Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-03-02
Il Sad Mistake.
By Marie Louise Fowler.

UcOISt IcuUeICou was SeCLlnS ueclQ
eddy tired of being trifed with by tn,
pretty but apparently heartless CO
quette, Helen MontroSe For more
than a year he had been devoted tt
her, but she had put him off agaiI
and again-by turns snubbing him un
I'll he had come almost to the end OF
endurance, and then smiling on him sc
sWeety and being SO kind, that it was
impossible to resist her charm, and he
would again become her devoted slave
For the past week or so she had been
worse than ever, for Miss Grace Main.
Warlng and her brother We're visiting
her, and she devoted herself to this
young man so exclusively that she had
not a smile or apparently a thought
to beStOW on her old friend.
As said before George was getting
pretty tired of this sort of thing, and
having succeeded in meeting Helen's
friend, Miss Mainwaring, he began to
devote himself to her, taking her to
places of entertainment and sending
her choce flowers. He found her very
peasant and it was such a relief to
always be treated kindly, that the old
confidence in himself returned; and
what had at first been to him an
amusement and pastime, began to be-
come very enjoyable.
Helen Montrose was a very proud
girl, and she would not acknowledge
even to herself what pain this grow
ing friendship caused her.
One evening the four young people
had returned from a drive earlier than
usual, and were taking a stroll in the
garden. Grace had called her brother
aside to speak to him, and George
and Helen were left alone. Suddenly
George exclaimed.
Helen, I am engaged to Miss Main
waring. Am I to be congratulated? ~
And then he added smiling, "You see
L did not thrive or grow happy under
the snubbing process. I needed a lit
tie more sunshine and few more
smiles to bring out my best quail
ties" and he looked away toward the
other end Of the garden where Grace
stood.
Helen was silent for moment, and
hid her confusion by STOPPING to pick
Il rose, but when he again looked at
her She answered with a smile:
i do congratulate you with all my
heart. Please accept this rose as a
sort of peace Offering"
He took it gravely, for he had fully
expected to be laughed at or snubbed
and this was complete surprise to
him. YET; ,srsss
Helen" he began, you puzzle me.
Sometimes 1 almost think"
But Helen had turned, and was walk
ing rapidly away. He stood for a
moment where she had left him, look
ing after her with an odd expression,
and then he went to look for Grace.
The summer days passed by, quickly
for some, but all too slowly for Helen.
She was a brave girl, but it took all
her courage sometimes to keep back
the tears at the sudden change in
Georges manner, and his GOODNESS and
Indifference toward her. She avoided
him as much as she could, and they
were seldom alone
One evening he followed her out on
the veranda, where she had gone to-
be alone, and stood looking out into
the moonlight. She did not know he
was there, and he stood looking at her
for a moment in silence 81 wonder if
she cares for me-" he meditated. "She
is so reserved no one could tell what
she thought. 1 fancied when I made
UP that story of my engagement to
Miss Mainwaring, she would betray
herself if she really cared for me, but
she seemed perfectly Indifferent. My
GOODNESS since has not changed her
manner toward me in the least. Of
course she cares nothing for me, but
who can read a Woman's hearth" He
sighed, and walked rapidly past her,
out into the moonlight
Time passed, and at last the sum-
mer days were over, and Miss Main
Waring and her brother were to return
to the city. George Pemberton also
was called away on business, and the
last evening of their stay was spent
in quiet way together. Just before
they said good night, Helen had an OPP
portunity to speak to George alone
George" she said, Slipping her hand
into his, George, as you are to marry
my friend soon, let this be the end of
all our quarrels, and let us be friends
always"
But before he had time to reply, she
seemed to regret her words, and stole
away into the house leaving him again
alone to mediate on her words; and
as he was to leave ON the night train, he
did not have another opportunity of
speaking with her. after ALL" he
thought, II will see what separation
will do If she really cares for me-
but no-she could never be so indiffer-
ent if she did,"
So time passed on, and the summer
came round again. Helen was never
very strong, and now there was an
epidemic of fever, devastating homes
and taking away loved ones. Her
father and mother watched her care
fully, but no power could keep away
the dread disease. One day she came
into the house, and flung herself
YEARLY down into a chair. Her father
and mother piled her with questions;
a doctor was summoned, who Or
dered her to be put to bed immediate
~, and with a grave shake of the
head left strict orders as to her care.
Her mother took up her post by her
daughters bedside prepared to fight
death brayely. Day after day, the doc
tor came, looking grayer: every time,
and day after day, the wasted figure
lay upon the bed unconscious at times,