The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-15

10 love me- helenE
NO! came in the faintest whisper
from the girls lips as her head sank
again in her hands.
In heavens name. what was the rea-
son, them Paul demanded. Surely, Hell
en-, l have the right to know. You were
the nrst-you are the only woman shall
ever love. You confess that you love
me still-at least you admit that you did
care for me still when you and your
father wrote to me. What does IL mean2
Again ask you to tell me why l was cast
1T was my fathers wishr' she muir
INJURED.
some bitterness. and because he wished
this thing it had to be. Do your feelings
count for nothing? Do mine? But why did
he wish IT. dear?'
''I do not know"
Did he not EXPLAIN"
Never she answered Il only know
that my father pleaded to me in a manner
no man should plead TO his child-that he
was fearfully agitated-demented almost.
And only when 1 had vowed TO give you
up for ever was he paciied."
My God. this is strange, terribly
strangei, Some mystery turks behind this.
l must see your father. Helen"
You cannot. He is ILL., and so seriously
that the least excitement might prove fa-
tai. For my sake, Paul, spare him an in
terview."
III you wish it,; but surprising
he were to die. VIII you be free then TO
Not even then. My promise to him was
that l would never marry you. And need
scarcely say 1 shall wed no other man"
Paul bit his neither lip and half turned
away. In face of the enigma Uha- con-
fronted him he felt powerless. lie could
not force his way into dying mans
chamber, and could not see his way to the
unraVelment of the mystery which Was
quietly wrecking his life. 1t was fearfully
bitter and hard, he thought, that he should
love this rare maiden, that his affcc-
ton should be returned. and that some
nameless barrier her father had erected
CHI for zfq nd hot hon md
the consummatiOn of their love. A sud
den resolution seized him, and confront
ing her he said:
This is the truth, Gods truth, Helen,
you have told me?
Gods TRUTH" she firmly said, her sweet
eyes meeting his own fearlessly.
You would marry me tomorrow If your
father were willing?"
Il would, Paul"
Then / am satisfied. I will go now and
will never trouble you again. But if ever
you should desire to communicate with
me a letter sent to this address" -handing
her his card-"will find me. / shall remain
in the neighborhood another week or so. /
am staying with Farmer North, at Ash
field farm"
He extended his hand and she placed
her slim white palm upon IT. He pressed
the white fingers tenderly and looked in
her eyes, to find them filed with tears.
Suddenly he bent and kissed her passion
ately. Then he was hurrying away, and
Helen Campbell was lying on the sofa in
storm of tears.
CHAPTER Iv.-THE MYSTERY SOLv-
1t was the evening of the day on which
Paul Methuen had discovered the Camp
bells, and father and daughter were alone
in the sick mans chamber. The blinds
were drawn, a soft, subdued light was
burning, and the dying man was telling
his child that his end was near.
ut is nearly over Helen, fear" Hugh
Campbell said bravely. THE doctor holds
out no hope for me, darling"
Il won't believe him, father-you are
not dying. l will not let you leave met
the girl cried, trying to be brave as her
sire.
enough of your own. What terrible
thing ii was that you and that young
Methuen should meet and fall in love.
Where is Paul. l wonder? Have you ever
heard from him? DO you love him still?
Il do, father" she replied, ignoring the
other question.
old man murmured, as if to himself The
girls quick ear caught the muttered words
and she asked:
that you should tell Paul?"
"Nothingl What should there beY he
demanded petulanily. Have you ever
broken your promise never to correspond
or let him know where we are?"
Never. Still have seen Paul Methuen
to-day( father"
To-day Where?'
HE came hereI
MY Cod he has tracked me out at
last, then Here, you say? What did he
found us?
"He discovered us quite by accident.
father He is spending his holidays near
here and he CHANGED to recognize Han
nah, whom he met You need have no
fear that Mr.. Methuen will trouble us.
He promised me before he went away
never to come near us again"
And what did you promise him, Helen?
You told him l was dying, suppose, and
that when / was gone you would marry
him?" the old man exclaimed with weak
No! no! I promised. nothing. I have
given you my word, father, and Will keep
it, though, l break my heartburn my
The troubled girl spoke in a low, an
intense way which startled the sick man;
face and the great tears which trickled
down her pale cheeks testified to the
depth of her emotions.
Hugh Campbell stared at his daughter
with his lustreless, sunken eyes. He had
hoped that the attachment between Helen
and Paul would die speedily when they
were sundered, and he was surprised 70
hnd their love apparently as virile as
ever it had been.
"This is nonsense, Helen he protest
ed feebly. You will forget Paul Methuen
in time You cannot wed him. Your
union would prove a curse to you both!'
"Why?" she asked, facing him with wet
ii cannot tell you. child dare not tell
you!
Dare not? What is this thing which
makes you part me and Paul? Only tell
me why am to sacrifice myself, and then
] may be satisfied
mo, no! For heavens sake, don't ask
me to tell you, Better tell him than you.
Far better! Far better to tell Methuen
aHr'
You wish it?'
II do, whatever it may be!'
where is he staying?"
seNrvf4I. 4t,o at Acbfeld Farm
Send Hannah for him at once. l will
tell him before die Better that should
tell him than he should hear 1t from an
other-and perhaps a lying source. Send
for Paul Methuen at once!
Helen Campbell left the room at once,
and dispatched the servant forthwith to
Ashneld Farm with note for her lover.
Twenty minutes later Paul Methuen and
Hugh Campbell were closeted together.
Il am dying, Paul Methuen, the sick
man began and | have sent for you in
nrder 10 make q confessionn'