Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-07-12

where, out tnere 8 not many mistakes. my
girl, but that God clears up in his own good
time. Now take your place in the line !;
there's no time to be lost this morning.
| So the matter was settled but somehow
n cloud rested on Lame lIetty. Those who
had been fast friends before avoided her
now the coarscr minded whispered and
giggled when the tap, tap of her crutch
was sounded on the floor.
'Oh. Mr.. Harvey said poor IIetty one
day, when Jennie Warren, the proudest
and preitiest Of our girls, refused to ac-
knowledge her modcst bow, it's very hard
to bear'
wait, ITctty; only watt said cheeri-
ly.
But it's breaking my heart said she.
They all think am thief
Il don't, IIetty.'
Il know that, sir. | should drown my
self if al least one person in the world did
not believe me innocent
The winter wore itself away. The busy
season was succeeded by one of compare
tive dullness and among the hands struck
off the list was Hetty Dorrance.
Once thief, always thief said old
Jones the cutter. I'D Just as soon that
girl wouldn't work for u.s.
Il would stake my honor thai she is no
thief, Mr.. jones' said /. boldly.
! We'll, retorted the old man cautiously,
! it's necessary to curtail the list little and
it may as well be Lame Hctty as any one.
But lIctty Dorrance never came to learn
her doom. Day after day went by and the
familiar tap of her crutch sounded no more
on The floor. l grew uneasy.
Perhaps she is sick-alone, in want y
l thought. And the more / pondcred on
the matter the more uneasy felt.
Perhaps she is dead + And with that
last, overwhelming thought came the full
revelation of my own heart.
had grown to love Lame IIctty Dor
rance. Well, why not l could afford a
wife as well as most men IIetty was only
n sewing girl and lame at that, but she had
n face like one of Gods angles, and heart
MS white rs a lilly. Of that felt certain.
| | loved her. Why should not marry her.
So | sat down and wrote her a little note,
saying simply that | loved her and asking
her consent to become my wife and l con-
cluded by saying that | would call OH the
morrow to receive her answer.
Just after | had sent my letter Of, there
came knock Mt the door.
/ Mr.. Harvey, are you alone can speak
to you moment -
rs that you, Helena Arden Why I
thought yJu were married and gone to
California p
Il am married, to n spendthriit and Il
william, said she, with little hoarsc laugh,
and am going to California tomorrow,
but wanted to see you first. WANTED to
pay you scmething.'
For what ?
The roll of work, that people accused
Hctty Dorrance, the lame girl, Of taking.
Helena, did you take it -
Yes she cried reckessly, Il took it. |
wanted money sorcly Just then; the land
lady wouldn't let ME have my trunks to be
married until paid her what owed her
| was standing by Lame IIetty that night
| saw her lay the piles of the work OH the
desk; ! saw them slip and fall off the heap.
was just going away and it was an easy
thing for me to stoop, rs if for my OWL
pocket handkerchief and pick them up.
pawned them thinking could easily re
deem them but never did. Here is tho
money to pay for them. l hope lletty wa:
not blamed.'
'Shc was, though said | slowly.
4 can't help it, said Helena !lightily
I've done my best. Will you see that she
is rightcd p
AS far as l cam
And Helena went away. Muttcring t.
herself about all her accounts being closet
at last. paid but little attention to it n
the time but remembered it alterward.
went the next evening to lIetty's sim
pie lodgings over baker shop.
Miss Dorrance y said the bakers wife
meeting me at the foot of the stairs with {
baby in her arms. why, didn't yol
know She has moved away
Moved And my letter y
we got letter for her yesterday, sir
and we forwarded it to her. No. 80 -Avene
Square, SIR
gem of a brown stone house, half bay win
dows and balconies, sanding in its owl
grounds, and there was l1etty u. the case
ment watching for me.
'lIctty,' said |. did you get my letter
Yes, Mr.. Harvey
And what is your answcr?'
That | will be yonr wife, Mr.. Harvey
and that | am, oh SO thankful, to have
gained n good mans love-
|, stopped aud kissed her daisy face.
Il suppose you are sewing here, lletty
, said |. 1t is handsome house.
No. said IIetty. half laughing and hal
f crying. 4 live here
'You!'
My grand uncle died, said IIetty. II
was an old bachelor, and hated us all, bu
he couldn't take his money with him.
inherited it ALL
1T cannot be possible said |, rubbing
my forehead.
i But it is possible said lIctty. 'An'
, it is true. l was Just going to send to yo
to pay that ten dollar bill when got you
, letter.
Il have been paid, my GIRL said l, an
told her about Helena Arden.
, The next day we saw little paragraph
in the papers, how an unknown woman
, with the words Helena Arden written o
her handkerchief. had drowned herself a
the foot of one crowded East river pier.
That is my story. 1t is simple enoug
, and | think il has the elements ofromanc
in it.