The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-23
A TANGLED SKEIN.

covered with dense forestS or hemloSR.
The trees are of but little value for timber,
Int their bark is extensively used for tan
ming purposes. And. it being easier for
Mohammed to come to the mountain than
for the mountain to go to Mohammed,
quantities of hides are imported from south
America and other countries where wild
cattle are abundant, and taken to these
forests 60 be made into leather. Extensive
tanneries are built. with little villages of
laborers' houses about them. and a short
distance from these may usually be seen an
imposing mansion. the residence OF the
owner of the tannery. The proprietors OF
these tanneries arc necessarily men OF
wealth, and they have an absolute control
over their laborers, as the land holders OF
England exert over their tenants.
Lucy Drumgold sat in the drawing room
with q basket containing numerous balls of
bripht-hued woods beside her, he's slender.
pink. tipped fingers diligently engaged in
stitching the pattern of al elaborate bou-
uuet of roses and lilies into a piece OF soft
colored velvet designed for a chair cushion.
Her father was the owner of one of the tan
neries of which ( have been telling and a
Iuuu u u e AA AAu uAp s~"
merry and its surroundings were known as
the village of Beech River. and it was stu
ated in a picturesque valley with the lows
Hest of wild scenery about it.
Lucy was not the only occupant of the
room. Hell brother Rob was %lounging upon
a sofa. ostensibly reading a book, but i'll
a still slsnderer figure at the opposite end
of the long room. All unconscious of his
gaze Celeste Halbert stood at the oriel win
dow. her face turned away. With her out
ward eyes she saw TO the right the taunery,
( a long dark building. and clustered about
it the low wood-colored houses. Before her
was the lawn, partially shaded with its frs
and beeches and gay with flower beds. ar
ranged in graceful shapes. Beyond it
swept Beech river, a bright silver stream.
To the left was a mountain covered with
dark hemlock, the cloud shadows floating
over it, and above and around all was
golden sunshine. q blue sky and a perfect
June day.
But Celeste saw none of this. Her great
brown eyes looked straight before her, be-
yond the brightness of the summer day,
into the gloom of her future life. Over
her mental vision dawned Il drear Novem-
Der sky. and a pail of winter wind and
spirits and weigh them down. She was
Lucy's schoolmate and dearest friend, both
having graduated but n few days before.
She had come with Lucy to spend the sum-
mer, and for the future there was all man
ner OF delights in store for her, for she vas
n beauty, a belle and an heiress. But now!
Only twelve hours before she had received
the announcement that her future had
been suddenly swept away by the specula-
ton of an unjust guardian, and she only
had two slender hands between her and fu-
.ure want. And they were such helpless
hands! Lucy. delightfully."- impractical,
since she had never known the want or
mind and generous heart that Celeste
should srend the remainder of her days al
Beech river. but Celeste knew this could
not be.
At this moment Lucy paused in her work,
and drawing a skein of delicate pink WOO,
from the basket beside her. she slipped il
over the back of q low chair and began to
wind. But the skein knotted and tangled
p~rovokingly, and as her patience was SC
seldom tried, she had but a small stock on
hand for use.
20 Celestev' she called in a voice that re-
sembled u grieved wood-robin's. 80 Ce.
leste! what shall l ever do? The only skeir
of the shade this side of the city, and jus'
see how tangled it 10! My rose will be quite
spoiled without it,"
Celeste turned slowly from the window
and took the skein from Lucy's impntien'
hands. There were tenrs of vexation il
Lucy's childish blue eyes, hut Celeste's wsrt
hard and dry.
perhaps ! can wind it, dear" she said
With Il little murmur of profuse thank!
Lucy subsidized into tho depths of her easy
chair, while Celeste patiently undid tk'
knot and wound the skein. Rob. still,
silent over his book. watched tho two girls
Lucy was a delicate blond. as dainty as
white lilv: but Celeste was a very vision o
beauty. An oval face with n pale. cream,
complexion. brown, smooth forehead anc
rich scarlet lips, and all framed in abuud,
ant braids and bands of jet black hair.
form quite graceful. g thoroughbred patri
clan air about all she did or said, Il yoic,
like a SIRENS and n smile and a glance Xix
sunlight.
Rob had a blonde complexion and hal
like his SISTERS, but, unlike her, he was tai.
strong md muscular. He was n youn
man of fine mind and noble, generous i'm
pulses, and on this particular morning
struggle was going on in his heart. He wa
only 81, his collegiate education unfinished
He knew has father had Il course or trayt
mapped out for him &c soon as he left col
lege. and knew, too, that he expected gret
things of bin and his future. for he was al
only son. But he loved that sweet woma
who, with a face paler than usual on AT
count of her recent trouble, patiently bei
over her task and he wanted her for h
own.
There was a slow firm step in the hall on
MIR. Diumgold paused q moment at *
open door.
Robert he snid. II wish to see you
few moments in the library"
Rob rose dutifully and followed the fool
steps into the library. When both wei
seated MI. Drumgold began:
Robert. there are turning points
every young mau's life, and ! believe yo
have reached one now"
How SO, father?" Rob asked quietly, b,
with Il i%oreboding in his heart as to VIII,
was to come.
You ate in love with Celeste Halbert.
he replied.
Bob started to his feet.
My SON." resumed Mr.. Drumgol
testify. II beg you will not annov me wit
such n%bruptness of manner. 1t Is n
necessary for you to confess it, for eve
OF course | don't blame you IT the leat
The girl il beautiful enough to lure any II
pulsive young man like yourself to b
ruin."
Father" trying to keep down his anee
1T Is strange you never thought it nece
sary to warn me BEFORE"
NO hetolcs, Robert. if you please. / di
like them exceedingly. Heretofore the
mas been no warning needed. l knew "
were In love with the girl, but WAS gu
yon had no idea of immediate marriae
She has been unfortunate in losing b
property and, as she has no near Ielativ
to care for or support her. it is not u
natural for you to wish to do both. J
doubt You are quite ready to die for her
do any other impossible thing. Now. /
not wish to discuss the subject at all: | ha'
q command and u suggestion to make. n,
Shen you may 60. l forbid your marry.