The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-05-18

SLarJleQ MISS ROmeE.
She hastily rose, saying, 81 did
not know it was so late. must
go home at once"
Douglass rose, too, saying, "NIay
I accompany youg
She hesitated a moment, her col
or came and went, and then she said,
looking up with a pleading glance.
81 had rather you did not, Dir. Len
nox.D
Douglas flushed then, but asked
gently, "WiI you tell me whyP"
Helen was silent, the crimson
deepening in her fair face, and pres
entity Douglas repeated his demand
in a firmer tone, "Please tell me why,
Miss Romer."
"Because, Mr.. Lennox, a young
girl in my position cannot have the
friendship of a gentleman in yours,
without-without- she hesitated
and could not go on.
without making herself a mark
for idle and thoughtless tongues, I
suppose you mean?" asked Douglas
in a rather bitter tone.
She bowed her head in assent.
Douglas quickly asked another
question: ''Miss Romer, have
sought your society a good many
times lately. Have 1 been the
cause Of any such pain to you?'
Helen seemed deeply agitated
and did not reply until the young
man said entreatingly, Tell me,
Miss Romer?"
GA little" she answered family,
then once more looking up at him
with a pleading glance which touch
ed his heart, she added, ''But I
know you did not intend it, and l
have been trying all the evening to
get courage to tell you that when
we part here it had better be for
good.
The young mans resolution was
instantly taken.
"You shall not tell me any such |
thing, for I do not mean to part |
with you at all. I understand what
you mean, and I would give my
right hand-yes, my life-rather
than injure you. Bnt I suppose
even a shop girl may have an hon
est lover, a husband and home
Miss Romer-Helen-i offer you
these will you accept them?'
Helen Romer trembled so that |
she was obliged to sit down again.
''You cannot mean ii" she faltered. !
'Oh, Mr. Lennox, don't trife with
mer'
Douglas sat down beside her and |
took in his own one of the little
hands he had Ionged so to hold and |
caress. "God knows 1 would not |
trihe with you, dear girl,' he said |
solemnly; "and He knows I do mean
it as 1 never meant anything in my
life before. I have loved you, Hell
en-let me call you so-ever since
the first time noticed you in the
store, and have longed to take you
away from your toll and surround |
you with luxury. am able to do
this, Helen, for 1 am wealthy, al
though would not tell you so be- |
fore"
Sand am only a poor girl with !
nothing to offer in return," said |
Helen, softly.
Nothing! You have the most |
precious possession that ever comes
to a man in the world-you have a
woman's heart, my darling! Will !
you give me that?'
And Helen, blushing deeply, but |
brave and fearless in her confidence |
in him, raised her clear eyes to his
and answered:
"If you viii take it, Mr.. Lennox."
And Lennox, too deeply moved |
to speak, drew her close to his heart, |
as they sat in the thick shadow,
and pressed his first kiss upon her
lips.
Helen's days of wearving toll |
were over, but she never forgot, !
while reigning queen of her hus-
bands princely home, how his love
sought her out when she was s'only |
a shop girl"
And many ayoung girl who stood |
in her former position found a true
friend and ready helper in the beau
tiful and petted wife of Douglas
Lennox.