New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-28
IN LIFE AND IN DEATH.
APAGE OF FAMILY HISTORY.

through the growing darkness. far-SuetcnnG
silent, and solitary; so large that the
one living figure in it was almost lost and
swallowed up in space; so drealy in its vast
ness, that it was wonderful any living creature
could endure to stay there.
-Four great windows, side by side, looked out
on terrace, where fountain played, and cold
white nymphs stood as if TUNED to stone while
they danced. The terrace was solitary, like
the room that opened on it; only at one of the
windows, leaning against the frame, and keep
ing a steady watch through the glass, was man.
The light was so dim even there that bis figure
was but inst plainly disceraible but 1t could be
seen that he was not Old-nOt perhaps, quite
young, but under middle age-slender, pale,
worn. His profile against the window looked
almost too delicate for a man and his hand
was painfully thin. That was all that could
be seen-even that only now and then when he
held UP his watch TO cltch the light on its face
Suddenly a soft. almost stealthy, foot came
along the gravel. woman wrapped in large
cloak, with the hood drawn over her head, came
on to the terrace; the library window swung
open and she stepped in.
1t is l.ally you Helen, at lengihY
Am Hate? could not come sooner
Not very late-but you come SO seldom now,
suppose am impatient"
She let him take off her cloak, and stood
quite passive while lie looked at her for mo-
ment and then bent down and kissed Ter. She
was IN very simple evening toilette; not
tall woman, bat finely and fully proportOncd;
Old enough and beautiful enough to have suited
q much richer style OF dress than the plain
white she wore; and with kind of steady
calm about her, even while size met her lover
"Close the window, please she said III Ter
composed musical voice; Il want to have
long talk with yOu Philip"
He obeyed gladly. II have scarcely seen
YOU for a week" he answered, And | have
good news tonight
You see me three times every days nct
that enOuch9'
"If you call that seeing. Are there TO be no
more lessons, Helen"
Il am afraid not. dll not make much pro-
gress last Winter. My aunt noticed it,"
His face glOwed. Last Winter No But
it was MOI altogether my fault. How often did
You miss coming 2
Several times, certainly. And Philip, you
know my reason"
"Lord Daintry was here and you were often
occupied
here, and did not wish our secret to be discov-
cred You would certainly have ruined your
sell if | had not been cautious Tor both
"Perbaps you are right. But, Helen, it Is
hard 10 see so little Of you as ! do now"
She was silent fol- a moment She had sat
down in q great carved ann chair that stood !
near the window, AID he standing opposite to
her, leaned against the projecting SIDE OF the |
recess and kept his eyes constantly on her face |
"Listen !" she said, looking up at him with a
faint color Pickering over her calm features /
@DOn't you think that tins constant dsslmula- /
ton has lasted long enough Don't you think /
this bookkeeping ought to be put an end 10 Z /
"Do you consent, then T. he cried eagerly. |
sWill You risk all at las and Let me speak Z
Hush hush You misunderstood"
"FOr three years, he went on quickly we /
have been living lie; better the Truth WITH any .
penalties it may bring than to 90 Oh ike Tins y
Yes, am glad you think So
AMY darling, | began to fear ! cannot tell ,
what. Only tonight, as ! waited, / thought 4
you had tired of me and now you VIII give |
yourself to me openly =
He knelt at her feet-hc took cAe Of her /
hands and covered II with kisses.
"Stay." she answered. Don't deceive yOui-
self. or let me deceive yOu-Mat, at least /
have never done. g..
were trembling, and fore ne herself 10 stand on
the defensive against an accusation. she Eld 4
her other hand over bis two with hln0 OF Ie-
Il mean Iimply," she said, that our engage
mcnt ought to be broken OH
n little as if he had been struck, then giaS)ed
her hand more firmly than before.
You are testing he asked. lie CARED not
assert that it was sO-lleicn FOltescao seldom
irstel but he asked il IN an agony
No" she answered. You are hurting me.
am quite IN earnest"
He got no, TUNED away from her. and wen.
into The darkness OF the room, staggering and
catching at the tables and chairs is he went. (
She sat still by the window, with Che pale light
falling upon her golden hair, While she c9ns.d-
cred what she should say next to HIM.
He went all the length Of the room, ana come
back to his former place opposite heE dcauy
pale, but ready 10 listen.
do not know" she began again, why
have not said this before. have thought II Tor
some lime We were very foolish three years
ago both Of us; but we are not children now
moi boy AID girl, that we should nJt b. able TO
give up our romance My aunt's health Is Civ
me way, and, as you know, her income dies
with her; when she Is dead NY uEee VIII have
fo live less expensiv,Iyhe Will think, first OF
OH of Kidding himself Of useless eLcumbranccs. !
In fact. nv home here, such as il IS is every
day i'm greater danger. / ought to think of the
: Have YOU not thought and | for your
Helen, YOU have been faithful TO me so long,
don't, don't change now. For heaven SAKE DC
patient i'ttie ,-
Yes ONLY that To-Day, this very day, |
have had an APPOINTMENT offered me-"
She raised her head kite with a
opick iuqulring movement. She had loved
I'm once. m ber fashion; perhaps dld q
ali Sse had been USED 10 think that, J
nth his foot Oh the first step OF the
ladder of success. he would certainly reach s
Inc ton. If he had that first step now. she