Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-07-03
HELEN's PREsENTIMENT.

room with her chin resting upon her hand. A
dreamy distant look was in her large blue eyes,
and her lovely features were pensivc almost to
sadness. Signing for the familiar faces of ones
beoyed, she cared little whether the Tiber or
Thames flowed at her feet, whether by glancing
unto the window she could behold the great
cathedral of St Peter, with its immense dome
seemingy touching the clouds, or its less pre-
tentious contemporary, st. Paul's, in foggy Lon
don. But she was here in Rome, and whether
wearied or not, here she must stay until her en-
thusiastic aunt had satisfied her desire for sight
seeing.
Presently tho young girl arose, drew her
round, graceful figure to its full height and
clasping her hands, slowly paced the ROOM
There was stihed yearning in her every glance,
her every motion.
"a card mademoiselle |" twittered Annette,
the French maid dancing into the room, her
eurls flying all around her coquettinh head.
Helen glanced at the small bit OF enamel and
frowned.
'sonor valleja He here again Admit him,
but it will be the last time u
The maid courtsied and tripped away. A mo-
ment afterward Senior Valleja entered and bowed
profoundly. He was tall, slim, and wthal grace
ful in figure, but his face was hardly progresses
ing, with it's straggly, thin whiskers, sharp cut
lips and piercing black eyes
''lOu 40 me hO milCu uOhoiy heuoiltht ne bhiu
in soft, affable way as he sank upon achair.
~ had hardly the hope of finding you at home,
but the fates are kind to me. You are looking
charming, senorita Rome agrees with you"
at doaen't" answered Helen, brusquely.
81 late Rome"
The senior smiled, nodded and caressed his
moustache, evidently somewhat Disconnected
"Blt would you like, yes love my Madrid, the
flower city of my own dear country, he answer
cd presently, with q grand flourish. "Your
.vould of looking
its grand mansions, its beautiful ediices, its airy
towers, its elegant parks. Paris is beautiful,
Berlin is picturesque, but my Madrid bears away
the palm Senorita, 1 know you would be
charmed.
Helen smiled with show OF interest.
The senior gazed upon her ardently his coun-
tenance revealed change of thought
sit il 30 singular you did not take Spain in
your tour, he went on, rapidly. sit is the home
of romance, the birthplace of thrilling legend,
the mine of history, the bower of poesy You
must see it, Senorita !"
The last word was uttered IN a deeper key, the
mans face flushed, while his eyes grew bright
Helen wondered at this sudden change, and
became uneasy.
''Senorlta I" he repeated, drawing his chair
nearer to her, 81 love you, my soul is absorbed
in YOU Nay, frown not, nor speak You must
hear me. Ali. you don't know me, you can't
dream of my passion that fires every nerve and
artery of my body. You are sun, moon, earth,
air, salvation to me. Heaven | could die for
you and smile with my last breath2"
lie dropped upon his knees before her, his
frame quiyering with emotion, his face pallld
now, his eyes burning with intense pleading.
lIelen had dreaded this, and hardly knew how
TO act
her not to dismiss him peremptorily, and yet to
hesitate would only give him hope and make
him more persistent.
"Arse, senor," she said, calmly. 81 am not
pleased at this. have never looked upon you
otherwise than as an acquaintance
But you can, you will See, / am not boy
to expect instant alteration you have lived UNI
der colder skies than 1. / am ready to serve
YOU, to be your slave. To look upon you il joy,
To think of you is Heaven All, if my blood on
ly flowed in your veins. Senorlta, have wealth,
station l worship you; l adore the very gar
ments that you wear. Speak, and give this
dear, dear hand to me, to hold in love forever !"
She withdrew her fingers from his clasp and q
tremor passed over her form. Arising hastily
she assumed naughty, repellant manner.
81 thank you for the honor, senior, but can
never be your wife !"
He sprang to his feet, and cenching his hands
gazed upon her in mental anguish and rage.
How his eyes cleaned, how his, white teeth shone
behind his ashen lips.
Helen met his glance without flinching, but it
required all her strength.
"Never never !" he artculated, his chest
throbbing with his labored breath. Not-uot
IN life Helen Martin, change your words-be-
hold my agony-l am not mysef-change your
words"
" 1t is impossible, sir !" she answered. coldly,
and turned away.
The mans face became CHASTITY his eyes dis
tended and rolled frightfully, his teeth met with
rasping sound, and standing thus he gazed
upon her as one who loved one perish
aud can offer no help. Suddenly low, gurg-
ling laugh broke from his lips.
I'VE part, we part, but we shall meet again"
he shrieked and fled from the room.
Ia
ward to lock the door. A prescience of coming
evil overshadowed her soul, she felt strange
loneliness and wished that her aunt would come
home.
At that moment she heard knock upon the
door, but her nerves were excited to that state
size dare not open it. The summons was repeat
ed and then Helen called to know who was there.
The answer was given in Annette'a voice, and
with sigh of relief Helen admitted her.
Letters, mademoiselle u said the maid, with
flourish of her little hand
Helen grasped at them eagerly, and inpatient
~ motloned the girl to retire.
The first was from her father full of affec-
ton and earnest hopes that 'his darling child
would be blessed with health and realize all her
fond anticipation5 in viewing the natural and
artificial wonders of the continent"
Tue next was from Clara, telling of her beaux
and which one she liked the best the last grand
party, what she wore, how many compliments
she received, and what splendid supper they
had.
over all this Helen smiled, cried and sighed
ny turns, and then glanced at the last missivt
OF the parcel Her eyes beamed more softly il
possible as she looked at the bold dashing sup
ersenption, and her fingers trembed little Al
she broke the seal
Opening it slowly as if she hesitated to put
the draught to her lips because it would be sC
Drlel, 30 soon past, she allowed her eyes to res
iull minute upon the words:
My darling Helen"
lhen with long, grateful BREATH she read on
anu her features reflected the bliss that eacl
ehdearng word produced In her breast.
+, 80 far away, my dearest, are you from me-
mat can only bring you nearer in thought b,
selecting from among the meteors of Heavei
some brlght particular star, and watching i
each night, watching it with love, with hope
Win prayers. You will go among great people
you Will receive homage for your talents, you
beauty doubtless your hand will be sought, bu
have no fear that yon will forget me, for M,
confidence in you is next to my confidence il
my Creator"
twice the eight pages were fondly perused
ana then were carefully folded and placed in al
escrltore along with the others This was hard
Up accomplished ere her aunt returned.
oh, you've missed so much, SO much" sale
B the good natured Mrs. Morse. ''Weve seel
me Pope, father and l., and he treated us yer
n Kindly. You won't have anything to tell whe
Il you get home if you don't go out more"
snail lind enough to talk about if ever | d
get home. Don't fear auntie wish was Their
nuw.n
so do l, Nell, 30 do l." added Mr. Morse. q
haven't had comfortable meal since | came t
nah .l...f