The national leader., 1889-02-09
/ sufficient reason on his

WCAO oPCA w UA0 LuOI lilly AAS G1ubus
She cried for pure shame at first. then
for disappointment. Her face was all
afame 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 cold as she
realized that her young hopes were all
withered and dead.
When Mr.. John Duncan saw that
the light had gone out from Helen's
eyes his anger toward his nephew knew
10 bounds. He knew that Frank had
gone from his presence with fixed de-
termination to win the girl, Elsie Cour-
tois, If possible, In spite of all opposi-
tion.
And he knew what he could not
speak of to Helen. that she had loved
his headstrong and misguided nephew.
The old man was closeted with his
lawyer soon after this occurrence for
several hours one day, and the result
of the conference was new will.
Three years passed.
Those three years following the de-
parture Of Frank Duncan In disgrace
from his uncle's home had been to He
len Morley ioyless years of silent suf-
fering, unshared by sympathetic
heart, unspoken to plying ear. She
had suffered in silence, and had tried
to walk her allotted path with outward
composure. And old John Duncan,
though he had been more tender and
solicitous of her welfare than ever, saw
toat he could do but little to tighten
her burden of sorrow.
But John Duncan had gone now.
There was no longer even his loving
care to shield Helen from her own mis-
cry.
1t had been but few weeks since
the old man had blessed Helen with
his dying breath and passed away. She
was sole possessor of his wealth.
Frank Duncan had been summoned,
but was somewhere abroad. pursuing
his ignIs fatuns In the shape Of fortune
aud Elise Courtois.
He had lost sight of the French girl
with whom he had become infatuated
about the time his uncle had dismissed
him angrily from his house. Following
up clew he overlook her finally in
Paris.
1t was a chance meeting on one OF
the gay streets of the French city. The
young man was wild with joy as he es-
pied her coming toward him. He
rushed upon lier with far more Of en-
thusiasm thai discretion. Elsie drew
back In surprise at his ELUSIVE greet.
ing.
Have you forgotten all the past,
then, El1se?, asked Frank. bitterly, as
he saw by her cool demeanor that she
had changed.
oh, no, never forget, said Elsie.
Did you not get my letter at the
time 1 left my uncle's?' said Frank,
reproachfully.
oh, yes; received your letter, and
one from your uncle about the same
time, in which he informed me you were
no longer his heir, but a--a-beggar,
said the young woman, laughing
aloud.
Good heavens, Elsie! can 1t be that
you are mercenary, thenP 1 did not
think
No; l suppose you thought could
marry beggar just as we'll as not, and
continue to work at millinery for my
living, and for yours. too, perhapsI said
the girl, lightly.
Elise, hear mel 1t is not too latel
My uncle, am sure, has not cut noe
off in his will. Will you not return
with nae, and, for the sake of the past,
let me call you my own Elsie-my
wife?'
'Hushp said the girl, warningly, as
man approached. I could do moth
Ing Of the kind. Let me present you
to my husband, M. Fennel'
And, to his intense disgust and NOR.
tifcatlon, Frank found himself the next
instant In the embrace of vIvacious
and voluble Frenchman. The new
view of the lovely siren In her coarse
ness and mammon worship, together
with this presentation of heavy. vul-
gar man, past middle age, as her hus-
band, was q combination of circumstan-
ces that completely diseDamored Frank
Duncan, and he fled precipitately as
soon as released from the mans
clutches, amid peels of laughter from
the giddy French girl and nasal adieux
from her male companion.
Old Mr.. Somers sat in his dingy little
law office. scratching his ear with his
pen, and glancing occasionally at let
ter he held in his hand.
The letter was from Frank Duncan,
and informed the lawyer that he, Frank
Duncan, would call upon him in day
or two on business relating to his de-
ceased uncle's will.
The young scamp must know that
Helen is the possessor of the old mans