Wichita eagle., 1888-09-23
INHER1TING A WIFE.

''Goodby, Helen" said young man, will
flush of anger on his handsome face as b,
turned from his uncle toward the pale CIR
standing in the window.
''Goodby, Frank, . she said, listlessly, prof
fering him slender white hand
He took the hand and bending over lightly
touched her forehead with his lips
She raised her head to address him with 6
forced effort, and he was gone.
''The young fool thinks he can defy me, ,
said Mr.. John Duncan, angrily, but witt
love and pity rising to his kindly gray eye:
as he bent them upon Helen.
The latter was the rich old mans adopted
daughter, and in her seemed centered all his
happiness. She was his idol and be 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 remember. She had endeared
herself to old Mr. Duncan by her sweet I'M
selfish life and her devotion to him as her
benefactor
She and Frank had been thrown much to-
7.
Duncan, as be looked at his favorite nephews
handsome, animated face, and then at Helen's
sweet oval picture, framed by her mass of
bright hair, when the two were together.
declared to himself that they were made for
each other, and that it was plainly the work
of heaven that they should have been thrown
accidentally into each others way
But he had just now serious 1nisgivings
iaafn
with such a young scapeorace as his nephew
He had just received a terrible shock and
he was stirred by anger, disappointment and
pity for his fair Helen
Then, too, he was placed in so delicate a
position that he hardly knew what to say to
her
lie h.d no assurance that Frank had ever
spoken a word of love to this girl.
'But he can't defy me with imrunitv,n
growled the irato uncle, as Helen had not re-
piled to his first remark about the young gen
tlernan in question. 81 will rct leave him a
rent. l will make new Will He shall be a
heggar for all he'll get from me- concluded
John Duncan, stamping his foot fiercely.
''Oh, fatherIn said Helen appealingly.
"What has he done to anger you soy
''Donel" shouted the old man, fairly exas-
moment that Helen did not share his. news,
and therefore indignant that she should not
}oin with him in condenning the young
mans heinous crime. "Done!n he repeated
In rising tones of freshly lkindled anger
what hasn't he done' Upset all my plans
Destroyed all my happiness. Tells me he's
In love with that French girl Elise Courtois,
md that his happiness, his very life, depends
npon his marrying her. And he has the
rffrontery To ask my approval of such a
ridiculous step"
The old man paused only at sight of Helen,
who had sunk pale and trembling, upon
tofa Her delicate fingers were interaced
and there was a look Of such unutterable
pain in her face that even Mr.. Duncan's an
ger fed before it.
Then with a sudden thought his anger rose
again and he demanded:
Has the villain deceived you. Helen? Tell
me the truth. By heaven, if he has Pip
ooh, no, no; be has never spoken to me of
of
"There, there, my dear, I only wished to
know; meant it all for your good, said Mr.
Duncan tenderly.
Helen fled to her chamber to think and to
recover, if possible, from the sudden blow she
had received
There had been no spoken words OF love be
tween them for the three years that Frank
had been a constant visitor to his uncle's
and yet she had thought-she had believed
yes, she had hoped, that the first love Of her
pure young heart had found a safe resting
place, and that If was reciprocated by him,
although rs yet not proclaimed, for some
good and sufficient reason on his part.
But it was all over now. Her ewes were
opened to the Notifying truth. She cried
Tor pure shame at first, then for disappoint-
ment Her face was all afiame as she
thought of the possibility of the knowledge
on the part of others of her misplaced love.
Then her cheeks and brow became deadly
rod as she realized that her young hopes
were all withered and dead
When Mr.. John Duncan saw that the light
had gone out from Helens eyes his anger
toward his nephew knew no bounds Re
knew that Frank had gone from his presence .
with q fixed determination TO win the girl,
Elise Courtois, If possible in spite of all OBJ
position.
And he knew what he could not speak Of (
10 Helen. that she had loved his headstronC
and misguided nephew.
Tho old man was closeted with his LAWYER
BOON after this occurrence for several hours
one day, and the result OF the conference was
D new viii.
Three years are not muchl a mere spot
On the ages. \ bagatellc of weeks and
months frittered away in frivolity and
trihing
Three years are an agel A heavy. leadeu
period stamped upon life into which are
crowded so much of mental pain and anguish
that the rest of that life ought to loo sun
shine and flowers to compensate for their
misery.
These three years following the departure
Of Frank Duncan in disgrace from his uncle's
home had been to Helen Morley joyleSS Years
Of silent suffering, unShared by a sympathetic
heart, unspoken 70 a pitying ear. She had
suffered in silence, and had tried TO walk her
allotted path with outward composure. And
bid John Duncan, though he had been more
render and sollcitous of her welfare than ever,
law that he could do but little to tighten her
burden of sorrow.
But John Duncan had gone now. There
vas no longer even his loving care to shield
Helen from her own misery.
II had been but few weeks since the old
nan had blessed Helen with his dying breath |
md then passed away She was sole posses
or Of his wealth. Frank Duncan had been
ummored. but was somewhere abroad, pur-
uing bis isnis fatuus in the shape Of fortune ,
nd Elise Courtois. lie mad lost sight of the !
french girl with whom he had become infat- !
ted about the time his uncle had dismissed ,
im augrily from his house Following up !
lew he overlook her finally in Paris {
1t was chance meeting on one Of the 81, ,
a. L.. - q.