The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-07-22

kissed his check Good evening, she
said. brightly.
Mr. Arnold started up, "iclcnt' he
exclaimed, In bcwildcrment, chow did
you come here2"
Helen laughingly explained And
now" she went on. slipping into tho
seat opposite him. II shall expect you
TO say you're glad 70 see me. a And as
she smiled at 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 wen as herself
Moreover, there was q certain ngrcc-
able novelty about being tcte-a-tcte
with ones own father AZ dinner Helen
could hardly remember when she had
enjoyed an hour so much. When they
arose from the table Mr. Arnold glanced
irresolutcly at his daughter. "if you
are not too tired, Helen. /" he said, II
wonder II couldn't have some music. !"
,.InIecd yon may, answered Helen,
trying TO speak lightly, though the mn
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 o. the room
and her own softencd thoughts. And
her father. sitting In the deepening
shadows, now and then put his hand TO
his eyes as II to wash away an un-
hidden tear.
When the long evening was over and
Helen went 10 her fathers side 10 bid
him good night, he put his arms about
her and held her fast .'This has been
like old times, Helen, he said, II had
expected such lonely evening and this
was such pleasant surprise. shall
think Of II very often when I'm here
alone. Thank you. my dear, Good
night"
Helen kissed him In silence, not trust
ing herself toimake reply. But ns she
went upstairs, struggling to keep back
the tears, she whispered softly: MY
poor, lonely fatheri plf try after this
to be a better daughter"
"You want 10 spend the summer ut
homel' said Mrs Arnold the next af-
ternoon. She sat In her room at the
Seaside house, and looked ut her oldest
daughter with gaze 10 which conster-
nation and bcwilderment were blend
ed. Helen, you must be crazy. Com
slider your hcalthr"
Helen Eazed at the reflection Of her
blooming face in the mirror opposite
and smiled little. II hardly seemed
necessary to answer that argument
"Stay In the city oil summer, chimcd
in Grace why, Helen, nobody docs
that"
Papa does" answered Helen,
quietly.
"You couldn't stand II, Helen, said
Laura. the youngest daughter, positive
". .Yon'd die Of loneliness
.But papa stays there without any Of
u.s. persisted Helen
Grace flushed Indignantly. GLOW
absurd you arc, Helen. OF course papa
does. He always hns, It's very differ
ent with man.
But Hclen's mind WINS made mp I'M
moved by remonstrnnces or ridiculc,
she packed her trunks and went back
to the city, not, 1t must be admitted.
without pang at leaving the coolat.
tractivencss Of Cliffsidc When her fa-
Their came home that evening he found
her in her pretty tca-gown, with her
hair dressed In the most becoming way,
waiting to receive him. II was some
time before he could be made TO under
stand the change In her plans, but
when he at Inst comprehcnded her cx-,
PLANTATION he grew quite palo.
Give up your summers pleasure,
Helen?" he said Indeed, I'm not sci
Ash enough to allow anything Of the
kind. You must 60 back tomorrow"
But even then Helen proved OBJ
durate. Not that the way Of sclf-dc-
nial was unexpectedly easy. She had
many days OF loneliness. many gloomy
hours; every letter she received from
Cliffside made the course she had
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 In
his face and step, his altered bearing.
surely these were enough to recon-
pense for far greater sacrifice. And,
moreover, during the enforced quiet Of
these long months Helen was making
certain surprising discoveries. Among
the many .'nobodies" who had 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 dozen times
throughout the busy year. As she now
felt the inspiration Of these earnest
lives, Helen wondered not little at her
previous blindness
It was perhaps through the influence
Of these new friends that she found so
many new and unexpected opportuni-
ties Of helpfulneas Her narrow life
seemed TO have brcadened out, her
sympathies had widened. One bravo
acteof self-denial had opened her eyes
to the distresses Of all the suffering
world and had brought her into touch
with all the loving, sacrificing helpers
Of humanity.
When Mrs Arnold came homc In
September she scanned her. oldest
daughter with some anxiety. EDO you
think Helen Is well2" che asked Of
Grace. Doesn't she seem changed?n
81 think she looks well" Grace an
swered. doubtfnlly, but she certainly
seems different In some way"
Helen, oyerhearing this conversation,
smiled little, for who appreciates the
difference" 80 fully as one who, hav-
in0 been blind, now sees. or the soul