The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-21
TRI-W.EEKLY EDITION

as in the hour in which he learned that she
was lost to him.
Some wild wish to return to his allc-
glance, some instructive conviction that his
love for her was real love, and that his heart
would crave for her through all the time to
come, urged him to seek her and implorc
her pardon. But then Gracc--swcct, ten
der, childish Grace---who had shown him
30 plainly that she loved him, too, and who
had not Helen's strength of mind or soul,
could he abandon Grace2 He hcsitated,
and the chance was lost, for Helen left
next morning.
IL was all for the best, he told himself
lielen would not break her heart for him
ike an ordinary woman; she had resources
She was writer of considerable promise
earnest and ambitious in her pursuit of
literary excellence and farle; doubtless she
would be easily consoled. With something
OF pique and regret mingling in his cxulta-
ton, he renewed his pursuit of Grace
l1e resolved to know his fate at once. So
the next day he hastcncd his footsteps to
the house.
He sent up his card 10 Miss Burrows
rooms, and waited for a summons to follow
it. 10 his surprise, Mrs. Warren came
down to him instead.
"Gace begs to be excused today" she
said, very gravcly. "She has company,
Rupert Walton-you have heard of him
the ilway millionaire. Grace has been
engaged to him for six months past, and
will marry him III the autumn"
"And for this coqucttc I have lost
Hclen2"
Yes, said Mrs. Warren coldiy, "you
! have lost Helen. Heaven gave you pre-
cious pearl, and you flung it away for a
stone. loved Helen l can offer you no
sympathy, MIR. Leton. You have merited
your punishment.
And, bowing coldly, she left him.
And Helen Dene-what of herr
Hclcn's work in the world saved her.
Sho had young brother dependent upon
her cxcrtions-had no time to sink down
beneath great despair. But all the same,
the sweetness had gone from Iife-the mo-
tive had been stolen from her labor.
Still she toiled on, though no longer
hopefully. And 80 three years passed on.
!he boy OF eighteen, over whose life she
had watched with almost moih RS care,
was twenty one now, and had chosen his
career, that of al artist
lie had much talent, especially for por-
trait painting, and his eXultation knew no
bounds when he got portrait of his sister
placed Oh view at the Academy.
They went to the Academy one night at
an hour when they could avoid the crowd.
Right in front of Ralph's picture, and ap-
parcntly oblivious of all beside, sat gen
tleman who gazcd Oh it with a troubled
face and earnest, mournful eyes,
"Reminds him of somebody he knows,
suppose" whispered Ralph to Helen.
The stranger rose as Ralph approached,
and seemed about to turn away Then,
changing his mind. he said, in an agitated
voice
GA charming face, sir I haven't cata-
logue. wish I knew the Iadys namu.'.
81 can tell you," said Ralph. "Miss
| Helen Dene, sir.
An exclamation from the stranger startled
him.
"I was sure of it Oh, Helen, Helen
Helen Dene still 2 Not married."
Ralph glanced at his sister, and her evil
dent agitation bewlldercd him. The gen.
tleman addressed him again.
| ''Pardon me, sir-I surprise you, know;
but the sight of that face! Young man,
loved her years ago-have never ceased to
love her! | have sought for her every
where in vain. Help me to find her, and
my dcathless gratitude shall be yoursl"
Before Ralph could reply, there was
little sound behind thom, the sound of a
stifled cry-.-a fall
The stranger darted forward.
"Hclen !" lie cried cit is Helen her.
self !" He lifted her in his arms before
Ralph could interfere. "Helen, my dar-
ling, have I found you at last 2"
She opened her great dark eyes and fixed
them on her lovers. She read his peni-
tence, his pain, and nestled to his bosom
with sob of joy.
"Forgivc me !" he whispered tenderly.
Soft and thrilling came the gentle answer.
81 had forgiven you long agol"
"And' Miss Burrows2" asked Ralph,
when the story had been told him, and they
sat together discussing their new happiness.
"Pray, what became of herr"
The old wound, almost healed now,
thrilled family in Hclen's heart, and even
Lcton's smile was somewhat grave.
"She is wealthy widow" he answered,
"and gave me some flattering marks of
favor only few days ago. AS great CO.
quctte as over, [ suspect, but let us not
speak of her. TO her owe the suffering
OF the last three years-to her and to my
own weakness. / am wiser now. I know
my own heart at last. Long ago I found
out who was my true love. Yes, Helen,
before you had gone from my sight
mourned the madness that had lost you
But have found you again, to part no
more, beloved"
"No more till death she whispered.
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