Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-01
and OF course she wants to see you-hcr

since he had guided the Confederates to
Meadowdene, an exploit OF which he
never tired Of talking.
Helen bad long, earnest convcrsa-
ton with him, and when she left him he
had very broad grin on his face and
gold piece in his mouth.
Helen left without seeing Sutherlyn,
ms they both thought it best for the sue
cess OF their plans for them not TO again
be seen together.
The ride was O short one, and it was
not long ere Helen rode up to the vine
covered porch at Becchwood. Mira. Pier
son had seen her coming, and, although
nn invalid, had come out on the porch TO
meet her, leaning on the arm OF her son,
who had arrived home from the army
only the day previous. He had been
wounded and had been in the hospital
for several weeks. and was now home ON
sick leave.
Helen had known Valentine Pierson
all her life, and right good fellow he
was Reckless, rollicking, care-free
brave as lion yet tender as q woman, he
was the very soul of honor and chivary,
the typical young Virginia cavalier OF
former days, and the race is not yet
wholly extinct He had for years loved
Helen with all the strength of his honest
nature. and il was the dearest wish OF
his mothers heart to see them married.
Val, as every one called him, had never
told Helen of his love. as he had always
thought her too young-he was twenty
g. 10 hoI ,ct hoa,, boVoa for Oyar tuO
years, and as may be imagined was over
joyed at seeing Helen, and she was
almost as pleased to see him.
"Why, Cousin Val !" she said, As he
came down the steps to assist her to dis
mount. 81 had no idea you were here.
How glad | am to sec you, and she
threw her arms around his neck and
kissed him as she would have done her
brother.
"And an rs glad TO see you, little
Cozy," ho said, returning her c8resS
And then followed questions as to
when he had arrived, how long he would
stay, why he had not been to Meadow
dene, etc, and Mrs. PiersOn had to
rather plaintively command Helen to
come and speak to her.
lyon are not half so glad TO SEQ me
as you were Valentine" she said. pre-
tending to scold, but really gratifed.
"Don't blame her. for her aunt she
has always with her, but her cousin she
has not always, said Val rather irrevc-
rontly paradying holy writ
"But ! hope che Will have yOu the
longest" said his mother with an eArn-
estness neither of the young people I'M
derstOod.
They went into the pleasant sitting
room, Mrs. Pierson leaning on Helen
now. with Val bringing up the rear, and
keeping up continual flow Of jokes and
small talk.
Val was n fine talker and related well
many incidents of army life, humorous
and pathetic (the former predominatlng,
for he always saw the bright side Of
everything) ; but the afternoon dragged
slowly along for Helen.
Mrs. Pierson retired as soon as she had
taken her tea, and Helen and Val were
left alone The tenor of the conversation
was changed now, and Val talked of old
times, dwelling with tender gravity on
many incidents Of their childhood days
Helen was more interested now, and en-
tered with zest into the recital of their
boy and girl sCrapes ; but the striking of
ii by the old clock behind the door re-
called her mind 10 the responsibilities of
the present, and she arose suddenly and
started to leave the room.
"What not going TO bed yet?" said
Val in surprised tones and glancing at
his watch. cts only IL o'clock and l
have hardly begun talking yet
GO to bed at dsrb.
Aud rise with the lark
quoted Helen lightly. "You must finish
talking in the morning. Goodnight,
and pleasant dreams
She closed the door and ran lightly up
the stairs to the little room which she
always occupied when staying with her
aunt. She did not retire at once, but
seated herself by the open window which
commanded a view OF Walls room in
distant wing of the old house. She had
blown out her candle, and was now wait
ing for Val to extinRuish his. She had
TO wait considerable length Of time,
however, and it was past midnight eye
the house was wrapped in darkness.
When Vafs light went out she arose
and left the room, and with noiseless
tread descended the stairs. and let her
self out at o side-door When she step
ped out into tho open air she paused n
moment TO collect her thoughts and
brace her nerves, and then glided rapidly
across the lawn in the direction of the
stables. Doors, and especially stable
doors, are seldom locked on Virginia
farms, and size had no difficulty in enter
ing the stable. She and Val had often
played around here whom children to-
gether, and she WAS perfectly familiar
with the stable.
She had no difficulty in finding a
bride and mans saddle, and putting
them on Alecto. whom she recognized
by the low whinny OF recognition which
she gave when she approached her stall.
Having bridled and saddled her horse
she led it from the stable, and, carefully
closing the door behind her. she slipped
the rem over her arm and started hriskly
down the lane that terminated a hundred
yards away at the gate which opened
into the highway.
The night was not very dark-there
vas no moon, but the stars were shining
brightly-but something in the intense
stiffness, broken only by the solemn
boot OF an owl in tree near by, and the
doleful piping Of the frogs down by the
little brook, made Helen, courageous as
she was, feel, if not afraid, at least very
lonely.
She had gotten through the gate and
was walking rapidly up the road ever
an anon looking from side TO side for
some midnight horror, when she heard |
stumbling footsteps coming down the |
road towards her.
She inyoluntarily stopped to listen.
With bated breath, and trembling IN
every limb, she stood with straining eyes !
trying to pierce the gloom before her,
while Alecto with her head over Helens |
shoulder, aud ears pricked, seemed TO be
to do the same.
For Il moment Helen lisienpd No !