Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-01-14

picnic, and Fannie declared she had
never enjoyed herself better.
"Speakiug of the picnic, she said,
"and remembering who was the hero
of that occasion, reminds me of some
thing. Have you heard the news?'
IL have heard no news" Helen an
swered, with a strange chill at her
heart.
"You quite surprise me; but then
you live SO far away from every body, it
is no great wonder, after all. Yester-
day morning papa received letter
from one of his correspondents mer-
chant Of Philadelphia stating that a
young man, who had formerly been his
clerk, robbed the firm of large sum of
money, was detected. had his trial, and
was sentenced to States prison for
three years. He served ont his time,
and returned again to Philadelphia.
His uncle had died, meanwhile, with
ont q will, and, being unmarried, his
property fell to the clerk. He could
not hold up his head among respectable
people there, so he converted his prop.
erty into money, and, it was ascertained
left the city for this place. OF course
the clerk is Henry Wardner, and the
discovery has caused quite commotion
in our little village
Helen steadied her voice enough 10
say, Perhaps it was a mistake but
her face, 80 deathly pale, betrayed her
anguish.
been a mistake Fannie replied;
"there might have been some other
Henry Wsrdner; but the merchant de-
scribed him exactly, so there could be
no error. suppose he is regular
Jail bird. I shall never again put any
faith in appearance; / certainly thought
him gentleman, when all the time he
was wolf in Disguise"
Helen's head seemed to whirl. How
could she sit still and listen to words
that were to her like so many dagger
thrusts -? She fancied that she could
detect slight tone of triumph in Fan
MES voice, and she determined that
though it cost her ever so great an effort
she would not betray her true feelings.
81 suppose it must be true, appear
ances are 80 very much against
him."
After a few moments, Fannie rose to
go. As she hurried along the road
leading to the village, she muttered,
with a triumphant smile upon her
lips
"Iknow she suffers, if she does take
it so quietly. Her pale face betrayed
that. I was afraid at one time that she
was going to faint. I little thought
that fortune was going to favor me
when I promised myself to have re-
vepge." ...
For some time after Helen's visitor
had,departed she sat with her head bent
low in her hands, and the question,
could the terrible thing be true? re.
volving itself in her mind. In mo-
ment of temptation he might have
yielded, she tried to reason with her
self; but her heart would not listen to
any such thought against her beloved.
She had risen. and was walking the
floor in her agitation, when the door
opened, and her father entered.
Helen" he said sternly, "are all
these tears for that worthless scamp,
Henry Wardner? I have heard the
disgraceful story, and blush with sham o
when l remember that your name has
been coupled with his. Has there been
any engagement existing betwee n
you ?"
No, sir" Helen faltered, her tear
full eyes downcast.
Then command you never to
speak with him again. Disobey me,
and you are hencrfOrth M daughter of
mine" And Mr.. Arden left the room
as abruptly as he had entered.
The twilight shadows fell, and Helen,
contrary to her fathers command,
glided forth to meet her lover-for the
last time, she told herself.
Henry Wardner was already at the
place of meeting, and when he caught
sight of Helen's pale face, and eyes
swollen with weeping, he groaned
aloud.
sob, Helen. Helen! I am too late!
You have already heard the story I had
to tell, from other lips than mine. Do
you believe this of me, Helen ?"
:" No, no, Henry; I cannot, wM not
believe it! I think if it were true it
would kill me-"
Thank you, darling, for your faith
in me; I am not guilty of the charge of
robbing my employers. but the story
that have served three years in pris-
on, alas! is only too true. Circum.
cuEstances were against me. I had
thought to tell you of this myself, but
put it off too long. It must be farewell
now, darling. I did wrong even to tell
you of my love. I do not ask you to
wait for me, I have so little hope of
ever proving nay innocence. And,
strong man though he was, he bowed
his head upon his hands, and his frame
shook with emotion.
A moment later, he felt a soft hand
resting upon his head, and a gentle
voice wispered,-
Although you do not ask it, Henry
yet I will ever be true to you."
My darling! Heaven: knows now
willingly I would take this promise
with nae; but I cannot be so selfish as
to ask this sacrifice of you. If ever my
innocence is made plain will return
and, if you are still free, will claim
you for my bride. Farewell, darling
1 shall never look upon your dear face
again until I can come to you with my
name free from all suspicion"
Good Inv Hanrv - oba faltoxoa