The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-11-10

heart. Arthur loved my sister? Then he
could not love Helen. could have shouted
with eestacy, as l parted the curtains, and
came again the parlor.
Helen was still at the piano. pouring out her
rich song alone. | came behind her. and for
the first time, tried my voice with hers. felt
that my love must have vent. and sang out
of my full heart. We were still singing when
Arthur and Cora joined us.
"Why, Stephen" said my sister, II never
heard you sing before
| My sisters voice was sad and when turned
to look at her, she was in tears.
! Cora" said what is the matter?'
eve are all friends said Arthur, putting
his arm around Cora. land can speak. Stephen
we have been friends for many years; can we be
brothers?''
grasped his hand, and Cora hid her face
on Heens shoulder. l watched Helen's face
with almost ayonlzing eagerness; she bent over
Cora, and said. in her low, sweet, voice..
"May heaven bless you darling"
But Cora" [ said, "this is no cause for
| tears"
mo; but Arthur is going to leave u.s.
| Helen's face grew white, as she repeated,
| Leave us?''
| Yes his grandfather wishes him to travel
a few years.
saw Helen's hand grasp the back of the
chair near her, as if to keep from falling, and
she said hoarsely,
"Must you go?'
eyes" said Arthur, surprised at her emo
ton; ''but that is no excuse for Cora's tears.
shall only remain few years, and then return
| to claim my bride"
Cora took the hand he held out to her, and
Helen left the rooE1, while l. with my Joy all
crushed out followed her. She loved him.
saw, that, though, she could conceal her feel
ings when Cora spoke, the prospect Of separa
ton appalled, her, and mastered her seif.con-
troll. | saw her go YEARLY up the staircase.
and enter her own room and as | passed her
door could hear her bitter sobs.
Arthur sailed for Europe in a few weeks, and
| saw no further proof at Helen's love. Time
sped on. Day after day saw new beauty,
new charms in my lady-ove, and yet pride
kept back the words of love I longed to pour
out. did not wish second place in her heart
At last WAS taken ill., There was a long in
terval during which l was conscious of pain
but did not know the faces around NE. Strange
visions haunted my pillow, and the n,addening
proofs Of Htlcn's love were always before me-
always tormenting me. One morning Iawoke,
after long dreamless sumber, in full possess
ion of my senses. I heard my sister Cora's
voice.
"Helen,'' she said, Il must 90 down stairs
for few moments, to see if l can help mother
to prepare something for Stephen. Will you
stay here and call me when he wakes?"
"Certainy."
kept my eyes closed, but I heard my sister
leave the room, and moment later knew
that Helen Morton stood beside me. did not
hear her step, but | was conscious Of her pres
ence. For q moment she stood still, then I
heard her say in low voice:
''Stephen, my own love. Oh, God, spare
him!" and with low sobs she poured out fer
vent prayer for my life Mine! forgot Arthur
and opening my eyes, said:
"Hc!en! Helen! Oh. say you love me!'' She
started back, crimson with confusion, and would
have left me, but caught her dress. in low
voice implored her to stay. l was very weak
and this agitation, she saw, was too much for
me. She bent again over my pillow, and said:
Hush. Stephen! You must be quiet!'
Helen, do you love me?" said again.
Il have loved you ever since | first saw you
Stephen"
From that hour began to improve. Oh.
how loved to dwell upon the time that fol-
lowed. was very happy. Only one thing
had troubled me. I had questioned Helen
about Arthur, and she denied having ever
loved him. She promised when we were mar
ried to tell me why, and l, in my perfect faith
and happiness asked for no more. Yet, when
| SAW how eagerly she listened to the scraps Of
Coras letter which she read aloud. and how
many questions she asked about his travels |
felt the old jealousy stirring at my heart; but
one Of her bright smiles always drove away
the demon. Ny new happiness was Of but
short duration.
One evening my mother and l were seated
together before the window, chatting. Helen
and Ella were on the balcony arranging some
flowers, when my father came in.
rs Cora hele?'' be added.
NO. said my mother, rising. "What is
the matter; you are pale, agitated? Has any
thing happened Arl,ur?"
Ny eye flew to Helen. She was standing
in the window. her hands clasped, her face
white as ashes.
arthur said in his last letter that he cxpcc
ted TO sail in the North S,ar?' inquired my
father.
Yes? Wha, has happened?
"'lt is lost! all on board have pershedn'
Heaven grant may never again hear such
Il cry as Helen gave, before she fell senseless
at my feet. did not move to raise her /
saw my mother and father, with wondering
faces, place her upon the sofa, and stood as
if turned to stone. God alone knows what suf-
Ieriny was compressed into these few moments.
before turned and fled from the house.
wandered through the streets like a madman,
without any hat, unconscious Of the wonder Of
those passed, unconscious Of anything but
my own bitter misery. In the morning, very
early, l went home, packed up few things,
wrote a farewell note to my mother, and then
left Charleston. [ felt that l could not face
Helen again, and fed from the city.
was wealthy, and | sought TO find relief in
travel. | wrote to my mother often, but never
gave her any address; for ! feared in any
answer, she would speak Of Helen, and knew
could not bear it, | knew that Arthur had |
no, sailed in the lost vessel, and by the papers
saw the news of his arrival at lone, and his
marriage to Cora