The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1876-03-02
HELEN GREY.
BY E. R. PARKER.

u =. h.
The mild winter sunsets rays stole
through the partially closed blinds of a
small, but elegant parlor, and lingering
in the crimson curtains, senta faint, rosy
flush through the room, in the center Of
which stood two lovely girls, just enter
ing the rosy realms of womanhood.
One, seemingly the elder of the two,
was bright, sunny-faced brunette, with
soft brown skin, warmed by the richest
hues of crimson that ever flushed cheek
with whole summer of roses, while hel
full, perfectly chiseled lips were of the
richest, brightest scarlet. Her hair and
eyes we're black as the ravens wing
gilded with FURNISHED rays in the morn.
ing light, Beautiful as dream of Para
disc e-gladsome and bright as the sunlit
waters that danced over the pebbled
shores on this resplendent winter morn
ing, was the fair orphan niece of the
wealthy home, whose young heiress stood
at her side-a tall, fragile girl, with
delicate, rose-tinted skin, and large, soul
less blue eyes.
Helen Grey !" spoke the mother Of
the heiress and the mistress of Grey;
Hail." apparently resuming converse
tion, that had been interrupted"
command you once more to answer me
truthfully, as to the nature of your rela-
ton with Gordon StandfordT
Excuse me, madam, / do not compre
hend you," replied Helen.
"To be plain then, is he your lover p
An angry flush mantled the brow Of
the orphan, as she replied
&c Aunt Grey, Mr.. Stamford has been
my friend ever since, as a neglected
child, / first attracted his boyish notice
When the wealthy guests of your daugh,
ter laughed at my appearance, and
sneered at my dependence, he in his no
BILE nature defended and protected me
against their rudeness. During the
years of his stay in Europe we cores
ponded, and now he comes to renew hi!
friendship"
A very prettily told tale, Miss Grey
of course you are unware that GordoI
Stamford is the greatest catch in the
country, and has an estate that rival
Grey's Hall. But permit me to inform
you now, that his uncle has always in
tended that he should marry Nettie, 81
you can renounce your designs upon him
and it is my intention that you shall d.
so at once, as well as refuse all futur,
attention and so-called friendship from
him. VIII you promise to comply will
my desire P
No, madam, will rot trammel my
self with any such promise. Being th,
best judge of my own actions, l d,
not recognize your right to dictate tt
me-"
Mrs. Grey's wrinkled brow grew Grim
son with rage as she exclaimed
Just hear the ungrateful pauper
After all the years we have cared for her
taking her from the lowest depths o
poverty, and giving her the place Of
daughter in our home and hearts. Oh
the baseness of thelow and vile" ant
the lady, quite overcome, actually sobbet
over the picture of human deprayit.
which her vivid imagination had drawn
At length, having recovered her com
posure, the heartless woman added, "
understand your aim, Helen Grey fol
tune hunting is delicate game, and
you, miss, will consider your dependenc
on our bounty for food and raiment, you
entire unsuitability to be the wife of
gentleman. you will soon see that yo
will never be received into the aristocrs
tic family of the Standfords. So, m
young lady, for once your aspiration
have been too lofty"
60 Amt Grox, ax-ar o;,,aa ,>ov,o Iaff N, a
motherless child under your protection
l have borne such taunts. Every day
every hour, have been reminded of m
dependent position, but l have resolve
to submit to it no longer" answere
Helen, in spirited tones, with her gueenl
head raised in naughty defiance.
Never favorite with the cold, worldl
woman, who regarded her husband
beautiful niece as the rival of her ow
daughter, the lonely orphans life ha
never been pleasant or happy one, an
since the return of Gordon Standfol
from his foreign tour, her existence hs
been rendered too miserable to endur
and the brave girl resolved to lea
Grey's Hall, and earn her own live
hood.
"Oh, very well, young lady; no OIL
viii object to your dependent cour;
But when the test comes I fancy you W
very gladly return to the hall in al
capacity. Mamma will admit you
sneered her cousin.
The proud spirited girl deigned no !
ply to the insulting language, but swe
from the room as haughtily as if she W
the heiress, which in truth she was,
though ignorant of the fact.
While an infant, death had depriv
Helen Grey of her mother; her faith,
| William Grey, being called to India up
: important business, had intrusted his
tie girl and her fortune to the care of
brothers wife. Since the period of
departure, nothing has been heard frt
D the brother-in-law, and it soon became