The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-03-27
BIDDEFoRD ME-, FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH p, 1868.

, stool behind him, and drew his head hack
, war,l. looking into his eyes.
"well, Lady Nell ?"
"Papa, l am going to help nurse those
. sick people"
. Squire Durrcll gave start.
, "flclen ! Child! Wha, arc you thinking
about?"
She put her soft hand over his lips. :,
| "Not word. little papa! I'm your spoil
cd daughter you know. You can I deny
me anything-you have said 50 thousand
times"
"But. Helen, this is worse than folly-it
is absolute insanity! What could YOU t5'F'
"a little, hope; l wish could do q
great deal more. Papa, some OF them arc
dying, and DR.. Lashley has gone away"
"Gone away and where?" -.
"To the beach-he's III, he said. papa,
In low tone with her brown eyes clear and
steady; "if mamma were alive che would
have gone before this time. Sha'n't ] CO.
"My darling" said Squire Darrell, and
drew her down into his arms.
i A few hours later John Everdale, tBnd.
ing over Pat Reagan, and trying 10 arouse
him from the deep stupor into which he
was constantly falling, looked up to see
Helen Darrell Standing at the door. His
face grew very pale for an instant but there
was no other sign Of surprise. -,
Good Afternoon Miss Darrell" he said
with his bright smile transfguring all his
face. He did not say,
"You here. Miss Darrell?" His whole
manner seemed to recognize her right and
pleasure to he there, and Helen felt that his
very silence paid her trier and more deli
cate compliment than, DR.. Lnshley's most
elaborate periods could ever have convey.
ed.
"Tell me what to do, John," she said,
using the old, familiar address Of her child.
hood.
81 fear shall make hut poor teacher" \"
he answered but if You could take my
place here | would 60 somewhere else
where help Is needed. Poor Mrs. Reagan
is trying TO sleep little. Patrick is very
quiet, rs you see; there Is little to be done
beyond keeping his lips moistened with
this sponge-and pray don't let him sleep
too heavily"
Helen sat down by the bedside, and John
went out. but soon come back saying. you
know where Mary Morrison lives, Miss
lielen2 The next cabin but one ID hers.
Her little child looks badly-head aud
hands burning hot. lfyou could help her
get il warm hath, and show her what to
do. il might throw of an attack"
Helen went gladly to do us she was bid.
den, and came by and.by, laden with the
blessings of the anxious mother, to report
the child sleeping swec,ly.
Wherever she went the praises Of "Mr.
Everdale" were sounded in her ears and
she realized, as never before, how much
confidence and courage, strong will, clear
head aud warm heart may iniuse into nn
ignorant anu suffering community.
81 hope DIR. Lashlcy is not very ill?'
John said anxiousIy, as they parted tor the
night and ilelcn felt her cheeks flusl, hot.
w rs she answered, "lio will soon be able
to como hack, think"
That night n strong tempest tore down
from the mountains, terrible in the hour oi
its strength and fury, hut leaving the at
lnospherc cool aud puro behind l.. The
sick, except such rs were past recoy.ry, be-
gan to mend under the Iayorab'o'-cliange:
and fresh liic and hope were astir in New
Dublin.
Those few days in which john Everdale
stood sids by side with Helen Darrell nj the
couch of the sick and dying had been days
Of deep suffering rs well rs of cheerful work
for God and man. The old struggle in his
heart was aroused in tenfold strength by
the sight of her noble and untiring ministry
tho very touch of her hand and sound OF
her voice had power to thrill him to the
very depths ofhis nature.
A sudden summons TO the sick he'd OF
her fathers only sister took Helen from her
self imposed task, and she left Shelbyville
on the evening before DIR. Lashley. refresh.
cd and nvigorated, came back TO his work.
Helen herself returned in October, on the
frs, day of the County Agricultural Fair ut
Shclbyville. lfany one Of her accomplish
Inents could take precedence OF another in
her fathers eyes il wns her daring and
graceful horscnanship, and to please him
she consented, year 10y year, to enter the
list of ladyridcrs OIL The closing day ot the
Fair.
81 am afraid Wisp will bo in poor train.
ing, papa" said Helen, rs the two sat to-
gcther on the porch, OIL the evening of her
arrival ut home. "And blythe way, have
you found a mate for Racer yetT
"No, unless John Everdale should sell
me ,ha, gray Of his. John is going to sell
out his farm and leave-,lid | tell you ?
And sorry am for il too. There he is
now I'll Gull him in and ask him about the
gray"
between the gate and the house John
Evertae steeled his nerves TO meet Helen
calmly and achieved brave success. lf
he had been less pre.orcupied with his own
emotions he might have noticed an unac.
customed lremor in her voice.
$50 you are going away, John y she
said, rs her iather went indoors Tor mo.
mcni.
"Yes. am thinking Of it." he answered,
ii hear that real city is being laid ont ut
last on my Western-l had almost said my
Spanish estates" he added, with a laugh
that tried to be u chccry, "anl who knows
OF the fortune that may be stored for me IN
corner lots? At any rate I'm going to look
after nv own interest on the ground.
"Whv do You 20 away!"
lie looked at her with all the hungry
hopeless ycarning of his soul in Iis eyes,
Sure enough ? Why did he go away Could
he breathe the sn,nc air she brealhe,l-l'c
warrnci ia tho same light that slonc upon
her, and yet
DR.. l.nshlcy's cllaise stopped at the gale
Helen DARRELL" said John, with white
l,ca, sn,othered in his eyes, and the veins
knolted on his forehead rs if in some NOR.
tai I,,ng, 81 csnnot-dare not siny!"
Il was not DR.. Lashley, but young Harris
who handed Helen note aud little pack
1T nnd then drove away again.
"What sit, Nell, dear ?" said Squire
Darrell. coming out.
.Only note IRON DR.. Lashley." answer
ed Helen, speaking rapidly. ale has but
Just heard that I ain at home; would cnll
to night, but is sent ior suddenly; will be
ut the Fair Grounds tomorrow, aud hopes
to see me wear the scarlet ribbon Ilc sends
me-his iavorite color!" Then turning,
with quick lowering Of her voice, she
= r A