The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-12-12
her face and shook her hand when she

her face and shook her hand when she
set down his cup.
"How is your mother9" he asked.
Better, thank you," she replied
briefly; suddenly discovering that her
services were required III another part
of the room.
DR.. Judson'sappetite seemed to have
deserted him, and after barely tasting
the good things before him, he left the
table and went out upon the cool
piazza IN very confused frame OF
mind.
Why was she here and in such
position? Either Mrs French had de
ceived him or was herself deceived.
The more he tried to solvet the matter,
the more vexatious and puzzling 1t
grew. All the evening he haunted the
piazza and lawn and parlors, but the
object OF his waiting was invisible.
The next morning, at breakfast, he
found Helen again in the dining room.
She waited upon him coolly, but gave
him no opportunity for anything more
than brief good morning."
So it continued for several days,
until DR.. Judson's anxiety and sus-
pense seemed almost unbearable
Helen certainly avoided him The
only opportunity he had of seeing her
was In the dining room, moving swift
ly but quietly about her duties. 1t
seemed that she mad never possessed
such charm for him as at present,
dressed in pretty cambrics, with a
dainty white apron and her abund-
ant dark hair coiled low at her neck
The third evening, just after sunset,
Harry found himself coming slowly
homeward from a long ramble. A
narrow woodland path lay before
him, the dense foliage making almost
twilight. His mind was distracted,
filled with the one slbject which per-
picked him so, until strolling on, the
sudden CLEAN OF a white dress ahead
arrested his attention, and closer
glance sent him striding on at faster
gait.
MAY walk back with you, Miss
French ?"
She turned, rather surprised, but
smiling.
"f you care to keep pace with my
laggard steps," she replied.
You are tired, | know" he said.
at Is a long walk to the pOst-Ottice,"
noticing the letters in her hand.
YES, but good news always repays
one for a little fatigue. | know you
will be pleased to hear that my moth
er's health Is improving rapidly"
II am indeed heartily glad. | saw
her last when on the eve of her de-
parture. She told me that you had
started on a visit to some fashionable
friends"
Helen returned his half-inquiring
look steadily.
They had now reached the house,
and, no one being in the parlor, con-
tinued their conversation there.
Il suppose | ought to give you an
explanation of that error" she said,
"or you will imagine that either
mamma or | have deceiN ed you.
am the deceitful one, DR.. Judson, and
yet | don't like to tell you how" she
continued, flushing. "But please con-
slider it a professional secret. That
day you told Inc how necessary to
mamma 5 recovery few weeks at the
seashore would be. decided that she
should have it, although | did not
know lust then how, but | suddenly
thought of this place where our family
used to pass so many happy summers,
and wrote to Mrs. Mills, frankly ex-
planning our circumstances, and ask
ing ii she could give me employment
which would pay the expenses of my
mothers trip. In reply she kindly
offered me my present position, which
| gladly accepted. | knew mamma
would never consent to the plan, so
have kept her ignorant of it. She be-
lieves | am spending a happy summer
with friends, and = so | am" she
added, smiling bravely through the
tears which stood i'll her eyes.
She met answering drops in the other
eyes looking down into her own.
Miss French-Helen, you are one of
Gods noble women! Harry ex-
claimed, warmly. Il cannot express
my reverence and admiration for
you"
II do not deserve such praise" she
answered, simply. This is only the
beginning of the struggle"
at shall be the end, Helen" he in
terrupted, ''if you will trust yourself
and your mother to my care. | love
you so dearly-how dearly it shall be
the aim of my life to show you.
Won't you let me try, Helen?"
And for an answer she went straight
into the strong arms held out so ar-
pealingIy to her.