The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-01
Miss Marchmont's Romance.

Several wears ago Helen Marchmont
and l W, re sGhoUlmates. We were rear
cd amid the brown hills OF Now Hump
shire, fur mp toward tho spires Of the
White mountains.
At sixteen, Helen Was tho belle OF the
village, tho livcliGst at NIL Our merry
makings, md the admired OF both old
md young. Indeed, in my Whole life, ]
hayc seldom seen ono more beautiful
than Helen MarchmoMt, at tho time OF
which Ispeak. Traccs OF her loveliness
yet remain, but 80 marred by years and
sorrow, that few who know her then
would recognize her in the palc, sad
woman OF to day.
Before Helen was seventeen she had
many offers Of marriage from young
men highly esteemed by her friends, but
she encouraged them not; her whole
affections were given to Arthur Richard.
son, the only son OF poor widow who
resided in our vicinity.
Hc loved Helen with his whole soul,
but he could not brook tho idea OF tax.
ing her from q homo Of comfort, il not
OF luxury, to the stern life Of toll and
poverty which lay spread out before
him. Many and iierca were the strug-
giles between love and reason; but his
pride conquered every other feeling, and
il all ended in his espousing the resolu-
tion OF going to sen. A brother OF his
dead father was largely engaged in the
India trade, and this uncle gave him
the suprrcargo's situation on board o
merchant vessel which traded between
New York and Singapore. It was very
hard to leave his widowed mother TO her
loneliness; very hard to part with Helen;
but Richardson had before him tho
prospect Of carving his way to fortune,
and the thought Of what should come
afterward buoyed him up through the
solemn parting. His heart was full,
but he left his native village without q
sigh or tear.
Helen was very grave and quiet for
somo months after his departure, but
soon her natural sunshiny disposition
emerged from the cloud, and again she
was tho lito and pride Of tho village.
Arthur had been absent two years and
one fine September morning, as Helen
and I were picking over the ripe
whortleberries we had gathered on the
mountain the previous day, the yard
gate opened hurriedly, aud in another
moment Helen was in the arms Of her
lover! He had returned for trief
visit OF ton days then he was to 60
away once more, to be absent eighteen
months only, aud then-the happy
blush on Helen's cheek spoke eloquently
Of what would take place.
While he had been away Arthur had
prospered. A little more Of successful
labor, and be wohld give Helen home
OF luxury and crafty her every wish.
The morning OF his departure arrived.
When he came to bid hcr farewell, he
put into hcr hand n package, saying:
"Dear Helen, I want you to wear
this 10 please mo. It is my choice. for
il is Just tho color OF your own bright
hair. And some serene Sabbath day |
shall come home to find my darling in
tho dress brought her from beyond the
sea-" And folding her to his bosom
with many n passionate kiss, Arthur
Richardson went away once more. When
Helen opened tho package she found
amid the folds Of tissue paper piece Of
soft, gGstening brown India satin. She
laid Il away carefully; and although l
often questioned her as to when it was
to make its appearance in our little