
come to her, she was like a saint herself, the sweet
lady.'
So she wag, if the saints made their visits well pro-
vided with all the good things that go to comfort, o'd
age: Helen never went empty-handed to Babette's
heerse, and the little cottage bore evidence of her
geodness in many a comfort and bit of adornment,
that would have been absent but for her kindly
thought and care.
Jules lived a little way further on, they were told—
the third cottage from the end of a row in a some-
what unsavoury lane: he would not mind getting up
and telling the ladies all he knew. Bahette was sure
of that. But it was a dark place for them to go to,
and ehe could not get up to attend them. Mrs.
Churchill assured her they were not afraid. They
must beer all that, the man would tell them. He
might 'nave something to say that would throw some
light on the subiect : and they set forth with not
a little secret trepidation to find the fisherman.
After knocking attwo wrong doors in their ignorance
and flurry, they found the right one at last, and, after
some little delay, Jules appeared at the door, halt-
dresced, stupid, and scared; hut respectful in the
rresence of ladies, as is the fashion of his race. He
held a flaming piece of firewood, in his hand, and was
some little time before he could be made to under-
etand what three strange ladies could possibly want
with him at that time of night. It was getting on for
ten o'clock by this time—a very late hour for the
lower orders in Biarritz who usually go to bed with
the terds.
When he was quite certain of the identity of his
visitors he got on better. Yes. Babette was right.
Be had seen the young lady, he was going home after
his work and he had met her, nearly stumbled over
Tier, in feet, for she seemed not to see where she was
going properly, and he was busy with his nets they
were almost more than he could carry. and it eves a
mercy he did not knock mademoiselle down, She wts
dressed for travelling, at least he thought an, It was
quite liaht when he met her, and she carried a smell
hag, or portmant,au, and a cloak: he was sure of it
for he offered to carry them for her, hut she declined
Travelling l' paid Mrs. Churchill, more and more
mystified with everythine she heard. Was she going
to the railway station then?'
'An, no. madam!' Jules replied. She was going
just in the opposite direction, towards the mountains.'
and Jules motioned with his arm in a sweep tlaet
would have included all the mountain ranges in the
known world, had Helen been going to make her way
to them.
And she spoke to you.'
Yes, madame.'
What did she pay?
'Nnthing but "good night," and "thank you,
Jules." Ah, yes, she did. She put some money into
my hand and said it was for the children at Christ-
mas—she was always good to the children. madame.'
And that was all. You can tell us nothing more?
'Nothing,' the man said reflectively, she just in-
clined her head to me as if I were a gentleman—she
always did that, the sweet lady, and I watched her
till she was out of sight: there was trouble in her
face end tears in her voice.'
Trouble and tears! Just what 'Babette had said.
What could he the meaning of it? Jules was
evidently speaking the truth, and they all knew him.
by repute at beset, to he an honest, decent, livmg
man, or they might have feared that Helen had been
assaulted and robbed. The more they thnueht, the
more raveled they were. No letters or messages had
eOIIIA to Helen, and there had been nothing to induce
her to take a journey.
Weary and dispirited they returned home to hear the
story the servants had to tell, which entirely corro-
borated what Jules had asserted.
Whet is to he done? What can we do?' Mrs.
Churchill said, wringing her hands, and seeming quite
overcome by the catastrophe. Pinner was out of the
question—the hour had extended itself into two before
the ladies returned, and when they did come home it
was with no inclination for eating; it was nearer
supper time, and there was much to be done before
they could eat or sleep.
Have- a glass of wine the first thing.' paid Norah,
promptly pouring one out, and making her mother
swallow a little. 'lf we make ourselves ill WA shall
be able to do nothing, and I dare My that there is
nothing to be anxious about after all. Helen is neither
ill, nor hint in any way, or she could not be walking
about Biarritz with bags and cloaks and things'
'How horribly matter of fact you areeNereh,' Madge
paid. Her eyes were full of tears, and her head aching
with passionate weeping already; and she wondered at
Norah's coolness.
