Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-06-20
tWrittsn for the NOrthvsstl
EELEYs STORY.
"Helen, dear HeIenrr

arms again, my baby, my darling. after the
long year Of separation. Il had been so good
an opportunity that when aunt Lossn offered
70 give her q vhols year in .Europe. could
not refuse to let her go, though with q great
fear at my heart that my little girl would new
er come back 10 mel
twas long, lonely ysar-and some times
the yearning grew 50 strong 10 clasp her in
my arms, that felt must write, "Come
back to me''-but did not and after awhile
began to look forward to the home coming,
and months before she could possibly come I
spent many happy days in fitting up her room
and in picturing her surprised delight, for
we we're not rich, Mabel and I, and many
things we would have enjoyed we had to de-
ny ourselves. But did some times long for
riches for my pretty child-my little sister
Mabd-who had been all the world to me
sincs my mother. dying, left her to my care.
Ny father had died when I was mere
babe, and ten years later my mother married
again. loved my step-father. still, look
ing back, I have wondered what my mother
saw in him. Delicate in appearance, fragile
In health, sensitive to an unusual degree, my
tmother seemed so much his superior in all
Things. My beautiful, strong mother! No
wonder her husband had worshiped her.
As I can yet remember, they seemed most
happy together; but 1t was not for long, for
in less than three years he died, quite sud-
denly. ~ s4r-
Mother only survived him a year-and lit
tie Mable and were left alone in the world
but for each other.
"Take care of my baby, Helen," my moth
er said to me one day not long before the end
came. "You are but a child yourself, my
daughter, but you are thoughtful beyond
your years, and know you will be a mother
to Mabel"
II will try" answered, my voice choksd
with tears, "but oh. mother, what shall do
without you?'
"Heleu, my own Helen!'' cried my mother.
'surely God will let me watch over you, my
motherless and fatherless children!''
Her voice trembled and she kissed me
tenderly, and l, seeing her agitation, begged
her to talk no more, but rest. But she only
smiled and said:
"There is something must say, dear child,
for fear wait until it is too late. have no
fears for your future my brave, strong Helen,
but Mabel fear for. You know how sud-
denly her father died?"
"Yes," answered.
sand You remember it was soon after the
failure OF the frm?'
Again I answered eyes," vague fear at
my heart.
1T was that which killed him, Helen,
although the doctors called it heart disease,
and so Isuppose ii was, but if NO sudden
shock and trouble had overtaken him, know
he might be alive to-day. And Mabel is like
him. She will enjoy keenly, suffer intensely,
and great sorrow she could not endure.
You can not make her life, Helen,f but you
can watch over her and keep trouble from
her when you may"
II will do all / can," promised her. And
that promise, and the knowledge of my Sis
ter's danger were the secret springs of my
life, and governed all my acts.
And we passed some very happy years to-
gether, Mabel and I, but of these years I
must not speak or will not get on to the
year we lived apart, nor of the Homecoming
of which began to tell awhile back.
There was one bright spot in that year, and
that. odd as it sounds, was the time when I
lay sick with fever; for it was then learned
to know, yes, and love, DR.. Herbert Holt.
He was so good to me through those terri
BILE days when it seemed as if should cross
the river without ever seeing my darling
again; and when at last the fever left me, but
so weak and worn, he cheered me by his
kindly presence, and brought me back to life
and health. never thought of love. I only
know the days when he did not come were
blank to me; that his presence made me
happy and content.
And so the days passed; days when for the
first time in many years my happiness did not
depend on Mabel.
did not think when this bright dream
might end, or if it was dream, at all. I
only knew that 7 was glad, that life was
good. and them Mabel came
I say did not realize why / was happy,
but when saw DR.. Holts' eyes rest on my
sisters lovely face, knew, for the look of
admiration in their dark depths revealed my
heart to me, and for one mad moment al
most hated my sister Mabel But never
again, thank God, never again, even in the
dark days that came 40 soon.
And Mabel? think the child loved him
from the first, that it was with her that rare
thing, ''love at first sight"
saw it that night in her eyes, in her face,
in her voice, her smile. Did I not know
every change of that face, had not learned
every line Of that fresh, young beauty, beside
which my own face grew SO plain and old.
And he? Well, could not tell. It is not
so easy to read mans heart as young in
nocent girls. saw he was pleased with her,
enjoyed her fresh, bright talk and winsome
beauty. Still often his eyes met mine with
the old familiar look, a glance that seemed
from soul to soul. .e
"What do you think of my new friend, Ma
bel?" asked that night as we sat together
by the dying fire. |
II think him grandv' she answered; then
added little sadly, ~ wish I could have such
friends, Helen!'
Sand why not?" replied gaily.
II am not like you, Helen, am only |
butterHyn'