The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
business life and the excitement of fash

business life and the excitement Of fash
ionable society, he sought this rural vii
lage tor such retreat; but, as it seemed
rather monotonous, he passed the time
as best he could by little Irritation with
the prettiest girl in the village.
But when the time came for his re-
turn to the city, he found, to his dismay,
that the Irritation had gone a little fur
thcr than he intended, for he found that
Helen loved him; SO, not knowing any
other way to break the affair off, he re-
solved to strike the blow at once by tell
inc Helen he must return immediately
to his home. At first she did rot COM
prehond his meaning when he made his
farewell, which was cold and constrained
but as he talked, the truth slowly
dawned upon her; then all her pride
came 10 her aid, and he, thinking her
calmly spoken good-by was from her
heart, contented himself with the belief
that he was mistaken in thinking this
village maiden loved him,
Meanwhile Horace Beauchamp had
arrived at his home in the busy city, and
the weeping girl at the gate was for
gotten.
x y
Five years passed away, bringing
many changes. Death had visited the
cottage of the Kingsleys, and carried
away the mother, leaving Helen to the
care of an aunt, who was wealthy lady
living in the city. She FASTENED to the
village, and as soon as the funeral was
over, took Helen to her home, and tried
by every means to make the lonely or
phan forget the great less which she had
suffered.
For four years Helen studied hard at
French, music and instructive literature
Painting and dancing were added to the
fashionable accomplishments in which
she tried hard to succeed.
At the age of twenty-one her aunt
introduced her into fashionable society,
in which Helen shone as q star; and al
though a year had passed since that
event, she still reigned as an acknowl-
edged belle. During her first season
she met Horace Beauchamp quite often
They greeted one another as friends, and
for some time past he had become her
attendant to almost all the places of
amusement that she attended. At the
opera or the ball room, he was always at
her side. Her rare beauty, now fnlly
developed, made deep impression on
the thoughtless young man, and ne tried
by every attention TO erase from her
memory TIE recollection of their meet
ing that Summer, five years ago.
she gave him every reason to think
that sne preferred his company to that
OF all other gentlemen who followed in
her train; for beauty always has many
admirers. They were pointed out by
the world as engaged, and Helens
friends congratulated her on the con-
quest, but she only smiled, little bit
torly, perhaps. They knew not that
Helen Kingsley, SO amiable and sweet
tempered, was working out plan of re-
venge to punish the man who had so
cruelty trihed with her. She led him on,
knowing that he truly loved her now,
forgetting all else but this one purpose.
Bat the end was drawing nigh; her task
was almost finished.
September had come again, and the
leaves presented fine collection of
Autumn beauties. Evening shades
were fast gathering over the busy city;
the moon had already begun its course
in the heavens.
Helen Kingsley was standing on the
veranda of her aunt's elegant residence.
She was waiting for some one, and her
restless manner revealed her impotence
at the delay.
Suddenly footstep sounded near her,
and, turning around, she beheld Horace
Becuehamp. With bright smile she
welcomed him, saying
81 expected you before, Mr.. Beau
champ. Your note asked me to he at
home at eight, and now it is nearly
nine.
A slight reproach could be detected
in her tone, and he fastened to apollo
gize.
"a thousand pardons for thus keep
ing you waiting; but | was detained by
an urgent business call. As soon as |
was free, l came Immediately to see you,
as much depends on your answer to a
question that | am about to as :"