The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-26
AFTER THE STORM

life. Every sense of his being SurrenderS to
us us dellclous, Intoxicating influence, and all
the world seems to be revelling in carnival
OF JOY. Sound becomes music, commonplace
things become beautiful and sight and feel
ing conspire together to intensity the illusion.
This hour is when, for the first time the
woman he loves yields up her first confession
of love for him, and for the first time gazes
Sounully into his face, a wealth of love-
trust and happiness beaming from her dear
eyes. Then it is not what he has been or will
be. but what he is and what is his that con-
Germs him.
Howard Verdery had had his hour but so
recently that the joy Of it still fingered with
him like glad echo He could not quickly
realize that she loved him as fully and com
pletely as he would have her love him. It
had come about so gradually, but such nat
urai' human stages-Just in the way that
such things must come about-he imagined
that it was hard for him to realize that il
was true; but what a glorious thing it was
for linn.
He felt that he had in him the raw mate
rial for a splendid manhood. By Heen's
hands it might be woven into substantial
texture that would defy such petty tempta-
tlons to evil as he had yielded to in younger
days, not because of lack of strength he felt
but because he was young unknowing, un-
informed These were fine days. and there was
little IN them to regret He had had his sea-
son of wild college dissipation; it was no
not half so bad as some. But that was over.
Years and Helen had opened a grand field
for him. and he knew he would be purposefuI
and manly
She would help him by her ready vonanlv
sympathy, her good Judgment her fine wom-
anly tact What an ideal woman Helen was.
How congenial, how sweetly disposed how
noble!
Helen is my conscience he thought "I
never feel bad or unworthy except when I
am with her. She takes such a fine, high
view of things, and she is so strong in living
up to that view. I couldn't do an unmanly
thing with Helen in my heart and mind and
character
His father delighted with the news. as
Were his mother and sisters. They crowded
about him and told him, three at a time, how
glad they were why, my boy I'm proud of
you, proud of you," said his father, hearty
looking man of 5o a fair type of the success
full business man. You don't know how
happy you have made me- You have re-
moved the most serious apprehension of my
life for l was afraid you might do something
foolish-there's no accounting for a young
man, you know.
Even the steadiest of them sometimes lose
their heads where woman is concerned. I
have been a young man myself Howard But
you have acted Sensibly, and your fortunes
assured. Helen will be a great help to you.
In a few years [ will have to retire from the
business altogether and I will leave it in
your hands My boy, do you know you have
never pleased me so we'll in your life?"
And the two, father and son. shook hands
with great warmth.
Helen has always seemed like a sister,"
Agnes said. 1T will be so lovely for her to
be that in fact
And everybody congratulated verdery;
lucky Verdery, and the young fellow in the
glow Of his happiness felt that life was Just
beginning for him
1t was the best of days. Young Verdery, in
the conceit that fortunes favoritism had bred
in him, chose to fancy that nature had or
dered the day because of the significance that
it bore to his life. It was Thanksgiving Day
and II was his fathers idea that it be OBJ
served with reference to his engagement
And now the dag was drawing to a close
Most of the guests that had been invited to
make the occasion what it should be had de-
parted. Helen was among the few who re-
maned.
You should be very happy" said the elder
for the fftieth time. You have everything
to make you so; in fact, 1 have never seen
young people start out more auspiciously. If
hne prospects, good wishes and the quality
they call love can make pair of youngsters
happy I'm sure you two will not fail to be.
My blessing my children. my blessing
Il am sure we shall be- said Helen
There's nothing to prevent, except we might
quarrel L am sure we shall never do that.
We understand each other too well for that
If there should ever be any trif1ing misunder-
standing either of us should let it betray US
into ugly words. We would wait, sure that
it would come out all right. We have already
adopted system of dealing with each Other
in perfect honesty, and it has worked so ad
n;irably that 1 feel it will be great success
when we are married. We tell each other
everything-everythin don't We Howard p,
why, yes" said Howard; Everything. T
never felt tempted to keep back anything but
once, and that was when I met Jack Cham
well, you know Jack will induge-a-and I
I've told her all about it. But it wasn't so
wicked, was it?'
No; when we consider it was Jack" said
Helen. But if it had been any one else
well, should have said you ought not