The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-23

DOQy WOulQ KNOW DuJ JnaC ner TWO sides
were cast in the same mold" So that
the professor seemed very well pleased
with Miss Van Coot, and feared more
and more for my poor Helen's happiness.
AS the days went by, there seemed al
most spell upon her, and would only
have been too glad to have her make fun
in her old way of some of the people
about US, or hear her laugh, no matter
how mockingly. The professor began
vaguely to feel that she was changed,
and watched her at times with a fretful
curiosity, and again with touching ten
derness. She began to be to him like a
well-behaved child; she bore his sneers
and revilings so meekly; she played to
his order and sang for him without COM
plant the classical music which she pro-
fessed to abominate; nor did she finish by
galloping off in some extravaganza of
her own. The professor became more
and more uneasy and perplexed. He
ceased to talk of Miss Van Coot He
tramped to and fro the length Of the
rooms, muttering to himself, sometimes
turning impatiently upon his heel and
walking out of the house. .-... ..
One night they sat together, Helen and
the professor, in my pleasant parlor.
The full moon was climbing up into the
sky; few timid stars were family grow
ing there; the air had already the deli
cious languor of early summer; and Helen
was beautiful.
| was putting away china in the mid
die closet, when the professors fierce
whisper reached me. His voice would
only modify to a sort of muftied thunder
or a piercing hiss.
"There is a mystery in your life, " he
said; " there is something weighing upon
your heart Tell me, then, what it is.
must i will know, ......... .......
To my surprise and alarm, heard a
stifled sob, soft footstep, and in a mo-
ment Helen ran out to me.
"Tell him to go away" she said, putting
her arms about me, and hiding her head
upon my shoulder. 81 cannot stand it
any longer; tell him to go away"
She sobbed aloud but held her head
steadfastly down upon my shoulder,
while her hands repulsed the professor,
who endeavored to approach her. Seold-
ing and soothing by turns, the poor pro-
fessor was beside himself
Leave her for tonight" l said at last
to him. "She will be better in the morn
ing" I'D. ..... .
He endeavored once more to take her
hand, was again repulsed, and picking
up his hat, flinging his coat over his
arm, he rushed down the stairs two at a
time, and out of the house like a mad
man.
| got Helen to bed, and when I was
about to leave her she pulled me down
to her and kissed me-
You are a true lady, Susie" she said
the truest l ever saw. You have no
cruel curiosity. You mind your own
business, dear, which is the very sublim-
est quality human creature can possess.
What was my surprise in the morning
to find Helen come out TO breakfast with
her bonnet on, wearing neat travelling
dress, and having the air of one who was
about to start upon journey!
Don't be startled, SUSIE" she said;
81 am going to the South. l am very
unhappy, and 1 can stay here no longer;
my trunk is already packed. You will
find upon the card which will give you
my address in New Orleans You have
earned the right to my confidence, dear,
and you shall haveit Twill write to you"
How could | help being startled? l
couldn't eat morsel, but sat devouring
with my eyes that sweet sad face which
was to vanish so soon from me, perhaps
forever. 'l
True to the last, Susie" she said, get
ting up from the table and straining me to
her heart. Not word do you say, not
question do you ask. What a treasure
of woman you are! l verify believe
there is not such another on the face of
the earth" l u nn M-.
Then she kissed me once more, put the
card into my hand, and, the carriage be-
ing at the door, her trunk was bumped
down the stairs, and she and it whirled
away in the twinkling of an eye. ...
| sat there stunned and stupefed /
don't know how long, till heard the
professors footsteps in the corridor.
Even then l did not move, but called out
to him to come when he raped upon the
door. ..........
81 could not sleep" he began; 81 have
tossed and tumbled all the night through.
| came early that might fndh Where
is she?" sig .H.5...... ...
She is gone, " said. ..,..,.s..-..s....
"Gone" he Numbered. "To the In
stitute?"
"To the South-to New Orleans. 1t
is all your fault" cried " You have
broken her heart. She said she was so
unhappy she could stay here no longer.
She has gone; you will see her no more
You have lost her as we'll as L." srr-
" Du lieOer Gottn' cried the professor
and sank painting into a chair.
Eyes" I said, at is your cruelty that
has driven her away She loved you"
did she say so?" said the professor,
extending his hand to me piteously.
"Of course she didn't. How could
she? You never gave her chance. You
were amusing yourself with Miss Van
Coot You did not care"
. :" Care" roared the professor, do not
dare to say that! dad care. But there
was amystery that perplexed and troubled
me. Why did she never speak of her
family and friends? Why did she never
tell of her early ,life' of the days which
were past?"
Because there was no necessity. 1t
was nobody's business bat her own"
Bahl' cried the professor; " it was
1t was your business and mine.