The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1888-05-11

AueGo was no longer even mis- loving
care to shield Helen from her Owl
misery.
It had been but a few weeks since
the old man had blessed Helen with
his dying breath and then passed
away. She was sole possessor of his
wealth.
Frank Duncan had been summoned.
but was somewhere abroad, pursuing
his ignis fatuus in the shape OF fortune
and Elsie C0urtois.
He had lost sight Of the French Girl
with whom he had become infatuated
about the time his uncle dismissed him
angrily from his house. Following up
a clcw he overlook her in Paris.
1t was q chance meeting in one of
the gay streets Of the French city. The
young mar was wild with Joy rs he
espicd her coming towards him. He
rushed towards her with far iMore of
enthusiasm than discretion.
Elsie drew back in surprise at his
elusive greeting.
"Have you forgotten all the past,
then. Elsiep" asked Frank bitterly, as
he saw by her cool domcanor that she
had changed.
"Oh NOS l never forget" said Elsie.
Did you not got my letter ut tho
time | left my unclc'sp" said Frank re-
proachfully.
ooh yes. I received your letter, and
one from your uncle about the ealtiS
time, in which hs Informed me that
you were i6 longer his heir, but IA
beggggar. said tho young woman laugh
ing aloud.
"Good heavens. Elsie! can it be
that you are mercenary, thenp I did
not think"
mo; l suppose You thought 1 could
marry a bcggar. just as we'll as not,
and continue to work Mt millinery for
my living, and for yours. too, per-
liaps?' said the girl lightly.
elsie, hear me. 1t is not too late.
My uncle, l am sure. has not cut me
of in lis will. Will you not return
with me. and for the sake Of tile past
let mo call yon my W Elsie-my
wifcp"
"Iush!" said the girl warningly, as
u man approached. II could do noth-
ing of tho kind. Let me present you
to my husband. M. Fennel.h
Aud to his intense disgust and NOR
~tification Frank found himself the
next instant in the embrace of n viva
cious and voluble Frenchman.
The new Wow of the lovely siren in
her coarseness and her maMmons
worship. together with her presenta-
ton of a heavy vulgar man past MIDI
dlc-age rs her husband, formed a COM
binaton of circumstances that
completely disenamoured Frank Dun
can and he fed precipitatcly as soon
rs released from the mans clutches,
amid poals of laughter from tho giddy
French girl. and cultural adieux from
her male companion.
Old Mr.. Somcrs sat in his dingy little
law-oiiicc. scratching his ear with his
pen and CHANGING occasionally at q
letter he held in his hand.
Tho letter was from Frank Duncan,
and informed the lawyer that he,
Frank Duncan, would call upon him
in n day or two on business relating to
his deceased unclc's will.
"The young scamp must not know
that Helen is the possessor of tho old
mans estate. He will BIO counting her
for her money, and he don't deserve
such a girl. any way" said Somers
with a grOwl. "And, worse than all,
to think John Duncan has fixed it in
such shape that-but Ill deceive him a
little"
Tho gruf old lawyer had in a sense
taken Helen in his care since Mr.. John
Dancan's death. and watched her well
fare with u jealous eye; SO when Frank
presented himself, he said brusquely:
"You arc cut off without n cent,
young man, and you deserve it."
Frank colored, but felt the justice Of
the rebuke; but he ventured:
"And Helen Miss Morlcyp"
"Oh, she is provided with a moder.
ate annuity. Tho rest goes, I believe,
to some institution-ahcm!" said the
lawyer choking a little ut tho lie.
"Thank. God!" said Frank impul
. sively.
The old lawyer sprang to Ills feet il
a passion. aud facing the astonishot
young fellow, shouted:
You thank God, then, that she is
Q beggar, too. do you'll"
~ am glad that l may go to hor ant
!, comfort her, and be to her what I ono
J. vas, without u suspicion that I com
ftom mcrcenary motives" said Franl
SAi,em! That's all right, youu,
l- NAV. But you must be aware tina
If your past conducthoesn't recommen,
yon veiy highly. speak plainly. TO
x Helen Morley is mt ward"
10 Frank WINGED ulder this lash, bu
all the Aan,e he wal resolved to ben
Of it in silence, for TIL scales had fallc
rs from his ives now.hnd he remembers
Or tritling incidents iiItheir lives-Helen'
and his owl-whihl led him to bcliey
that he had hrow1 away a pearl. II
y would seek , re4ver it again. mn
e. was glad tilarhc i1pediment Of none
u, did not bar TO way. He knew flu
we'll That his ftSlisl infatuation for til
iis gay superficial Elsie, which he ha
mistakeh for loie, would prove a To-
90 midabg obstace; but with youth, r,
%. pentante, Perseverance and an earne'
en- devotid { his purpose. he hoped
all win Hetn's esteem krst, and afte
wards. lrhaps. ler love.
"Con1Pnd the young scamp-he
ier got ~gooqpoints. after ALL" growle
Did SOmers
pes Aud sdelen thought when the o
lawyer Il her about It, and made b
hat understa9 how dificultit would be
ms keep Fra long in ignorance Of d
!ew pr0vislonf his uncle's will.
nat Three !! this are . brief measure
,itn time ae tl3 ges roll onward. and y
three sholy onths are sometimes {