Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-07-25

or he had been C rich mans son, with
lculture and education equal TO her
lown, then! But always the If in the
way came up to stare him in the face,
and so he crushed back the words he
had almost said 50 many times, and
Helen Hunt had never discovered the
secret, he felt sure.
He could not help feeling thrill of
keen pleasure at knowing she was
looming back, but, at the same time, he
was sorry. 1t would only make it
Iharder for him after she was gone. He
knew that her voice would hold the
lold dangerously-sweet fascination in
it, and her eyes would only make him
feel more keenly what he lOnged TO
lclaim for his own, but what was out OF
reach. But-and something of that
recklesSness which comes to all OF US
at times came to him-she was com-
ling, and he could not help that, and
he would let the futvre decide its own
affairs. He would drift, and dream
leven if, the waking up at the end Of it
was bitter with loss and lifetime's
regret.
The next week brought Helen Hunt.
Robert drove down to the depot after
her. She was standing on the plat
form with her face turned another
way when he drove up. But it did
not need the sight of her face to tell
him she was there. He would have
known that tall and graceful figure
anywhere.
Il am glad to see you back he said,
coming up beside her. His voice was
not quite steady. He had tried to
make himself appear cool and self-con-
trOlled, but the presence of the woman
he loved unnamed him little.
'Robertp she cried, turning quickly
at the sound of his voice, with a glad,
eager light flashing up into her beauti-
full eyes. How they thrilled him! She
held out her hand aud there ives no
mistaking the genuinene5s of her well
come. 1t spoke In her words and
made itself felt In her face.
Il hardly expected to see you back
here,' he said, feeling that she would
expect him to say something, and
and knowing norhing else to say. Just
then words failed to come readily at
his command.
Il have been looking forward to this
for months she said. Il was so hap
py here that have been longing to
come back ever since 1 went away. /
hope this summer will be as pleasant
as that one was.
Il hope it will, for your sake he
said, and his face had grave, panied
look in it which her keen eyes detect
ed at once.
what is the matter with you, Rob-
ert?' she said, putting her hand on his
arm. You look as if something trou
bled you. My coming has nothing to
do with it, has it?'
How should 1 have?' he said, with
little forced laugh. Il haven't felt
quite we'll for few day, that's all.
But I'll come around all right, by anr
by. Don't say anything to mothes
about it-she doesn't know, and there
no use in her worrying over me. She
couldn't help me if she knew
is it serious, Robert?' Her eyes
were grave now, as they rested ques-
tiOnlngly on his face.
Don't ask me to tell you anything
more about it, he said turning abrupt
ly away. Men have lived through II
before now, and SHALL he added,
with another laugh. Don't bother
your head about me, Helen, but en-
joy yourself as best you can.'
1t was pleasant ride home, in spite
of the thoughts which would keep
coming into Robert Braith's mind.
She was by his side, and he loved her!
The old summer seemed to come
back again, with its, light which new
er was on land or sea- to Robert. The
dream of his heart was just as sweet as
it had been In the vanished days. Shei
had not changed at all since then, but
was the same winning woman whOI
had won his heart away, and would
keep it forever.
The days passed like charmed ones;
with rows upon the river, ,and long, de
| ligntful walks at sunset time; with
songs in the brief, delicious evenings,
and quiet talks about books and the
men and women who wrote them.
Robert was not her inferior In the cul
ture which comes from reading good
books; because he was h farmer was no
reason with him why he should be ig-
norant and uncultivated. He had
studied, and formed wide acquaintan
ces with earnest, thoughtful men
through the books they had written
himself to a much higher level than
most of the young men Helen Hunt
met in her own circle of society att
home. But, because he lacked their
self. esteem and conceit, Robert al
WAYS thought of himself as lacking
something in mind and manner, which
those she came in contact with in her
own sphere of life ought to have, and
did have, for all he knew. Perhaps
he was right in thinking that they
ought to have it. But she could have
told him that they did not always.
One day Jerome Alstyne came out
from the city. Robert had heard that
he was lover of Helen's, and he was
Isure of it when he saw the mans face
AT their meeting. But Helen's showed
no such sudden gladness as ought to
express itself in the face of woman
when she meets the man she loves land
Robert felt satisfied that she did not
care for Alstyne as he did for her, and
the thought brought sense of eXulta-
tiOn to him.
Alstyne did not stay long. When
he went away he carried face which
had look of defeat in 1t. He had
striven to win the woman he loved
and failed. From the bottom of his
heart Robert pitied him. He had not
liked the man before, but when
he drove down to the station with him,
and saw how deeply he felt the loss OF
what he had hoped to win, feeling OF
kindness came over him. Must they
not both bear, henceforth, sorrow
which came of loving one neither
might posse IS?
In some strange way Alstyne under
stood what Braith was thinking Of
He turned to him suddenly.
'Braith, you are sorry for me-you
pity me- he said. thank you for it.
You understand what there is to pity
me for. You can we'll afford to pity