The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-12-07

!
er Of pretty hands, longed to clasp them
! to his lips. But he was a chrivalous gen
tleman, and would no more have taken
any liberty with the humble shop girl
than with The highest lady in the land.
About this time Douglas took to early
morning walks, which generally led
down Chestnut street Whether the fact
that he occasionally mes Miss Romer or
her way to the shop, and once or twice
walked with her, had anything TO &c
with the matter or mot I can't say but
after such occasions do know that the
spirits Of Douglas Lennox improved con
sideraoly.
One Sunday afternoon near sunset
Douglas left q lively circle in his sisters
parlor and went out for quiet walk by
himself He entered one of the parks
and was strolling through the sunny,
green paths, when his heart gave quick
bound at the sight OF little figure in
blue resting on one of the shady seats.
For momerat he hesitated, then. he
crossed over and and spoke.
"Good evening, Miss Romer."
Miss Romer rose with the ladylike
grace which had long ago told Douglas
! GDClBbV
and returned his salutations. And thea
they sat down again together, and, yield
| ing to the calm Sabbath evening infu-
ences, they fell into quiet talk, natural
| ly as if they had been old acquaintance.
! They talked of themselves, and Miss
Romer told Douglas that her home had
been in Westmorland and her father a
| gentleman of means, who had ayished
upon her, his only child, every advantage
which mouey and taste could procure
She told him of the death Of her father
and mother in single week, and how
her fathers estate proved involved anG
LETT her pcnniless and alone
She told him how she had Sought for
means by which to support herself and
she had finally obtained situation in
Mr.. Sheldon's establishment and kept
herself in comfort
And Douglas told her that he. too, was
an orphan, ouly himself and Bell left
but he touched lightly on the wealth
that was his, least it should give her pain.
While they talked Miss Romer drop
ped her fan, and Douglas, picking it up,
saw written upon the plain ivory handle
the name of" Helen Romer"
Helen was my mothers name" he
said reverently.
"Was 1t ? 1t is mine, too, said Miss Ro-
mer, il pleased surprise.
" am glad it is yours" said Douglas.
And he fell to thinking how often he had
written his mothers name. "Helen Len
nox," and how much he would like to
write 1t again with r" between the
names
They sat very still2a little while, hardly
talking at all, and forgetting the late.
ness Of the hour, until the CLEAN Of the
lamps close by startled Miss Romer. She
hastily rose, SAYING
81 did not know it was SO late I must
go home at once !"
Douglas rose too, saying
May accompany you p
She hesltatcd IL moment her color
came and went, and then she said, look
ing up with pleading glance
" had rather you would not, Mr.. Len
nox."
Douglas flushed then, but he asked,
gently, " VIII you tell why?"
Helen was silent, the crimson deepen
ing IN her fair face ; and presently Doug
las repeated bis demand in firmer tone.
" Please tell me why, Miss Romer."
Because, Mr. Lenn0x, o young girl in
my position cannot have the friendship Of
u gentleman in yours without-without
- She hesitated, and could not 90 on.
Without making herself mark for
idle and thoughtless tongues, I suppose
you mean?'' asked Douglas, with a dash
OF bitterness in his tone,
| She bowed her head in assent.
| Douglas quickly asked another ques
ton.
Miss Romer, have sought your socie
ty good many times lately. Have |
been the cause Of any such pain to you %
Helen seemed much agitated, and did
not reply until the young man said, en-
treatiugly:
Tell me, Miss Romel.,'
little she answered, fllterinoly,
then, once more looking up at him, with
a pleading which touched his heart, she
added. " But know you did not Intend
II, ana tavo been trying all the eve
nlng TO get courage to tell you that when
we part here 1t had better be for good
The young mann resolution was in.
stantly taken. n
1ou shall not tell me any such thing,
Tor 40 nos mean to part with you at ali
IL understand what you mean, and I will
give you my right hand-ycs my life
rather than iDjure you. But I suppose
even shop girl may have an honest low.
er, a husband and home. Miss Romer
-Helen--if offer you these will YOU
) accept them,"
Helen Romer tremb!ed SO that she was
! obliged to sitdown again.
!" You. cannot mean it," she faAered
30. Mr.. Lennox, don't trife with me =,
Il Douglas sat down beside her and took
. in his own one of the littla no M, bo ~