The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-07-20

Ion waste tax, Old fellow, its JUS
this way; l came here, met Helen, found
that she had the substantial just what
need-woed and won her-now what dC
you want me to do? Don't you see thai
she is mytaeF
And YOU intend to deceive a noble
woman, coax her into marriage with q
ruined man, and then dignity your vii
lainy by the high surrounding title o.
fael 1 say the girl ought to be warned.
Then, as they walked away, a white
face peeped from the shrubbery, and q
slight figure arose, and with unsteady
step hastened to her own room, and
locking the door, abandoned herself to
grief
Alone she had to bear the terrible fall
from bliss to misery.
Next morning, giving headache, wo-
mans ever ready excuse, as a reason, she
remained in her room trying to calm
her agitation. and removing the traces
of weeping; for she would not betray her
outraged feelings.
The sound of many voices and copful-
sion in the lower hall disturbed her, and
looking over the banisters, she met the
upturned, white face of Willard May,
apparently DEAD man, being brought
in by strong hands.
She did not shrek, but controlling her
emotion by 4 violent effort, she fastened
toward him, and covering her face with
her hands, inquired: "What has hap
pened?' and when told the story of Il
runaway horse, she understood it all,
and asked the doctor in attendance if
his injuries were fatal.
He replied that they were very serious
that he might possibly live, but would
be Il cripple for life. Then her reso-
luton was taken at once. To Will
ard May, the strong, active man, she
might have given back scornful words,
but she had nothing but kindness in
her heart for the poor, helpless one
lying so pale and still.
She would watch-would nurse him
back 10 ife-anticipate his slightest wish,
and strive to lesson his pain, and so, with
the fidelity of brave woman, enlisting
Aunt MaIy's sympathy and assistance,
she closed her doors against prying gos-
sips, and watched the trembling flicker
of life remaining in the mangled body
of Willard May.
Long weeks slowly passed away be-
fore he was pronounced out of danger,
and when he was able 10 converse, he
looked searchingly into Helen's face and
said, anxiously:
Am l to be cripple for life, dear
Helen?"
She hesitated for moment and then
replied: "Yes, Willard" with her usual
thruthfulness, while the restrained tears
rolled from her eyes.
Don't weep for me, Helen, | am not
worthy of those blessed tears, flowing
from pure sympathy. now see that an
angel has hovered over me in extremity
but to be a cripple is terrible
Il have only performed 4 duty to
suffering fellow-creature," she replied.
Perhaps, had you known all my un-
worthiness, you would have left me 10
my fate?"
Il know your mind and purpose to-
ward me, " she said, gently.
you divine it, then, and yet you have
unselfshly brought me back to life2 for
doctor tells me that | owe it to your
careful, skillful nursing"
Mr. May, do you still love Dottie Hal
wood?
The sick man started. and looked
,"urchingly into her face thea he Siid:
-Sb. Ii d ballet dancer and an cured
OF my folly Will YOU believe Il. Helen:
Bu. answer me, hon came you 20 know
anything about her!
81 overheard your conversation with
Mr. Brewster" she replied, turning her
head aside as she spoke.
@How you must hate me, Helen" he
said, after pause of astonishment; and
you have known my heartless treach-
cry all this time-I can't understand
such devotion"
"Had you been well and strong never
would have seen you again; we should
have been separated forever; but when /
found you lying 50 helpless, and full of
pain, l could not desert the man with
whom 1 once intended TO spend my life" !"
Helen, why did you not let me die,
since have lost alp"
Because / want you to live for my
sake" she replied; "a womanis love is
deep rooted; would you wish me to pluck
it out ofmy eartand throw it aside as
worthless weed?"
He looked at her blushing face-wasi it
possible that the old love remained2
@And do you love me still?" he inquir-
ed.
81 love the poor cripple. not the man
who wooed me for my money"
Helen, will you try and believe that
man is dead, and that Willard May has
already commenced a new life under the
teaching and example of his gurdian
angel."
IF you learn to love me some day, |
will" she said.
And SO, when Mr. Ward returned from
Europe, there was a wedding-and
although the bridegroom hobbled about
upon crutches, the villagers said that the
bride looked lovely, and had money
enough for both, and that she would be
sure to lavish it upon her handsome hus
band; while his friends thought that
Willard May was rather inclined 10 be
@spoony" about his wife.
TERROR NUMBER ONE.