The national leader., 1889-03-02
'tlse house he had intrud-

Mny had he taken course
Ylaid him open to the worst sus-
NlDnsp Who would believe that he
was prowling in neighbor's house-a
fich neighbor's-for any good?
AT least it was an unwarranted I'M
pertinence, and even if he went to Hell
en- and explained the truth, she must
despise him. He would feel like a
BOBBY, making a confession with those
proud, dark eyes upon him.
He wrought himself into a state of
high nervousness. This, added to the
heat of the weather and his growing ill
health, had its effect-the Office whirled
around one Dreathless morning, and he
fell senseless to the floor.
In a darkened room he tossed and
raved for several days before Doctor
Dudley got control of the overtasked
system.
Again that silvery voice smote the
tumult of his brain:
Are you quite sure, doctor?"
son, yesl With rest and care he
will pull through. You are helping
him greatly. 1t is very good of you,
Miss Denbigh."
his family, and he is away from home.
| have sent for his mother. She will
be here tomorrow"
There was sometimes some one else
in the room, but it was Helen when he
woke from sleep-a deep, beneficial
sleep-and found her sitting, patient
and sweet, at the foot of his bed.
There was no pride in her dark eyes,
only the loveliest solicltude, as she bent
over him.
"Are you better? Do you recognize
me?"
81 know you. I remember all; and
you desplse me, he said.
mo, no-oh, no! At the worst you
were only an intruder; and what am /?
have come here unbidden, and. worse
have stayed here three days.
'You are an angel!'' he sighed.
"Helen, why did you Gomez"
She tried to release her hands.
why, Doctor Dudley told me you
had been seized with violent illness
He recognized you as the young man
who summoned him to me that night,
and what could do less?'
Here she faltered. His eyes were
certainly fervid enough 10 confuse her.
'IIelen," he said, still fast hold of
the little, white hands, ''do you know
that l am loving you every hour and
minute Of my life, and that [ am only d
poor book-keeper, while you are a rich
heiress, and more elegant and beautiful
than any other woman | ever saw?
Y on are perfect, while /"
''HuSh!" she interrupted. 81 an
only a useless butterfly, who never did
anything but fan my wings i'll the sun
shine, while you are respected and ad-
mired by everybody for your WORK and
courage and all manly qualities. To
wait upon you has been nothing to the
task of interviewing the continual
stream of friends who have been to in
quire after you in your sickness. Mr..
Ferguson himself has insisted twice
upon coming into the room. and Doctor
Dudley Is laid under heavy charges by
him to have you righted. Oh, you are
too modest by halfl''
"You are encouraging me, Helen"
"Well?'
"To dare making my very fortune
out of this scrape."
"How?"
"By asking you to be my wife"
son, you are ill.," she laughed.
"Yo must not talk.'
Il shall talk all night If you do not
promise.
"I-I must promise, then"
He raised himself upon his elbow,
and looked into her eyes. They were
very bright and sweet. He lay down
with happy sigh.
II am going to get well, and shall
hold you to it. [ am the happiest
man"
The words drifted into an uninteIIi-
gibie murmur, and he was asleep.
But weakness and pain were soon
conquered by joy. and those who Cal ed
it an unequal match had no compre-
hension Of the content of two sincere
and congenial young people who mar
ried in the autumn with simple rites
and perfect happiness,