Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-06-11
WAS JUST IN TIME.

Helen Stuart was engaged to be married
to Lord Hughes and the whole county
talked of the coming event rs one Of the
strangest that had taken place for many a
day
That the bc:,c'itul -...f1 g!rl * barely
/ 20 should have accepted the nand OF the
/ old earl was indeed a matter OF surprise
/ Why had sine l',.rn r..I. t,.p,.. --,,.,
when others Of equal rank and younger
and more suitable had gone mad for love
of her?
At -ht, when all The iu4uisitive world
w2s asleep, Helgn would lean from her
! window and gsta at the starl.t valley at
her feet and pour cut her helrt to the 81
lence.
"Icould not help it, " she would wall.
1T was t. save peer Ralph honor.
Yes, that was il. Her brother had told
her that unless she married Lord Hughes,
to whom he had mortgagrd his property,
they must be ruined, turned out Of house
and home and lett peuuiless-wurse, I'M
prisonment would follow fgr Raipt, for
that was the old earl's alternative II she
refused
Three summers ago there had come to
the village young journalist and Helen
and her brother lad made his aeqHaint-
ance which grew quickly into intimacy
and friendship.
Totally opposite to Ralph stuart in
every way was Holmes Maclean- Born Of
poor parents. who had left HIM at AN early
age TO struggle alone, be had educated
himself entirely and gained the post he
held on one Of the best papers simply by
his brains and hard work.
1t was on the night Of his arrival that
he saw Helen stuart ana knew from
hencoforth she must be The guiding star
of his life.
Would you-wouh you let nc walk
through this field with YOU There is q
bull over there, and l am so afraid
Certainly. Allow me II be Of any
service | can, E" he answered graycIy in
wardly blessing the buA.
The next day brought an invitation to
the Manor Hall,
SO it was that through that month OF
glorious summer weather he daily met
and daily grew to love with all his strength
the beautiful Hu.ur, Who was not long in
returning his affection.
Helen, " he whispered when the part
ing came, Il have De position to offer you
yet, but will you wait for me-"
That all happened three summers ago,
and now she stood gazing into the night,
the promised wife ot old Lord Hughes.
She had not heard one word from Holmes
Maclean in all this tim INIT she hai often
read with pride and admiration his clever
articles and stories and knew be was work
ing hard TO make homo tar her,
The autumn came, AID tbs cid earl be
gan TO agitate that the wedding should
take place before Christmas.
is there's there no other way" once
more she cried CHANGING into her brothers
cruel face with bIauched cheeks.
How many more times must tell yon
1t IS my only chance Perhaps you would
like to see me imprisoned"
She stopped him with q quick, sharp
cry.
Tell him it shall be when he likes"
Two sundays passed and the third came
for the bans TO be read for the last time.
If any one know cause or just impedi-
ment why these two persons should not be
Joined together in
a commotion at the back Of the church
stopped the clergyman. a man was stand
ing up in the congregation with hand up
raised, and then a deep voice rose above
the murmur Of frightened voices:
Il forbid the banns''
A scene followed such as had never been
witnessed before. Helen from her pew
recognized the voice, though she did not
see the strong, stern face OF her lover, and
with cry she tainted.
When she returned to consciousness
Holmes Maclean was kneeling by her side
She was lying in the vestry, aud anxious
faces We're peerng round the door.
What does this mean she murmured
"Have you come TO save me-
Il have told them you were going TO be
sold TO that man"
Then you have not doubted me-" she
breathed.
He carried her through the astonished
crowd to her carriage and took her home
And on the way ~ She gathered strength
she stretched out her hands implorinely
There is Ralph. What will become Of
him:
DO not distress yourself, sweet he
answered. I know all his affairs And
what l have earned for you shall clear
him. 1t is enough. You and can live
in cottage with love, after all-can we
not: '-Exchauee