The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1884-11-13
[From the English Illustrated Magazine. J
InterloperS at The Knap.
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UNCONSCIOUS SIdte lie ulu uOt hHO"
He suddenly opened his eyes. Th
back brand had burned itself in two
and ceased to flame; the ight whicl
he had placed on the mantelpiece hat
nearly gone out. But in spite O.
these deficiencies there was a light IL
the apartment, and it came from else
where. Turning his head, he saw
Philip Halls wife standing at the en-
trance of the room with bed-candlt
in one hand, small brass tea-kettlt
in the other, and his dress, as it GER
tainly seemed, still upon her.
''Helenar said Darton, starting up
Her countenance expressed dlsmay
and her first words were an apology
ibid not know you were here, Mr.
Darton," she said, while blush flash
ed to her cheek. Il thought every
one had retired-l was coming to
make little water boil; my husband
seems to be worse; but perhaps the
kitchen fire can be lighted up again.
Don't go on my account. BY all
means put it on here as you intended
said Darton. ALLOW me to help you. >
He went forward to take the kettle
from her hand, but she did not allow
him, and placed it on the fire herself
They stood some way apart, one on
each side Of the fireplace, waiting till
the water should boil, the candle on
the mantel between them, and Helena
with her eyes on the kettle. Darton
was the first to break the silence.
Shall call Sally?" he said.
"Oh, no." she quickly returned.
I'VE have given trouble enough al
ready. We have no right here. But
we are the sport Of fate, and were
obliged to comet
mo right here!' said he in sur
prise.
"None. | can't explain it now
answered Helena. ''This kettle is
very slow"
There was another pause; the pro-
verbal dilatoriness of watched pots
was never more clearly exemplified.
Helena's face was of that sort seems
to ask for assistance without the own
er's knowledge-the very antipodes Of
Sally's. which was self-reliance ex-
pressed Darton's eyes travelled from
the kettle to Helena's face, then back
to the kettle, then to the kettle for
rather longer time $50 I am not
to know anything Of the mystery
that has distracted me all the even
ing?' he said. How is it that a wo-
man, who refused me because (as [
supposed) my position was not good
enough for her taste, is found to be
the wife of a man who certainly seems
to be worse off than I?"
He had the prior claim said she.
What! You knew him at that
time?"
Eyes, yes. Please say no more, !"
she implored. whatever my errors
have paid for them during the last
five years"
The heart of Darton was subject to
sudden overfowings He was kird to
a fault. Il am sorry from my soul" )"
he said, involuntarily approaching
her. Helena withdrew q step or two,
at which he became conscious Of his
movement, and quickly took his for
mer place Here he stood without
speaking, and the little kettle began
to sing.
We'll, yop might have been my
wife if you had chosen" he said at
last. but that's all past and gone,
However, if you are in any trouble or
poverty | shall be glad to be of serv-
ice, and as your relative by marriage |
shall have right to be. Does yaur
uncle know Of YGgr distress p
HAly uncle is dead. He left me
without farthing. And now we
have two children to maintain"
What, left you nothinga How
could he be so cruel as that?"
disgraced myself in his eyes"
NOW" said Darton earnestly, 'let
ME take care Of the children, at least
while you are so unsettled. You be-
long to another, so [ cannot take care
of you"
"Yes, you can," said q voice; and
suddenly third figure stood beside
them. 1t was Sally. "You can, since
you seem to wish to- she repeated.
"She no longer belongs to another.
Ny poor brother is dead!'
Her face was red, her eyes sparkled
and all the woman came to the front
Il have heard it," she went on to him
passionately. "You can protect he1
now as well as the children" She
turned then to her agitated sister~in,
law. j heard something" said Sally
(in a gentle murmur, differing much
from her previous passionate words)
''and | went into his room. 1t must
have been the moment you left. He
went off so quickly, and weakly, and
it was so unexpected, that | couldn't
leave even to call you"
Darton was just able to gather from
5 the confused discourse which followed
that, during his sleep by the fire, thi:
brother whom he had never seen had
Y become worse; and that during Hele.
mas absence for water the end had un
D expectedly come. The two young
e women hastened up stairs, and he was
again left alone.
r After standing there short time
he went to the front door and looked
c out; till, softly closing it behind him
: he advanced and stood under the larg,
sycamore tree. The stars were flick
ering coldly, and the dampness w hlcl
J had just descended upon the earth il
rain now sent up chill from it. Oar
ton was in a strange position, and he
felt it. The unexpected appearance. IL
5 deep poverty, of Helena-a young la
0 dy, daughter Of deceased naval off
Ger, and who had been brought up by
her uncle. a solicitor, and had refused
Darton in marriage years ago-th,
passionate, almost angry demeanor O.
Sally at discovering them, the abrup
announcement that Helena was ;
5 widow; all this coming together wa
Q a conjuncture difficult to cope with il
a moment, and made him question
whether he ought to leave the hous
" or offer assistance. But for Sally