Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1885-11-26

meant to tell you this, but now you
must know why desert the charge
your father left to me. I remember the
first day | s1w you, when your father
brought you down to the dusty old mill
ID tiny golden haired fairy, who SEEM
ed of inner clay than |, a rough boy
and left you whole day in ny care.
Helen, from that day I have worshiped
you madly, hopelessly, l know, out as
a man never loved before; and now to
stay here and see you Victor's wife is
worse than death.
Have you quite fnished?' she said,
coldly as he paused. Then 60. 1t is
well you have chosen to leave here
once. And never dare to come into my
presence again.
He turne! without another word and
went wear,y out into the autumn
evening where the wet wind, sobbng
through the leaHoss branches of the
trees, seemed II dreary echo to his
thoughts.
And inside, prone on the floor, her
golden hair trailel over the rich carpet,
Helen Vnton lay struggling with the
great sense Of loss and pain, as she lis
tened to the sound of his footsteps down
the broad path and out of her life, re-
aizing that Stephen Walker had loved
her no better THAI she had love him,
but thinking thai between John Vim
ton daughter ~! the foreman of the
mill was a guilt nat not even love could
bridge.
The winter taat followed was try
ing one to Mi tinton, Brown, the
man whom Mr Walker had left to fill
his place, fell sson after his Departure
and the burdcu Of responsibility fell
upon her.
She was proud woman and had
never made friends among her employ
ees. Murmuring and discomfort on
one side, and scornlul implicitly on the
other. eliminated in a strike, involving
in a heavy loss to Miss Vinton, and
much suffering among her people.
In the lariug Victor returned
bright, har some Nictor-with his
happy hear aod sunny smile. And
with his con ~ the trouble vanished
as though by magic. The men loved
hlm and subuUed by the sharp lesson
OF winter, were ready to come to terms.
He was eager for IA speedy marriage,
but on one pretext and another it was
delayed until the summer faded and
the autumn was upon them.
Once or twice during the summer, |
Victor brougl; her newspaper con-
tanning favorable accounts Of an inven-
ton Of Stephea Walker San improve
nent that ha been IN operation in the
mills long before it was patented.
The paragraph stated that he had
accepted an OTTER to superintend the
erection Of some mills in South Amer
ica, and was going far away.
And then the restraint she had put
upon herself suddenly gave way, and
she fell down unconscious at V'ctors
feet, who in all his alarm and anxiety
did not dream Of the true cause.
A few days after this she was ongag
ed in some household dut .es, looking
very beautiful in her morning dress Of
solf muslin, when Victor's bright face
appeared at tn window.
4 want you to come down to the
mills by-and-by, Nell,' he said. 'The
addition is almost finished, and | want
your approval before we remove the
scatfolding.'
Very we'll, Victor, | will be down
presently she said, laying her hands
on his shoulder, and looking down into
the frank, haudsoma face, with II Sc
cret regret that she did not love him as
he deserved to be loved.
And, Nell he continued eagerly
the men have been working like beav-
ers, to get it fnisho |, and l have prom
iscd them halt holiday Tomorrow and
a picnic up at the quarries. Gould you
not lay aside your dignity, and honor
us with your presence for awhile? 1t
would be much better, tor all concern
ed, if there was better feeling between
you and your people,
mo, thank you, Victor.' she said
haughtily, "Ii there is anything in
this house that will serve them, they
are welcome to it. But to 90 up there
and play tie Lady Bountiful, nurse
the babies and listen to the endless ac-
count of last winters rheumatism and
this summers lumbago, is too dreadful