Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-10-08
Mrs. Lindley then left the room.


have highly enjoyed ball. But Ed
ward was shy, timid and bashfal il
company, and could hardly ever be in
duced to go out to parties with his
sisters. Still he was intelligent tor his
years, and companionable. His many
good qualities endeared him to his
family, and drew forth from his sisters
toward him very tender regard.
Among his male friends were several
about his own age, members of families
with whom his own was on friendly
terms. With these he associated
frequently, and with two or three
others, quite intimately. For month
or two Helen noticed that one or
another Of these young friends called
every now and then for Edward in the
evening, and that he went out with
them and stayed until bedtime. But
unless his sisters were from home, he
never went out of hissown accord.
The fact of his being out with these
young men had from the first troubled
Helen, though the reason of her feeling
troubled she could not tell. Edward
had good principles, and she could not
bring herself to entertain fears of any
clearly defined evil. Still sensation
of uneasiness was always produced
when he was from home in the evening.
Hor knowing that Edward would go
out, after they had all left, was the
reason why Helen did not wish to
attend the ball. The first thought of
this had produced an unpleasant sensa,
ton in her mind, which increased the
longer she debated the question of
going away or remaining at home
Finally she decided that she should
not go. This decision took place after
the interview with her mother, which
was half an hour from the time of start,
ing
Edwardsknew nothing of the inten-
ton of his sister He was in his own
room, dressing to 60 out, and when he
heard the carriage drive from the door,
supposed Helen had gone with the
other members of the family. On de-
scending to the parlor he was surpris
ed to find her sitting by the centre
table with book in her hand.
''Helen! Is this you? l thought you
had gone to the ball. Are you not
well ?" he said quickley, and with sur
prise, coming up to her side.
81 am very we'll, BROTHER" she re,
piled, looking into his face with smile
of sisterly regard, "but / have con-
cluded to stay at home this evening
I'm going to keep you company"
care you, indeed! Right glad l
am oft! though I am sorry you have
deprived yourself of the pleasure of
this ball, which believe is to be a
very brilliant one. ! was just going
out, because it is so dull.at home when
you are all away"
am not particularly DESTROYS of go
ing to the ball. So little so, that the
thought of your being left here all alone
had sufficient influence over me to keep
away"
'1ndeed ! Well, I must say you are
kind" Edward returned with affecting.
The self-sacri6cing act of his sister had
touched him sensibly. t
Both Helen and her brother played
well. She upon the harp and piano, and
he upon the flute and violin. Both
we're fond of music, and practiced and
/ played together frequently. Part of
the evening was spent in this way,
much to the satisfaction of each. Then
an hour passed in reading and CONVEX
sation, after which music was again re-
sorted. Thus lapsed the time pleasant
ly till the hour of retiring came, when
they separated, both with an internal
feeling Of pleasure more delightful than
they had experienced for long time.
1t was nearly three o'clock before Mr..
and Mrs. Lindley, and the daughter
who accompanied them to the ball, came
home. Hours before the senses of both
Edward and Helen had been locked in
forgetfulness.
| Time passed on. Edward Lindley
grew up and became a man of sound
principles--a blessing to his family and
4 society. He saw his sister we'll mar
ried, and he Himself fnally led to the
alter allovely maiden. She made hin
happy husband. On the night Of his
avedding, as he sat beside Helen, he
i paused for some time in the midst of
pleasant conversation, thoughtfully. A
last he said: ~
'Do5 You remember, sister, the nigh
you staid at home from the ball TO keel
me company" 't7
'That was many years ago. Yes,
remember it very well, now you hay,
recalled it to my mind. A m
81 have often since thought, Helen,
he said witfnaserious air, '.that by tht
simple act of remaining at home TO
my sake, you were the means OF saving
me from destruction. - gar