The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-09-16

ana serve OhIS 10 increase MS DepneW'S STlel
Mr. Sanford returned home with heavy
heart, convinced that no clue would be given
by this gentleman to the whereabouts of
Creighton. a...c
Evelyn slowly wasted away, and Moore's
beautiful verses served only to increase her
sufferings. Her melancholy became more
profound than ever, and so affected her health
that her parents felt it necessary to call in
medical assistance. The physicians declared
without hesitation that her sufferings were
due to the mind alone, and that an. early
grave would be her fate unless her intended
gave his consent to an interview Hearing
this opinion, Mr.. Sandford wrote Immediately
to Mr.. Helstone, assuring him that the life Of
his daughter depended on his nephew's re-
lenting; but Mr.. Helstone was still obdurate
He had given his promise never to refer to
the subject in Dreighton's presence, and much
as he commiserated the young lady's position,
he thought that no good would ensue to Ell
ther of the lovers by his breaking faith with
his nephew. Finally, he requested Mr.,
him on the subject.
Moore called upon Mr.. Sandford the after
noon of the day on which this decisive an
swer was received. 1t was serene, balmy
day at the close of September, and the thou
sand perfumes of the flowers in the garden
before them were waited through the doors
opening on the lawn, and filled the room with
their sweets. The two gentlemen seated
themselves on the stoop outside, enjoying the
cool zephyr of the approaching eve, and lro
posed plan after plan to each other for bring
ing the lovers to an interview Mr.. Sand
ford read the letter again and again to Moore,
vainly seeking in it for some loop hole of
hope; but the oftener he read it the more
satisfied both of them became that no assist
ance could be obtained from the writer
Moore remarked that the letter was dated
from Mr.. Hclstone's offic., not from his pri-
vate residence, and he assured his friend that
hope still remained if they could only discov-
er clue to Dreighton's place of concealment.
With true kindness of heart, he promised
Mr.. Sandford to make the research in person.
Evelyn heard the whole of this conversa-
ton from her room overhead. The window
of her boudoir wide open, she sat mournfully
gazing into the garden beneath, as was he1
wont, and every word uttered by her father
and the poet reached her distinctly without
any effort on her part being necessary to learn
the subject of their conversation. She heard
Dreighton's name frequently mentioned, and
that of his uncle, Mr.. Helstone; she heard
too that the residence of the latter was in
of the city. She discovered that Moore was
perfectly acquainted with her sad history, and
that he and her father were doing their ut
most to bring about termination of her suf
ferings. Throwing herself upon the otto.
man, she shed sweet tears of Joy and hope
and silently raised her prayers to heaven tc
strengthen her for the conflict which some
good angel whispered to her was approaching
Rising from the ottoman, she brushed away
her tears, and leaving the boudoir with Joy
full step, sought her mother.
Mrs. SanGford had joined her husband anc
Moore in the drawing room, and thither Eve
lyn Immediately bent her steps, What wa
the surprise tf all at seeing mantling color
as though of the rose, overSpreading her face
and glow of health beaming from every fea
ture where for four long years a deathlik
palor had usurped its sway They all thre
gazed at each other with astonishment, bu
no one asked her the reason of the change.
Moore felt an internal conviction that, b,
some means or other, Evelyn had become ac
quainted with matters which both he and he
father had thought best to keep secret for tn
present; and, in order to solve the mystery
he invited her during the evening to wal
with him in the garden. They were not NOR
than dozen steps from the house. befor
Evelyn said to him in low, impressiv
voice
"I know all. sir; shall go and see NJ
Helstone myself. 1 am sure he will not re
fuse to tell me where Harry is to be found
"But how came you to hear of Mr. He
stone," asked the poet, "and how will yo
find his residence ?''
Evelyn's answer cleared up every myster.
and Moore Immediately said.
"Mr. Helstone will not see you; but wei
he to see you, I am sure he would declir
any information about Mr.. Dreighton-tt
same as he did to your father. Mr. Helston
must tell you, is a very austere and unin
pressible man."
Then will see Mrs. Helstone. Is /
not married z" replied Evelyn, looking tt
poet anxiously in the face. II
eyes, he is" answered Moore and SOM
thing tells me that your tears and prayers wi
prevail with her. How strange that we ne
er thought of thatl'
ave had better return to the drawing
room,'' observed Evelyn but promise m
Mr.. Moore, not to hint word of our conve
sation to my father or mother. wish to a
alone" --- -e-. saa -.-
az promise" he said and, as they walk
towards the house, he added I'd.
/ "Try to look a little less radiant. We 3
remarked the change in yonr appearance VIII
you entered the drawing-room.''
CHAPTER III.
Next day, at noon, Evelyn called up
Mrs. Helstone. The servant who opened t
/ door to her said, in reply to her inquiry, th
+ the lady was at home and alone then S