The Press., 1883-06-14

| | the near future to call you by dearer name than friend? Tell me, Helen, will you be my wife,"
 Helen gazed at him moment ill bewil- derment. She was far from strong, and this was so unexpected. But, collecting her self with an effort, she managed to articu- late:
 'I am afraid you do not know-you would not wish.' B
 s'Only say that you love me, Helen. That is all wish to know, pleaded Lionel
 "But," said Helen, 1T cannot take such an advantage of you. When you hear of the misfortune which we have suffered you may wish to retract your offer.
 "My dear Helen do you think so mean ly of me as that? My father, MT. Nobles, has given me all the facts of which he is in possession. And it is with his approval that ask you again, Helen, will you be my wife ?" ... ,
 ''I hardly dare answer you, MT. Vest" said Helen, morbidly ssIt seems to me that shall be unfaithful to my dear sister, to allow myself to be happy while she-oh, Lionel, what have they done with my dar- ling May?" j..
 My dear, loyal girl" said Lionel, feel ingly, ''we hope that no harm has befallen her, and that she will soon be restored to us. Now give me my answer, sweet, for have been very patient"
 "I think" said she, archly, "that I shall refer you to MT. Delevan and Mrs. Gray, my adopted father and mother. If they are willing will try to be. Here is Mrs. Gray; you can ask her now,, said she, laughingly, as Mrs. Gray entered the room.
 "Mrs. Gray" said Helen, "allow me to present my friend, MT. Lionel Vest
 "I am happy to meet Mrs. Gray" said Lionel, offering his hand. while Mrs. Gray stared moment without speaking,
 "Pardon me, MT. West,'' said she, but your resemblance to near relative whom have not seen for 8 number of years is so striking that for 8 moment I thought my brother stood before me. But how is our invalid? I was afraid, Helen, you were getting over tired. But you look better"
 "Yes," laughed Lionel, happiness is a great revivifier. I have just asked this la- |dy to be my wife, and have received no definite answer, she referring me to you for consent. You will not be cruel, Mrs. Gray ?'
 "Why, Helen," said Mrs. Gray, "what do you mean? Of course can have noth- ing to say about it. If only see you con- tent and happy it is all ask..''
 Helen blushed crimson, while Lionel said :t ... .
 "It shall not be my fault if she is not the happiest girl on the continent will see MT. Delevan to please you, Helen; but as he and are very good friends I have no fear of refusal from him. But you are weary darling, so will say good night, hoping to see you again very soon and bring you good news of the little sister whom you know have never feen.
 CHAPTER XIV.
 Another week was rapidly drawing to close. Helen was improving daily. MT. Delevan had called with an easy carriage and taken her for short ride, which she had enjoyed with a zest which only those can realize who, like herself, have peered into the shadows of the dark valley and only just escaped being drawn into the vortex of its hidden terrors. And Lionel had brought his father and mother, MT. and Mrs. Nobles, who had taken the lovely girl to their hearts at once, MT. Nobles de- ploring for the hundredth time the short sightedness which had left it possible for such @ malicious conspiracy to flourish al- most under his own eye, and declaring that he felt himself in great measure to blame for its terrible consequences. While Mrs. Nobles' earnest sympathy for May captured Helen's heart at once Both Mr. and Mrs. Nobles insisting that as soon as she was able to make the change she was to come to them, making their house her home.
 But Helen demurred to this arrange ment, saying how lonely Mrs. Gray would be if they were away, and that as long as there was possibility of Mays returning, she must stay where May would be sure to come if she were at liberty to do so.
 With this they were obliged to be con- tent, though Lionel whispered that she must not make Mrs. Gray's loneliness an or he should ask Mrs. Gray to come too.
 Soon after their departure, Mrs. Gray came in where Helen was sitting, bringing an open letter in her hand, her usually calm face wearing look of excitement and expectancy quite unusual with her. Seating herself near Helen she said,
 s'I have received quite surprise this morning in the shape of letter from my brother in Georgia. He writes that he is alone, his wife, who was many years an invalid, having died suddenly, and wishes me to return for visit, and perhaps spend my few remaining years on the old home stead. Of course, he writes, there are many changes since left, the war having broken the bond of slavery, and otherwise reduced the value of property. But there is enough, and he prays me to take pity on his lone liness and come home, where together we may await the grim messenger, which for him cannot be far distant, corroding sor- row having already sapped the springs of his life, and lain his gentle Emily in the grave" #" ...
 'sAnd you have decided to go," said Helen. ''I ought to be glad, and am glad for you for I know how you must long to return to old associations But what is the cause of your brothers lifelong sorrow ?" -o rs.a.-..,..-
 'tNearly thirty years ago, in the early days of thoir marriage, they were blessed with a lovely child, boy whom both par ents idolized. When little Ernie was six months old, he was lost; drowned we oharitably believe, but even of that we are not certain. Though his little carriage was found overturned near the bank, and the body of the colored nurse girl who had him in charge was afterward found in the creek that runs through the grounds, no trace of the child could be, or ever has been discovered. His loss broke his moth- CTS heart, and has made of his father a prematurely old man."
 "How very sad, said Helen, her mind reverting to May, and a pang shooting