The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-14

90 your best to 1Orget-yoGf utmost. BE
cause never, never shall marry as long as
/ live
kissed her fingers before they crept up
70 her eyes, and, turning on my heel, went
rs Helen stopping out there still?" cried
Lily Some patterns for my things have
just come down, and / want her 10 help me
ch0osei She auttered the samples COM
placently.
Lily became Mrs. Arnold Seymour, and
Helen lived on in Whitebridge alone. She
changed very painfully in the year that fol-
lowed her sisters wedding. The gravity or
her manner deepened and l fancied that she
buried herself in her work less from delight
IN II, or from desire of the pecuniary re-
ward. than to divert the current of her
thoughts. on three occasions the Seymours
sent her an invitation to 20 and stay week
with them in London The first time she
made some excuse; the second time she
went and returned before the week had ex-
PRED; the third she declined again.
:, hen child was born, however: II was
impossible for her 10 refuse to visit them,
and after that | gathered that Helen Town
send had gained interest in her life.
IL became her pleasure to make things for
me child-tiny garments, on which she law
She never made journey into the neigh
bOring town without coming back with
cloak. or some plnafofes or a sunbonnet, or
q toy. If Lillian were as devoted to her
baby as its aunt was, the mite was indeed
INDUCED, | thought. At the same time I
devoted in any capacity. / sounded Helen
once on the subject; Us she very proud
HldIIlnla L asked.
Very answered Helen; "and perfectly
contented wife-of would be if. They
are not overburdened with money, You
! had not known and said as much
"On the contrary" / answered, MIR. Sey-
Inour led me TO believe he was an exceed
II am afraid, then. that he was guilty of
a little professional brag." Helen said;
for family might easily have been enough
Tor the requirements of a bachelor. No.
their circumstances are scarcely afluent,
began to think that her attentions to her
niece s wardrobe and her industry with her
pen might have deeper motive than / had
OWNED
had never distressed her by recurring to
ward for this, she had come TO admit me to
more intimate confidence than that which
had subsisted between, us formerly.
by degrees she used to discuss the Sey-
mourS position with me quite frankly, sup
pressing only the fact of the assistance
appeared TO me. though L refrained from
expressing the opinion, that Seymour had
committed an unjustifiable act in marrying
while his practice was. yet so slight, and
L wondered how Lillian bore the unexpected
straits to which his concealment of his posi-
ton had subjected her
When they had been man and wife for
nearly two years, the birth of a second child
added to his responsibilities. Helen was
again with them, and few days later I re-
celVed a note from her to say that her re-
turn to Whitebridge was delayed by her sis
~
tween the lines that it gave her cause for
some anxiety.
waited eagerly for the next letter; she
had promised to report to me the turn thai
affairs took.
For nearly a week no further tidings
came, and then hurried line reached me
ill., ''NN' '''''' -'''''''- " 'S u''is erouSiy
1t seemed to me no intrusive step. under
the circumstances, to present myself at the
Rouse, and the same day l took ticket to
LONDON, arriving, at st. Pancras in the
afternoon, and driving to the address i'm
West .Kensington at once.
was little dismayed, when the cab
stopped, to find the place a rather shabby
lodging. Helen had never gone into details
with me, and had assumed that they were
living in house of their own. The fiv-
blown pasteboard bearing the legend s'Furn-
ished Apartments" the slpshod servant.
and the dirty passage We're revelation
which mcmentariy made me doubt the del
icacy or my visit.
In response to my inquiry, was shocked
TO learn that Mrs, Seymour was not ex-
my card, / was on the point of turning
away. when Helen came down the stairs.
,., on she exclaimed, this is good-this is
She gave me her hand, and 1 pressed it in
token of sympathy.
y on have heard-?' she faltered
Il am bitterly, terribly grIeved." I an
SSWered; still, let us hope and pray for the
THE child is doing we'll" she said. .sbut
Arnolq $ agony is appalling. He will scarce
~ l2ok at 1t; he blames the poor little mite
"A mans sorrow must always blame
ss.92t son | said; a shade sententioUsly
rs she cOnscious?'
NO: not since early this morning"
asked II there was anything / could do
she thanked me, and answered that there
was not.
You will not go back to White6ridge to-
day. she questioned.
Tomorrow" L declared; land tonight /
better news"
As was taking my leave the untidy
mumbled message and n slip Of paper; and
L saw Helen's hand go into her pocket
and extract purse. / descended the steps
with my heart heavy for this woman, who
having failed to attract the man she loved
had yet so much of the responsibilities
of marriage without any of its joys
When | presented myself at the house
again L was asked to enser, and the maid
of all work supplemented the invitation by
Mrs. Seymour is dead"
Prepared in measure as / had been for
it the intelIigence dealt me a severe blow.
/ felt my face turn white, and for a mo-
ment / could not reply.
"Deadr' I said at last when did she
1.-The pore lady died about a hour after
you went, SIR" she answered.: land Mr.
Seymour he's just took on awful
Helen came in as she was speaking. Her
eyes were red with weening. and for few
seconds after the servants withdrawal we
were both silent. when | tried TO express
my compassion she silenced me. in pity for
the effort:
II Know" she murmured, there Is no
need-I knOwi
She sank into armchair. and L stood on
the hearth, watching her. The clock licked
loudly and confused me; / could still think
of nothing TO say. But ii was she who broke
the pause, and who was required to listen.
She was good enough to tell me she wanted
my advice and. though this was scarcely
the truth, she gave me her confidence which
was honor enough.
What is it about?' 1 inquired.
1T is about Arnold-about the children"
said she. Something must be done at once.
He has no means to give them n home. and
ii would be preposterous besides to leave
such Young children to a mans care.
You must not harasS yourself with mat
ters Of that sort Yet awhile" l interposed:
I'VE will discuss everything later"
at IS rot 80 sudden as YOU NAV ina CINE"
she answered. 1--WE had looked for my poor
girls death this three days" She sObbed.
and turned aside little. II have seen for
some time that the children must come to
me; I want TO know what you think of the
plan?''
Have you suggested it to Mr.. Seymour
himself?"
Not vet but he cannot refuse" she said.
1T Will be very-very hard on you, Miss
Townsend"
Hard? on me? All. no. il will be hard
on the father who must let them go. It is
that that makes me reluctant 10 propose IL.
To lose his wife and part from his children
at one fell swoOp. IL seems cruelr
NAV / speak quite freely%' | demanded