Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-09-28
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lis whnt?' I cried. growing pale
Her mother Is very ambitious.
very merccnary. and | have always
felt that she secretly opposed your
marriage TO Helen. though she has
given her consent
why do you think so. mother !
asked In great surprise. as I had nj.
ways thought there was no opposition
on her part
Have you not thought IL strange.
my son. that this marriage has been
deferred from time to time. on one
preteSt or another
II reflected that this was quite true.
and. for the first time. began To
place suspicion on the matter.
Then you do not think that Helen
loves mc!' I cried In despair.
"'t do not say no. my son. but nm
der the chapcronage Of an ambitious
mother. and possessed OF mcrccnary
nature herself. she might seek for
husband who holds high once. or Is
possessed Of great estatcS.'
but. mother. I have ample means.
have I noty'
Thank God. you have. my son
more thnn any one knows. and that
is why I say bc comfor;.d and be
brave. for you will one day be pos.
scSScd OF great estate. nm estate
which would even satisfy Helen aud
her mother. II they only knew
80 do no, understand you. mother.
for though knew my father to have
died In good circumstances. I had yet
10 learn that his fortune was among
the first OF the land
My mother read my thoughts.
and. drawing nearer. she said:
- have Mt least one agreeable sur.
prise for you. my poor ooy. and on,
that makes my burden less hard to
bear. Yoir fathers last inheritance
has been returned To you. and ! have
word through my solicitors that roc.
onciiiation IL being arranged between
our family md your fathers. which I
hail with great Joy on your account
Then. throwing her arms around
my neck. she ssbLed silently for few
moments. And now. my son. 20 and
sec Helen. Tell her nothing Of this.
aud then. II you and her true. SrinE
her here aE your bridc-if false. CONF
hastily back 10 me. for shall coun;
tho hours that part us.
vaidcrmcrc sat silently attentive
TO every word. nodiins here and there
as some passage in my story called
for his approval or iisapproyai.
you went to Romc9' he said.
"Ycs. made hasiy preparations.
and accompanied only by my moth.
er's blessing. I started on my journey.
carrying my heart. my soul and INV
life. To place In the hands OF the won.
an whom had loved with the love
of a madman-fiiirh with n prrara,i
mcnt of evil. but fascinated and
drawn by n strange desire to sec hp-
face once more. even II her lips cur.
cd me. A, last I reached Rome. There
HcicB's mother had taken apartments
for the season. that her daughter
misht enjoy the social advantages
which were afforded by a residence In
that city. and her wisdom in this step
was soon manifest. for her rare
beauty and aitainmcrts soon aeon.
plishci TIL" desired result.
"In fortnight. men OF high RINK
in the nobility Of Europe were q; hen
feet. lou caI scarcely picture o
woman whose beauty was so trans.
ccnient as Hcicns Lazy Italians
fell at her shrine. I had learned tho
locality of her apartments. and "a
Etpi. silently into the great yar,i.
sparkling with fountains. and bloom
ing with flowers. my heart irCmblCi
AMI my breath came in gasps.
II hal not announced my arrival
"a I wished to take her by surprise.
Suddenly I heard voices and foot.
steps drawing near. and slipped
aside in cover OF the thick foliage
which concealed me from view. and
with beating heart recognized tho
voice so dear to me-a voice as sweet
as melody to me at that moment.
when IT was used TO make jest uf
my very name. hushei the hcatinps
of my heart aud listened. Ali there
was another voice. just as soft and
sweet, but of greater depth than her
own
Now the footsteps tread within
mans length of where ! stood con.
cealed. aud soon the couple-for II
was Helen. accompanied by male
COMMUNICATIONS voice, as have
said. was of wonderful depth and
sweetness-seBted themselves almost
Immediately opposite where I stood.
my heart on fire. and my brain whirl.
ing.
II will not repeat what they said.
but every word she uttered fell upon
my bloodless heart like frozen tear
Her words revealed her true nature
and the only thing that saved me
from numbering her was the thought
of my poor mother.
"My thoughts were of vengeance.
but I mastered my emotion. and rus'i.
ed away. needless of where my foot