The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-15
CHAPTER XIV.
A sHADowED LIFE.


truly described Margaret Drummond's life
and death. The bitter troubles of her
vouth, borne uncomplainingiy had not the
less eaten into her heart, and for years she
had not known that at any moment its frail
beatiugs might cease. Lady Ennismore's
sudden visit, and the knowledge of Helen's
ufferings had also greatly upset her, and it
had been the final blow when the poor girl
driven by her misery had told her of her
determination to leave Ardleigh.
But she hal passed away very peacefully,
and had died apparently in her sleep, for
the pillow on which her head rested was I'M
disturbed, and the coverlet on which her
hand lay unruffled. But the sad, meek spirit
was gone, and the burden she had borne so
long and patiently had slipped away from
her; and the child she had reared and loved,
looking on her still face, realized in its full
bitterness that now she was absolutely alone
in the world.
Helen's grief indeed at the death of Mar
caret Drummond was something terrible,
for bitter remorse Yves mixed with it as the
poor girl remembered their last CONVEX sa-
ton, and how it seemed to give Aunt Mar
garet such great pain the idea of her leaving
Der. And now the parting had come and
the quiet woman had passed away from her
earthly troubles and left Helen to bear them
alone as best she could.
The news of Miss Drummond's sudden
death was also received with sincere regret
BY her few neighbors. There were humble
cottages on the lone hillsides, where sickness
had scatbed the dwellers, or where the dark
angel had gone with his silent destroying
steps, that knew visitor who went there
but at times of need. Margaret Drum
monds charities had been one of the most
unRssuming nature, and she had never
spoken Of them even to Helen. But many
a poor vi dow and mother had reason 10
bless her name, and not few tears were
shed in mud-walled novels when it was
know that the "leedie" of Ardleigh House
would come to them no more
Johnny Campbell carried the news to his
mother, and Mrs. Campbell was very much
upset. She did not like to hear of death
coming SO near to her for one thing, and she
did not like the IDEA of losing her quiet ter
ant, who had paid SO regularly, and never
troubled her about repairs. She therefore
allowed Johnny to persuade her to order the
carriage to 60 TO call on Helen the day after
Miss Drumnond's death. But Helen refused
to see her. and was sitting, with a pale
stony face, gazing at her dead when this
stout, easy-goirg woman arrived on her
nelghborly errand.
But Mrs Campbell saw Elizabeth, and
listened with sympathizing signs TO the cid
servants fearful account Of Ter dead mis-
tress leaving them. Mrs. Campbell had a
large, fiat, smooth, round face, on which
he little short OOSa in the Capra,. eoap,oJ
lost amid its huge surroundings. Her Lair
was sandy. and 1t was easy 10 see by her
complexion from whence poor Johnny had
Inherited his freckles. But she had a good
heart as far as it went, and it moved her so
TO hear of Helen Drummond's desolate
grief that tears came into her round. blue
eyes, which she left to trickle down her fat
cheeks.
II will take the poor lassie home with
me with pleasure, Elizabeth, if you can only
persuade her to come. Give my love to her
and ask her if she will; lis not good for a
young thing like that to 10 alone with her
poor dear aunt now, and it will not be so
is there"
But helen declined to accept this invita-
uon, which Elizabeth carried to her.
smell not stir from the poor mistress
room, Mrs. Campbell; that's the TRUTH
SAD Elizabeth on her return to the parlor
"nere Mrs. Campbell Was sitting. 'Tt's
salr sight to her, and she ought to have
some one by herr
is there no friend of poor Miss Drum
1m1onds that you could send fore" INQUIRED
Mrs. Campbell.
Ihere's Lady Ennismore. She was the
poor dears great friend,n answered Eliza
netn, mournfully; but when I named her
" MISS Helen she only shook her head. and
h has not even written to her ladyship to tell
ner OF our sad loss; and it's not for che like
y me 10 take upon myself to inform her
But, Elizabeth, some one should do it,n
urged Mrs. Campbell in her slow, solid wav,
Us US Hot right that Helen should be left
elohe IN her trouble without a relation or
friend to guide and look after her. Why.
ousIe the poor dear's funeral to see about,
SSnu ner affairs to arrange ''TIl get Miss
T1I LAY TO write to Lady Ennlsmore when
20 nome to inform her of Miss Drum
; ~ death if you think well. In fact,
Tvs only neighborly to do so-her that's been
my tenant SO long, too"
sigh. ''- "e''eu heaVy
!, I'm sure, Mrs. Campbell, it would be a
Ia law act OF ye,.n, said Elizabeth, in a re-
Aeved tone five been nigh distrauoht
myself, and then seeing Miss Helen in such
he 'i SN Is just dreadful. Some one should
Go,, JTrg TO manage things. and make no
boo uoV Lady Ennismore will come when she
d. OF our sair trouble for she and the
hso. mistress were girls together, aud have
~ az, cIose friends a. their lives"
,no. men, II you'll give me Lady Ennis
Lar u address, Miss MacNeil shall write to
80 o, ms very day." said Mrs Campbell;
or rmu, Elizabeth, my Johnny sent brace Of
n ,nos and black-cock with his compii-
, HiouS 10 Miss Helen, and if you cook them
an she might fancy bit, poor thing.
bo 'a IL might. help to cheer her. | would
no. brought her some grapes, but they've
r s,oe uo1e well this year, and we've none to
IL Pb", &c. out l will send some flowers, to put
n u the poor dears bedn
Zen this fat, kindly creature rose with
,,,tr sign, and was about to go away,
"u .ta Sne paused and sighed again.
suppose it might be expected that
s sinIulo ask to see her." she said; "but such
Jus UPSET me, and l am not strong, as you
Al; nS1w, Elizabeth; 50 just tell Hiss Helen l
~ ~, hot ike 70 intrude, but whenever she
H.; nl come to the Lodge she'll be sure of a
Aiodly welcome"
-. Alter this Mrs Campbell went away, and
{, ~ scarcely left Ardleigh House when her
r,"oohhny," as she called him, met the car
r,1 gHe, and signed TO the fat coachman to
pun up his fat horses
al y,ohnny had been watching for his moths
has, return, aud low got into the carriage