The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1897-08-07

L6nnOX Marvin. +;
ny JENNY WREN.
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CHARMING tableau--do / in

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IA terrupt?" questioned Lennox
Marvin, as he stopped for a moment on
the threshold of the pretty morning
room. where two girls sat sewing. The
picture thus presented to him was i'm
deed one no artist eye could idly scan.
The sun shed its rays here, not with its
usual dazzling ~brilliance, but through
cunning device of blind and curtain,
with a shaded softness playing slight
and shadow with the tinted wall and
the moss-green carpet. Birds in gilded
cages earoled sweetly, here and there
hung some gem of art, flowers, color
everywhere, but color so exquisitely
blended that It seemed one perfect
whole. And fitting the setting were
those within. To Lennox Marvin's ques-
ton both heads were raised. Over the
fair, sweet cheek of one crept q rosy
flush; the little hands which held the
work trembled, then the blond head
bent lower, and the long lashes, with
their dark fringe in such contrast to
the pure skin, hid the violet eyes from
intrusive gaze. One swift glance of the
man rested on that bowed head, then
he advanced to take the hand the other
extended him.
What welcome shall we offer to re-
ward you for showing us the light of
your c~ountenance at this hour? I
thought you eschewed early rising"
ION the contrary, I am fond of it,
but I did not dream Miss Merle ever
favored those who presented them
selves before her at so unreasonable a
time. What say you, Miss Gore? Can
you not put to blush this slur upon my
habits?"
II am too much in ignorance of Mr..
Marvin's habits to venture an opinion"
A quick shade of annoyance crossed
the handsome face, as Lennox turned to
l.devote himself with all the empresse-
ment he could so well assume to his
fair hostess, and in a moment a light
football announced that Helen Gore had
left the room. Alone, his manner
changed; the empressement fed, and
an Indifference barely yelled by polite
ness took it's place
"How long has Miss Gore been with
you?" he questioned.
"Three years. You know she lost
her parents in the same year my father
died? I had known her since we were
children, and when she was left de-
pendent 1 offered her a home with me
as a companion. I have never had rea-
son to repent the offer. Had you ever
met her before this winter, Mr.. Mar
wins"
"Scme four years ago, during the
summer, we spent several weeks to-
gether at a fashionable watering place.
She was very young then, an idol with
both father and mother, and as joyous
hearted as the birds. It must have been
q sad blow to her, stricken of parents
and fortune at one fell swoop."
The next afternoon Helen Gore, slow
ly sauntering up the broad avenue lead
ing to Miss Merle's spacious grounds,
heard a quick step behind her. AS 1t
came neare and nearer, and finally side
by side fell in with her own slow tread,
the same scarlet flush mantled her
cheek, but she took no other notice.
Miss Helen, why so cruel?" Lennox
Margin earnestly asked. "Are you never
going to give me one word of welcome?"
"Never!" broke from the girls lips.
"For you I have no welcome"
"And why not for me? Why do you
single me out? Have you so entirely
forgotten the past?"
pardon me, Mr.. Marvin. When you
asked me if l had no welcome for you, L
forgot you were no longer addressing
Miss Gore, who leaned upon a fathers
arm for protection, who sobbed her
grief away upon a mothers tender
bosom, whose wealth brought friends
and lovers to her feet-but only Miss
Gore, the dependent, who has none to
shield her from whatever cruel winds
fate ordains should blow upon her. A
different thing, is it not? With that
past time she has naught to do. 1t has
gone out of her life. Allow me, then, to
bid you welcome" and one white hand
was extended under the shade of the
elms.
The man waved it back. "Not thus
can 1 take it. True, you have lost your
fortune and parents. Take a T lest
with them you have lost your own gen
erous heart. Is it possible the girl who
has just said such bitter words is she
who, under the pale light of a young
moon, looked into my eyes with trust
and confidence only four years ago?
Can time have wrought such changer
Helen, / suffered theni"
"You suffered" the girl interrupted,
her seeming calm all gone. What do
you know of suffering? 1t is an idle
word-an empty breath-to such as
you. 1 am contented in my new life,
Lennox Marvin. Leave me in peace.
Miss Merle, the heiress, awaits your
coming"
And, with flying feet, she sped past
him, eluding his OBTAINING grasp, into
the friendly shelter of the house. He
followed slowly and reluctantly, with
q face white as her own, on which was
written a vague wonderment as to what
it all could mean.
In vain Miss Merle lavished her sweet
est smiles that night. True, Lennox
Marvin was beside her, and she it was
whom he addressed, but his eyes ever
-