Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-05-01
FOR HER He SINNED.

| Philip Grayson was young man in
good business, and, until he made one
serious mistake, had babe fair to be ul-
timately successful
His first false step was being taken
captive of the bright eyes Of Helen
Clay, his next one was marrying her;
for Helen had been reared in a magnif-
icent home, and, during her infancy
childhood and girlhood, not want had
been left ungratifed Consequently.
after her marriage she was selfish with
out knowing it.
Had Philip been sensible enough to
tell Helen the extent of his income be-
fore becoming her partner in the pic
turesque and attractive wedding pro
cession which one day drew a goodly
portion of the elite to witness and adj
mire as it swept up the broard aisle of
the church, their union might have re-
suited differently; for even the giddiest
butterfly of fashion sometimes developcs
most wonderful womanliness and good
sense when a chance is given her.
But Philips pride sealed his lips so
effectually that, up to the date of our
story, Helen had remained in complete
ignorance of his circumstances
The young couple had just arisen
from the dinner table, when Helen said,
as she held lighted taper towards her
husband SO that he could light his
cigar:
oh, Phil, saw just the lovliest
wrap in Arnolds! Every bit of the lace
on it is real 1t will look lovely with
my brocade dress with jet trimmings.
| told the salesman to send it with the
bill, as | had no money with me-
How much is it Helen?'
Only fifteen pounds
Philip opened his pocket-book, and
assumed look of surprise. Then,
forcing a smile, he turned to his wife
and said:
MY pocket-book is in the same state
as yours, Helen. | forgot to replenish
it when l left the store
i don't suppose it will make any
great difference, Phillip. The wrap
will be sent as directed, Of course. But
no one is ever worried about our little
bills. 1t is only poor people that the
trademen hesitate about trusting. By
the bye, did | tell you that madam's
bill came in yesterday
No, don't remember your speaking
of it. But / must hurry away said
Philip, consulting his watch, for | have
business engagement
Naughty Phillip not to save even
one evening for your wifer and Helen
put up her cheek for Phillips expected
kiss.
But he took her pretty face between
his hands, and turned it so that he
could look straight into her eyes for an
instant before he bent and kissed her on
the lips.
Helen, will you always love me?' he
asked in voice that trembled in spite
of all his endeavors to make it steady.
of course / will But what makes
you ask me such strange question?
Just to satisfy my craving heart
Are you sure that no matter what the
future might bring to us that you will
still have confidence in me? You know
strange things as-are said about peo-
pie sometimes.
You dear boy, nothing could keep
me from thinking you the best and
manifest of any living man in the wide
world
Thank you, Helen. Now let me
imagine it is our counting time again,
and let me tell you that ! love you now
and shall ever love you with the whole
strength of my heart. No matter what
may happen, remember that your hus-
bands fault does not lie in indifference
to his wife. Good by, darling.
With bewildered look upon her fair
face. Helen remained for a while in
motionless surprise after Philip had
gone.
Then shaking off the unusual feeling
created by his manner, she went to the
harp and ran her white fingers over the
strings.
But the prelude came to an end, and
she relapsed into revery without tax
ing up the words of the song which
should have followed.
For the first time in her life vague
feeling of unrest and disquiet had taken
possession of her soul.
1t was late when Philip returned and
he then went to the library, and spent
some time writing.
But he was evidently ill-pleased at
his efforts in the epistolary line, for he
tore UP sheet after sheet and cast in into
the flames, at last contenting himself
with putting an enclosure into an enyel-
ope and directing it to Helen.
Then, leaving it where her eyes
would rest upon it when she entered
the room, be left the house without the
slightest expectation of ever again set
ting his foot within it.
For Philip had committed crime,
and would hereafter have to keep in
hiding lest he should be punished.
He had forged the name of the silent
partner in his frm-his mothers broth
er-an eccentric bachelor of great
wealth-and had taken the check bear
ing the well known name to money
lender, who, having perfect confidence
in Philips integrity, and believing the
story told him Of having accidentally
overdrawn his account, cashed it for
him-at usurious rate it is true-but
unhesitatingly.
1t was this money which Helen found
in the envelope addressed to her in
Philips handwriting. He had not kept
a penny for himself
1t was for her that he had sinned,
when, finding every avenue of success
closed, he at last made up his mind to
become wanderer and an outcast upon
the face Of the earth.
He must have been half -crazed at the
time, or he would have forseen that in
the exposure which must follow Helen
would discover how he had obtained the
money, and in learning of his sin learn
also to scorn the sinner. But when the
arch-enemy of souls sets out to catch