Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-02-01

during his absence, which not only made
him look older, but were exceedingly be-
coming.
Arrived in sight of Helen's house,
Rush felt his heart beating like Il trip
hammer; but it almost STOOD still when
he got to within twenty feet of the door,
for there, slowly coming down the front
steps, was the hated West Hastings.
Hastings was SO much occupied with
his own thoughts that he did not see
Rush. The expression on his face was
as though it were impossible for him to
believe what had happened; but whether
he could not realize his good fortune or
his bad, Rush was unable to decide. He
made up his mind, however, that he
would know before he left Helen's house,
and end the suspense he had been living
in for the past five years. He had had
no such thought when he left the
hotel, but the sight Of West Hastings
aroused all the jealousy in his ma
ture and made him fully alive to
the fact that he was occupying
very uncertain position. His mind
was now fixed, and he rang the door bell
with such determined pull that the lit
lie bell tinkled for several minutes, and
the old man servant who had been so
long attached to Helen's service forgot
his dignity for once and came running
to the door. He was as much pleased as
surprised to see Rush. and ushered him
unannounced into the drawing room,
where Helen was standing, apparently
lost in thought. before the wood fire that
cracked on the hearth. Indeed, she was
so absorbed that she did not hear Rush
enter the room, and he had the pleasure
of gazing upon her In all her lovely un-
unconsciousness. A long sigh escaped
from her lips. and, as she raised her eyes,
she saw Rush advancing towards her. A
look of terror passed over her face. and
she gave low cry of alarm.
81 hope | have not frightened you,"
said Rush. taking her hand: "but l was
so lost in admiration that did not dare
to speak and break the charm"
When she saw that it was Rush. and
not an apparition, she blushed to the tips
of her shell like ears and said:
81 was thinking of you at that very
moment. and when looked up and saw
you standing there before me my heart
stood STILL and actually thought it was
spirit and not real flesh and blood
But how you have changedl You look
older by years than you did when you
went awav."
IL am delighted to hear that, for you
used to torture me with remarks on my
youthful appearance" said Rush, leading
her to chair and taking her vacant
place on the hearth rug.
Ibid l? am grieved to know that
was ever so rude as to make such per
sonal remarks; but can never say any
thing of that sort again, for you certainly
look much more than two years older"
Il cannot say that of you, said Rush.
you look ten years younger"
Don't tell me that; people always be-
gin telling a woman how young she
looks when they realize that she is no
longer young. 1t is the first sign that
old age is creeping on. But tell me what
this means-why are you nome? sup
pose your departure from London must
have been sudden, or you would have
let your friends know of the treat in
store for them"
"Now please don't guy me, Miss
Knowlton," said Rush. MY departure
from the other side was sudden; didn't
know until forty eight hours before ]
sailed that was to come The chief
sent for me to meet him in Paris. There
he told me he wanted m 10 become
managing editor of The Dawn at once;
so hurried back to New York by the
first steamer.
managing editor of The Dawn! You
take your honors coolly. That is as fine
a position as journalist could have.
congratulate you; but | am not sur
prised From the way heard people
speak of your work in London, was
prepared for artthing."
"People were very kind to speak well
Of my work. If they had only known
my incentive, however, they would have
wondered why didn't do better. But
enough about me; tell me about yourself;
that is q much more interesting subject.
You looked sad as | entered, and you
breathed deep sigh. Has anything
gone wrong? | wish you would make
me your confdant; you must know taat
| would not only share any of your
troubles, but take the burden of them
upon my own shoulders most cheerfully.
A troubled expression passed over
Helen's face, and yet with it there was Il
little twinkle in her eye, as though some
thing amusing had happened.
II saw Mr.. Hastings leaving your door
as entered. Had yon said anything to
make him very happy-cr very unhappy?
His face wore a most peculiar expires
sion."
II don't know whether he was happy
or unhappy in his mind. The only SEN
sation he expressed before me was one of
surprise. And she smiled at the thought.