The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1871-07-27

1s'oo = "oVe 10 60 away herself. ~
can't sleep; put the light cut; let's sit
a while in this lovely moonlight"
Helen obeyed her in silence.
"Como here," Mrs. Vincent said
suddenly, aud as Helen approached
her she drew her into q seat by her
side. "You've been very good to me-"
she went on; 81 don't try to thank
you-"
"Of course not" Helen interrupted !;
"thero's no need"
"Yoa've taught me a great DEAL"
continued Mrs. Vincent, pursuing her
own train Of thought, allow changed
you are from last winter. I thought
you like all girls! You used to vex
me too by your petulance did not
like me-truth now!'
"No,' Helen said simply.
cs:Will you tell me why ?"
"]t |ould do no good; I like yuu
now"
"Not unless you are frar with me
II choose that as the proof. Helen.
may 1 ask You question ?'
eyes," sho said, trying hard to
make her voice calm.
*"N'hy did you and Richard Fal.
more quarrel" >' =;
'*'That question I cannot auswer-you
have no right y
'''Stop, Helen; don't make me feel
impertinent-I'm not brave NOWADAYS.
Let me talk about himv'
"He is nothing to me-not even an
acquaintance Why should I ?"
"The man . woman has loved must
always count for something in her
memory" returned MIS-. Vincent.
Orchard Falmore was better than
most Of bis sex. l think his obstinacv
was his worst fault"
Helen felt herself growing angry;
her old belief Of the vom,u's du.
plicity came back for an instant.
III don't want to hear any more,"
she said. =
"But you must! Helen, lying here
these weeks, have gone over my whole
life-oh the poor wreck! I believe 1
counted for something in yoar trouble
you must let me clear myself"
"Yon shall do so," Helen replied 10
a hard tone.
Mrs. Vincent told the entire story
of h'r friendship with Falmore-eveu
to her angry feelings on learning that
he had kept his engagement a secret.
She did not spare herself in the least,
but it was plain enough she had been
far from deliberately planniog wrong
action by either Of the lovers. She
told Helen how her wilfuluess had
ve1ed Falmoss into an effort to punish
her !; how she herself had been angry,
and sought to teach the girl that she
was not to be stuug with impunity.
"Now what made the final break 2"
she ask abruptly.
"He did not love me-he thought
me a child-reason enough" Helen
answered, ~ was a woman, and I re.
sented his corduct; you would have
done 90 too."
"But the fual cause ?'
II wouldn't ask that" Helen cried
irritably. 81 have ceased to blame
you; I can believe it was idle coquetry
on your part"
''Then l was to blame %
Helen had said more than she intend
81, uud tried to go back from her
WORDS.
"Ycu mustn't do that" urged her
companion. "You don't want to be
cruel to mo! Helen, tell ne the truth
II imploro you on my knees"
She threw herself on the floor, hid
ing her face in her companions dress,
and sobbed uncontrolably. 1t was
useless to pursuade-to argue; she
would have tho truth and at last,
fearful that the hysterical excitement
might do her harm, Helen spoke:
"Do you remember when l came in-
to tho room the night of the ball 7"
"Yes -; you were vexed at finding US
there"
"Mrs. Vincent, I heard what he
>'''Yes; he complained Of you; twas
weak and wrong, and I was wicked to
let him Go on-you shall tell me-
I'll never stir till you dol"
"Then, if you will make me sp:.' !!
1 heard what he said to you saw him
kiss your hand"
"a bit Of silly gallautry-"
"Stop, Adelaide I say, l have ceased
to blame you. Idon't believe he ever
spoke so before, or that you would have
allowed it again. Oh remember what
he said don't make me 60 on
Mrs. Vincent struggled to, recollect
the conversation ; the whole truth flash.
ed suddenly upon her.
Snow remember. oh my poor girl
You heard his last words ouly! Helen,
before God, swear this was what he
said 4 think it is something when a
man Of my age says to a girl Of hers, 1
love you.' Then I cried out in great
pity for his distress; he kissed my
hand ; I saw you and ran. away"
Helen'sv face was buried in her
hands ; Mrs. Vincent drew them away,
calling "Do you believe me 7" -
*"Yes," she answered s'freely, fully"