Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-08-24
FAME VERSUS LOVE

ut cannot beP'
As these words fell from Helen Arm
strong's lips she arose from her seat, an
old overturned boat, and moved slowly
toward the waters edge.
For moment her companion, q man
Of perhaps twenty-five. hesitated: then
he joined her, repeating:
"It cannot be, Helen7 Surely you
are not in earnest. You love me, have
you not said it ? and yet you refuse to
become my wifei"
edwin, L"
"You did not mean It." quickly in
terrupted Edwin Bennett, adding t:
"Come, darling, why should net We be
happyP" And he drew her hand
within his arm.
For an instant she let it rest there,
then slowly but firmly she loosened
his clasp, as she said:
"For two years you and I have been
friends. In that time did you ever
know me to change after I had once
decided upon anythiugT
mo, but" answered her companion
quickly, while she, unheeding. goes on
with:
"You know the one great desire of
my life is to win fame rs an artist.
Gould do this as your wife7"
"Why not, Helena Would I not do
anything in the world to help your
came the proud answer, as Edwin Ben
nett bent his eyes fondly upon the fair
face beside him.
"No, Edwin; as wife could never
hope to obtain fame. Marriage brings
TO women 80 many cares that there is
very little time left over for other work.
7 should not make you happy.
should be constantly longing for my
old, free life."
If that is all am not afraid to risk
my happiness, Helen," answered her
lover, a more hopeful look Lighting up
his handsome face.
"Think how for five years, continued
Helen. ct have worked with the one
end in view. My home, you are aware,
has not been particularly agreeable.
Uncle and aunt are kind in their way,
and have always let me have my own
will about 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 will make
your life, If love can do 1t, one happy
dream, you will not; and yet you do
not deny your love for me-"
For second Helen's eyes rested
longingly upon the face Of the man
who loved her SO dearly; then into
their dusky depths crept an intense,
passionate longing, as they swept the
horizon and noted the glorious splendor
of the setting sun, while she ex-
claimed:
"Oh, EdwinI II I could only repro
duce that sunset just as il is II I only
couldIS
With an impatient sigh he turned
away.
"Always her art, never me; perhaps
she is right after all. Il would always
stand between u.s."
She, not noticing, went on with
eff it would only stay long enough
for me to catch those coiors, but no, it
Is fading now"
Turning, Helen found that her COM
panion had left her side, and stood q
few yards away.
edwin" she callei.
In an instant he was beside her.
everything forgotten except that she
was the woman he loved.
st wanted to tell you how good Mr..
Hovey is. II seems he was acquainted
with poor papa years ago. when l was 3
baby, and therefore feels quite inter-
ested in me. You have heard how he
praises my work, and last night he
proposed"
Proposed |" exclaimed Edwin Ben
nett, botly. "Why. you don't mean to
say that old man actually had the su-
dacity to ask you TO marry himT
How riIiculousi How could you
think of such . thingT answered
Helen, ripple Of laughter escaping