The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-06-04

hopelessly. This did not pain her great.
ly, except at moments; she was used to
finding herself locked away from every
day experiences Of other women, aud the
mere fact Of loving brought with it stir
and thrill Of which she had not dreamed
herself capable.
What was in this big, careless, happy
man that drew her so powerfully! Who
can say! Which Of us can pretend to
measure or anticipate the strange GIBBS
and flows, the fux and reaux Of Our
likes or dislikes. those insensible forces
which act without our governanoe and
mould our lives? She only knew that
some stringent spiritual pressure bent
her toward him, and, alas! that a force
equally stringent held her in bonds when
he was present, sealed her lips, froze her
manner, made her altogether impassiye
and unattractive, repelling where she
fain would have pleased. Too proud to
challenge even by a look the notice Of 4
popular, sought after man, she coldly
drew aside, while other women petted and
dattered her hero to her hearts content,
and nothing COMMUNICATING could, in
fact. occur-to bring them to the knowl.
edge Of each other.
After a while strange happiness came
to her from the very secrecy of this unre.
turned affection. In hor heart she named
Reginald by tender names; every day her
thoughts went out toward him. She dared
to believe that in some way unknown to
her, but known to God, his life must be
better and richer for the ceaseless due of
bonediction poured upon it. Nobody
guessed, nobody read the lineaments Of
generous passion behind the cold veil Of
her face; none heard the prayers in which
his name stood first. Those who know
not the bliss Of receiving, feel full 10y Of
giving; she thought herself-she was
content. THIS contentment would of
course have vanished in q whirlwind had
Reginald given sign of an intention to be
happy with somebody else. but she was
not tested in that way.
Family ties have q habit Of pulling
when yeu least expect it. Helen had =
few such ties. An older sister, married
in France, was her only near relation.
This> ummer, nearly q twelve month after
the evening at Mrs. Lc Clerc's, the sis.
t"rly tie asserted itself for the first time.
Madame Farard wrote urgently to claim
avisit. Her husband was in bad health,
her only daughter was about to be mar
ried; if Helen would come to them for q
few months it would be such comfort.
surely Helen would come.
"Of course you'll Co." cried aunts and
cousins and second cousins in full chorus.
Its an opportunity; it's charming plan;
it's plain duty. Anna needs you; you
must CO." Helen gave consent. The at
fractions of home were not particularly
strong in summer, when tho people Of
Emanuel church were scattered, and its
pastor off on his long vacation. Gas well
Normandy, ~ anything" she thought.
rather YEARLY. An escort was easily
found in the person Of old Mr.. and Mrs.
LIE Clerc, going abroad in the steamship
St. Malo on the % Of June. No better
ship going, people said, and June was the
very month for sea voyaging.
Helen's last appearance before sailing
was at Mrs. Doylston's ball on tho 10th
Of May, beautiful festival in ono of the
most superb of modern houses. Flowers
ahounded, carnival Of fragrance and
color, from the similax.wreathe,l stair.
cases to chimney pieces converted for the
nonce into banks Of roses and stephanotis.
But the one inimitable glory Of the occa.
sion, Joy Of Mrs. DQylston heart, and
despair Of rival florists, was century
plant in full blossom. It stood in tho
middle Of the drawing.room. its spire Of
dusky yellow rearing itself from the base
OF Jagged, shapeless leaves; and to every
one who entered Mrs. Doylston said, 'Be
sure you see the aloe. It will be hun.
dred years, you know, before the plant
flowers again."
"But l thought aloes died as soon as
they had done blooming" said May
Rogers to Reginald Thurston, as they
stood by the flower.
"Ihey door SO runs the legend"
"Dear me! what waste it seems that
= hundred years should 20 to perfect
thing which is to die ~ soon as it is fairly
made
Helen also was looking at the aloe.
She were white dress that night, and
looked more like snow woman than
ever.
II can't help plying the aloe," went
on May sentimentally. ''Of course it
wouldn't blossom at all if it knew that
its death must be he consequence"
"better die, perhaps, than never to
BLOSSOM"
"0h! do you think SO =! don't! Poor
aloe!"
~ feel As if il was tho happiest flower
in the world" said Helen, in an abrupt
tone. She turned as she spoke, and
walked away.
What singular girl Miss Miles is -
remarked pretty May. II never can
make her out at oil. She is going abroad
Tor tn: summer, you know; going next
rs shel So am l."
"heally! Tell me about it."
AND the conversation drifted away from
Helen. None the less her strange, sudden
speech had made = disagreeable impres.
sion on Reginald. He would not ask the
name OF tho ship in which she was to sail.
from disinclination to have it his own
Nor was Helcn's feelings one Of unm;x.
ed JOY when, on her. third dav out. A she
emerged from the companion way under
escort Of the stewardess, his face was the
hrst she saw. Nothing but civilities could
pass, however.
"Miss Miles! I did not know, that We
were fellow passengers. Lot mo place
your chair here out Of tho wind"