The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-22
CHAPTER TX.
HELEN'S HOME.

II is strange how a sort of intuitive
knowledge comes to US sometimes of things
actually hidden from our sight. For it had
more than once dawned on Julia Bingham's
mind of late that there was mystery, a
secret. connected with Helen Drummond,
the nature OF which she naturally could not
understand Her mother always treated
Helen as a daughter, and yet there was
certain reticence in Lady Ennismore's
manner when Julia once asked her il there
were really any relationship between
Helens family and their own.
"She is the daughter Of an old friend OF
mine, my DEAR" Lady Ennismore had an
swered, after moments hesitation. and she
made no further explanation.
Helen herself always declared that, with
the exception OF Miss Drummond, with
whom she lived and whose adopted child she
was, that she seemed to have no one else in
the world belonging to her.
AUNT Margaret will never talk to me
about my father. so 1 suppose he must have
been ne'er-do-well," she had once said, in
her lively, girlish way to Julia, and this
idea had troubled her young mind very lit
tie until she had learned to care for Francis
Roche, end Lady Ennismore had so unac-
countably insisted on their separation.
And something in Julia's manner now
added to her misgivings on the subject.
But before Julia could make any reply to
her anxious questions, a gentle rap came to
the bedroom door, and the next moment
Miss Sinclair's good-looking face appeared,
at the sight of which Helen Indignantly
turned away her head, as she felt almost
sure that it had been the governess who had
told Lady Ennismore Of her meetings with
Roche.
Julia, dear. it is time you we're going to
bed" said Miss Sinclair, $50 you had better
bid Miss Drummond good night"
II want to talk to Helen a little longer,
Miss Sinclair, and want something l left
in the drawing-room," replied the young
girl, rather hesitatingly.
mot tonight, dear; you can get what
you want tomorrow; come with me now,p
continued the goyerness' even, measured
tones. II hear you are leaving us early to-
morrow, Miss Drummond," she went on a
moment la or addressing Helen, whose face
was still steadily turned away from her.
swell, hope you will have a pleasant
journey"
But Helen made no answer. There was
indeed choking sensation in the Door girls
throat, and her eyes we're dim with unshed
tears, and she kew If she spoke she would
break down, and she was not going to give
Hiss Sinclair the opportunity Of bestowing
any false sympathy.
Come, my dear, then" said Miss Sin
clair, with q smile. drawing Julia's
slender arm through her own, las see Miss
Drummond is little upset we had best
leave her"
But Julia pulled her arm away from Miss
Sinclair, and going up to Helen flung both
her arms round her neck
81 will see him and tell him." she whis-
pered, 'a2d l will SEQ YOU in the morning
before you go; good night, darling Helen"
helel was too NUT agitated to make
any reply, and thus Z girls parted; Miss
Sinclair seeing her pr safely in bed before
she left her. And the next morning before
Julia was up Helen had left Brackenford
and started in the first train for Scotland,
escorted by Lady ERnismore's maid, and
Cox, u no was an old family servant.
NO one IN the house knew that she was
gong so soon but Lady Ennismore and
these two attendants. But Lady Eunismore
rose IN the dusky Novem Der morning to see
her of, leaving her lord enjoying his sound
sumber. and Lady Ennismore's own eyes
were wet as she gave her parting kiss on
Helen's tear-stained face
tive my love 10 Aunt Margaret" she
whispered, "and-aud don't grieve, Helen,
you shall soon return"
But Helen did grieve, and the long, cold
journey seemed very dreary one to her.
MISS Drummond lived in q small, lonely
mouse In Western Highlands, in view of the
Sea-green waters of Loeb Etire, and here
Eeiens childhood ard girlhood had been en-
uIe.y spent, except during her frequent
visits to Brackenford. Miss Drummond
was well educated woman, and she had
zone her best for the child she had reared
IL was strange household-Marga
DFummond, the mistress, cold and reserved
~ manner, gray-haired and gray-tinted
rom her complexion to her gown, and
Dr0mmond. blooming, fresh and beautiful,
VINO delighted in gay colors and gay
VIRUS, aud who was merry
e even with the sedate woman whose very
hihlle vas sad. These two, and one old SER
want who had lived with Miss Drummond
ever since Helen could remember, were the
only inhabitants of Ardleigh House, as the
qualnt old residence Miss Drummoud had
'oateu Ior nineteen years was named.
que had gone as a stranger, and In the
spatsely peopled district in which she lived
-; OHlolueu ono Tor years ana years, seek
ng no acquaintance, and living a life of
e1Creme seclusion. But as she paid her way,
aau was known to be generous in times of
nosu, she had become respected by her
nelghoors, and some of them were quite
Tpsaay to be on friendly terms with her.
DuV no-Miss Drumnond received all ad-
sslces civilly, but coldly, and as Helen
steW on from childhood to her lovely girl
nood, Miss Drummond discouraged even
more strongly than before all socia5ility
WIN those around her.
nut Helen was never dull. She had pets
C ~ various descriptions, and made the old
eat0en round the house gay with flowers;
auu would loiter among the noss-grown
meIAs there singing softly to herself, or
oasuely weaving romances for the years to
%, ohes blithe as she's bonny," the old
se!tant said one day to her grave-faced
mistress, as the two elder women stood
tSiaa1chlng the young girl playing with
Kitten on the lawn,
u she's young" answered Miss Drum
ssttond, with sigh, and Elizabeth under
5000 what her mistress meant, and sighed
SSi;so, knowing too well, though the girl
S Siu not. that shadow already lay across
Hd 5us no suspicion of this had dawned on