Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-10-03
FAME VERSUS LOVE.

ut cannot be !"
As these words fell from Helen ARM
rong's lips she arose from her seat, AL
Old overturned boat, and moved slowly
toward the water's edge.
For a moment her companion, q man
of perhaps twenty five. hesitated; then
he Joined her, repeating:
1T cannot be, Helen. Surely you are
not in earnest. You love, have you not
said it? and yet you refuse to become
my wife,"
"Edwin, T."
"You did not mean it." hurriedly in
terrupted Edwin Bennett. adding: -
"Come. darling, why should we not be
happy W and he drew her hand within
his arm.
For an instant she let it remain there,
then slowly, but firmly, she loosened
his clasp, as she said:
''Fo- two years you and I have been
friends. In that time did you ever
know me to change after had once de-
cided upon anything?"
mo, but-"a answered her com paniOn,
quickly, while she goes on unheedingly,
saying: g%: , 49, o .... .,..,. :.
my life is to win fame as an artist. Can
I do this as your wife?"
"Why, not, Helen, would not do
anything in the world to help you ?"
came the proud answer, as Edwin Ben.
nett bent his eyes fondly upon the fair
face beside him.
hope to obtain fame. Marriage brings
to women 80 many cares that thare Is
very little left for other work. should
lnf % be M h0 L oh hsA
stantly longing for my old, free life."
my happiness, Helen" answered her
lover, q more hopeful look lighting up
her handsome face.
''Think how for five years." continued
Helen, II have worked with one end in
view. My home, you are aware, has not
been particularly agreeable. Uncle and
aunt are kind in their way and have al
ways let me have my own will about my
painting, providing it did not cost them
anything. AS for love or sympathy,
you have seen how much they have
yielded to me-"
"Seen and felt for you, Helen, God
knows. And now that I would make
your life, if love can do it, one happy
dream, you will not and yet you do not
deny your love for me-"
For a second Helen's eyes rested long
ingly upon the face of the man who
loved her SO dearly; then into their
dusky depths crept an intense, passion
ate longing, as they swept the horizon
and noted the glorious splendor of the
setting sun, while she exclaimed
"Oh, Edwin, If could only reproduce
that sunset just as it is. If 1 only
could"
With an impatient sigh he turned
away.
"Always her art, never me. Perhaps
she Is right after all. It would always
stand between u.s."
She, not noticing, went on with
If 1t would only stay long enough for
me to catch those colors, but no, it is fad.
ing now"
Turning, Helen found that her com,
pan1on had left her side and stood a few
yards away.
edwin" she called.
In an instant he was beside her, every.
thing forgotten but that she was the
woman he loved.
II wanted to tell you how good Mr..
HOvey is. 1t seems that he was &C.
quainted with poor pafa years ago, when
was baby, and therefore feels quite
interested in me. You have heard how
he praises my work, and last night he
proposed"
"Proposed!" exclaimed Edwin Ben
nett, hotly. Why, you don't mean 10
say that old man actually had the au-
dacity to ask you to marry him ?"
"How Ridiculous! How could you
think of such a thing?" answered Hell
en-, ripple Of laughter escaping from
between her pretty teeth, as she contin-
ued (:
mo, he proposed. if I were willing, to
send me to Italy for two years, he, of
course, defraying the greater part of the
He said when 1 became FAM
GUS I could refund him the little amount
If l wished. Was it not generous of him?
just think. two years studying among
the old masters! What could / not do
then? It would be such help to me,