The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-02-04
SPEAKING THE
Truth FOR A DAY.
CHAPTER v.-CoNrINuED.

youth of toll and privation had given
to her beautiful features and graceful
manners an expression of gravity be-
yond her years,
On this particular afternoon Helen
was in the drawing-roOm alone, when
a servant entered, and in q low tone
informed her that Mr.. Morriss had
come with a parcel from Blacks.
"Show Mr.. Morriss in here, and take
the parcel to Robinson" said Helen.
The servant went out, and in the
next moment Mr.. Morriss was an
nounced.
Helen arose and crossed the whole
width of the room to receive him, say
ing with smile
"Well! / have been living here three
years, and this is the first time you
of an old friend?"
"Under the circumstances, / think
it was, Miss Lyle" replied the truth
teller.
"But why?" inquired Helen, as she
led the way to a sofa, and invited him
to be seated.
"The disparity of our conditions,
Miss Lyle would seem to forbid the
continuance of our acquaintance"
Again why? LIDO not see the
reason"
81 should be considered an intruder
and an alien, Miss Lyle, in the sphere
upon which you have entered"
''By whom? not by me-" said Helen.
by the people with whom you are
surrounded, Miss Lyle, who might not
like to meet in your drawing-room the
shopman who waits upon them be-
hind the counter"
"Then they need not do it. They
can stay away. myself am of the
city; the money that have Inherited
was made in trade; my affections and
sympathies are with the people from
whom sprang, and among whom
was brought up. l do not seek &C
quaintances among the gentry; but if
they seek me / shall treat them with
courtesy, and shall also expect them
to treat with like courtesy the friends
OF my childhood whom they may meet
at my house."
miss Lyle, that is nobly said, and
like yourself; but fear it is an i'm
practicable theory. l fear the exigen-
cies of your new position will compel
you to drop your old friends"
"Never!" she said. "But why do
you call me Miss Lyle? In those old,
happy days at my grandfather's little
school, it used to be Helen and JOS
seph. In the after days of trouble, it
was still Joseph and Helen! Why
should it now be Miss Lyle? Do you
wish me to call you Mr.. Morriss?"
EEN@ 111I do Tn1
Joseph, l entreat you'll" exclaimed the
young man, as the color went and
came.
Then let me be Helen, as OF old
your friend Helen. Yes, Joseph, we
must be friends! l have neither par
ents, brother, nor sister in the world,
and I-shall never marry. So you
and your wife, Joseph, must be like
brother and sister to me- hear that
you are soon to be married, and |
am glad that you came here this even
ing, as have prepared q present for
your young bride"
The Marchionese OF M and Lord
George D. were announced, and the
two visitors entered the room.
Joseph took his hat to withdraw.
mo, don't go yet, I entreat you!
This is the first time you have been
here. have seen so little of you,
and-I have so much to say to yon;
pray wait till they are gone, whisper
ed Helen, hastily.
Joseph bowed, and with throbbing
heart, retreated to the other end OF
the room, and tried to employ him
self by looking at some fine ster-
eOscopic views.
The marchioness met Helen with
much empressement taking her by
both hands, and kissingher with very
appearance of affectionate interest.
And to Joseph's astonishment-for
he could not entirely confne his at
tention to the stereoscope, or quite
avoid observing this interview
Helen seemed pleased and fattered
by the condescension.
Lord George was equally attentive
to the young lady of the house. They
talked of the London season then at
it's height; of the Queens last drawing
ing-room, of balls, concerts, operas
recent and approaching, and wonder
ed why Mrs. CassoCk and Miss Lyle
did not come up to town. The mar
chioness then left cards for her morn
ing concert at M-House, and soon
after, with the same demonstration of
affection, took her leave.
"And now," said Helen, advancing
and joining Joe, "what do you think
of that?"
~ think" replied the young man,
that the Marchioness of M-must
have some very important object in
view when she condescends to come
here and be so very gracious to you,
Helen"
THAT opinion is not very fattering
to me at any rate" said the lady.
"But how do you know that it was
not my personal worth that attract
ed her?"
Because, Helen, your personal
worth, if it had been ten times as
great, would not have attracted her
ladyship had you remained daily
governess; and you know that quite
as we'll as l do. And even now, great
ly as your fortunes are changed for
the better, there must be some very
important object that brings Lady
M to your house. Warehouses;
do not often take up city heiresses,
no matter how wealthy the latter
may be-"
"You are-painfully candid! But
what object do you suppose her lady
ship has in view?"
"Your half million of pounds ster-
ling, to pay the debts of her profigate
second son, Lord George D. whom
upon account of his very bad charac-
ter, even her influence has failed to
get either into the army, navy Or
church. Her ladyship thinks that q
city heiress would be glad to endow a
broker-down younger son with
her large fortune tor the sake of being
her d&ughter-in-law, and of being call
ed Lady George D., although the
title is one of mere courtesy"
"But should be only one remove
from the coronet, which would be
mine in case the elder brother should
go off! How do you think I should
adorn jt?"
"Not ut all, Helen"