The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1870-05-26

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An intimacy sprsng up between them,
and she soon considered, him q very
dear friend. Then the love affair
transpired. Helen met him but once
or twice aiterward, only giving him a
naughty nod Of recognition, tor, as
she said, "A man who can lower him
sell 90 far az to threaten lady, is not
at for her acquaintance"
Soon Harold Montgomerie disap.
peared from society. No one seemed
to have the slightest knowledge Of his
whereabouts, and In q short time he
was almost entirely forgotten.
Three months later, and Helen St.
Orme, under the chaperonage Of Mrs.
Orrington Granville, one Of her Balti.
more friends, was enjoying, or pre-.
tending to enjoy, the gay round of
fashionable follies ut Lake Mahopac.
The hotels were crowded with dashing
city bellies, hut amid that galaxy Of
fair ones, Helen St. Orme was acknowl
edged most fair. As moths are al.
tracted to the shining light Of the car.
die, only to be destroyed, so Jared the
suitors for the hand of this proud
beauty. Scores plead for her love,
but all were served alike-a firm, dcci-
ded refusal was her only answer.
Time sped on, and 1t began to grow
dull at the watering place. All the
scenery around had been "done," and
there really seemed nothing to do but
to flirt and to play croquet, and even
these amusements were growing tire
some.
At length some one more thoughtful
than the Others proposed picnic, as
q grand finale wherewith to close up
the festi, tiles of the season. The sug.
gestion Was met with universal joy, and
the necessary preparations were imme-
diately commenced. Many were the
consultations between the fashionable
damsels as 10 what should be worn;
many were the wishes for a fair day,
and nothing to mar the enjoyment, and
they seem to be granted, for when at
length the morning came, the sky was
blue and cloudless.
At an early hour an immense wagon,
loaded with every kind of provision,
had started for the grove, some miles
distant, and about half-past nine the
carriages which were to convey the
excursionists, drove up in front of the
hotel. They were mostly buggies,
with accommodation for two, for "two
is company, three is none"
Helen's cavalier for the Gay CHANGED
to be a Mr.. Prescott-Reginald Pres
cott-a tall, majestic parsonage, who
had been but short time ut the hotel,
and who was not very we'll acquainted.
He was very dark, eyes and hair the
color Of the ravens wing, and a mag
nifcent beard Of the same dusky hue
His conversation showed that lie had
been we'll educated, and altogether he
was perfectly delightful" as every one
agreed.
The two in the buggy were little
constrained at first, neither having
previously seen much Of the other, but
this feeling soon wore of, and long
before they had reached the grove,
they felt that they were congenial
minds. Helen smiled with contempt,
- she thought Of the vapid Stiffness Of
tho conceited popinjsys which usually
engaged her attention. They seemed
doubly nauseous now that she knew
the pleasure Of talking With such true
msa. and her inward resolve was that
she would be colder than ever to them.
She seemed to have awakened into q
new. . purer and better life, and her
soul scared far above the common,
foolish frivolties, hitherto her daily
meat and drink, to higher sphere
one which she felt to be her true ele-
mcnt.
In about IN hours time they arrived
ct the grove and alighted. It was q
beautiful plscs. carpeted with the soft.
est and gresnsst Of erase, q silvery
brook murmuring gently as it flowed
over it, rocky bed, while cool breezes
played carelessly through the rustling
leaves o'srhsad. The very place for
. picnic" eli agreed, and began to en-
Joy themselves. They played croquet,
iirted, covered, lounged around, ate
and drank, and until four or i've In the
afternoon II was very much like all
other pic-nics, but then occurred an
event not Get down in the bills.
Helen g. 0rme. feeling weary, and
wishing 70 b. alone for . little, had
wand nd. unseooDpanied, into the
deep shadows Of the trees. until she
cane upon . little dell. soft and smooth
aad com 2lstsly surrounded.
ss1e q a o1aNe far Gairsen" aha AZ.