The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-24


said. Brightly
Mr. Arnold started up. "IIelcni' he
exclaimed, In bewildcrmcnt '.how did
you come hcre2.
Helen laughinrly explained. ''Aud
now, Z she went on. slipping into the
seat opposite him. shall expect you
70 say you're glad 70 see ME And is
she smiled at him acroes 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 as well as herself
Moreover, there was certain agree
able novelty about being tcte-a-tete
with ones own father az dinner Helen
could hardly remember when She had
enjoyed an hour 40 much When they
arose from the table Mr.. Arnold glanced
irresolntcly at his daughter, III yon
are not too tired, Helen. !. he said, ~
wonder II couldn't have some music
''Inlecd You may" answered Helen,
trying to speak lightly, though the nm
conscious appeal in his voice hai
touched her inexplicably. She went at
once to the piano and almost instinct
lively began TO play the simple melodies
which harmonizcd best with the gath
ering twilight, the hush ~ the room
and her own softened thoughts. And
her father sitting in the deepening
shadows, now and. then put his band to
his eyes MS II To wash away an nm
hidden tear
When the long evening was oyer and
Helen went to her fathers side "a Bid
him good night, he put his arms about
her and held her fast This has been
like old times, Helen, he said u lad
expected such a lonely evening and this
was such a pleasant surprise ! sllall
think Ct 1t very often when LIN here
alone. Thank you, my dcar Good
night
Helen kissed him in silence, not trust
ing herself % make reply Eptnssh
went upstairs. struggling g Keep bacls4
the tears, she whispered softl3 sly
poor, lonely fatherl I'll try after this
To be d better daughter"
'.You want 10 spend the sumElcr IT
homei" said Mrs. Arnold the next nj
ternoon. She sat III her room IL tho
Seaside house, and looked at her oldest
daughter with n ga2c ii which consier-
marion and bewilderment were blend
ed Helen, you must Tic crazy Con-
slider your henlth!s
Helen gazed at the refiectionIof 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 H. Helen" said
Laura, the youngest daughter, positive
~. 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. lie always has. Its vcry differ
ent with a man"
But lIclen's mind was Inade up TN
moved by remonstrances or ridicule,
she packed her trunks and went back
to the city, not, 1t must be admitted,
without ping Al leaving the cool at,
trnctfyeness Of Cliffside. When her IA
Their came home that evening lie found
her in her pretty tca-gown, with her
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 OK
PLANTATION lie grew quite pale.
Give, up Your summers pleasure,
Ilclen2'' he said. Indeed, I'm not sci
fish enough TO allow anything Of the
kind. You must 60 back tomorrow
But even then Helen proved OBJ X
durate. Not that the way Of self-de-
NAL was unexpectedly easy, She had
many days Of loneliness, many gloomy
hours; every letter she received from
Clifrs!dc made the course She Had
marked out for herself seem moro dis,!3s
cult and unattractive But the neysr
lation between her father and herself,
his grateful tenderness, the change in
his face and step, his altered bearing,
surely these were enough to recon-
pense for far greater sacrifice Ard,
moreover, during the enforced qniet Of
these long months Helen was making
certain surprising discoveries. Among
the many 'nobodies" whShad not left
the city for the summer Helen was
finding people OF intelligence and cul-
ture. charming people, people whose
names She had hitherto barely found
time to remember half 4 dozen times
throughout the busy year. Asshe now
felt the inspiration Of these earnest
lives, Helen wondercanot a little ather
previous blindness
It was perhaps through the influence
OF these new friends that she found 81
many new and unexpected opportuni-
ties of helpfulncss Her narrow life
seemed t. have broaacnasl out, hcr#
sympathies had widened, ore brave
act Of sclf-dcnial had opened her eyes
W the distresses Of ali the suffering
world and had brought her into touch,
with all the loving, sacrificing helpers
Of humanity.
When Mrs Arnold came home in
September she scanned her oldest
daughter with some anxiety. 80 Won
think Helen is wall9' she asked Iof
Grace. Doesn't She scemsehanged2'
II think she looks well,% Grace am
swered, doubtfully f'but She certainly
seems different in some way.
Helen, overhearing this conversation,
smiled a little, far who appreciates the
difference SO fully al one who. hav-
ing been blindS now sees Or the soul
which has wandered long ii the fogs Of
SeltishneSs but comes at last into loves