El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1899-07-15

ed back, and Paul, looking up, saw
her. She heard his voice appraised in
a loud cry-a cry that went to her
heart like a knife and sent every
nerve in her body quivering with
fierce pain of old, which she had be-
lieved stilled forever; one seconds
scared inaction and the next she was
across the churchyard, flying as If for
her life.
Soon she heard his voice, then foot
steps following eagerly. Rebuilding
her speed she struggled on, knocking
against neadstones and expresses,
stumbling over the low grassy mounds
that covered the nameless dead, long
ing for some grave to open and engulf
her, for the suffocating waters to close
round her again and bear her out of
reach Of him, whom she, alas, still
loved better than her own life or her
eternal welfare, whose peace. home.
happiness she was about to destroy
forever.
Her breath came N painting gasps,
the ground Surged under her feet.
Nearer and nearer came the pursuing
sounds, and clearer the entreating
voice. Unle. the moon would slip
behind that rank of heavy cloud, to-
slowly, and enable her to drop into the
ditch that lined the churchyard in
three more strides, she felt that all
was lost, the purpose of her seven
years struggle in vain-in vain-oh,
worse than a thousand times in vain,
she knew!
It was. She never reached the shell
tering ditch, his hand fell heavily upon
her shoulder, and, with moan Of
despair, the poor soul dropped to the
ground and lay at his feet covering
and whimpering in the wet grass like
frightened child.
After a short silent struggle he lift
ed her up and p1ucked her hands from
| her face.
cit is you-you" he cried. Helen,
my wife, oh heaven?'
The moon just grazing the murky
mass of vapor, covered them in her
wan white glare. Helen, numb with
horror, looked at him whom a short
half hour before she had seen in the
bloom of prosperous comely prime.
now changed into haggard,
storm-beaten aged man, with dimmed
heavy eyes, worn wistful face, and
hair plentifully sprinkled with grey,
robbed Of youth, health, hope, peace,
by that moments glance at her.
At this piteous sight love rose in
arms, quickened her fainting soul, and
reused her numbed limbs to resistance.
She struggled and shook him off
iercely.
"Who-whc are you? How dare you
you touch me? What do you mean?
Are you-you mad or-tipsy, to as
sault a harmless stranger like that?
IL"
''Heien, Helen" he exclaimed, in
signing whisper-"oh Helen"
She stammered, stopped, swayed IT.
resolutely, then burst out violently
Helen! Why do you call me that?
II am not Helen. She-she was
drowned seven years ago in that wa
ter. You know it-yGl know it as we'll
Oh. go back-go back. I tell you, to
your wife, your children, your home
go, let me depart"
81 have no home, no children, no
wife but you
His arms were round her. pinioning
her tightly to her side, his hot breath
tanning her face.
Liar" she painted, pushing his lips
lToiA ueFS. Liar! saw you, not an
hour ago, at the station with her, your
children in your arms-I heard you"
"You saw my brother, Arthur, with
his children and wife. to whom he has
been married for the last ten years
not me. Helen. my wife, love of my
life, how could you treat me So
how" he asked. tears choking his
voice
Your brother, Arthur, and his wife
not you-not your she murmured
dizzily, and closed her e-es 81 think
I Think knew it all along. Oh, I
think 1 knew it wasn't you!"