The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-26

D
had told Francis. very pretty.
She was sitting, as they went in, on a
great easy chair before the fire, holding a
large pale blue feather fan in her hand to
screen her delicate face little distance
from her, at a small table, reading aloud by
shaded lamp, was a young girl, who
started violently and grew suddenly pale
when she looked up aud saw the visitors.
But Mrs. Southwel smiled aud held out
her white hand.
VERY pleased TO see you, Col Roche; and
is this your nephew che said.
"Yes, this is my nephew Francis Roche"
answered the colonel, as he took her hand.
Frank, this lady is, and has always been,
one Of my best friends
| Francis bowed his well-shaped head and
smiled his pleasant smile.
II have heard my uncle speak Of you" he
said.
At this moment the girl by the table rose,
and was going quickly out Of the room when
| Mrs Southwell stopped her.
Don't 60, Miss Dalton" she said kindly.
Colonel Roche is one Of my Oldest friends,
and this young gentleman Is his nephew
| Colonel Roche, Miss Dalton, Mr.. Roche"
The girl paused in the center of the room
| on being thus addressed, and the light Of
the fire and the lamp lit up her face and fig
ure She was tall and 1.-the and dressed in
| black, and handsome, and the moment
Francis Roche saw her face he sprang for
ward with a sudden exclamation.
"Helenp he cried, clasping her hand
eagerly in his. 'you"
Both the elder people by the fire saw at a
| glance there was more than an ordinary ac-
| Quaintauce between the two who stood
Handicapped, and, deeply moved, in the
| middle Of the room, but with well bred ease
Mrs Southwell appeared not to notice this.
| you knew MIR. Roche before then, Miss
Dalton" she said with smile. "Well, you
must have chat with your old friend then
while l talk to mine" And she glanced at
the Colonel.
| 1t was a long room, and the colonel took
the hostess hint, and drew a chair in front
of hers. and Roche, still holding Helen's
| hand, led her to distant couch and sat
| down by ner SIDE
Helen. tits really, really you!" he said
He was greatly agtated, aud the girl
Helen Drummond - was also greatly
moved.
Yes she said IN low tone, but do not
call me by my old name"
"And why did you go awayp went on
Francis. "If you knew all that you have
cost me-the miserable anxiety as to your
fate"
aud her head fell low; "better forgotten. :"
But you were not forgotten, Is it SO
easy, do you think, to forget"
| mo" half whispered the girl, and blush
stole to her handsome face.
And where have you beenF' asked
| Francis Roche. DO you live with Mrs.
| Southwellg'
81 have lived with her for some months
as her companion. She is very good TO me
but, remember, she knews nothing-nothing
| of the past"
"Do not think OF the past Ihave found
you again, and surely, surely you are not
| sorry to see me, HelenP
mo, Frank"
She looked up -timidly in his face as
she said this. and Francis Roche bent
eagerly forward and took her hand.
You made me so miserable" he said, 81
searched and searched everywhere 1 could
think of to find you, aud so did Lord Ennis
| more.n
Lord Ennismore" repeated Helen, and
| again she looked at Francis. And how is
| Lady Enuismore" she added.
1.-THE stranges5 thing has happened"
began Francis, and then he suddenly checked
| himself.
| About Lady Ennismorep asked Helen
"Yes-I can understand better now,
Helen. part of her conduct-but she was
| terribly distressed also at your disappear
ance; they say she has never been the same
woman since"
| Helen gave deep sigh.
| yet you must keep my secret, Frank, >"
she said; ''ycu must forget that you have
seen me again"
"Only on one condition then, which is
that you never keep where you are a secret
from me. VIII you promise this, Helena"
Again she signed deeply and looked very
| wis fully at his earnest face.
| II must add a condition, TOO, then" she
said softly.
| Whatever you like If you will faithfully
| promise Co see me sometimes-to let me
know where you arem
There could not be much harm in that,
Frank and she smiled sadly enough. IL =
l wished when went away to be forgotten
| and yet"
''Did you think would forget you9'
81 thought in time you woodland yet I
am glad you did not quite forget me-"
81 never shall forget you! Don't you
know what you were to me, Helen, what
| you areY'
She gently shook her head
''You must forget all that" she said; "all
about the old days-but if you wish to be my
friend still"
II most earnestly wish it," said Francis
Roche.
In the meanwhile Mrs. Southwell and
Col. Roche. after q few ordinary remarks
not unnaturally began speaking in low
tone OF the absorbed young couple at the
other end of the room.
ut seems to me-" said COL Roche. pres.
emily, that my nephew has found young
lady that he is particularly interested in. Is
she great friend of yoursP
i also am much interested in her," an
swered Mrs. Southwell. She is staying
with me as my companion, for my eyes
have been weak for some time, and il
wearies them to read and the general
wished me to have young lady to read to
me, aud met this one at my old friends,
Mrs. Benson's. You remember Capt Ben
son of the artillery, don't you"
Eyes, be came to some grief, didn't he,
and diedg'
Yes, poor man, and left widow almost
totally unprovided for. There was little
private subscription got up among her
friends, enough to furnish small house,
and pay the rent for one one year, and she
lives now by letting lodgings l 60 to see
her sometimes, and some months ago when
was there this young lady, Miss Dalton,
came into the room to Civ some order or
other, and | was struck by her appearance
and began talking to her"
And took fancy TO her, in your usual
kind way, supposed"
II took a fancy to her. at all events, :"
smiled Mrs Southwell, land heard what
Mrs. Benson had to say about her. She
had lodged with Mrs Benson some time and
led very quiet life, rarely indeed going
out, but practicing singing and taking les
sons. She has beautiful voice, and Mrs.