The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1876-10-06
VOL. II.

'AAAtN-A CAN'CNS 1%1tA@
f it is, the woman who might have saved |
NE will have been my ruin. was on the I
downward course when knew you first. |.
For your sake | tried to redeem myself
That is past, and there is a Lethe for those
who seek it. It is the fate | fixed for my
self years ago, so you need have no self
reproach when the dark waters close over
my head. If you give me- up, Helen, give
up every hope life holds for other men,
There was recklessness both in his tone
and look quite in accordance with his words,
> vivid recklessness which struck chill
through her. He had been we'll advanced
on the road to ruin when she knew him
first; he drank, he gambled, the impress
Of fast life had stamped itself il haggard
traces on that almost perfect face of his,
and through her influence he had reform
ed. Could she deliberately send him back
into that gulf Of despair =? There had been
plenty to say that Mr.. Fargrave played his
cards exceedingly well, that the scapegrace
Of halt-dozen years standing and score
Of fdisreputable cscapades had engaged IN
g bold game, and with chance to win. All
this from side currents which Miss Derwent
did not heed, and yet she could not wholly
approve the man. And there was another
consideration, she was herselfin a measure
committed to Ross Terry. Not irrevoca-
bly,, not in the way of a promise at all no
more committed in point of fact than to
Allan Eargrave himself. He had asked
her to marry him, and liking him very
much-more even than she admitted to
hersel-she had taken time to consider,
and come to this country place into daily,
almost hourly sight Of Vargrave's hand
some face. If he had been but one shade
less perilously handsome his rivalry might
have been as nothing; but it is not IN fc-
ton only that classical features and speak
ing eyes and loves of moustaches, backed
by the spice Of wickedness which gives its
possessor kind ofenviable notoriety, will
outweigh honor and principle and trusty
worth. She had been beauty worshiper
all her life too, in that fact lay all Var
graves strength, all her own weakness.
"If / lose you, ! lose everything which
makes life worth the living. You cannot
be so hard, SO cruel. You cannot turn
against me, you who hold my future in
your hand-you shall not! Listen to me-,
Helen I"
lie took both her hands in his, he look
ed down into her eyes with that reckless
ness of despair, she thought it, in his
face.
MY letter was from that evil genius Of
my life-Littell, asking me TO join him
again at Portsmouth. You know what it
means if go, and l surely shall if you re-
ject me. My love, my darling, my more
than life, forgive me for the cowardice Of
urging tnat upon you, but-save me ! Your
love can do it, nothing else will
She was white to her lips. she believed
him, every word, how could she do other
wise with him there beside her, his eyes
looking into hers. A sense ofhis own ri
umph thrilled through him before she nad
spoken one word.
'sWhat can say, Allan? what can I
do? | doubt myself, and yes! mustsay
it, | doubt you. Not now, not whea you
are beside ne looking at me like this. Do
you know what people say? that you care
for me only for what | could bring YOU
Tell me the truth--only the truth as you
hope for Heavens mercy. Is it for myself
alone 81 for that"
"For yourself alone, Helen, as ! hope
for Heavens mercy Mr.. Fargrave sci
dom had qualm in making like solemn
assertions, but this one did impress him
with an uncomfortable sense Of having in
vited Heavens wrath upon his head ang
answer now, dearest. Was it yes2"
It was "Yes," spoken with her pale face
upon his shoulder, his glowing triumphant
face bent above her dropping, perfumed
hair.
"You have made me The happiest man
upon earth" J" be said, laughingly, few
moments afterwards, when their language
of expression had come to be words again.
You are not going already?"
"Going. Ihave been here for ages, al
most but surely it can't be sunset? 2"
s:Surely not, and yet not far from it. 4
cloud has come up while we were too alb
sorbed to observe, it would appear. Il
promises the very dickens Of thunder
storm, if know anything Of signs. Come
good, Or come evil, you won't regret,
Helen 2"
"cone good, or come evil. ! went re
gret, Allan"
She gave theansWer readily, butshe was
pale still; even in those supreme moments
she was not satisfied with herself. He look
I'd after the graceful, slender form when
she had left him, very comDlacent, slight