The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-18
Helen Churchill H'sLover.


left, out Of the many life had once of
fered, and he was going home"
"And what was the hope, if j make 80
bold as to askf Perhaps he knew his
mother had never believedsthe evil, and
was waiting for himT
''Maybe ;2but he did not speak Of her,
perhaps because he was sure of her. He
told me that the last night before. he left
England-you know-?-the farmer.
moulded - "that he had an interview.
with"
'apssYes, yes" interrupted Mr.. Sisted
sagely; 1--WE heard all about it, though lit
was kept so dark. 1t was Miss Helen,
bless you, the little yellow.haired Miss
Churchill. Sixteen years ago nearly. so
mo harmin speaking of it now--and all
30 changed since! Well, she saw him to
say goodbye" !,
eyes, SO this man told me; and that
they parted, she saying that, let, heripeo7
pie say or do what they might, ,;she
would await hisreturn in perfect trust
and patience"
ga pity he did not give his, love to the
ather sister" remarked Mr.. .Stisted if all
stories are to be believed"
"WhvT
because she.wasin love with him d.
ways; and plain though she was, Miss
Jane was a good, true woman, and has
never lifted her head tor ilooked,at an
other manisince those sad days."
'gs,that really true?"
'"No call tomisdoubt it, sir; any one in
the village will tell you the same story;
and as I said before, twas pity, seeing
as everything has worked round right,
lthat,it was not on Miss Janesashei iset!his
affections; for being 80 plain, AS you
might say, mayhap,there would nothave
been such great objection to his having
her."
The stranger made no reply, appar-
emily being lost in thought over Farmer
Stisted's last words. Andlhe continued
"He would not.have been suen bad
match IN those DAYS, for her, at least,
for he was fine gallant7looking young
chap, with pleasant word for every
one"
"You remember, him?'
~ "'Yes, we'll. Irnever,thought very Ill
.sof him myself. A hasty word, BLOW
these come over-quickly when the .bloed
:. is young"
"Do you think L am like thimY' The
speaker drew himself up, and stood lock-
ing with something almost like anxiety
into Farmer Stisted's red, ,comely face
"When knew him." he added, 1--WE usec
to be often thought to resemble one an
other"
clean notseei it-myself, sir, said Mr.
Sisted slowly; shut then, sir, begging
your pardon, it is not so easy toydraM
comparisons between the young and the
old" a... .
The man addressed unfolded his arms
and leant once more against the stile
yheaving a quick imratientsigh as he die
30. 1T is fortunate, is it not, Mr.
6tisted, thatheart donot alter asquickly
rs faces dor? .......
"Nay, sir. | can not'see as you're right
there. Hearts grow older along with
the faces they belong to, else husband
and wives would not get along as'well a
they do. Asrwe grow older ourselves WI
do not miss the youth in the face oppo
site; leastways, I don't in Maggie's," saie
the farmer simply.
"Perhaps that is because you see tn
youth still there; you remember it, vol
arsee. But if you had grown old far apar
it would perhaps have been different"
"Maybe," replied Mr.. Stisted doubt
fully, apparently little out of hi
depths. 'tBut come, it is time Iva
back at the farm. Perhaps you woul(
like bit Of breakfast with us, sir
There'll be but little doing in he'villag'
yet awhile, and my wife will be glad t.
see you." ~oq ~
The stranger accepted the proferet
hospitality, and he and the farmer turned
away together.
Maggie proved quite as hospitable q
her husband had predicted, amt
when breakfast had been partaken Of
eand Mr.. Sisted had gone ont tothi
work, the stranger found himself linger
ling onstill, talking tosweet, placidlfacet
Margaret Stisted.
He had half "a mind to ask her ,abou
this village tragedy that was occupying
his mind this morning ;ibnt "better not,
he decided, "better 'wait'now." And h
had waited soilong, that little ,longel
could not make much difference.
So he just dawdled on about the farm
and the pleasant farm garden lont
enough for the days work to be well il
hand, and then he wished his hostes
"GsOd-bye," and with quick, .impatien
steps todkthis wayitolthe village.
Once there, he walked straight to tn
footpath across the meadows that led VI
from Bythorpe Village to Bythorp
Manor, but at the entrance gate HI
paused, and gazed with tender eyesia
the little house on the opposite side o
theroad, that exactly faced him-th
tlittle 'creeper-covered cottage where'th
doctors widow lived.
a He even made one.half-step towards II
but "No,," he murmured, 'she come
first. We will go there together" Blu
still heelingered, asiff longing to .pierc
the mystery of those drawn blinds ant
even as he thus paused, there was tn
z a - E<ot op1 %lrnra .o,,,aal :,