The Wilmingtonian., 1885-11-14
THE STORY TELLER.
Fame Versus Love

perhaps twenty. five-hesitated; then he join
ed her, repeating;
'It cannot be, Helen9 Surely you are not
in earnest. You love me-have you not
said itP-snd yet you refused to become my
wifer'
edwin, i"
sYou did not mean it," quickly inter
rupted Edwin Bennett, adding: "Come darl-
ing, why should we not be happy" and he
drew her hand within his arm. For an in
stant she let it rest there, then slowly but
firmly she loosened his clasp, as she said:
"For two years you and have been
friends In that time did you ever know me
to change my mind after had once decided
upon anything?"
"No, but answered her companion
quickly, while she, unheeding, goes o.
with:
s'You know the one great desire of my
life is to fame as an artist. Gould do this
as your wife?"
''Why not, Helenp Would not do any
in the world for you?. {. came the proud ans
wer as Edwin Bennett bent his eyes fondly
upon the fair face beside him.
''No Edwin; as a wife could never hope
to attain fame. Marriage brings to woman
SO many cares that there is very little time
left over for other work. | should not make
you happy. should be constantly longing
for my old, free life."
"If that is all am not afraid to risk my
happiness, Helen" answered her lover, a
more hopeful look lighting up his handsome
face.
''Think how for five yeaIs," continued
Helen, 81 have worked with the one end in
view. My home, you are aware, has not
been particularly agreeable. Uncle and aunt
are kind in their way, and have always let
me have my will about qainting, provided il
did not, cost them anything. As for love ol
sympathy, you have seen how much they
have yielded me. p"
"Seen and felt for you, Helen, God knows
And now that will make your life, if love
can do it, one happy dream, you will not
and yet you do not deny your love for me-
For second Helen's eyes rested longingly
upon the face of the man who loved her so
dearly: then into their dusky depths crept
an intense, passionate longing, as they swept
the horizon aud noted the gloriuos splendol
of the setting sun, while she exclaimed:
'oh, Edwin! i'll could only reproduce
that sunset just as it is. If l only couldP"
With an impatient sigh he turned away
''Always her art, never me; perhaps she il
right after ALL 1t would always stand be
tween us
hn
''If it would only stay long enough for mt
to catch those colors. But no, IT is fading
now"
Turning, Helen found her companion
had left her side, and stood few yards
away.
edwin" she called.
In an instant he was beside her, every
thing forgotten, except that she was thu
woman he loved.
II wanted to tell you how good Mr.
aI4EaQ j. It seems hn was aaaaa.inteaa. xii
poor papa years ago, when was baby
and therefore feels quite interested in me
and last night he proposedW
'Proposedl" exclaimed Edwin Bennett
hotly. ''Why, you don't mean to say th'
old man actually had the audacity to ask
you to marry him.p''
t'How ridiculous How could you think
of such thingp" answered Helen, ripple
Of laughter escaping from between hei
pretty teeth as she continued:
'rNo; he proposed, if / were willing, t
send me to Italy for two years, he,. o
course, defraying the greater part of th,
expense. He said when became famous
could refund him the little amount if
wished. Was it not generous of him? Jus
think, two years at work among the OLE
masters. What could | not do then? I
would be such a help to me- One can liv
very simple there. My little income woul'
do, with care, think"
'tAnd you wonld go?" AS Edwin Ben
net asked this question a look of pain cross
ed his face
"Why not!" came the reply, as Helel
raised her eyes questioningly to her com
panion.
''You say you love me; and yet you woul
put the sea between us. Helen, wait; vii
work hard and earn money enough to tax
us both abroad. Do you think could den
you anything? You should paint to You
hearts content, from the old masters, @
anything else you pleased. So long as yo
were happy, should be- Perhaps migf
turn painter to, some day, with you to il
spire me, he added, smiling slightly.
81 do not doubt your love for me, Edwin
but l shall never marry, l intend to dt
vote my life to art. AS wife it would b
impossible for me to do so. / should /
hindered and trammelled in thousand
ways. Believe me- have thought yer
earnestly cf all this, and I"
"Helen, when came TO spend my vaci
tion here at Little Rock, so as to be nee
you, said to myself, Now you can as
the woman you love to be your wife, an
know that you have home to offer her
For your sake | wish / was rich; but al
still young, and with the good prospects
have, do not see why shall not be alb
before many years to give my wife all 81
can wsh.'
SIT is not that, Edwin. / should not 10,
you one bit more if you were millionaire,
interrupted Helen, glancing reproachfully
him.
"Helen, my holiday is over to-morroV
1 must have my answer tonight" tt
words came somewhat sternly from betwet
Edwin Benefits lips.
Mechanically, with one END Of her parasC
Helen Armstrong traced on the glitteril
yellow sands, "Fame versus Love" The
as she became aware of what she had don
she sought to eiface them. Too late. E
min PanYatIss hand et.uad barc ac ,,o;nt 1,