The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-11-12

2 rose from her seat-an ole
overturned boat-and moved slowly
toward the waters edge.
For a moment her companion
man of perhaps twenty -fve-hesi
tated; then he joined her, repeating
cit cannot be, Helen? Surely yoI
are not in earnest. You love me
have you not said it?-and yet you
refuse to become my wifep'
Edwin, /"
you did not mean it," quickly
Interrupted Edwin Bennett, adding
Come darling, why should we mo-
be happy" and he drew her HAND
within his arm.
For an instant she let it resi-
there, then slowly but firmly she
loosened his clasp, as she said;
"For TWO years you and l have
been friends. In that time did you
ever know me TO change my mind
after l had once decided upon any
thing?'
mo, but" answered her com
panion quickly, while she, unheed
ing, goes on with:
"You know the one great desire
of my life is to fame as an artist
Could 1 do this as your wifeY'
"Why not, Helen? Would / not
do anything in the world to help
your came the proud answer, as
Edwin Bennett bent his eyes fond
ly upon the fair face beside him.
"No, Edwin; as a wife 1 could
never hope to attain fame. Mar
rage brings to woman SO maDy
cares that there is very little time
left over for other work. should
not make you happy. 1 should be
constantly longing for my old, free
life" -
eff that is all 1 am not afraid to
risk my happiness, Helen" answer
ed her lover, q more hopeful look
lighting up his handsome face.
Think how for five years." con.
tinued Helen, Il have worked with
the one end in view. Ny 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 painting
provided it did not cost them any
thing. As for love or sympathy
you have seen how much they have
yielded me-"
''Seen and felt for you, Helen
God knows. And now that l viii
make your lie, if love can do it
one happy dream, you will not; and
yet you do not deny your love fol
me-"
For a second Helen's eyes rested
longingly upon the face of the mar
who loved her so dearly; then into
their dusky depths crept an intense
passionate longing, as they swept
the horizon and noted the glorious
splendor of the setting sun, while
she exclaimed:
ooh, Edwin! If | could only re
produce that sunset just as it is. l
1 only could?"
With an impatient sigh he turn
ed away.
"Always her art, never me; per
haps she is right after all. 1t would
always stand between u.s."
She, not noticing, went on with
"If it would only stay Ions
enough for me to catch those col
ors, but no, it is fading now"
Turning, Helen found her com
panion had left her side and stood
a few yards away.
edwin" she called.
In an instant he was beside her
everything forgotten, except tina
she was the woman he loved.
81 wanted to tell you how goot
Mr.. Hovey is. 1t seems he was &C
quainted with poor papa years age
when 1 was a baby, and therefor
feels quite interested in me. Yol
have heard how he praises M!
work, and last night he proposed =
Proposed" exclaimed Edwin
Bennett, holly. "Why, you dom
mean to say the old man actually
had the audacity to ask you to mar
~ him?"
"How ridiculous. How coulC
you think Of such thingY answer
ed Helen, a ripple of laughter es
Gaping from between her prett,
teeth as she continued:
mo; he proposed, if were will
ing, to send me to Italy for tw
years, he, of course, defraying tn
greater part of the expense. H
said when 1 became famous l coult
refund him the little amount if
wished. Was it not generous O
him? just think, two years a
work among the old masters. Wha
could I not do then? 1t would b,
such q helpsto me. One can liv,
very simply there. My little in
come would do, with care, l think.
"And you would go?" As Edwi
Bennett asked this question loo
of pain crossed his face.
"Why notr' came the reply, a
Helen raised her eyes questioningl
to her companion.
''You say you love me; and ye
you would put the sea between u:
Helen, wait; 1 will work hard an
earn money enough to take US bot
abroad. Do you think could den
you anything? You should pail
to your hearts content, from til
old masters or anything else 20
pleased. So long as you were hal
by, should be. Perhaps l migf
turn painter too, some day, wit
you to inspire me-" he added, smi
ing slightly.
81 do not doubt that you love M
Edwin, hut 1 shall never marry.
intend to devote my life to art. A
wife it would be impossible for n
to do so. l should be hindered an
trammeled in a thousand way;
Believe me, l have thought yer
earnestly of all this, and l.
Helen, when came to spend m
vacation here at Little Rock, so ;
to be near you, L said to mysel
Now you. can ask the woman yo
love to be your wife, and know tn: