The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-11-10
M S st e IS G r n s.
.'Stephen." said my mother living her hand

/ Stephen SAID my mother.laying her hand
over my book, "wil you go to the station this
evening. to meet Elias new goyerness?'
"Who is she?" l asked
/ ''The daughter Of an artist who died in New
York about q month ago; your uncle Ezra
Evans knew him we'll. und he wrote to your
father, asking him to look out for a situation
for this girl, who is fully competent to take the
place OF yoverness in il family. Papa and |
concluded TO have her here to teach Ella music
and French, and Cora wishes to take some
drawing lessons Of her. Her father has made
her quite good artist ..
"Why does she not stay in New York;"
| II don't know; Mr.. Evans said she had de-
termInet! to come to Charleston, and requested
him to procure her situation here
| "And her name, molher?" .."
| '1S Helen Norton
"Well. | will meet her.
It was lovely moonlight evening, and !
went earl J to the station to meet nv sister S
governess. Arthur Lippincott, my college
friend and constant companion, Joined me or,
my walk, and went together, to wait for the
train.
Arthur Lippincott was the only grandson OF
one of the wealthlest men in Charleston, and
though | was very unlike him in disposition
and appearance, we had been friends frone
childhood. Together we had gone to school,
together to college; we had graduated on the
same day, and both entered Dr. Peaes Office
to study medicine at one time.
TALL handsome, frank and generous Arthur
had always filled my beau ideal of manly
beauty In all college sports, in all manly
exercises he had stood unrivaltd; but he had
never been studious. Talented and weIl-rcad, !,
he had passed through all his studies with
honor; but that suf1iced him; there was nothing
Of the book worm about him. |. delicate ant,
sickIy from childhood, had, in only this one
thing. surpassed him; yet he felt no jealousy;
but protected me from all insult through col
eye, and loved me as much rs one would a
younger brother, Or weakly child.
We stood together when the train stopped,
but as | stepped forward to enter the passenger
Car, he volunteered to search for Miss Murton's s
baggage, and lcf: my side I passed slowly
through the cars, looking for my sisters gov
erncss. Seated in the further corner of the
car, her head resting upon the back of the seat,
| saw a young girl asleep. IsIood still mo-
ment to watch her. The light from one of the
Car lanterns shone full upon her face, and never
had | seen such wondrous beauty. Her clear
complexion was without one shade of color
white as marble, and the long iashes that rested
upon her check were of raven blackness. Her
features We're regular as those of a Grecan
statue, and the tiny hand under her cheek was
delicate and white; her dark hair was parted
from her forehead. and fell in profusion Of
short curls about her face. AS looked, felt
that | was smiling at myself. l, the student,
the one who had never cared for beauty or
Ioveliness in woman, standing entranced before
a sleeping girl. Still, there, stood, spells
bound, until hand was laid upon my shoulder,
and Arthur said:
'Why, Stephen, the cars are empty; nave
you found Miss Morton?''
'Hushp' | said, pointing to the young
sleeper.
.'Hu>h? Why she can't sleep here all night, :"
and he gently touched her hand. In an instant
she was on her feet, and looked at us with a.
bewildered expression.
Il beg your pardon for disturbing you, but
the cars at the Charleston depot" said
Arthur. 1--WE are in search OF Miss Helen
Morton, and l see by the initials on your carpet
bag. that we have found the right person. I
Il am Helen Morton" she said.
"And this is Stephen Lincoln" said Arthur
introducing me. She seemed to have expected
me, for she put her hand into mine with slight
smile.
IF you will give me your checks, will go
for your baggage" said Arthur. and receiving
them with a graceful bow left us.
With my usual shy. awkward manner, I had
not yet spoken, but offered her my arm to
escort her to the carriage. Arthur soon joined
us, and chatted gai|y with her as we drove
home. For the first time in my life. [ wished
my friend away from me. | envied him his
easy grace of manners; and yet, instead of
attempting to vie with him, was silent and
Constrained. watching the two. Excitement
had given Miss Morton vivid color and her
large, hazel eyes were full OF intelligence. She
replied with quiet grace to Arlhur's gay speech
es. but she did not smile. | had hoped she
would for the look she had given me at the
station showed me how beautiful, how radiant
her smile must be. When we reached home,
my sisters and parents engrossed her, and after
n warm welcome, Cora carried her TO her room.
When they had all left me, l sat long by the
window, thinking. Thinkingof Helen Morton,
smiling sometimes, as questioned in my own
Iiillld- WHY VI 'Si. h"N hC' many
beautiful women i'll my life, and vet no one of
them had left any impression on my mind. AT
last l slowly went up stairs. AS passed her
door stopped moment, and almost inStinc !
lively whispered blessing upon the young
girl who had begun lite's trials so early
They were all seated at the breakfast table +
when l saw her again. Her deep mourning
dress served to set off her marvellous beauty,
and she looked refreshed by her nights rest,
though her face was rather pale, and its ex
preston very sad She rose, as my mother
greeted me, and bowed, and in reply to some
Jest about my tardiness, said:
"Your brother is still later, so you will not
be the last comer.''
my brohcr?"
"The gentleman who rode home with US. Was
he not your brolher?'
.tOh,no;" said Cora, "only Stephens brother
n love. not in reality. That was Arthur Lip
1incou''
Helen Morton's whole expression changed,
md she became white as death.
$50 soon, so soon!' she murmured For an
Instant thought she would faint but she re-
sained her self possession, though her break fast