Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1902-12-19
present title passed through Helena's 8

present title passed through Helena's
mind.
Il will take charge Of this" said she,
glancing at the envelope, upon which
might be seen faint mark at the close
Of the address.
The heavy door that had stood ajar
between the anteroom and the study
opened slowly, and Sir Frederick ap-
peared. He had not acquired the man.
ner of the blind. He stood in the door
way graceful and at ease, totally with
out that visible and pitiable trepidation
characterizing the sightless. Only the
great black shades by which his eyes
were shielded from all light made OBJ
vious his infirmity. He was erect as
ever and seemed strong but his face
had taken on pallor, steadily increas-
ing. and his hair had grown quite gray
Sometimes 1t had seemed to Helena
that the worst of his affliction was that
he had grown so old. and she with him,
In spirit at least. She was one who
been at the end OF 1t. and he. though
nearly fifty, had seemed young until
darkness had begun to wither him. 1t
was that which had put her heart to
fight away from him-the fear of age
Sir Frederick had great facility In
finding his way without light. He
could walk confidently throughout the
great house, and, observing the readl-
ness Of his movements, 1t was some
times impossible to realize that he was
blind. He came forward without hesi-
tation and took Helena's right hand,
which he raised to his lips. She had
shifted the envelope to her left hand,
and she must have put some pressure
upon it, for the heavy seal of wax fell
to the floor. 1t may have been dis
lodged by contact with the rough cover
of the volume which Helena also held.
The blind man, seeking both his wlfe's
hands, felt the book and asked what 1t
was Being informed, he seemed pleas
ed, even quite deeply touched.
There was an interval Of silence, and
then Sir Frederick, conscious Of Hal
lam's presence, turned his mind upon
the business Of the day.
"Is there any word from the French
men?" he asked II fancied that |
heard you speak of D'Epinay.'
II have q message from the embas-
sy." said Helena, and at that Sir Fred
erick stood back from the door, incln-
ing his head with homage fit to touch
ones heart as the dainty rustling Of his
wifes garments and the faint, exqui-
site fragrance of her hair passed before
him through the dark.
Lets begin with monsieur rambas-
sadeur," said Sir Frederick. 81 think
his communication cannot be Of much
importance-a nicely of diplomatic eva
sion, I've no doubt"
Evasion echoed Helena softly.
"The easy refuge Of dishonesty
He inclined his head, smiling, and
then:
Read it, dearest" he said.
Helena drew forth the contents Of
the envelope, consisting of the usual
fine parchment paper sheet and one
small slip adhering so gently to the
other that it could be pulled away and
leave no perceptible mark. Then she
began to read the ambassadors note,
omitting not a syllable Of the fantastic
courtesies Of diplomacy, and so on to
the body of the document. wherein the
writer begged to reply to the most
highly valued communication, etc, and
did reply, with nothing in particular
very finely expressed.
"Is that all?" asked Sir Frederick.
"Well, we could have written it our
selves, couldn't weW
Was it possible that the clock which
licked so loudly was very small one
at the far end of this long room?
Why did Helena hear Eunices voice
so plainly in the anterOom? She could
not remember ever before to have
heard articnlate words through that
heavy door, yet there was no indication
that Eunice was speaking loudly. 1t
must be that there was peculiar
quality of stiffness at the moment.
81 wish to see my brother directly
he is at liberty" said Eunice.
Helena looked at her husband keenly.
1t is hard to read face when the eyes
are covered, yet Helena was as sure as
of her own existence that Sir Frederick
suspected nothing that he never would
know that his question-"Is that allf"-
had been mere form Of words
What is vow? To the superstitious
It may be much-to Eunice, perhaps,