Port Royal standard and commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-05-18

miring eyes off her face all through the
cool bright afternoon, and when, at
eventide, she arrayed herself in the
brown satin, and with crimson shawl
around her stood by my side on the east
ern piazza awaiting the coming of the
stage, could not refrain from clasping
my arms around her, and e1claiming :
"Dear Helen, how beautiful you are I"
She smiled her own sweet, gentle smile,
as she replied:
."I am glad of it, Mary; glad for his
sake"
The sun set-the shadows deepened
and thickened. I remember that the
wind, which had been all day western
zephyr, changed to the east, and blew
up cold, white columns of mist from the
river; and the blue translucent heavens
were clothed in the vestments of purple
gray.
We both went down and leaned on the
gate that opened upon the highway. Not
doubt crossed her mind; she looked
for his coming with the tender faith with
which child waits its mothers good
night kiss. The numbering old coach
came slowly up the hill.
"But he was lost
$50 we all supposed. But it turned
out quite differently. He returned about
twelve months ago. The ship in which
he expected to sail to New York was
captured by piratical craft, and Arthur
Richardson was thrown into Spanish
dungeon, from which he did not make
his scape for ten years; and then he
was taken to Australia by the. captain OF
an immigrant ship. There he labored
necessarily to retrieve his shattered for
tune, writing often to Helen letters full
of love and trust, which, of course, ow-
ing to her change of residence, she
never received. After three years he
found himself rich man, and without
delay he set out for the States. He
visited Milville, to find only his mothers
grave, and to hear the tidings that
Helen had welded a gentleman in the
city, whittier she had gone at the death
of her parents. Heartsick and reck-
less of himself, the wanderer took refuge
in the far West, and engaged in trade.
Coming about year ago to the city to
purchase supply of goods, he met her
in the street. A recognition ensued-
explanations and revelations and a
happy wedding was the result"
But the coachman's CHEEKY "Good
even, girls" fell on ears that heard not,
for as the vacant stage ratified by a cold
trembling seized upon Helen, and it re-
quired all my strength to support her
into the house.
From that hour hope was dead in her
heart. She gave up oil But contrary
to the expectations of every one, just
year from the day she had expected to
be welded, she rallied, and in time she
was once more able to move about the
house.
Two years afterward, Helen, by the
death of her parents, was left alone.
Mrs. Richardson had died some months
previously. There was no tie to bind
Helen to Milville, 80 she disposed of the
old homestead. Arthur Richardson
never came back the vessel in which
he sailed was never heard from after she
left Singapore, and in all probability his
grave was made in the ocean depths.
Though many wealthy and gifted men
bowed before Helen Marchmont, she
remained faithful to her first love. And
every Sabbath, in memory of this lost
love, she wore his parting gift-the
brown satin dress.
Two years ago, while I was visitor
at Mrs. Greene's house, I remembered
the story of Miss Marchmont, and has,
tened to inquire of my hostess concern
ing the beautiful heroine. A smile
lightened up the lady's face as I men.
toned the name.
sMiss Marchmont no longer exists"
she said.
"Dead I" I exclaimed, shocked by
her reply.
"Not dead, but married! and more
thsn that-she is the wife of her first
and only love!"