Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1867-10-26
Helen's Ruse.
BY MRS. n. /. BATNE.

Helen Washburn and her sister Alice
sat together in the seclusion of their own
chamber, at the close of hot summers
day, discussing the affairs Of the past few
hours and looking charmingly cool i'll
their linen wrappers, over which their
unbound hair foated i'll playful disorder.
There is something at all times very be-
witching about good and beautiful girl,
but when within the sanity shrine of her
own chamber, with only the sweet com
panionship Of a sister spirit, there is q
likeness Of the angels we dream of, and
working good, and true, and beautiful,
because Of the first attributes. Alas
that woman should ever be anything
else.
"And you really love him? said Alice,
tanning herself leisurely.
"Yes, l think so,'' replied her sister. =
'If he is what l believe him to be, he is
so gentle, so devoted to me, and | think
really good pure, honest man, who
never sowed any wild oats; in other
words, never disgraced himself by COM
mitting crime"
"Well," said Alice, ''things will not
balance certainly. L did hope you would
learn to care for Stuart Wilder; he has
all the virtues you require, and poverty,
or what would be such to you; you have
plenty of money for both, and could have
the pleasure of helping him. Poor Stuart
he loves you devotedly."
''1umph! he never told me so at any
rate. Is he waiting for me to ask him."
'Oh, Helen! how can he ask you, when
you never gave him chance? Only this
evening when lie followed you into the
library you asked him to excuse you, as
Mr.. Searey was waiting for a book you
was selecting, as if Horace Seavey was
the only one in the world"
''Well, Alice, have not yet committed
myself You know | am determined to
find out something of the private life of
the man | marry beforehand; he must be
good and pure; good son and brother,
and tender to all womankind. Not per-
feet but honest-Such man as our father
was"
"Stuart Wilder!'' said Alice.
"Well, if Horace fails l will try Stuart
Yes, think Stuart is a good man, but
he is diamond in the rough, l want a
jewel read;y7 polished"
''Well, to come down to facts, l should
Ike to know grow you are going to find
out Horace Scavey's virtues, Helen, I'M
less you turn detectant"
"Oh, Alice! l have thought of some
thing that is splendid if we can carry it
out" and then there was a long whisper
ed consultation by the sisters, much
laughing, and some doubts, but finally
the matter was settled by an appeal TO
Aunt Rachel, good naturcd spinstreSs,
who kept house for the orisi.an sisters,
and chaperoncd them in society. She
thought the matter over, weighed the
pros and cons, and at last ac9uiesccd
though shaking her head obviously at
the time. When the two laughing girls
ran off to their room, and to innocent
happy sleep.
Mr.. Horace Seavey was not asleep at
that hour, but some three hours later he
stumbled up the marble steps of his
mothers house, and aroused the neigh
bors trying to get the latch-key to open
the door. Failing in that, he rung the
bell furiously, and brought his mother
down in her night dress.
"a pretty time to come" said the old
lady angrily; ''you never knew your
father to come stumbling home at this
late hour
"Oh, no, mother! He always came
home early-in the morning, and he was
as meek as lamb, and usually rode
homc-on door,"
"IIold your tongue, and 60 to bed, sir.
When you get a wife yo'll have to mend
your ways"
won't it be jolly, playing the saint to
Mrs. Seavey, Miss Washburn that was.-
Oh she's sweet girl, and worth two
hundred thousand in her right"
The next forenoon, about eleven
o'clock, Horace Scavey made his appear
ance i'll the breakfast room when he swore
at the housekeeper because his coffee was
cold, and pinchcd the dogs ears by way
of amusement. His mother was in the
next room, talking to girl who had
come to apply for vacant place.
"You say you understand sweeping
and dusting, and can prepare Desert
Can you clean silver and keep the table
linen in order?" --a EN
"Yes'm, that's what I always does"
"And you bring recommendation
from Mrs. Watson? Well that must be
right. You can come this evening if you
choose. Horace %
The young man got up leisurely and
walked into the room where his mother
was. AS he, passed the girl, who was
sitting there, he gave her a prolonged
stare through his gold eye-glass.
'EWhat do you want, mother?" he ask
ed carelessly. care we to, have.a "a new
girl? Well, she looks as if she might do.
Can you make egg-nogg, my dear, and
give fellow good supper after hours,
now and then?''
Horace" said his mother reproving-
ly, while the girl sat still, either too III
dignant or too apathetic to speak,