Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1892-09-01

@eNAN 49, hAeh6
place, stole up behind him and softly
kissed his cheek. Good evening"" she
said, brightly.
Mr.. Arnold started up. "TIelenl" he
exclaimed, in bewildermcnt, show did
you como here?"
Helen laughingly explained. "And
row,' she went on, slipping into the
seat opposite him, II shall expect you
to say you're glad TO see me-" And as
she smiled Mt him across the table she
made upher mind that for that evening
she would be as entertaining as she
knew how.
Before the meal was over Helen
Arnold had made an interesting dis
covery, namely, that her father could
be entertaining rs well as herself
Moreover, there was q certain agree
able novelty about being tetc-a-tete
with ones own father at dinner. Helen
could hardly remember when she had
enjoyed an hour so much. When they
arose from the table Mr.. Arnold glanced
irresolutely at his daughter. "lf you
are not too tired, Helen" he said, II
wonder If couldn't have some music"
"Inleed you may" answered Helen,
trying TO speak lightly, though the un-
conscious appeal in his voice had
touched her inexplicably. She went at
once to the piano and almost instinct
lively began to play the simple melodies
which harmonized best with the gath
ering twilight, the hush Of the room
and her own softened thoughts. And
her father, sitting in the deepening
shadows, now and then put his hand to
his eyes as If to wash away an un-
hidden tear.
When the long evening was over and
Helen went to her fathers side to bid
him good night, he put his arms about
her and held her fast. ''This has been
like old times Helen" he said. 81 had
expected such lonely evening and this
was such a pleasant surprise. shall
think CT it very often when I'm here
alone. Thank you, my dear. Good
night"
Helen kissed him in silence, not trust
ing herself to make reply. But as she
went upstairs, struggling to keep back
the tears, she whispered softly: MY
poor, lonely father! I'll try after this
to be better daughter"
"You want to spend the summer at
| homer said Mrs. Arnold the next af-
ternoon. She sat in her room at the
Seaside house, and looked at her Oldest
daughter with gaze in which conster-
nation and bcwilderment were blend
ed "Helen, you must be crazy. Con-
slider your health!" ~
Helen gazed at the reflection of her
blooming face in the mirror opposite
and smiled little, 1t hardly seemed
necessary to answer that argument.
"Stay in the city all summer chimcd
in Grace. "Why, Helen, nobody does
that"
Papa does" answered Helen,
quietly.
you couldn't stand it, IIelen," said
Laura. the youngest daughter, positive
ly. You'd die of loneliness"
But papa stays there without any OF
us, persisted Helen.
Grace flushed Indignantly "Ilow
absurd you are, Helen. Of course papa
does. He always has. It's very differ
ent with man."
But Helen's mind was made up. I'm
moved by remonstrances or ridicule,
she packed her trunks and went back
to the city, not, it must be admitted
without pang at leaving the cool at
tractiveness of Cliffsidc. When her fa
ther came home that evening he found
her in her pretty tea-gown, with hel
hair dressed in the most becoming way
waiting to receive him. 1t was some
time before he could be made to under
stand the change in her plans, but
when he at last comprehended her ex
planation he grew quite pale.
"Givc up your summers pleasure
Helen?" he said. "Indeed, I'm not sell
fish enough to allow anything Of the
kind. You must go back tomorrow.
But even then Helen proved OBJ
durate. Not that the way Of self-de
NAL was Unexpectedly easy. She hat
many days of loneliness, many gloomy
hours; every letter she received from
Cliffside made the course she haC
marked out for herself seem more diff
cult and unattractive. But the new re
lation between her father and herself
his grateful tenderness, the change il
his face and step, his altered bearing
surely these were enough to recon
pense for far greater sacrifice. And
moreover, during the enforced quiet o
these long months Helen was making
certain surprising discoveries. Among
the many ''nobodies" who had not lef
the city for the summer Helen wa
finding people of intelligence and cul
ture, charming people, people who's
names she had hitherto barely foun'
time to remember half dozen time
throughout the busy year. AS she nov
felt the inspiration of these earnes
lives, Helen wondered not little at he
previous blindness
1t was perhaps through the infuenc
of these new friends that she found S
many new and unexpected opportuni
ties of helpfulness. Her narrow lif
seemed to have broadened out, he
sympathies had widened. Orc brav
act of self-denial had opened her eye
to the distresses of all the sufferin
world and had brought her into touc
with all the loving, sacrificing helper
of humanity.
When Mrs. Arnold came home 1
September she scanned her oldes
daughter with some anxiety. do yo
think Helen is well?" che asked {
Grace Doesn't she seem changed?"
81 think she looks we'll" Grace az
swered. doubtfully, "bnt she certain'
seems differ rent in some way"
Helen, overhcaring this conversation
smiled litt.o, :or who appreciates tb
difference" so fully as one who, ha'
ing been blind, now sees, or the so'
; which has wandered long in thu fogs {
selfishness but comes at last into love
clear sunlight. For her lonely sun
mer, with its crosses and its sacrifice
with its inspirations and its blessing
Helen Arnold from her heart thankt