Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-01
CHAPTER V.
TITS better TO have loved. and lost
Than never 10 have loved al all


f-TSn1yson.
Helen ran swiftly down the road, and
up the drive to the house. She entered
the house by the side door, by which she
had come out. and proceeded to the
pantry. where she had no difficulty in OBJ
tanning n bottle Of spirits.
She again cautiously left the house,
and closing the door carefully behind
her she started on her return. She had
not proceeded far, however, when she
heard quick footsteps behind her. Turn
ing quickly she saw IA tall form approach
ing her. She was not frightened now,
but fearful lest the newcomer should in
some way prevent her aiding Sutherlyn
30 escape.
She he'd not paused but was walking
rapidly on, when the person behind her
overlook her, and touching her lightly
on the shoulder said III a voice which she
recognized as Walls:
"Helen, wherever are you going at
this time Of the niGht?"
They had stopped now. Val was
standing with his hand still on Hclen's
shoulder and trying to look into her
face, while Helen, for the first time
realizing the embarrassment Of her posi-
ton, kept her eyes steadiastly on the
ground, yainly endeayoring to frame a
reply.
"What does it all mean, Hclen?" he
asked again, with tender solicitude. C.
had not YET gone asleep when | heard
some one leaving the house, and dressing
hastily l followed. As soon as l saw
your figure felt certain as to its being
you, but was perpleYed to decide as to
what your orrand was at such an hour as
this, nor is my perp.exity any the less
now that have overtaken you. Where
are you going, little girl? Is tia secret
30 great that you can't trust even Cousin
Val with it ?"
ooh, Val, it is secret" she said,
speaking for the first time, and hiding
her head on his shoulder she burst into
tears.
There, there. little girl, don't cry"
he said, surprised at her tears. 81 dare
say we can fix it up oil right. If you
don't want to tell me what your trouble
is though. why do not. will 60 back
TO the house and no one need ever know
of our being here. but | do not like to
leave you out here alone at this hour.
"But will tell you, Val, she said,
her head still resting on his shonlder,
though she was not weeping now. 81
know l can trust you, and am in, oh,
so much trouble"
Then in low, scarcely audible tones.
she told him all-her former dislike of
Sutherlyn, OF how he had carried her
home on that never-to- beforgotten
night, OF how she had cared for him
while he was i'll with his wounds, and
last, of the plan she had devised for his
escape, and which was now likely to ter
inmate in failure.
"Oh, VAL" she said pleadingly,
evil You not help me You have
always been so good and kind that l
feel that ! can trust you now"
The telling OF Helen's story had con-
sumed several minutes, and during that
time Val had not once spoken.
"Helen," he said, after moments
silence. perhaps 1 should not ask you,
but do You not love this officer ?"
"Yes, Val, / love him." said Helen
bravely. "He is so brave, and manly,
and honorable, worthy OF the love of
any truo woman"
Ii was as be had thought then, and
"one dream of his life vas DER" How
hard to have bis brightest illusions dis
PEELED. his highest hopes blighted. He
had loved Helen all her life he thought,
and for years his one dream OF future
happiness had been Of life TO be spent
with her. But all was over now. Her
love was given TO another, and she would /
never know how he had loved her
through all the long years. And should Z
be grant her request, and help his sue
cessful rival in his efforts TO reach home I
md frian.ls and nerhans safetY2 With |