The Elbert County tribune., 1906-09-27
I|l9 l1ZT NI1lY

pretext or another?'
Il reflected that this was quite true,
and. for the first time. I began to
place suspicion on the matter.
Then you do not think that Helen
loves me?' cried In despair.
Il do not say SO. my son, but uu.
der the chaperonage of an ambitious
mother, and possessed OF a mercenary
nature herself, she might seek for a
husband who holds high office, or -
possessed Of great estates
but. mother. have ample means,
have not?'
"Thank God. you have, my son
more than any one knows, and that
is why l say be comforted and be
brave. for you will one day be pos
sessed of a great estate, an estate
which would even satisfy Helen and
her mother, If they only knew
"T do not understand you. mother.
for though I knew my father to have
died in good circumstances, l had yet
to learn that his fortune was among
the first OF the land
my mother read my thoughts,
and, drawing nearer, she said:
have at least one agreeable sur
prise for you, my poor Doy, and one
that makes my burden less hard ia
bear, Your fathers last inheritance
has been returned to you, and l have
word through my solicitors that rec.
onciliation is being arranged between
our family and your fathers, which |
hail with great joy on your account.
"Then. throwing her arms around
my neck. she sobbed silently for a few
moments. And now, my son, go and
see Helen. Tell her nothing OF this,
and then. IL you find her true, bring
her here as your bride-if false, come
hastily back to me, for shall count
the hours that part u.s."
Here / paused and tried to collect
my thoughts. for many years had
passed. and the sad scenes 1 was now
repeating seemed like some horrible
dream, dreamed long ago-confused.
but not forgotten, clinging to my
memory like shadow.
Valdermere sat silently attentive
to every word. nodding here and there
as some passage in my story called
for his approval or disapproval.
You went to Rome?" he said.
Yes, l made hasty preparations
and accompanied only by my moth
er's blessing, started on my journey,
carrying my heart, my soul and my
life, to place In the hands OF the wom-
an whom I had loved with. the love
of madman-filled with a PRESENT.,
ment OF evil, but fascinated and
drawn by a strange desire to see her
face once more, even II her lips ours
ed me. At last reached Rome. There
Helen's mother had taken apartments
for the season. that her daughter
might enjoy the social advantages
which were afforded by residence in
that city, and her wisdom in this step
was soon manifest, for her rare
beauty and attainments soon acom.
plished the desired result.
"In fortnight, men of high rank
in the nobility of Europe were at hei
feet. You can scarcely picture
woman whose beauty was SO trans
cendent as Helen's. Lazy Italians
fell at her shrine. had learned the
locality Of her apartments, and as ]
stole silently into the great yard.
sparkling with fountains. and bloom
ing with flowers, my heart tremblei
and my breath came in gasps. AS |
drew nearer. thousand lights burst
from the windows of the magnificent
hotel. and the perfumed air was filed
with the laughter of merry voices.
proceeding from the balconies and
omenades-laughter which sound
ed like the mockery of devils to me,
whose brain was on fire. and whose
heart was slowly freezing.
II had not announced my arrival
as l wished to take her by surprise.
Suddenly l 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 a Jest of
my very name. l hushed the beatings
of my heart and listened. All! there
was another voice, Just as soft and
sweet. but of greater depth than her
own.
Now the footsteps tread within a
mans length Of where l stood con-
cealed, and soon the couple-for it
was Helen. accompanied by a male
companion-whose voice. as | have
said. was of wonderful depth and
weetness-seated themselves almost
Immediately opposite where l stood.
my heart on sre. and my brain whirl-
ing.
Il 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 ,,aiird rir, q har A.,