Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-07-31

and / had to do the best | could.
| was always good girl until-un.
til last winter. Then I met him. |
was working at hotel and he board
ed there. / loved him. Alb, | can.
not tell you how / loved him-how
| loved him You would not under
stand. | felt as though he were
God, and it was happiness to be
near him--to hear him speak. |
had never cared for any other man
never thought of men. But from
the first moment / saw him | was
bewitched. He professed love for
me, and hon happy wasl My
heart leaped for joy. Of course
thought be meant to marry me, and
there was not a happier girl on this
earth"
Helen paused, the tears in her
eyes. The old woman pressed her
hand tendesly.
"a month went by" tue girl con-
tinued, and every day l loved him
more passionately. There is no
need of making a long story of it,
madam. He was a man of the world,
l but weak girl. For time l
was happy-wildly happy; but one
day my conscience awoke, and I
left him and came here. have been
in this city five weeks l shall new
er let him know where / am. l de-
sire to live different life. If you
do not want to take me in I shall
not blame you-but l would like to
be soldier in the army if you are
all willing"
MY dear child" exclaimed Mrs.
Baldwin, with tears in her eyes and
the kiss she pressed on Heleps brow
was like benediction.
Helen had been with the Salvation
Army six months. Her clear So
prano voice and her beautiful face
were drawing card at the barracks,
but none of the men that went to
gaze at her could claim that she ever
gave them @ glance other than
saint might have given.
From early morning until night
she toiled in laundry, then, after
her frugal supper was eaten, she has
tened TO the barracks to take an en-
thusiastic part in the services. She
looked up to the captain with some
thing of reverence, for he was her
teacher in the faith, and he looked
at her with his heart in his eyes.
Helen never referred to her past
after that first confession. But from
a certain proud restraint she had
put upon herself, tue captain knew
she had not forgotten that her heart
was still sorrowful and ashamed. He
sighed, but said to himself.
II am glad Of it. I could not re.
spect her as I do had she forgotten
too easily"
Helen's only confdante was Mrs.
Baldwin. One evening she burst
uncermoniously into her room look
ing pale and frightened.
ala me, child - the old woman
exclaimed, "whatever is the matter?
You look as if you had seen q
ghost"
II have--a ghost Of my past. Oh,
save me, dear friend, save me y
cried Helen.
Mrs. Baldwin drew the slight,
trembling form into the shelter of
her arms. Presently Helen grew
calmer.
Il have heard from him." she said
in a frightened whisper. 'He has
traced me-he knows just where /
am-and he is coming for me !"
"Does he then imagine be has any
claim upon you? You are as much
your own mistress as am, Helen.
Write and tell him you will have
nothing to do with him. He will
not trouble you then"
"Not trouble meg Oh, Mrs. Bald
win, you do not know him He will
move heaven and earth to accomplish
what he desires. l would leave
town, but am sure he would follow
me. No, l must stay here where
you are all so kind, and help me to
do right, for | am very weak"
"Surely, Helen, you are not so
weak that you would allow that vile
man TO have any influence over you
again p exclaimed Mrs. Baldwin.
disapproval in her face, perplexity
in her voice. "You have been like
q pure and faithful star since You
joined US. We have all trusted you
and looked up to you. Surely that
life of sin has no attraction for you
now! p
mo, no! !" said Helen, brokenly.
at is not that. But cannot resist
him when | am with him be COM
pels me to do as he wishes. / have
no CHOICE
800 not depend on your own
strength, Helen trust to a Higher