Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-16

l Jul W W tuttuk you
''Of course not" Helen interrupted;
'fhere's no need"
you've taught me q great DEAL " con-
tinued Mrs. Vincent, pursuing her own
train of thought. 'tHow changed you
are from last winter. l thought you like
all other girls! You used to vex me, too
by your petulance-yOu did not like me
| truth now!"
''No.'' Helen said simply.
''Will you tell me why2"
1T would do no good; l like you
now"
'tNot unless you are frank with mel
choose that as the proof. Helen, may
ask you question:"
eyes," she said, trying hard to make
her voice calm.
''Why did you and Richard Falmore
QUARREL
''That question cannot auswer-you
have no right"
''StOp, Helen, don't make me feel i'm
pertinent-I'm not brave nowadays. Let
me talk about himl"
she is nothing to me-not even an &C
qualntance; why should II"
1.-The man woman has loved must
always count for something in her mem
DRY, returned Mrs. Vincent. erich
ard Falmore was better than most of his
sex. think his obstinacy was his worst
fault"
Helen felt herself growing angry; her
old belief of the woman's duplicity
came back for an instant.
81 don't want to hear any more" she
said.
''But you must-Eelen, lying here
these weeks, | have gone over my whole
hfe-oh, the poor wreck I believe /
counted for something in your trouble
you must let me clear myself"
"You shall do So" Helen replied in a
rather hard tone
Mrs. Vincent told the entire sto.y of
her friendship with Falmore-even to
her angry feelings en- 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 de-
liberately planning 8 wrong action by
either of the lovers. She told Helen how
her wilfullness had vexed Falmore into an
effort to punish her, how she herself had
been angry, aud sought to teach the girl
that she was not to be stung with impuni-
ty.
''Now what made the final break she
asked abruptly.
''He did not love me-he thought me q
child-reason enough" Helen answered.
II was woman, and resented his con.
duct; you would have done so too"
t1But the final cauep2D
81 wouldn't ask that" Helen cried IT.
ritably. 81 have ceased to blame YOU; l
can believe it was idle coquetry on your
part"
"Ihen / was to blame!"
Helen had said more than she inten.
ded, and tired to 90 back from her
words.
'You mustn't do that" urged her COM
paniOn. "You don't want TO be cruel to
me! Helen, tell me the TRUTH implore
you on my knees."
She threw herself on the floor. hiding
her face in her companions dress, and
sobbed uncontrollably. 1t was useless to
persuade-to argue; she would have the
truth and at last, fearful that the hysteri-
cal excitement might do her harm, Helen
spoke:
''DO you remember when l came into
the room the night of the ball2n
Eyes; you were vexed at finding US
there
''Mrs. Vincent, heard what he said
~
''Yes; he complained of you; it was
weak and wrong, and was wicked to let
him % oY-vp,Y cho1l fa1I NO No.
er stir till you dol"
"Then, if you will make me speak, l
heard what he said to you'll saw him
kiss your hand"
ga bit of silly psllsntry-"
''Stop, Adelaidel say, Iheve ceased
to blame you. l don't believe he ever
spoke so before, or that you would have
allowed it again. Oh, remember what he
said; don't make me go on!n
Mrs. Vincent struggled to recollect the
conversation; the whole truth flashed sud
denly upon her.
''Now remember. Oh, my poor girl!
You heard his last words only Helen,
before God, swear this was what he
said: 4 think it is something when man
of my age says to girl of hers, l love
you Then cried out in greatly pity for
his distress; he kissed my hand; l saw
you and ran away"
Helen's face was buried in her hands:
Mrs. Vincent drew them away, calling:
''DO you believe meln
eyes" she answered, "freely, fully"
''1hen it is not too Late"
Ear too late," she broke in. erich
ard FalmoTe wanted to marry child,
somebody who would be his slave, his petl
am q woman, strong to feel, to resent;
he did not love me as | really am"
Mrs. Vincent did not argue further.
They talked for q long time still, and
when they separated there was no cloud
between them.
That night before she slept Mrs. Vim
cent wrote long letter to Richard Fall
more, and the next morning took her de-
psrture
After she went away the weeks passed
quietly with Helen. 1t was much to
know that at least she had no reason to
feel contempt for the man she had loved;
it took the last bitterness out of her
heart.
The lovely autumn days drifted on
almost to winter. Mrs. Brevoort began
to weary for town, and it was decided
thst they should return.
Through the beauty of late sunset,
Helen went out for a parting ramhle
among the hills. She sat down to rest on
an erainence above the house, and watch
the last glories of the floating clouds fade
into the gray of evening.
A step disturbed her revery, voice
called her name; she turned-Rchard
FalmOre stood before her,
''Helen, he cried, Il have come back.
know everything now At least l want
your forgiveness She could not move;
she could feel how deathly pale her face
was, but she steadied her voice to answer,
''You have it, be generous in your turn"
Il have nothing to forgive" he said
eagerly. 81 was blind, arrogant IDIOT;
l see more clearly now Even before l
received Mrs. Vincent's letter, l had
learned to regard my conduct in its true
light"
''Let US both remember the lesson"
she said family.
SIS that all? Helen, don't break my
heart, much as deserve it, l bring it
to you again, ask you to bless my life
by sharing it Be my wife-not child
r r