Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-01-25
TAKEN BY SlEGE.

and with these words upon his lips he
died. My friend took his penknife and
cut off the lock of hair and delivered it
as requested. Helen was very much af-
fected by the incident, though she didn't
remember the man at all. Now, who
shall say this poor fellow was not the
right man, if only he and she had known
it? Certainly he loved her with an hon
est love-"
True indeed" answered Archie, still
pacing the foor-"true indeed. The
whole subject seems to be involved in
mystery l don't know, after all, if an
other war maxim is not to be applied to
affairs of the heart: TO the victor belong
the spoils.' But while we are dealing in
glittering generalities I am forgetting
the object Of my call Here is little
note Helen scratched off for you on the
dock" And Archie handed the card to
Rush, who took it eagerly.
"Did she know-did she know every
thing when she wrote this, ArchieT
"Yes, old man-everything.'
II will go, then-God bless her!"
1t seemed an age to Rush before it was
time to go to Helen's house, and, al
though he was impatient for the hour to
come, his heart beat high with excite
ment and his cheeks were pale with
nervous dread when he rang the front
door bell of the little house in West
Twentieth street.
How strangely familiar the drawing
room looked! Everything was as it had
been the night before she sailed. A
faithful servant had kept the place open
and in order while she was gone, and it
seemed as fresh and bright when she
got back as though she had never, been
away. Rush noticed the delicate odor
of violets that hung about everything
that belonged to Helen, and it brougk
her as vividly before his eyes as if she
not long to wait before she did stand be-
fore him in her bodily presence. She
came towards him with both hands ex-
tended.
You must excuse my neglige, Mr..
Hurlstone, but didn't want to keep you
waiting, and-I wanted to see you.
Aunt Rebecca will be down in few mo-
ments, but she is so busy with trunks that
she can't come at once. Sit right down
here on this sofa and tell me how you are
and how you've been"
"I needn't ask you how you are" said
Rush, Mt last finding voice to speak.
Seating himself beside her, he regarded
her with undisguised admiration. He
might well think her lovely; less preju-
diced eyes would have agreed with him
thoroughly. She had been helping Aunt
Rebecca with the trunks, and had donned
loose morning gown of soft white stuff,
trimmed down the front and around the
neck and sleeves with dark fur. The red
upturned point of a gold embroidered
Turkish slipper peeped out from beneath
her gown and gave the only bit of color
to her costume Her brown hair was
done up in a careless classic knot on the
top of her head, and she looked as though
she had just stepped out of frame and
it would take very little to make her step
back again.
Nothing could be kinder than her
manner to Rush. Her object seemed to
DO to make him forget himself and his
troubles, and she talked about every
thing Of interest she had seen. Rush
followed her vaguely, for he could not
shake off the load upon his heart. The
more she talked and the moro beautiful
she looked. the worse he felt. Among
other things. she asked him if he had
seen anything of Uncle Lightfoot Myers
while she was away. He replied that he
had not seen him, but that Mr.. Myers
had left his card at his lodgings.
II wonder if he is in town now. When
was it that he left his card3'
Rush ran over in his mind all that aw-
full time. He remembered his feelings
when he found the old gentleman's card,
and the recollection was more than he
could bear.
1T was only few days ago" he man.
aged to say. II had just got back from
home" And, with this memory fresh in
his mind, he buried his face in his hands.
His frame shook with suppressed sobs
and tho hot tears forced their way
through his fingers.
If YOU are inclined to call this an I'M
manly exhibition, you must remember
that his nerves were strung up to high
pitch, that no had gone through great
deal during the past few days. and was
not master of himself. Helen regarded
him with feelings Of the most profound
pity. Poor boy!" she said, softly. And
taking his hot head between her cool,
soft palms, she kissed him gently on the
forehead.