The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1875-06-01

'tOf course you'll II 60, : cried aunts and
cousins and second cousins in full chorus,
''lt's an opportunity; it s q 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 the people Of
Emanuel church were scattered, and its
pastor off on his long vacation. Gas well
Normandy, az 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 I'd 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 the 10Th
of May, beautiful festival in one of the
most superb Of modern houses. Flowers
abounded, carnival Of fragrance and
color, from the similax-wreathed 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. Doylston heart, and
despair of rival florists, was century.
plant in full blossom. It stood in the
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, s'Be
sure you see the aloe. It will be hun
dred years, you know, before the plant
flowers again.
'sBut thought aloes died as soon as
they had done blooming said May
Rogers to Reginald Thurston, as they
stood by the flower.
''They door so runs the legend"
"Dear me! what a waste it seems that
hundred years should 60 to perfect a
thing which is to die as 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 tc
BLOSSOM
ooh! do you think so? 1 don't! Poor
aloe!"
II feel as if il was the 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. Il never car
make her out at all. She is going abroad
for the summer, you know; going next
week.
''Is she? So am L.
''Really! Tell me about it,
And the conversation drifted away from
Helen. None the less her strange, sudden
speech had made disagreeable impress.
sion on Reginald. He would not ask the
name Of the ship in which she was to sail,
from disinclination to have it his own
Nor was Helcn's feelings one Of unmix.
ed joy when. on her third day out, as she
emerged from the companion way under
escort of the stewardess, his face was the
first she saw. Nothing but civilities could
pass, however.
miss Miles! I did not know that We
were fellow passengers. Let me place
your chair here out of the wind"
''Thanks,' said Helen, IN her deep
measured voice, hating herself for being
unable to say anthing more apropos thar
''thanks.''
''You'd best pin your shawl fast, num- .
advised the stewardess. She tucked Hell
ems feet in, put rug behind her back
and having reduced her to the wooden
chrysalis which must be sailors one idea
of fashionable lady, went away.
Shave you been sick! Are you going
abroad for long?" So the conversation
went, never getting an inch beyond the
commonplace. Helen might have shone
more had she not been So busy thinking
of things which were unsayable. 1t is moi
easy affecting interest in weather, when al
the while you are putting inward ques
tlons, uttering secrets past speech. Al
sea, however, no one is blamed for 81
lence Before long they ceased to talk
Reginald held book in his hand, but he
did not read the width and glory of the
tossing horison filled his eyes. AND
soon he forgot Helen, and into his face
came what Rosalie LIE Clerc had once
called his preaching look,' look which
Helen knew we'll.
Rousing suddenly, he caught her eyes
fixed upon him with an intensity that
made him start.
''What is it?'' he asked, involuntarily
81 beg your pardon, I did not speak, y
answered Helen, with fiery blush.
81 beg yours; I must have been hall
asleep" almost as confusedly. He tried
to laugh it off, said something about sea
air and it's effects. but the embarrassment
continued. Soon he walked away. Helen
was abjectly miserable.
How do look? What did he mean?'
So her restless thoughts ran. Matters
were not mended by this little episode
Next day Reginald avoided her, and she
sat cool and unconcerned to all outward