The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1880-04-22
THREE TIMES.

@Comc, Helen, dear, 60 with us to
the meadows to come home with
brother John-dow
And Lilly Leslie's voice grew plead
ing as she watched the sober face of the
girl who stood in the door looking down
across the cool green lawn that sloped
away from the house toward the river.
81 wish school was not done. Is this
what makes you so sober to day?"
toned Amy in a whisper, as Lilly stood
looking wistfully toward the meadows.
Before the young governess could
answer Lilly called:
will you come, dear Miss Helen,
and meet brother John? There he is"
Helen Arnold shook her head, and
the two girls ran down to meet the tall,
sturdy young man, who seemed to bring
with him the scent of the hay that lay
freshly cut in the meadows. The beauty
anG bri ghtness of the summer seemed
doubled as he came Zip across the lawn,
listening eagerly to the clear, happy
fOlCtS VI Tue glIlS.
Helen Arnold stood in the front door
way, waiting with a trembling yearn-
ing to unssy the hasty words of yester-
day. but he gave her no opportunity,
passing in at the side door and seeming
not TO notice her.
All day, as Helen Arnold had toiled in
The little schoolroom she had thought
of John Leslie, and wished (oh, how
earnestly y that she had waited before
saying that NO." (which she did not
mean. She began to feel how lonely
life could be even among the pleasant
sights and sounds of the country, and
that her buoyancy' and brightness of
spi;it during the long happy summer
had not been all on account of pleasant
and healthy surroundings. She went
into the house and up to her room to
hide ner face as she brooded over un-
pleasant thoughts. One of life's golden
opportunities had been offered her, and
she had cast it aside, and now it was
gone forever. This was the last day of
her engagement as governess, and she
would soon be at home, and he would
soon forget her. But perhaps he might
give her chance yet to return q differ
ent answer. A blush mantled her pale
cheek, and the blue eyes grew strangely
dark and bright, as she went to the
mirror to arrange the gold brown hair
that fe over her neck in graceful curls.
She smiled rs she saw reflected the
faultless picture, and with a new hope
went l>wn to join the family at the
evening meal
John sat in his accustomed seat, very
quiet as usual. but his eager eye drank
in the exquisite loveliness of the young
girls face ard figure as she came round
10 her place. Perhaps he read in her
downcast. tender eyes, the change that
had come over her, but he gave her no
lntimation OF it, and after supper, when
the children romped about her and
called brother John 70: place a wreath
of wild flowers on her head, he showed
no signs Of embarrassment or emotion,
but talked to her coolly as if she too
hsd been his sister. Helen was little
angry. Isit wonder? for she thought
he had been trifling, and that she could
not bear. A fire blazed up in her deep
blue eyes, and burned brightly on her
soft rheeks. John watched her beau
tiful face and varying color, and eloried
IN his triumph; but, oh, when was glory
not bought too dearly? He leaned over
hon, and touched lightly her soft hand.
Did you not mean yes? I know
you love me. We shall be very happy"
= lmpudent! Do I not know my own
mind? Love you?"
Anger prompted the words, and as
soen as they were uttered she wished
they were unsaid; but John Leslie
could not know it; and if be had, per-
hap5 he would not have forgiven her.
His face grew very pale, and he turned
away without word
Years passed away. and fortune IA
yorcd John Leslie. He became sue
ees> iul merchant, and therefore was a
max for matrimonial speculation; but
still he troubled not his head about
marriage. At last the pleasant, insinu.-
ating mammas, who talked to him SO
swccty and affectionateiy about the