Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-01-05

altogether, and she had learned the Bit
ter lesson of neglect To his father he
wrote frequently, and she knew that he
was rising in his profession was admit
ted into the best society the city afford
ed was becoming known and earning
a competent support; but no word of
return to his Esther or his old home ever
crept into his letters that were read with
such full hearts at Il.
From the time when Helen Mont
gomery had turned from the vine
wreathed porch to enter her poor home,
she had made new resolution, which,
through hard striving, she had kept
She had felt bitterly that her educa-
ton and manners were far below the
standard which he would seek in his
wife, after he had lived in the great
world outside of L, and she had
tasked her mind to reach the ideal image
she had erected for model For six
months, her life had no change from the
monotony of household drudgery, and
aiding her mother in the weary routine
of sewing; then she was orphaned, and
the old schoolmaster opened his home to
her. He had known of his sons en-.
gagement, and had only persuaded the
gentle girl to come with him in his
lonely cottage From the day when her
foot first passed the threshold of her
present home, new life opened for
Helen Relieved from household work,
only called upon to superintend the labor
of tidy servants, she gave her whole
heart to study. The old schoolmaster,
who had saved "a modest income and
given up his school to younger, was
only too glad to pour from his fountain
of learning stream into this young
eager mind. As the conviction of Cole
mans faithlessness gained ground in
Helens mind, she grew more engrossed
in her new studies, more eager to stife
the sorrow Of her heart in the expand
ing intellect and cultivation of her mind
SO the four years crept away.
1t was summer again, and in the
schoolmaster's little cottage there are
again changes. A gentleman from New
York, a man Of refinement and taste, has
come for few days fishing to l.,
and had persuaded the old gentleman to
give him Coleman's room for a short
stay. The days ngtheued into weeks,
the long summer drew to close; but
the visitor fingered. Then sorrow came
"a lingering fever seized the feeble frame
of the schoolmaster, and he sank to rest
in the arms of the girl who had been
his sons promised wife -Four years,
and the young girl stood in the parlor
of the little cottage, listening to another
lover pleading for place in her heart
the right to comfort her sorrow. In the
room above lay the cold still form of her
only protector This was how the post
man found them. This was the missive
he brought to the doubly bereaved girl,
orphaned for the second time
DEAR HELEN: | am writing to ask
a release from the childish engagement
which has doubtless become irksome to
you long ago. We were mere children
when we parted, and doubtless you have
ere this met with some one who will
make your life happier than | can
For your long devotion to my father, l
beg you will accept my heartfelt thanks
and under all circumstances believe me,
ever your friend, COLEMAN LEE"
Two hours later, the answer was
sent:
Your father was buried this morn
ing. / shall be married tomorrow, and
sail for Europe with my husband, in a
week. HELEN MONTGOMERY"
This was how they met: Mrs. Eve
rard Curtis, leader of fashion, frivo-
lous and empty-headed, was to give a
great party. Everybody was invited,
and everybody came. Mrs. Curtis, it
was whispered, had new star to intro
duce to the world of fashion, widow Of
her nephew, whose wealth and beauty
were both subjects of comment and sur
mise. The parlors were well filled when
Coleman Lee, one Of Mrs. Curtis favor
ite cards." came in.
I" Now, my dear Mr.. Lee" said the
gay hostess, auttering up to the grave
lawyer. g must introduce you to my
niece. This is her first party since che
left of her mourning. There she is now,
under the centre chandelier; chatting
with Henry. Is she not lovely :"
Coleman looked He saw atall, grace
fully formed lady, dressed in clouds Of
soft, white lace, with diamonds sparkling
on her throat and arms. Her fair hair,
dropping from a jeweled comb, in rich.
glossy curls; her snowy complexion
tinted with a faint peach-like glow on
the cheeks her large soft eyes Of the
darkest blue; the regular features-all
made vision that was indeed lovely.
$50 sad,' continued Mrs. Curtis,
+" my nephew emily lived year after his
marriage. Died of malarious fever in
Rome, taree years ago. Come let me
introduce you"
{. Mrs. Curtis, allow me to introduce
one of my dearest friends, Mr.. Coleman
Lee, Mrs. Curtis"
A tiny, white gloved hand rested
moment on the lawyers spotless kid
gloves-snd so they met No vision of
the vine covered porch crossed bis mind