South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-11-03

The fac: that Edward would i'm oil
probability go out, after they had all
left, was the reason why Helen did
not wish to attend the ball. The
first thought Of this had produced all
unpleasant sensation in her mind,
which increased, the longer she do
bated the question OF going away or
remaining ut home. Finally, she de-
cided that she would not 60. This
decision took place after the interview
with her mother, which was only half
an hour from the time of starting.
Edward knew nothing OF the inten-
ton OF his sister. lie was In his own
room dressing to go out. and supposed
when he heard the carriage drive from
the door that tlelen had gone with the
other members of the family. GA do.
scendlng to the parlor he was surprised
10 tnd her sitting by The centre table
with a book in her haud.
Helen! Is this your ] thought you
had gone 10 tue ball. Arg you not
well?' he said quickly ami with come
surprise, coming up TO her side.
4 am very well, brother she replied
looking into his ficdlwith smile OF
slsterly regard. But I've concluded TO
stay at home tais evening. I'm going
10 keep you company
Are you. inject Right glad am I
OF i.l though am sorry you have de-
prived yourself of the pleasure OF this
ball, which | he!Ievs is TO be very
brilliant one. was just going cut be-
cause 1t is SD dull ut nome when you
are all away
i am MT particularly DESTROYS of
going TO the bail. so little 80, tina, the
thought OF your being left here oil a..
lone la sufficient influence over me to
keep me away
Indeed Well must say YOU are
kind. Edward returned with feeling
The self sacrificing act Of his sister had
touched him sensibly.
10Th Helen and her brother PLAYED
we'll. She upon the harp and piano,
and he upon the fiite and violin. Both
we're fond of music, and practiced and
played together. Part Of rho evening
WAS spout in t.iis way, much to tbe sat.
isfaction OF each. Then an hour pass
ed III reading and conversation. after
WHICH music was again resorted to-.
Thus lapssd LIE time pleasantly until
The hon: for retiring came, when they
separated. both with feeling Of pleas.
ure moi delig htful than they had expert
enced for u ing time IL was nearly
three o'clock before Mr.. and Mrs. Lind.
ley and the daughter who had accom-
panied Them 10 the ball camo home
Hours before, the senses Of both Ed
ward and Helen had been locked in for.
gettulncss.
Time passed on. Edward Lindley
grew up an became {. man of SCUM |
p"inciples--a blessing to bis family and
society. lie saw his sisters we'll MAJ
ried; and himself finally. led to the al
Tar lovely maiden. She made him q
truly happy husband. On the night OF
his wedding, as he sat beside Helen he
paused for some time in the midst OF
u pleasant conversation, thought fully
AT last lie said:
Do you remember. sister. The night
sou staid home from the ball to keen
me companya'
That was many years ago. Yc,, |
remember it very well, now that yo "a
have recalled it TO my mind
i have often since Thought. Helen,
he said, with serious air, that 10y tho
simple act OF .hus remaining al home
for my sake, YOU were the means OF
saving me from destruction
How SOP asked the sister.
vas Jlst tc5iHin,, 10 form an in-
innate association with young men OF
my own age. nearly oil of whom have
since turned out badly dill not care
great deal about their company still.
| liked society and used to be with
them frequenily-especially when you
and Mary went out in the evening. On
the night Of the bal to which yon were
going, these young men had supper.
and was TO have been with them. I
did not wish particularly to ioin their.
but preferred doing so 10 REMAINING at
home alone. To find you, as did so
unexpectedly, in tao par!or, was an a.
greeable surprise inieeI. stsid nj
home with new pleasure, which was
heightened by the thought hat il was
your love for me That had made you
deny yourself for my qualification. We
cad together on that evening. We play
ed together. we talk Il of many things.
In your mind | hal never before seen
so much TO inspire my own with biob
and pure thoughts. / remembered the
conversation Of the JoOng men with
whom bad b0cn assOciating and in
which | had taken pleasure, with
something like disgust. 1t was low
sensual and too much Of IL vile and de /.
moralzing. Never from that boor
did | join them. Their way. even in
the early stage Of lies journey. saw
TO be dJwnwaId. anJ dosnward il has
ever since been tending. How often
since have | thought Of that point in
time, so fu'l.frapght with good and evil
Influences. Those few hours spent with
you seeInsd TO take the scale. frcm nv
eyes. J saw ith new vision. thought
and felt differently. Had YOU gone 10
the BALL aud 70 meet those young men.
no one can tell what might not have
been the consequences. SENSUAL inhuI.
-. 49,. a