The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-12-13
INHERITING A WIFE.

"Goodby, Helen" said the young
man, with flush of anger on his hand
some face, as ho turned from his unclo
towards tho pale girl standing by the
wind ow.
"Goodby, Frank" sho said, listless-
ly, proff.rlng him slender white hand.
He took the hand, and, ben ding over,
lightly touched her forehead with his
lips.
She raised her head to address him
with forcel effort and ho was gone.
9Th, young fool thinks he can defy
me-" said Mr.. John Duncan, angrily,
hut with love and pity rising to his
kindly gray eyes as he bent them upon
Helen.
The latter was tho rich old mans
adopted daughter, and in her seemed
conferred all his happiness. Sho was
his idol, and he had planned to make
her his heiress, or that she should share
all he had of this worlds goods with
Frank Duncan, his nephew. But this
latter contingency was to be that these
young people should have his fortune
together only as man and wife.
Helen Morley had been an orphan
ever since she could remem bcr. She
had ondearod herself to old MI. Dun
can by her sweet, unselfish life and he,
devotion to him as her benefactor.
She aud Frank had been thrown
much together. as matter of course,
and old Mr.. Duncan, as he looked al
his favorito nophew's handsome, AMI
mated face, and then at Helen's sweet
oval picture, framed by her mass Of
bright hair, when the two were to.
gethcr, declared to himself that they
were made for each other, and that il
was plainly the work OF Heaven tha
they should be thrown accidentally il
each others way.
But he had just now serious mi,
givings whether or not Heaven eve
had anything to do with such youn,
scapegrace as his nephew.
He had just received terrible shock
and no was stirred By anger, disap
pointment, and pity for his fair II ,len
Then, too, he was placed in SO deli
cate position that he hardl y knew wha
to say to her. He had no assuranc
that Frank had ever spoken a word Q
love to this girl.
"But ho can't defy me with in
puuity' growled tho irato uncle, a
Helen had not replied to hi, first re
mark about the young gentleman i
question. II will not leave him
farthing! will mako a new will! II
shall be bcggar for all he'll get fro,
mel continued John Duncan, stampin
his foot fiercely.
"Oh, fa.hcrr' said Helen, appealing
ly. "What has he done to anger yo
so7'
''Done2" shouted the old man, fairl
exaspcrated by this question, forgettin
for the moment that Helen did M
share his news, and therefore indignar
that she should not join with him
condemning the young mans henio,
crime. "Donew he repeated, in risir
tones Of freshly kindled anger. .Wh,
hasn't he done7 Upset all my plan
Destroyed all my happiness! Tolls n
hos in love with that French gir
Elise Courtoi', and that his happinos
his very life depends upon his marryi:
hoi And he has the offrontcry to as
). my approval of such ridiculous step
The old man paused only at sight
Helen. who had sunk pale and ire mi
ling upon SOFA. Her delicate fngel
were interlaced, and there was loo
OF such unutterablo paia in her ia,
that even Mr. Duncan's anger fisd b
y foro it.
: Then with sudden thought his ang
rose agaio, and ho demanded, ''H
!. the villain deceived you, Hele
Tell me the truth By heaven, If
: has, I'll"
"Oh, no, no; he has never spoken
me of-of-'
There. there, my dearl or
wished to know-I meant it all for yo
good" sal Mr.. Duncan, tenderly.
Helen fed to her chamber to thin
and to recover, if possible, from
sudden blow she had received.
There had been no spoken word,
love between them for the threo 20
4 that Frank had boon constant visi
to his uncle's, and yet she had thou !;
> she had believed; yes, she had hor
i tina. tho first love Of her pure yor
heart had found safe resting pla
and that 1t was reciprocatod by h
although as yet not proclaimed,
some good and sufficient reason on
p.rt.
Bu It was all over row. Her c
were ope, to the mortifyiag truth.
= cried for psre shame Al first. then
disappointmont. Her face was
sAaua . an. tborcht Al tha ra.sib,