Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1867-02-07

( 10 II || |.|
home. He found the heuse at Fairhaven
deserted, and after tracing me, link by
link, succeeded in finding my hiding
!, place.
Lucy had RroWn't to be foe young
woman, and had secured an excellent
situation in first class store. She was
included in all the planSlfor our amuse.
\ ment; and | IfanciedI / detected a grow
ling fondness, on Edwards part for NY
young protegee
! Edward never spoke OF returning TO
California, and | never allowed myself
to dream Of the possibility os such a
thing. He had always been like broth.
er to me; and if he and Lucy were to
leave me, | should be desoIate indeed. -
So you may imagine how little was
prepared for what followed.
DO you Dever get tired of sewing,
Helen2' he asked oneIrainy day late 10
November, that he had come to spend
with me, and read Tennyson.
'Oh yes very often j answered.
| 'And often EseI lonely P he oontinu-
ed, with an added tenderness in his
voice. n.5 &
More often than l could tell. But
why do you play tho inquisitor p /
-asLod, surprised at the odity Of his ques~
tions, as we'll as his manner.
! Because, Helen, / want you to marry
me. 1t grieves me to thinkhoW lonely
and unprotected you are. Iam able to
provide for you, and claim the right to
do so.'
What right2' l asked, with show of
independence. @it5a
The right Of one who loves you we'll
and fondly; Dear Helen, say that you
will let me make home for you and be
your protectorr
] Had he put it in any other way, l
might have yielded but my proud hoart
could never listen to such an appeal.
| 'NoP said; most decidedly no 7
I 'Helenp he moaned; you will not
utterly destroy the only hope that has
sustained me! Set time--one, two.
thrae years if need be--and l will wait
Think again, Helen, and let not this
answer be final
! could not look at him. The pathos
Of his voice pnnerved me, and ! wept
but II was no sign of yielding.
| truly believed that it was pity form
lonely condition that lad prompted, him;
that there was nothing real about it;
and that Lucy's younger and happier
face would effect changein his feelings.
So | invited her to spend the evening
with me and she, nothing 10th, brought
her work, and came early.
| But Edward did not come
Then I realized hat l had lost and
it seemed as though a wave had swept
over the past five years, and that ! was
again lonely mourner by the dead, in
the little cottage ,at Fsirhaven.
PART III.
l HAD been nearly two years at the
place where am now living, when one
morning note was handed me BY the
boy who tends the store below. 1t was
hastily .sCrawled note, not any ways
clean and yet it made my heart leap to
my throat as ! took it in my hand.
Some subtle mesmeric influence pervadsd
liz. a t
There was but line. 'May come
home to you, Helen2' and it needed no
signature.
While l mused, heard a step ascend
ing the stair then there was feeble
knock at my door, and IN another mo-
ment stood face to face with Edward
Rushmore. 'aiia
Say rather the wreck of what he was !:
Pale, attenuated, feeble, he looked hope
less and helpless enough. He had been
days trying to find me, though Lucy had
\ given directions expliciI enough; but
his strength failed so fast, he was obliged
to stop and rest when his heart was
hurrying him on. His coming to me.
and the way be spoke, convinced me that
he thought he had not long to live.
\ It was o day in March, cold and chilly.
| l put o chair near the fire, and drew him to
it. The touch Of my hand seemed 10 re-
vlve him, and warm cup OF tea soon had
in readiness, made wonderful and speed y
Improvement In the invalid. 1t was evident
he had tasted but little food for several
days. talked TO him Of my own life--its
myriad hopes and fears--of the plansI had
made for the future, but not one word did
say that had any reference to him whatever.
And saw he felt it. d
] NY kind landlady made vacant small
room adjoining my own, which fitted up as
neatly as | could, putting on The mantel the
ornaments had brought from Fairhaven
and adding one or two familiar articles Of
! furniture, that 1t might have home look.
I Still the stepwas weary, and the eye lack Cd
J the luster of former days. week from the
day he came to me, he was thoroughly pros
trated, and ell my time and attention were
devoted to the care of him.
:! For nearly afoitnight he was delerious
and In his rawlings he revealed much that
! wished TO know, but never should have dsreC
! to ask 39e Ills.Hitl. FiR l{a
As he lay there, helpless as child, Ifel
more than ever my own strength, and could
J hardly be thankful enough that God hat
! blessed me with vigorous constitution
II had never been seriously i'll in nv life,