The Press., 1883-05-24


 sons face darkened with rage, as, with pleasant smile and slight inclination of the head in Helen's direction, he passed out of the store.
 A rush of customers soon after served to change the current of her thoughts, and the rest of the day proved 3 very busy one, though it was destined not to pass without incident to Helen. For towards evening a group of three entered the store, whom Helen immediately recognized as Mrs. Morris Sheldon, Miss sheldon ana MT. Howard Sheldon-the gentleman whose defection May had taken so much to heart in the early days of their trouble.
 The ladies passed down the long aisle, bestowing upon Helen, as they swept by, 8 look of surprise, ending in well bred CD stare, which, in spite of her efforts to ap- pear unconscious, caused her cheeks to flush, though it was nothing unusual for her to receive similar courtesies from her fashionable friends.
 But Howard Sheldon's face lighted with 8 glance of pleased recognition, and offer ing his hand he exclaimed cordially,
 Miss Channing, I am delighted to meet you again Do find you well P
 'sQuite well, MT. Sheldon, and pleased to see you. Are you stopping in town ?"
 '.At present yes having just returned from nay trip south, which has kept me wanderer nearly six months. Is your sis ter, Mabel, we'll, he asked, eager to speak of the little beauty, who had made no slight impression on his heart.
 ssMay is quite well at present, answer ed Helen though for time she was quite inconsolable, and really feared she would Ee i'll. ..F
 "Pardon me, but I have only lately heard of your bereavement; and you will believe me, Miss Charming, when l tell you how deeply sympathize with you. But, said he, s'win you give me your address, and allow me to call You know that ] shall esteem it favor. .sr
 Helen hesitated moment for many reasons she hardly deemed it prudent to revive old associations still the tempta- tion was very strong, and almost immedl ately she replied,
 'sOur address is No. 7 Ashley-s st., MT. Sheldon. ut,pardon me, our time for re- ceiving calls Is limited for, as you see, am worker now"
 'sWill this evening find you at liberty Miss Channing You will excuse my i'm patience when you recall my long absence.
 ssYou are quite excusable," smiled Hel en5; 'sapd we shall be happy to receive you" ..r s.l .,. 2 ssThank you. Present my regards te Miss Mabel ,'' he added, as his sister came to his side, saying in a displeased tone,
 ssHoward, will you come? mamms wishes to consult you"
 Certainly, Sarah but you do not see your friend, Miss Channing?" ?"
 ssYes, Howard, but Miss Charming vii excuse us,' said the naughty girl, laying her hand upon her brothers arm, anG turning away.
 "Au gevoir, Miss Charming will no say good bye," said Howard, as though te make amends for his sisters rudeness.
 'sBom soir, Monsieur replied Helen smiling amusedly, as she noted the frowI the frown on Miss Sheldon's brow, an6 felt almost certain that her excuse for requir ing her brothers attendance, at this time, wal merely ruse to entice him from her vicinity
 And Helen was right; for hardly were the trio seated in their carriage, when Miss SheL don exclaimed,
 Howard, I am quite displeased with you for paying so much attention to that person No one knows how much she may presume"
 "Of whom are you speaking, sister ?" ask ed Howard, quietly.
 GAS though you did not know. Only te think, mamma, of his spending all the time you were shopping in conversation with Heller Charming, one of the clerks" said Miss Shel don. ..r
 :" said Howard. ''Is that the burde1 of my offense? If my memory serves mt rightly, was introduced to the lady in ques ton in my mothers parlor, as my sisters friend. Take pity upon my ignorance an6 tell me what crime she has committed agains society in my absence, to deserve ostracism Really, I failed to see any change in the lady except that she had grown more beautiful"
 ''You are perfectly incorrigible, Howard, retorted his sister angrily and should no be at all surprised to hear you say you had fallen in love with her."
 ''Miss Charming seems very lovable,' said Howard, thinking of May; and really Sarah you have given me no good reason why should not But we will not discuss the sub ject any further, for, see there is your friend Maj. Ormsby, making his best society bow to you;" and, as with her sweetest smile she re- turned the salutation of the gentleman, How ards lip curled, and look almost of con- tempt fitted over his fine features, at the shortsightedness of those who would refuse 8 pure gem on account of its surroundings, and accept paste article if only found in a fine setting.
 Gro be continued)