The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-10-15

Az Helen stepped out Of her cab. Ed
ward did the same from his: and as she
turned TO speak about her boxes he ad-
vanced to address her. He had meant to
upbraid her, but the sight of her pale. sad
face disarmed him. and he was only anxious
for the time to find out that she had come
TO some sort of comfort
oh, yes" she answered, feverishly,
after she had got over the first start of
surprise at seeing him; Mrs. Abbott is an
old servant of ours. she is sure to make
me comfortable. and tho clergyman's wife
here is great friend OF mine. Good-by,
Mr.. Fame.
But Mr.. Fame had no intention of being
thus summarily dismissed. He followed her
into the house, where Mrs. Abbott was fuss
ing about. into the little sitting-room. all
smothered IN antimacassars, seating himself
on the faded green rep sofa, with q judicial
aspect that was almost too much for poor
Helen's overweight nerves. But il did not
last1ong, giving way very soon to gentle
tenderness that was still more trying, and
to resist which the girl had to summon all
her courage.
Still Edward sat on and on; Mrs. Abbott
looked in from time to time, but her wom-
ans instinct had put her on the right track,
and she did not iRtrude unnecessarily. 1t
whelmed with pity and shame for his
mothers unkind conduct, declaring his
love, and asking her to be his wife. At
this Helen rose from her seat, and, assum-
ing all the dignity she possessed, although
she was trembling from head to foot with
suppressed emotion, assured him en-
phatically that she could never consent to
such a proposal, begging him to leave her,
and excitedly reiterating that he ought
never to have followed her. After such an
appeal he could not stay, but he went away
promising to himself that not many hours
should elapse before he again found him.
self in her presence.
When, the following morning. he came
down to breakfast, Jones, who liked his
master, but cordially detested his mistress,
brought him letter, with the simple COM
munication that it had arrived by the first
post, for Miss Spencer. Edward took it
with simulated carelessness, that did not
for one instant deceive the butler, and after
hasty breakfast. stepped into a hanson
and once more drove down to Hackney.
His mother had been ut an evening party
the night before, and had not yet made her
appearance. He would be back in Grosve-
nor place before she came down stairs,
and she would suspect nothing.
When he at last reached his destination.
SO comparatively early was it in the day,
that Helen. shrinking from the task, had
not vet instructed Mrs. Abbott not to add
nit him should he call. and that worthy
woman at once introduced him into her
young mistress presence. He found her
busy writing. She started up with flush
ed, almost angry face when she saw him.
MIR. Fame" she said. Il did not expect
this from you. 1t is not kind of you to
come.
This is my excuse. he replied, holding
out her letter, though own it poor one.
This document which came for you this
morning looked to me so like business,
that, fancying it might be important
brought it myself.
There is the post, she said coldly, and
then fell to blushing in a manner that was
but cold. Twill you excuse me?"
she continued, opening her letter to hide
her confusion. As her eyes fell on its con-
tents she uttered an exclamation of amaze
ment
''Ohl" she cried, what does it mean? it
can't be me; it is a mistake; read it, Mr..
Fame, and see what il means"
Edward, took the letter and read it, 1t
was perfectly plain and to the point.
Messrs. Farley Il Smith begged to in
form Miss Spencer that, according to the
will of their late client, Mr.. Frederick
Paley, she, with the exception of few
was the sole inheritor of his large
fortune, his house in Cuzson street, his
carriages, horses, ETC., etc., and that they
would be happy to receive her instructions
as to the same.
MIR. Frederick Paley!" exclaimed Helen,
who is he? / have never heard of him in
my life. much less seen him; it must be
and intended for some other Miss
Spencer.
I'VE shall see," said Edward. "Your
best plan will be to go at once to FARLEY
x Smith, and ask for further explanations.
/ will go with you.
"Oh thank you," said Helen, as she
rapidly disappeared up stairs to dress, alb
solutely forgetful that not five minutes ago
she was meditating the dismissal of Ed
ward Fame.
Arrived at Messrs. Farley & Smiths
Helen found that the letter was no mis-
take. Mr.. Paley had left his money to
her, and to no other; and very little light
could the lawyers throw on the subject,
beyond the fact that their client had been
eccentric, his eccentricity taking
q benevolent and musical turn; that he had
mentioned that he was much interested in
Miss Spencer; that she was a beautiful
girl, brave girl, and great lover of music.
and that for these three reasons he had
chosen her for his heircss, and once he had
let drop that he had known her mother in
timately many years ago. He had died the
previous morning almost suddenly.
Helen was in despair. IF ] could but
know who it is who has been so good to
mel" she exclaimed.
Let US go to Curzon street." suggested
then in lower voice: Perhaps
you may be allowed to see him."
/ think that would be best" said Mr..
Farley, "and I will give You letter, ex-
planning who you are. to the housekeeper
who has lived there many years. The poor
old man has no relations"
So they drove to Curzon street, Edward
waiting outside in the cab while Helen
went into the house. Did it not seem as
though she were already his affianced wife?
And yet had not new barrier arisen be-
tween them? lie waited patiently enough,
too absorbed in his own thoughts to count
the minutes till Helen came out. When
after some time she did appear, her eyes
were full of tears.
1T is my little old gentleman" she said
to Edward, in low. awe-stricken voice.
what, of the Saturday Popular"
She nodded her head; she could not
speak. He, too, was silent, thinking of the