The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-05-17

before she knew Of the shadow which lay
ath~art her life.
II must apologize for being such en- early
visitor" began Roche, addressing Mrs.
SouthweE.
"a welcome visitor is never too early,
smiled that lady. 1--WE are both very
pleased 10 see you, Mr.. Roche"
Helen did not, however. express her
pleasure in words; aud yet 20 see Francis
Roche, TO know that he still cared for her.
and that her sad secret was now shared by
him, filled her heart with subtle joy. And
the knowledge Of their near relationship;
the feeling that there was a bond at all
events between them, that could not change
was very sweet to Helen. She looked al
him, therefore. with a bright smile, and
Mrs. SOuthwell, who was a wonderfully
amiable little woman, glancing from one
young face to the other, began to consider
what would be the kindest thing for her to
do under the circum stances.
1t was very cosy sitting by the fire, Ger.
tainly. in her velvet divan chsIr, but still
she felt that these two would be happier
without her. and it therefore behOoved her
to make an exertion.
After a little delay. with a half sigh at
the idea of disturbing herself which her
Anglo-Indian habits had taught her. she
did rise, looking lCnquldlY at the little
jeweled watch on her wrist as she did SO.
my dear child" she said, addressing
Helen, 81 have just remembered that ]
promised the general to go down into the
library this afternoon to discuss some bust
ness matters, so l must leave you to enter
tain Mr.. Roche until / return. In the mean.
while you must give him some tea"
A d again Mrs. Southwell smiled her
kindly smile.
VERY well" answered Helen, brightly.
And don't run away, please, Mr.. Roche
until / come back continue Mrs. South
we'll, as Roche rose to open the door for her.
"WIll you promiseP
81 will most faithfully" laughed Roche,
with an ingenious blush; and then as the
graceful mistress of the house quilted the
room he went back to Helen and took her
hand.
That is the sweetest little woman, isn't
sheY" he said.
"Ye', she's awfully NICE"
lawfully nice to leave us to have a chat,
wasn't it, Helea? I'm so glad, for I've got o
lot of things to tell you"
Helen smiled.
well, what are they, FrankP' she said.
81 am going to ask you quite a solemn
ques ion," began Francis Roche with q
bright look in his dark eyes. "Do you
think it right if two people are fond of each
other that one of the two should try to
make the other unhappyg
mo, very wrong"
Wrong, almost wicked, isn't it, You
agree to this don't you"
"Yes, of course-unless-"
There can be no unless. Como and sill
down here, Helen, and shall tell you what
| mean"
He drew her to a couch near the fire as he
Ike, and sat down by her side and took
both her hands.
II mean this" he said, becoming quite
earnest in his manner. "Do you remember
this letter, Helen" and he drew one from
his pocket-book as he spoke; 1.-THE letter you
wrote me from Scotland to give me up after
Lady Ennismores unfortunate visit: the
letter that made me very miserable, vet
which contained these words and he pointed
to the concluding lines.
"Oh, don't, don't, Frank" cried Helen,
and her head fell. "Don't bring all that
miserable time back so freshly to my
mind"
Forgive me, dear. but tell me are these
words iruep
Then Helen glanced at the letter; at the
words to which Francis Roche was point
ing.
and as she did so q deep blush stole to her
face.
Are they true, HelenY'
YES" she said, falteringly and with
downcast eyes. but why ask this, Franks
You know te reason why"
Yes, and will not admit it as reason
IL is, in fact, no reason. You never saw
either of-the unhappy pair, whose tragic
fate You would allow to blight your young
life. Your father died before you were
born. and your poor mother at your birth
yet for the sake Of these two, who were, in
truth, utter strangers to you, you would
throw away my happiness and your own
Is this fair Helen-fair to me?"
But think, Frauk-think of the dis
grace"
mo, disgrace to you, darling. You were
brought up by good woman, and lived q
good, pure. innocent, happy life, until this
old world story was whispered, | think most
injudiciously, in your ears. l want you tc
forget it, Helen; to go back to the happy
days when you did vt know it; and shall
tel you, it's only made you, if possible, rnorl
dear to me.n
"Oh, Frank"
He put his arm round her and drew hel
head on his breast, and for moment Heller
did not speak.
Are you fond of me, Helena" he whisp.
cred, bending over her.
Then Helen raised her head and looked
straight in his excited, good-looking face.
Frank" she said. sit is because l an
fond of you, because l love you mos
dearly that / cannot bring this slur upol
| Your name. What would your uncle, Col
Roche, says What would Lady Ennismor
| saya You, in your generosity, don't SO
this, but do. am worse than nameless.
am
"My own darling girl. whom me,nt t
marry and no one else, " interrupted Francis
| again clasping her in his arms, and ardentl,
kissing her sweet face. There, don't say
| word more, Helen; you can't help yourself
| for won't give YOU q choice"
She could not help smiling at this, and i
must be admitted was by no means angr,
| at her lovers determinate wooiug. She sa
| there with her hand lying in his, Will
Francis Roche talked all sorts of FOOLS
| welcome words.
| Mrs. Southwell remained an hour out O
her comfortable drawing.room, and by n
means enjoyed it, and then thought she ha
done her duty to the young people an
| came back for some tea, and il seemed 3
Helen and Francis as if she had only beer
| away few moments. Heleu'S cheeks wer
flushed, aud her bright hair by no mean
tidy when Mrs. Southwell returned an
| Mrs. Southwell saw all these signs Of happ
| agitation and felt pleased that her own self
sacrifice had not been thrown away.
She retired again into her divan chair b
the fire, and talked in her lanGaid, pleasin
fashion, aud then the general came in t
drink tea also, and Helen took edvantag
of his presence to leave the room, and ra
up to her own with a fast-beating, happ
heart.
I'D 49, Il ~