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

Tho weeks passed on to November,
aud then her good resolutions received
an unexpected shock. She heard from
some chance visitor that Mrs. Vincent
vas staying in the neighborhood, and
she had hard struggle not to insist
upon her stepmother's going a*ay at
once.
1t was only the day after that she
stood at the entrance to the grounds,
just returned from walk. Before her
~as steep hill; she saw = party of
equestrians riding down, one lady in
advance, galloping recklessly forward
and waving her hand back to her CON-
pan'ons in mocking challenge.
On dashed the horse a moment
more, and it ~as evident the rider had
lost control of him. The men of the
party saw it too and hurried on, but
could not overtake the frightened b asst.
On they came-nearer-n JUS,
at the foot Of the hill the horse STUN.
bled and flung his rider over lis head.
She fell heavily to the ground aud lay
quite still, only few feet from the
frightened girl.
After the first instant of horror,
Helen rushed forward and bent over the
prostrate form. She was looking in the
face Of the woman who had helped to
break her heart, and the face was that
Of the dead.
when the party reached the spot,
Helen had raised the dropping head aud
was supporting it on her knees. She
knew most OF the group, aud after tie
first terror-stricken EXPLANATIONS, some
ooe isaid: L.: :: G..
"What is to be done-is she dead ?''
"No," Helen answered. "Carry her
to our house-go for a doctor some
body, at once"
They carried the unfortunate cres.
ture up to'tbe dwelling she was laid on
4 bed-everything done that could be
then Helen went to inform her step.
mother. Mrs!Brevoort had learned Of
the accident and WIS dreadfally fright.
ened ; but Helen could always soothe
her, and presently nervousness was for
gotten in other sensations, she was
startled by her daug ghter's answer to one
question.
Ills it anybody we know 2"
'1t is Mrs. Vincent" Helen replied.
|Oh, what will you do?' moaned her
stepmother.
"Take care Of her," returned Helen
Eat least l am human, moth,r."
The doctor arrived, and with him
famous surgeon, who happened to be
visiting at his house.. Mrs. Vincent
was dreadtully bruised-one arm brok
en- but if there proved to be no inter-
nal injury, sho would recover,
So Helen's task began. The utmost
watchfaInesa was needed to guard
against fever, and no nurse could be
procured whom the physicians were
willing to trust. Helen assumed the
duty it was too clear to be mistaken,
nor did she wish to avoid it.
| Late in the evening Mrs. Vincent
Came to her senses, and found Helen
sitting by her bed. It was some time
before she could remember what had
happened then she grew so excited
that Helen became alarmed.
8" I can't stay here," Mrs. Vincent
said wildly; II remember ycu-you
hate mel always wondered Why"
"1ts question of getting we'll
uow," Helen answered. "You are in
good hands-we shall bring you
through nicely only you must be quiet
and obey the DOCTOR
After some soothing potion Mrs
Vincent dropped off into an uneasy
sleep, holding fast to Heleu's hand,
waking often with: a start, babbJing
uncounectedly, but always calmed by
Helen's voice. a..
That odd companionship lasted for
a fortnight. Mr.. Vincent was absent
in Europe, and there was no relative
to come and share Helen's vigils.
The time came when the sufferer was
out of danger-could sit up-talk--be
read to-; aud it was impossible for two
women to be thrown together IN a situ.
alton Of such intimacy without becom-
ing we'll acquainted. Mrs. Vincent
learned to understand and appreciate
Helen, and in her turn Helen so far
got the better of her rsncorous feeliogs,
that she admitted TO herself the woman
was not the wicked siren she had be-
tieved her, and had probably been in
great measure unconscious of the fear
ful evil she had wrought.
T. Mrs. Vincent had only heard that
'Falmore was gone, and tbs engagement
supposed to be broken. Troubles con-
nected with her married life had 90.
cupied her all the spring, aud she bad
scarcely remembered either Helen or
Richard-certainly never connected the
incident of the ball with their rupture.
The confinement of that sick-room
gave her more leisure for reflection
than she had found in years, and as
Helen's :. character unfolded to her
keen perceptions, she perceived the
changes in her, and knew how terribly
sho had suffered from that broken er.
gagemeut. She saw, too, how wrong
her own conduct had been, and, true