The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-06-26
Miss Marchmont's Romance.

were reared amid the brown hills Of
New Hampshire, far up toward tho
spires Of the White Mountains
AT sixteen, Helen was the belle Of
the village, the liveliest at all our
merry -makings, aud the admired Of
both old and young. Indeed, in my
whole life, I have seldom seen one
more beautiful than Helen Marchmont
At the time Of which speak Traces
Of her loyeliness yet remain, but so
marred by years and sorrow, that few
who knew her then would recognize
her in the pale, sad woman Of to-day.
Before Helen was II she had many
offers Of marriage from young men
highly esteemed by her friends but
aho encouraged them not; her whole
affections we're given to Arthur Rich
ardson, the only son Of poor widow
who resided in our vicinity.
He loved Helen with his whole soul
but he could not brook the idea Of
taking her from home Of comfort, if
not Of luxury, to the stern life Of toll
and poverty which lay spread out be-
fore him. Many and fierce we're the
struggles between love and reason;
but his pride conquered every other
feeling, and it all ended in his es-
pousing the resolution Of going to sea-
A brother of his dead father was
largely engaged in the India trade,
and this uncle gave him the super
cargo's situation on board a merchant
vessel which traded between New York
and Singapore. 1t was very hard to
leave his widowed mother to her lone
illness; very hard to part with Helen
but Richardson had before him the
prospect of carving his way to for
tune, and the thought OF what should
come afterward buoyed him mp
through the solemn parting. His heart
was full, but he left his native village
without a sigh or a tear.
Helen was very grave and quiet for
some months after his departure, but
soon her natural sunshiny disposition
emerged from the cloud, and again she
was the life and pride of the village.
Arthur had been absent two years /;
and one fine September morning, as
Helen and were picking over the
ripe whortleberries we had gathered
on the mountain the previous day, the
yard gate opened hurriedly, and in
another moment Helen was in the
arms of her lover. He had returned
for brief visit Of ten days; then he
was to go away once more, lto be alb
sent eighteen months only, and then
1.-The happy blush on Helen's cheek
spoke eloquently of what would take
place.
While he had been away Arthur
had prospered. A little more Of sue
cessful labor, and he would give
Helen home of luxury, and crafty
her every wish. The morning OF his
departure arrived. When he came to
bid her farewell, he put into her hand
package saying:
''Dear Helen, want you to wear
t1is, to please me- It is my owr
choice, for it is just sAe color Of your
own bright hair. And some serene
Sabbath day shall come home to fine
my darling in the dress bought bel
from beyond the sea. And folding
her to his bosom with many passion
ate kiss, Arthur Richardson went ava,
once more. When Helen opened til,
package she found amid the folds o
tissue paper piece Of soft, glistenint
brown India satin She laid it ava,
carefully; and, although l often ques
toned her as to when it was to max
its appearance in our little church
she always smiled quietly and evade'
the subject. But know very vel
that 3 intended it should be he
bridal robe, and she would not hav
it made until near the time Of Arthur
expected return.
The probationary eighteen month
rolled away-daily was the good shi
Sarah Jane expected in port