The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-10-05
"can Philip, Helen, I must speak to

"Yes, Philip, my boy, wish you. =
His voice was growing weaker each
BREATH II wish you TO take care OF my
little girl I am dying, and can't leave
her alone In the world she must have
one whose right 1t is to guard her. You
are the only man to whom could trust
her. Will you marry Heien?,
"Mr. Armstrong, dear, kind friend
that you have been to me, your wishes
are my laws. 1 win take care of your
daughter, always.n Why didn't he say
"if she will let me.D But his onl,
thought was for the friend who lay
dying.
Helen knelt down by the bed, and
throwing her arms around her fathers
neck, hurst into tears for the first time,
Papa, not that; don't make me
marry any one.u
at is my last wish, dear; / must
know you have a protector Go, Philip
bring some one to perform the cere-
mony my time is getting short"
Indeed, Helen already regretted her
remonstrance as she looked at the pal
lid face of her idolized father, and du.
ring Philips brief absence she said nc
more, but caressed him whose lifelong
care had made her forget that she was
motherless.
Just as the sun was setting Philip and
Helen. were married at the side of John
Armstrong; bed. As the last words
were said peaceful, happy smile illu-
minated the face of the dying man.
and grasping hand Of each he said,
God bless you" and passed away.
The memory of thar hour remained
with Helen many day; the utter
strangeness Of her surroundings added
to her desolation. Philip saw to her
physical comfort, but dared not offer
a word Of consolation to the girl, whose
sorrow seemed crushing. She appeared
not to be aware of his existence, and
only answered in monosyllables any
remark he made.
'You will return to New York, pre-
sume?' he said, as they walked back
from the lonely grave after the burial.
"Yes, Immediately was Helen's an
sser.
In the early Spring Of the following
year Helen went to Old Point Comfort
with the mother of her dearest school
friend, Lenda Horton, with whom she
had made her home since her fathers
death.
She found herself growing brighter
and happier, the change and outdoor
life doing her much good.
One morning as she was riding over
the long bridge that connects Old Point
with the village of Hampton she pass
ed man who looked at hervery stead
lily for moment. he vas tai: rather
dark, clean-shaven and well-dressed.
"By Jove, it's Helen, as sure as Pm
alivepi he exclaimed. ''I hadn't hoped
to see her so soon,n he thought "my
boat has been in an hour and | have
been putting Off the evil moment of
sending up my card fear she won't
receive me very warmly"
Suddenly he saw her dismount and
examine her wheel. She looked about
hopeIessly and seemed to be at loss to
know what to do. Philip hurried to-
ward her and said MAY / be of any
service to you?'
''0h, thank you, am afraid have
punctured one of my tires.u she repli-
ed, and Philip was surprised at ner
beauty as she turned her face toward
him. al am not an expert wheelwo-
man, and / hardly know what to do"
''Do you carry a repair outfit? j may
be able to memo it,"
why, don't know. There are lots
of things in that little satehel; perhaps
there is repair outfitp
Philip could scarcely repress a smile
at the woeful ignorance of this young
woman in regard to her wheel but he
looked into the ''little satcher' and
brought to light tools with which to
mend the tire. While he was busyiDg
himself about it, he thought of his pc
culiar position. There he was, gallantly
assisting his own wife. He saw that
she did not recognize him in his chang
ed dress and shaven face, and he was
glad that she did not, as be felt sure
that she would not have smiled so
brightly or talked so pleasantly had
she known.
'Do you ride much? Don't you
think you ought to learn what to do in
case of accidents?'
81 am beginner, and Enever go far
from the hotel, yet i suppose ought
to learn about my wheel, but I don't
believe I'm a mechanical genius. +" she
laughed. "Its really much nicer to
have some one do it for me-"
"I hope | may always be so fortunate
as 10 appear at the right momentn
Helen drew herself up to her full
height of five-feet four and replied as
cold Us she coull: THANK you very
much /; it is finished, believe" She
took the wheel from him, and mount
ing, rode back in the direction CT the
hotel. AS Philip stood, hat in hand,
he reflected that she might be little
difficult. He fell to wondering If ii
was possible to rent wheel. and about
decided not to make his identity known
just yet.
Mrs. Horton and Helen were at dim
ner when Philip stepped into the di-
ming room, and in following the waiter
to his seat he passed the table. Helen
inclined her head very slightly she
evidently did not consider her morn
ing meeting sufficient introduction
In the afternoon he lit cigar and
strolIed along the piazza- There was
something very delightful in being
back once more amid the comforts
and luxuries of the east, after years
of hard work as q mining engineer
in the toughest part of the west The
little refnements Of life appealed to
him strongly. A group OF ladies seat
ed at the shady side Of the piazza, with
their embroidery. seemed an invaluable
addition TO the scene, and when he
heard a clear, familiar voice among
ttar,, he faft mora than ever that life