The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-25
JUST IN TIME.

Helen Stuart was engaged to be married
to Lord Hughes, and the whole county
talked of the coming event as one of the
etrangest that had taken place for many a
day. That the beautiful, gifted girl of
barely 90 should have accepted the hand of
the old earl was indeed matter for sur
prise. Why had she chosen him, people
asked, when others of equal rank and
younger and more suitable had gone mad
for love of her? At night, when all the
inquisitive world was asleep, Helen would
lean from her window and gaze at the
starlit valley at her feet, and pour out her
heart to the silence. 81 could not help
it, - she would wall. sit was to save
poor Ralph's honor" Yes, that was it;
her brother had told her that unless she
married Lord Hughes, Co whom he had
mortgaged his property, they must be
ruined, turned out of house and home, and
left penniless; worse, imprisonment would
follow for Ralph, for that was the old
earl's alternative if she refused Three
summers ago there had come to the village
young journalist, and Helen and her
brother had made his acquaintance, which
grew quickly to intimacy and friendship.
Totally opposite to Ralph Stuart in every
way was Holmes Maclean. Born of poor
parents, who left him at an early age to
struggle alone, he had educated himself
entirely, and gained the post he held on
one of the best London papers simply by
his brains and hard work. 1t was on the
night of his arrival that he saw Helen
Stuart, and knew from henceforth she
must be the guiding star of his life.
would yOu-wOuld you let me walk
through this field with you? There is a
c bull over there, and I am so afraid
Certainly. Allow me to be of any
he Ill
wardly blessing the bull.
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 Helen, who was not long in
returning his affection.
''HeIen,' he whispered, when the part
ing came, 81 have no position to offer you
yet. but will you wait for me?''
That all happened three summers ago,
and DOW she stood gazing into the night
the promised wife of old Lord Hughes
She had not heard one word from
Holmes Maclean in all this time, but she
had often read with pride and admiration
was working hard to make home for her.
The autumn came, and the old earl be-
gan to agitate that the wedding should
take place before Christmas.
els there-is there no other way?' once
more she cried, glanoing into her brothers
cruel face with blanched checks.
''How many moro times must tell you
it is my only chance? Perhaps you would
like to imprisoned?'
/ She stopped him with quick, sharp cry.
| ''Tell him it shall be when he likes
Two Sundays passed, and the third came
for the banns to be read for the last time.
eff any of you know cause or just i'm
pediment why these two persons should
not be joined together in
A connection at the back of the church
stopped tho 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:
I II 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 q 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 it mean?" she murmured.
"Have you come to save me?''
81 have told them you were going to be
sold to that man.
"Then you have not doubted meP' she
breatked.
He carried her through the astonished
crowd to her carriage, and took her home.
And on the way, as she gathered strength,
she stretched out her hands imploringly.
''There is Ralph. What will become of
him?''
'sDo not distress yourself, SWEET he
answered. ST know all his affairs. And
what have earned for you shall clear
him. 1t is enough. You and I can live
in cottage with love, after all-can we
notf"-Exohange