Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-09-14


Herbert Adams was no ordinary
man; neither was Helen WestcOtt an
ordinary girl They had known
each other as children, had their quar-
rels and their recOnciliat lions. Just
prior to leaving college he had received
an offer from n large New York coffee
importing house to look after their
interests in Brazil. With but little
preparation ne left at once, and when
he returned he was a handsome, we'll
developed sunburned man of %.
Then it was that ne again met Helen
WestcOtt, no longer a girl, and then it
was that her womanly charms cap
tivated him, body and soul. Less
than six months after Bert came back
to East Marion he told his love, and,
they were engaged. Never, thought
they, were there two happier NOR
tails
But nOw-Oh, HeIenl Your impet-
uOus, passionate speech-Why was it
ever uttered? VIII you never learn
to control that spiteful little temper?
After leaving Helen, feeling as if he
were the most Wretched man on the
face of the EARTH Bert saddled his
favOrite horse and went flying up the
road like the wind. The exercise of
riding and the cooling sea breeze had
their effect upon him, and after a half
hours canter the young mans mind
was comparatively collected, and he
was resolved to letmatters take their
course without any interference on
his part.
She had said she did not love him.
But what a place and what a man
ner she had chosen to break the en-
gagement if such had really been her
desire?
All, well! It was only the old story
Of a rash promise broken. Helen
would not long be affected by it, if at
all, but he-with scarcely a seconds
consideration he resolved to leave
the place on the morrow and 90 back
to his old position in South America.
than his horses head was turned
hOmeWard. He would return and
prepare that evening to leave on the
early morning boat.
On his return he passed Helen's
home where he saw Mr.. WestcOtt at
the gate.
''Haye 1 seen anything of Nellie?''
echoed Bert, much surprised; then re-
covering himself. 81 think it must
have been an hour ago when I left
her down at the end of the road, and
1 supposed she came right home"
''But she is not home and has not
been tonight. Nobody has seen her
since this afternoon. am worried
about her, for it is very unusual for
her to remain away so long. Can
you imagine where she could have
gomez
''NO, said Bert slowly.
His heart sank within him and his
mind became filed with all sorts of
vague fears. Could any accident
have befallen her? Was it possible
that she had fallen into the water
and-merciful heaven, no, not that!
Bert grOaned aloud as the full horror
of the thought struck him.
81 have not been down to the
beach," resumed Mrs. WestcOtt after
a moments silence 81 will 90 down
at once. She may have taken a
walk down the bay and strayed
farther away than she intended, the
day has been so pleasant.
Strange that had not thought of
that before Bert could reply he had
started away. ''Why of course"
thought Bert, "she has been walking
off her sulks," and he rode home.
Mother" said he, as he stepped
out on the veranda, after dispOsing
of his horse, edo you think you
could help me to get some of my
things together between now and
morning? have decided to
'WhO is that coming so rapidly up
the walk?" interrupted his mother,
utterly needless of his question. But
he did not need to answer. 1t was
Mr. WestcOtt
"Oh, Herbert, I can't find her, and''
he hesitated-" little boat is
gone and l am sure no one else has
touched it. They never do" and his
voice betrayed the fear that was in
his heart.
PARTH
''The boat-gone-Helen," cried
Bert, excitedly, grasping Mr.. West
colt fiercely by the arm. ''FOr the
love of heaven, what do you mean?''
81 don't know what to think. Only
I know that nobody but our own
family ever touched the boat, and
Helen is not to be found and the boat
is gone. 1t is very dark, too"
eyes, said Bert, ''and the wind is
blowing up pretty strong. What is
worse, Il heavy fog is setting in.
''Why don't you go and look for
herr" ventered Mrs Adams.
owe Will, and that at once" ex-
claimed Bert. Mr. WestcOtt, get a
reliable man if you can, and have
him run down to the wharf and get
two boats. Meanwhile, we must get
lanterns ready. viii be at the beach
=, e. r,ir,r1--nc. - and Rnr.t Inor1r1 ed