The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-26
MIR. PHILIP BROWN.

Helen Armstrong closed her satche
and gathered together the scattere'
belongings that had accumulated dur
Ing her long trip west; she drew Of
her gloves and rearranged her hat an,
veil, for not the first time in the las
half hour She knew that the trail
speeding on was surely, rapid.
bringing her to Crimson Creek; In ,
few minutes more she would be In he
fathers embrace.
How she had begged to join hel
father; she had endeavored to con
vince him how unhappy she was away
from him and how much to theiI
mutual advantage her presence Mt the
Crimson Creek mine would be. Al
last she wrung promise from him
that she should 60 to him at the end
Of her course In the school.
John Armstrong was ever an indul.
gent father and he gave his consent
to a plan that conceded with his own
desires, but he gave 1t unwillingly,
knowing how haru the life would bs
to Helen, who could not realize the
privations that would be hers in o
small mining camp. Z,
The train slackened its speed, the
friendly porter came to help HELEN
off with her hand luggage and in q
moment she found herself on the plat.
form in front of misunderstanding
station decorated with the sign "Crira
con Creek" She gazed around seek
Ing the dear familiar figure she had
pictured all these last few days, bui
Instead she saw advancing toward
her a tall brown-bearded man. Ha
lifted his hat courteously and said ID
accents which little accorded With
his rough mining dress: Miss Arm
strong. presume; l am Philip
Brown"
"Oh, are you Mr.. Brown" she
asked, almost rudely. Where is pa,
pa? I thought, of course, he would
be here" Her voice trembled.
II know it must be very dsappointt
ing, but he couldn't come, it was i'm,
possible-he Is sick"
II never knew him to be sick DO
fore" she said, half dazed.
+ 1T is very sudden. He seemed
quite well up to a day or two ago
but yesterday morning the stroki
came, l mean, you know-oh, denJ
be alarmed, Miss Armstrong-I--wI
all hope for the best"
Philip broke off, feeling utterlj
helpless, as he saw the tremulous lip
and the blue eyes filling with tears
Philip silently helped her into thi
wagon that was to conduct them ID
the mine and 1t was only after they
had left the desolnte station a half
mile behind that the silence was brolI
en-.
"Mr. Brown, please tell me al
about it, Helen said; her vote
sounded hard and cold, even to lie,
own ears she felt stunned and NUM-
and was conscious Of an unreasonable
dislike for this strong, bronzed mar
beside her
Philip told her how he had found
Mr.. Armstrong lying in an uncGa
scious state the morning before. III,
lid not mention that he had riddlI
miles at breakncck speed to the tele
graph station in order to sumon tlm
loctor in time for the evening train
lor that all night he had sat by thu
bedside of his fl.end, watching the
'aintest signs Of returning conscious
less until just at daybreak, before he
lad started to meet Helen, his vigil
lad been rewarded by few broker
sentences from the stricken man.
"Helen-Philip-Helen 60 before
is too late; bring my little girl"
When Philip paused Helen asked
lrmly, though her face was white:
us it the end?' |
Philip for one moment hesitated
tut as he looked down into her ques
ioning eyes he could but answer the
ruth.
II fear 80, but I hope we will be ID
ime."
At last Helen knelt by the side Of
er fathers bed. =,
Papa! Papa! Dear daddy" she
ried as she kissed her father and
ne sick man smiled contentedly as
e answered, Daughter"
Philip and the doctor left the room
nd Helen laid her soft young check
gainst her fathers face and clasped
IS hand almost ficrcely, as If to hold
i'm back. He read her thought and
nswered: "lt's no use, little girl,
n going; 1t was only the thoug..s OF
icing you kept me here this long"
NO no, papa; don't leave me!
"Be brave, Heltn;lll deaye goa in
'od hands, dear; the foltune huutels
ont get YOU" !
t seemed to Helen that his mind
lst be wandering.
Call Philip, Helen, must speak to-
H." !
'he called him, reluctantly.
Did you wish me, sir? r
Yes, Philip, my boy, wish you'll q
9 voice was growing weaker each +
cath. II wish you to take care Of +
little girl; am dying and can't n
We her alone in the world; shd
st have someone whose right 1t ID r
guard her. You are the only man
whom I could trust her. VIII you j,
Try Helen?' n
Mr.. Armstrong. dear, kind friend :
t you have been to me, your wish1 \
are my laws. will take care OF
If daughter, always Why did. ri
he say, IF she will let me-" But
only thought was for the friend A
o lay dying. .,
[elen knelt down by the bed and
owing her arms around her faith :,
J neck burst into tears for the first !.
e.
Papa, not that; don't make me ri
rry any one" =,
It is my last wish, dear; must a,
w you have protector. Go, Phil II
bring some one to perform the Ger IL
my; my time IL getting short"
'deed, Helen already regretted hel .,
lonstrance as she looked at tho in
I'd face of her idolized father. and n,