'Somebody must be matter of fact,' Norah replied,
settling the cushions that her mother might rest more
comfortably, for indeed Mrs. Churchill, with agitation
an d fatigue, was well nigh exhausted. I don't
believe T am one bit less frightened or anxious than
you are, hut my feelings find vent in a different Way:
I get, cross and bustling when I am anxious, and veld
everybody. as I am going to scold mamma now this
minute if she does not take some soup and a piece of
bread before she sends for anybody, as I know she is
going to do.'
yes, the police,' gamed Mrs. Churchill, whe had
great difficulty in restraining herself and net going
Into hysterics before her daughters—' and we must
telegraph, or what will Mr. Jarvis say?'
' Say ! Helen was very silly to give 1.7 s such
fright,' Norah remarked, while she stood over her
mother and made her swallow the soup. You are
not te blame, dear, whatever comes of it, thoueh I
idon't believe that anything will come of it. Helen
has left, a nolo. or a message, or something, and we
haven't found it. I am going to have a regular rout
n her room presently, and it will be sure to turn up
But what if it doesn't?' Madge said through her
tears. which were still flowing. What shall we do
then ?"
We shall hold a council on the matter, and see,'
Norah said, quietly. Eat that piece of mutton, miss,
and make yourself fit for something, do! How can
you help yourself if you ehssolve in tears in that
fashion?'
Madge obeyed, declaring that her sister was un-
feeling and hard hearted, and opining that Helen was
lying murdered somewhere while they were eating
and drinking, and caring nothing at all about her.
'You little goose!' Norah said, and what trouble
She had to keep down her own tears and terror. no
one knew but herself. Helen went out with a motive,
that is fully proved. Unless she went of her own
accord to be murdered and said, "Kill me please," to
someone, she isn't dead. We have to find out what
has become of her, and why she went. If you worry
mamma any more, Madge, with your hysterics and
nonsense. I'll lock you up in your own room and tell
yen nothing at all.'
Madge, seared beyond measure by North's un-
wonted sternness, had sense enough to see the force
of what her sister said, and gave over cryine. rousing
herself to something like common sense and taking
part in the family conclave that they held after Norah
ha I made them both eat something, with calmness at
,less'.
No search in Helen's room, and Norah and Madge
tinned it out to the very farthermost corner. revealed

r-rt)•:::ez that could throw any light on her departure.
Everything belonging to her, cx ept the things she
had taken with her, was in its right place: she
bad gone without any clothes, so she could not
intend a long stay, and she had not locked up any
of her belongings; her jewel case was where it always
stood, and her drawers were in their usual neat con-
dition, not even a change of underclothing, so far as
the 64 archers could see, was wanting. Norah went so
far as to open the pretty little desk that Helen alw,iys
u.ed, to see if any clue could be found there, but
th( re was nothing; there were letters trom her
guaroian, and poor Frank Hatherieigh's boyish
epistles carefully tied up, and various other papers
and memorandums; but not a stroke of the pen that
could tell them anything.
We can do nothing to-night,' Norah said, when they
1-ad turned over everything in the room. 'I think
Helen will come back in the morning. She has not
intended to frighten us; but somehow or other what
message she has left for us has gone astray. If I were
you I would not telegraph to Mr. Jarvis till the morn-
ing. Wait one post, at least; there may be news of
her in the morning; it will not be like her if there is
n
But suppose some accident has happened to her,'
Mrs. Churchill reiterated, the vision of Helen lying
murdered or dangerously hurt somewhere was always
prescnt with her.
She went of her own accord and prepared,' Norah
replied. Mamma, don't lose heart. She will let us
know in the morning. We shall laugh at our fears
when the post comes in.'
Mrs. Churchill acknowledged the truth of her
claughteie remarks, and consented that the h_ouseholcl

should' retire to refit. •,TOlnakei a fuss woeld be to call
ai tendon to Helen's proceed ngs, and there might be
something that it would not be advisahle to set the
servants talking about. There generally is in all
eland, stine affairs, and this was certainly clandestine,
at least it appeared so at present. So the good ady
t ild her household that she was not going to sit up;
that they expected to hear from Mi-s Ramsay in the
morning; something that they cld not quire under-
stand had taken her away, but that doubtless there
would be a letter by the first post. She was aware
that she was safe she had seen someone who had
woken to her. Nevertheless, if they heard the bell
ring in the night or a knock at the door, they were to
be sure to go down at once.
e'h-"s just as frightened as can he,' Mary said when
they had curtseyed their good-nights and retired to
their own rooms. 'Site don't know any more ttisn we
do where Miss Ramsay is. Whatever can have taken
her away like that?'
