Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-10-28

Helen's part was really very unpleasant.
The walk was long one, and night wa
fast falling when Helen reached the ell
trance of the valley She and Tom ha
explored it together frequently but now
in the shaddowy twilight, it looked S
wild and forbidding that she shrank bacI
involuntarily. Would it not be wors
than folly to risk her life among its rock
and chamas, because of mere nervou
fancy. AS she stood irresolute feein,
her courage fast evening, faint cry seem
ed to fail upon her ear. She listened
eagerly. Did some one call "Helen," O.
was it only her imagination? ut wa
like Toms voice." she said to herself, will
a shiver, "only so faint and unearthly.'
Her tim;dity had all vanished now, anG
she went resolutcly on, falling over pros
trate trees, climbing up the rugged sides
ofprojecting rocks, urging her way through
tangled masses Of vines and undcrbrush
needless of her cut and bleeding hands
and feet, her fast-failing strength, and in
tent only on reaching the spot whence that
cry had come.
Shall | ever find him ?" she thought,
despairingly, as her foot caught in tree
root and she fell once more. Putting oul
her hand to aid herself in rising, she
touched something which was neither
stone nor wood. She graspcd it eagerly
it was an arm in rough coat sleeve
a masculine arm and the discovery sent a
thrill of horror to her heart.
An instant more, and the injured man
movod little and murmured "Heen," in
a feeble, almost inaudible tone,
Helen did not shrek, nor faint, nor
call him darling, as a heroine would
have done. She only said quietly" l
am here. Tom tell me, are you hurt
badly ?"
lis it you, Helen, really you 2" he
answered, excitement lending him strength.
my arm is broken, and there is a mass
Of rock upon me. l have been lying here
ever since morning, and had given up all
hope of being rescued. Did you come to
look for mel have thought of you con.
tinually."
"Yes, returned Helen, hastily, think.
ing that further questions might prove
embarrassing, "and | am going back for
help. will not be long; you shall be
safe at home within two hours, | assure
you. Keep up good heart till I come
back"
How did she know that | failed to
take the train y queried Tom, mentally,
as the sound Of her footsteps died away.
Bruised and aching as he was, he would
not just then have changed places with
Mr.. Hastings.
"Dont't make excuses for him, Tom,"
said Helen, in vexed tone, and walking
restlcssy to and fro as Tom himself had
done on the evening before Mr.. Hastings
expected arrival.
"Why not p asked Tom, watching her
from the lounge on which she lay, II
admit that he behaved badly; hut thou
he had reason to be agrieved. Answer
his letter, Helen, and say you forgive
him." He STOPPED, feeling that heroism
and sef.sacrifce could SO no further.
IL will never see him again !" she
answered, her slender, dark eyebrows
coming closer together. 81 know now
that | never had any real effection for
him-thank fortune found it out before
it was too late."
Poor Hastings! am sorry for him."
rejoined Tom, gravely, trying to arrange
the sling in which his disabled arm rested,
"mildIy sorry-that is, pity myself a
hundredfold more"
"Why 2" asked Helen, with the air of
a seeker after useful information.
"Because you do not care for me-" he
replied.
"But-I think do care for you, Tom, +"
she said. coming to his side to adjust the
refractory handkerchief. II do not want
to but you know it is SO natural to like
people whom you have compelled to feel
grateful to you."
II know" answered Tom, very well
satisfied with the explanation. "Aud,
after all. Helen, circumstances which
would not permit me to be hero allowing
you to be heroine-it is really too bad"
"You should he very thankful to cir.
cumstances, laughed Helen, "for if you
had saved my life ! would have been your
mortal enemy always; and. until you
tumbled over that precipico thought you
rather an awkward person, and felt very
content to marry Mr.. Hastings