The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-11-24

ate admirer Of pretty hands, lOnged to
clasp them to his lips. But he was
I chivalrOus gentleman, 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 TO
| Chestnut street. Whether the fact that
he occasionally met Miss Romer on her
way to the shop, and once or twice
walked with her, had anything to do
with the matter or not / can't say; but
after such occasions do know that the
spirits OF Douglas LennoX improved con-
siderably.
One SUNDAY afternoon near sunset
Douglas left a 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 Il
quick bound at the sight of a little fig
ure in blue resting on one Of the shady
seats. For a moment he hesitated, then
he crossed over and spoke.
"GOod evening, Miss Romer."
Miss Romer rose with the lady-like
grace which had long ago told Douglas
that she was used to cultivated society
and returned his salutatiOn. And then
lltN SIT uOMll again lbEtAlltAs anu y ttltt-
ing to the calm Sabbath evening infiu-
ences, they fell into a quiet talk, natu-
rally, as if they had been old acquain-
/ tances.
/ They talked of themselves, and Miss
! Romer told Douglas that her home had
/ been in Westmoreland and her father =
gentleman of means who had laViShed
upon her, his only child, every advan-
/ tage which money and taste could pro-
cure. She told him of the death Of her
father and mother in a single week, and
how her fathers estate proved involved
and left her penniless and alone.
She told him how she had sought for
some means by which to SUPPORT her
self, and she had finally obtained a stu
alton in Mr.. Sheldon's establishment
and kept herself in comfort.
And Douglas told her that he, too,
was an orphan, only himself and Bell
left; but he touched lightly on the
wealth that was his, lest it should give
her pain.
While they talked Miss Romer drop
ped her fan, and Douglas pickeFit up,
saw written upon the plain ivory handle
the name of "Helen Romer."
"Helen was my mothers name," he
said reverently.
"Was it? 1t is mine, too said Miss
Romer, i'm pleased surprise.
81 am glad il Is yours said Douglas.
/ And he fell to thinking how often he
/ had written his mothers name, "Helen
/ LennoX,n and how much he would like
to write it again with an "R'' between
the names.
They sat very still a little while,
hardly talking at all, and forgetting the
lateness Of the hour, until the gleam OF
the lamps close by startled Miss Romer.
She hastily rose, saying
81 did not know it was so late. ! must
90 home at onceu
Douglas rose too saying:-
"AIay l accompany you ~
She hesitated a moment, her color
came and went, and then she said, look
ing up with a pleading glance
Il had rather you did not, Mr.. Len
nox"
Douglas flushed then, but he asked,
gently.
"Will you tell me why?"
Helen was silent, the crimson deepen
ing in her fair face; and presently
Douglas repeated his demand in n firmeI
tone
"Please tell me why, Miss Romer."
Because, Mr.. LennoX, young girl
in my position cannot have the friend
. ship of a gentleman in yours without
without" She hesitated and could
not 60 on.
"Without making herself mark foI
= idle and thOughtless tongues. ] suppose
you mean?" asked Douglas, with q
dash of bitterness in his tone.
She bowed her head i'm assent.
/ Douglas quickly asked another qucs-
f ton.
, 'NIiss Bomer, have sought your so
ciety good many times lately. Have
. | been the cause of any such pain Ia
you ~
Helen seemed deeply agitated, and did
! not reply until the young man said en-
= treatingly:-
; ''rell me, Miss Romer.n
/ "a little" she answered, falteringly:
: then, once more looking up at him, with
a pleading which touched his heart, she
added, But ] know you did not intend
it, and l have been trying all the even
! ing to get courage to tell you that when
we part here it had better be for good. -
! The young mans resolution was in
| stantly taken.
"Noh shall not tell me any such thing,
for do not mean to part with you at all.
j understand what you mean, and / will
give you my right hand-yes, my life
? rather than injure you. Bnt | suppose
even a shop girl may have an honest
lover, a husband and a home. Miss
ROmer-Helen-ifI offer YOU these will
you accept them.n
. Helen Romer trembled so that she
, was obliged to sit down again.
"Gou cannot mean it, she falteTed.
30, Mr.. EennoX, don't trifle with men'
. Douglas sat down beside her and took
i'm his own one Of the little hands he
had longed so to hold and caress.
L 4 rid -
you, dear girl,' he said solemnly. 81
have loved you, Helen-let me call you
so-ever since the first time | noticed
you i'm the shop, and | have longed To
take you away from your toll and sur
round you with luxury. / am wealthy,
though | would not tell you so before"
"And / am poor girl, with nothing
to offer in RETURN" said Helen, softly.
Nothing, You have the most pre-
cious possession that ever comes to a
man in the world-yOu have a woman's
heart, my darling! VIII YOU give me
that ~
And Helen, blushing deeply, but brave
and fearless in her confidence i'm him,
raised her clear eyes to his, and am
swered:-
sTf YOU wiz take it, Mr.. Lennox."
And I.ennOX, too deeply moved 10
sneak. drew her close TO his heart, a
they sat i'm the thick shadow, and
pressed his first kiss upon her lips.
Helen's days of weary toll We're
over: but she never forgot, while reign
/ ing queen of her husbands princely
home, his love sought her when she was
/ "only a shop girl
And many young girl who stood in
her former position found a true friend