Young ladies know best what takes them away
from home,' the lady's maid said oracularly. 'She had
lived in situations before, and had come to understand
pretty well what young ladies could do. When they
take things into their heads there's no stopping them.
Bamsay's a very nice lady, and a bet er mistress
no girl could wish; but she is only mortal like the rest
of us, and if she has a lover—
' A lover !'
'That's just what I said.'
How can you hint at such a thing when you know
it's only yesterday, as you may say, that poor Mr.
Frank—'
never cared for "poor Mr. Frank," as you call
him. He was Miss Madge's sweetheart, he was; but
there's some one now ! And why ouldn't there be?
Miss Ramsay is a handsome young lady, and one any
man would be likely to fall in love with, and that's
what has taken her away. We shall bear of her, I
daresay ; bat it will be that she is married.'
'Married! Who on earth to?'
'The gentleman she was with on the beach this
morning. I saw them. She was with him over so
long.'
ood gracious! Who was it?'
'I couldn't we his face; but I am pretty sure I
knew him. I have seen him before, but I can't think
where. If it had been any of the Hilifo.ro-pf-ople they
would have came to the house. I saw hr fase, and
she was crying one part of the time, and when she
came away from him, for she left him there, she
ssemed as if she could have run back to him all the
time.'
The girl was speaking the literal truth, and she had
interpreted the expression of Helen's face to a nicety.
She had said nothing of having been out, for it had
been without leave, and she had hurried home tc
escape the blame that she knew would fall upon her
had her mistress discovered her absence. She bad not
given a thought to Helen's absence being connected
with her stay on the beach, till Mrs. Churchill had
come back from her quest with the intelligence that
she sara's nowhere to be found, and that she had been
so taken aback,' as she said to herself, with the action
of Helen having any clandestine attachment that she
had held her own tongue—not that it would have
made a particle of difference if she had then and
there told all she knew, or fancied she knew. Indeed,
It would have rather complicated matters than other-
wise, seeing that she was altogethermiataken, and that
Instead of running away with a young man Helen
was in fact running away from a gentleman.
The morning brought no letter nor any mesetigo,
nd Mrs. Churchill, terrified now beyond all measure
went herself to the office and telegraphed to Mr.
Jarvis:
Helen has left us ; have no One to where she is
gone, or why. She has left no message; we can net
trace her further than the town. Come, or wire
instructions.'
The missive dropped like a thunderbolt into the
family circle at Carepsie Mame. while Mr. Jarvis and
his family were eating their Chrhitmas breakfast to-
gether. The usual discipline had been relaxed a little, and
they were rather late. It was well that the head of
the household had finished his meal, or there would
have been very little breakfast for him. The shock
of the missive nearly took his breath away.
What can it mean?' he said, laying it down.
Is there madness in your ward's family ?' his wife
asked something less frosty than she might have
spoken of yore, when she did not like Helen so well.
She had come to think a great deal better of the
motherless girl, and to feel less jealous of her husband's
care of her since she had known more about her. She
must have gone out of her mind.'
I don't think there is any fear of that,' Mr. Jarvis
replied. 'lf anything is wrong with her, she will be
coming to us most likely. I will go and wire to Mrs.
Churchill for particulars. It would be foolish ce me to
start for Biarritz when Helen is most probably on her
way to Er gland. We shouldonly cross each other and
complicate matters.'
He went out and sent a telegram to Mrs. Chur( hill,
begging for all particulars. If nothing was heard of
Helen soon, he would come over and confer with
her; but he imagined she could only be on her way
to him.
Back, without loss of time, came the message—a
long one—detailing what had happened, and so far
setting his heart at rest. Helen had left the house
well, and of her own free will; there was no foul
play ; and he revived to wait the issue of another
day. He telegraphed back again. Truly, the com-
pany would profit by that day's messages; for they
were reckless of the number of words on either bide.
'Wait twenty-four hours. If no news reaches
either of us by then, I will come over and confer with
you. If at the end of that time you have anything
to tell, wire to my wife.'
But twenty-four weary hours went by, and there
was no sign. Helen might have vanished into the
earth, for anything that her friends could hear of her.