The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-11-09

calm Sabbath evening influences, they tel
| into quiet talk as naturally as # they
4. had been old acquaintances. They talked
of themselves, and Miss Romer tOle
Douglas that her home had been in New
Haven and her father was gentleman
of means, who had lavished upon her, hi.
only child, every advantage which money
| and taste could procure. She told hin
Of the death of her father and mother II
a single week, and how her father S es
| tate proved involved, and left her PENN
| less and alone. She told him she hat
sought for some means by which to sup
port herself, and finally obtained her sit
uation In Mr.. Sheldon S store, and KEEP
her.elf IN comfort.
And Douglas told her that he, too, wa
an orphan, only himself and Bell lett
but he touched very lightly on the weaiti
that was his, lest it should give hel
pain.
While they talked, Miss Romer drop
ped her fan, and Douglas, picking it up
saw written upon the plain ivory handle
the name, Helen Romer."
''Helen was my mothers name" sale
he, reverently.
"Was it?'' It is mine," said Mis-
Romer, In pleased surprise.
Il am glad it is yours said Douglas
and he fell to thinking how often he hac
written his mothers name, Helen Len
nox," and how much he would like u
write it again with an 'R" between the
names.
They sat very still little while, hard
ly talking at all, and forgetting the late
ness of the hour, until the CLEAN of The
street lamps close by startled Mis-
Romer She hastily arose, saying: 81
did not know it was so late. | must &c
home at once.
Douglas rose, too, saying: May [ &C
company you ?''
She hesitated moment, her color
came and went. and then she. looking up
with pleading glance, said: Il had
rather you would not, Mr. Lennox.
Douglas flushed then, but he asked
gently: "Will you tell me why?'
Helen was silent, the crimson deepen
ing in her fair lace, and presently Doug
las repeated his demand in firmel
tone: please tel me why?'
Helen was silent, the crimson deepen
ing in her fair face, and presently Doug
las repeated his demand in a frmer zone
PLEASE tell me why, Miss Romer-
Because, Mr.. Lennox, young gin
in my position cannot have the friend
ship of gentleman In yours without"
She Eesitated, aura could not go on.
Without making herself mark for
idle and thoughtless tongues. [ suppose
you mean?'' aksed Douglas, with dash
of bitterness in his tone.
She bowed her head in assent.
Douglas quickly asked another ques.
ton: Miss Romer, [ have sought your
society good many times lately Have
been the means of any such pain tc
you ?"
Helen seemed deeply agi.ated, and die
not reply until Douglas said, entreating-
ly :
''Tell me, Miss Romer.''
"a little" she answered family, then
once more looking up at him, with q
pleading glance which touched his heart,
she added: But l know you did moi
intend it, and | have been trying all the
evening to get courage to tell you that
when we part here, it had better be fol
good"
The young man S resolution was In.
stantly taken
you shall not tell me any such thing,
for L don't intend to part with you at
ali. | understand what you mean, and
| would give my right hand-yes, my
llfe-rather than injure you. But [ sup
pose that even shop-girl may have an
honest lover, husband and home.
Miss Romes,-Helen-If L offer you
these, will you accept them?"
Helen Romer trembled so that she was
obliged to sit down again. You cannot
mean it, she faltered, ooh, Mr. Len
noX, don tritle with me -
Douglas sat down beside her, and took
in his own one OF the little hands he had
SO longed to hold and caress. God knows
L would not trifie with you, dear girl,
he said solemnly; and He knows [ d,
mean 1T, 1t ever meant anything in nv
bite before. L have loved you, Helen
let me call you so,-ever since the first
time L met you in the store, and [ have
longed to take you away from toll, aud
surround you with luxury | am able to
do this, Helen, for [ am wealthy, though
| did not tell you this before
And am only poor girl with roth.
ing to offer you In RETURN said Helen
softly.
''Nothingl you have the most pre-
cious possession that ever came to man
IN the worid-you have woman heart
my darling. Will you give me that ?''
IF you will take it, Mr. Lennox."
And Lennox, too deeply moved to
speak, drew her close to his heart, a.
they sat in the thick shadow, land pressed
the first kiss upon her lips.
Helens days of weary toillng were
over, but she never forgot, while reign
ing queen of her husbands princel,
home. how his love sought her out whcr
''only shop girl
And many young girl who stood il
her former position found a true FRIEND
and ready helper in the beautiful aue
petted wife of Douglas Lennox.