The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-07-27

''Helen," he cried, beneath his breath
-"Helen. are you going to marry Mr.
SterlingP'
IL believe I am,'' she said, drop
ping her eyes.
Theodore never knew exactly how he
found his way out of the house; he was
vaguely aware of brushing against a
stout gentleman in fur-trimmed ulster
as he shot into the street, of a stately
carriage and pair standing at the door,
and a dark -browed lady leaning out to
look after him.
The next day he resigned his position
in the post-office, drew his savings from
the bank and left Washington. 1t were
well. perhaps, if he could put deserts
and seas and mountain ranges between
Helen and himself. II seemed to him
as if the earth had reeled from its orbit,
and il required time for him TO readiust
himself to the situation. His idea was
all that was left to him; he put into it
all his earnings, he devoted heart and
soul to its development, and he finally
forgot himself and Helen Hildreth in
his work and its success.
1t was seven or eight years later that
they met, oddly enough, on the Mount
Vernon boat. Her viYacity was no
longer the spontaneous effervescence of
youth and hope; she was a trife pasSee,
perhaps.
''Wealth and splendor have not proved
all her fancy painted them," he thought
as their eyes met. Mr. Van Week, p"
she cried, ''who would have dreamed Of
meeting you herer' Was the pleasure
which frightened her eyes and deepen
ed her somewhat exaggerated dimples a
reminiscence of her power or was Mrs.
Sterling q married fiirt, he wondered.
I'VE have heard of you often, to be
sure" she purred. ''The newspapers
have not been silent concerning you and
your great invention. I've always felt
an ownership in that invention, do you
know? | felt as if | we're behind the
scenes, let into the secret before the rest
Of the outside world. when it was only u
dream. I've resented every infringe
mentn-
Il am fattered that you remember
my sman affairs said Theodore hum
bly,.
Remember" she repeated with 9
lingering accent, Il have nothing else
10 do"
II come down here sometimes she
pursued after q brief pause, ''when we
have holiday, forthe sake of GuJd lang
Sg1le, and try to believe l am seven
years younger and the world before me
where to choose. / like to come when
the peach trees are in bloom, as they
were that day when we built our castles
in the air. Nine have crumbied into
DUST
Mrs. Sterling, L am sorry to hear you
speak so.''
She stared at him an instant, blushei
and dropped her eyes in the old effective
way. Haven't you heard" she said,
- didn't marry Mr.. Sterling"
Perhaps she expected Theodore to
beam with sudden happiness and re-
hearse the old story she had refused to
hear once before.
you left no address, you know" de-
Tending herself from the reproaches she
anticipated. Mr.. Sterling died before
the wedding day was set. | thought
you would see it in the newspapers. |
am a Treasury girl yet, Theodore. Do
you know that | sometimes wish that |
had never seen ME. Sterling?''
Only the Fates know what Van Week
would have answered, but Just at that
moment bit of crepe HSSc foated into
their neighborhood and voice like a
summer brook cried, ''Oh, my veil,
Theodorew Theodore put out hand
but it eluded him. Helen made a quick
movement and caught it on the wing
Let me introduce YOU to Mrs. Van
Week, Miss Hildreth," he said ''She
would like to thank you.'
-Nary N. Prescott in O1tr CoRtiacnt