Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-09-25
WAS JUST IN TIME.

Helen Stuart was engaged to be married
10 Lord Hughes, and the whole county
| talked OF tho coming event as one Of the
! strangest that had taken place for many a
day.
| That the beautiful gifted girl Of barely
" should have accepted tho hand of the
OLD earl was indeed a matter of surprise.
why mad she chosen him. people asked,
when Others Of equal rama and younger
and more suitable had gone mad for love
| of her?
AT night, when all the inquisitive world
was asleep, Helen would loan from her
window and gaze at tho starlit valley at
her ieet and pour out her heart to tho ST.
lence.
- could not help 1t, she would vail.
" was to savo poor Ralph's honor"
Yes, that was it. Her brother had told
ner that unless she married Lord Hughes
TO whom he had mortgagcd his property
they must DO ruined, turned out of house
ana homo and left penniless-worse. i'm
prisonment would folfAy for Ralph, for
that was the old oarl's alternative IL she
refused.
Ihfee summers ago there had come to
inc village q young journalist, and Helen
and her brother had made his acauaint
ance, which grew quickly into intimacy
and friendship.
Iotally opposite to Ralph Stuart in
every way was Holmes Maclean. Born of
poor parents, who had left him Mt an carly
age to struggle alone, he had educated
himself entirely and gained the post he
held on ono of the best papers simply by
his brains and hard work.
1t was on the night of his arpiyal that
he saw Helen Stuart and knew from
henceforth She must be tho guiding star
of his life.
"Would you-would you lot me walk
through this field with your There is a
bull over there, and am so afraid
Certainly. Allow mo to be of apy
service cam" he answered gravely. in
wardly blessing the bull.
Tho next day brought an invitation to
the Manor Hall.
So 1t was that through that month of
glorious summer weather he daily mot
and daily grew to love with all his strength
the beautiful Helen, who was not long 10
returning his affection
'Helen," he whispered W hen the part
ing came, 81 have no position to offer you
yet, but will you wait for mef''
That all happened three summers ago.
and now she stood gazing into the night,
the promised vito of old Lord Hughes
She had not heard one word from Holmes
Maclean in all this time, but sho hal often
read with pride and admiration his clever
articles and stories and knew he was work
ing hard to make IA home for her.
The autumn came, and the old earl be-
gan to agitate that tho wedding should
take place before Christmas.
"Is thero-is there no other way?' oncel
more she cried, glancing into her brother
cruel face with blanched checks.
'How many more times must tell you
1t is my only chance? Perhaps you would
like to sec me imprisonedf''
She stopped him with a quick, skarpI
cry.
''Tell him it shall be when lie likes"
Two Sundays passed, and the third camel
Tor the bans to be read for the last time.
''1f any one know cause or just inipedi- |
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 deep voice rose above
the murmur of frightened voices:
~ 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, and anxious
faces were peering round the door.
what does this mean?'' she murmurcd
"Haye you come to save me?'
II have told them you were going to be
sold to that man."
Then you have not doubted me?" she
breathed.
He carried her through tho astonisbed
crowd to her carriage and took her home
And on tho way, as she gathered strength.
she stretched out her hands imploringly
"There is Ralph. What will become of
him?"
"Do not distress yourself, sweet, he
answered. Il know all his affairs. And
what l have earned for you shall clear
him. 1t is enough. You and 1 can live
In cottage with love, after all-can wo