The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-09-23

Just as l had sent my letter of, there
came q Knock at the door. ,' ~
Mr.. Harvey are yon alone Can
speak to you for one moment p I.5g 7iIl
sis that YOU. Helena Arden9 Why,1
thought fou were married and gone to
California; l cried
II am married-4to spendthrift and a
villain !" said she, with little hoarse
laugh ;.and am going to California TO
MORO w; hut wanted to say q, word to
you first. ! wanted to pay you for somc'
thing. 4 81, oort;ty.tY ...,-.ft
"For what ?"
"That rol.. Of work which people ac
cused Hetsy Dorrance, the lame girl, Of
taking
"Helena! Did you take that?"
"Yesy s1 cried recklessly, I took it
l wanted money sorely then; the landla.
(dyswous Vet me hare my trunks TO be
married. unfit 4 paid her Whist ! owed
her. l was standing by lame Hatty tiia,
evening. l saw her lay the piles Of 'wor',
on the desk--f saw them slip and fall of
the heap. I was Just going away, and it
was an easy thing for me to stoop. as if
for my own pocket handkerchief and
pick, them up. Ipawned them, thinking
| could; easily redeem them; but never
did. Here is money to pay for them.
hope Hetty was not blamed" ai igu3
"She was. though said 1 slowly.
81 can't help it" said Helena, ,fightily
"Ive done my best. Will you see tina,
she is righted ?" 10
"As far as can." s.
And Helena went away, muttering tc
herself something about all her accounts
being closed at last, I paid but little at
tention to it at the time, but / remem
bered it afterwards. -, ~, -.
l went the next evening to Hetty's
simple lodgings, over a bakers shop
"Miss Dorrancet'' said the baker:
wife coming out of a back room, with 8
baby in her arms. "Why, didn't yot
know2 She's moved away.''Q afat
"Moved?2 And my letter p i9ii
"We got letter here, yesterday, sir
and we forwarded 1t to her. No 36, ,Av
enel Square, sir" laaJ aee
So went to No. 36, Avenel Square
a little gem of brown stone house, al
bay windows and balconies, standing in
its own grounds and there was Hetty q
the window watching for me- rec -
"Hetty, did you get my letter :"
Eyes, Mr.. Harvey." ;ezass.ss
'And what is your answer ?"
"That ! will be your wife, Mr.. Har
vey, and that l am-oh, 80 thankful tt
have gained a good mans love p
! stopped and kissed, her daisy face.
| i"I suppose you are working here, ,Het
typ" said I. "1t's handsome house
""No." said Hetty, half laughing an,
half crying. 81 live here" 'iisf
"Hetty! Your" :. go s'a'lig% :.
"My great,uncle died." said Hetty :
He was an old bachelor and hated ii
lall-but he couldn't take his money will
him. have inherited his fortune"
SIT cannot be possible" said l, rub
bipg my forehead. !. ,5,s9 8 -
aButitis possible" said Hetty. .sAnc
lit is true | was going to send to yo'
to pay that ten dollar note back, when
| got your letter. =
Il have been .paid,my girl and toll
her about Helena Arden. -. - &. :
The next, day we saw little para
graph in, the papers, how an unknown
woman, with the words Helena Arden
written on her pocket handkerchief, hat
drowned herself at the foot of one of tn
crowded East River piers. 80 Is " I.
That is my story. It's simple enough,
and vet think it has the elements of ro
nance in it. - ~ -.