The St. Mary banner., 1908-02-22

Helena, "and then-tne last OF tneSe
business matters! He has proved q
good and trusty friend. and poor
papa's high opinion OF him has been
verified"
1t was now a quarter before 3,
and while she awaited his coming her
thoughts went back to the first time
she had seen him. on that eventful
day eighteen months before. She had
been returning home from visit and
he had sat opposite to her for half
q day In the drawing room car. She
had noticed with some amusement
his complete absorption in volume
OF Coleridge and his apparent obliv-
iousness to all outward surround
ings.
But when the awful crash of the
collision came-just es the train was
about reaching its destination-it
was he whose Quickness had saved
her from certain death. whose strong
arms had held her up and at last
had borne her from that scene OF
horror into safety. And 1t was he
who had led the little band Of res
cuers again and again into the wreck
in a noble effort to save the injured.
until he himself had been carried out
from burning car. bleeding and in
sensible, With a great cash over his
eyes.
She had not allowed this brave
man to whom she owed her life to be
carried away to a hospital. but had
taken him directly to her own home.
where the best medical care and
skilled attendance was Immediately
obtained for him
She remembered her fathers look
OF amazement and perplexity when
she had arrived with the insensi0le
man In the carriage beside her. and
she remembered. too. his hearty ap-
proval as soon as he mad heard the
story, and his keen satisfaction af-
terw9rd when he discovered that his
Involuntary guest was Harry Stevens,
who-though unknown in the world
OF society-was Q man Of standing
high in the business world and not
able for his rectitude, cleyerness and
sagacity.
While the injured man was slowly
c0nvalescing Helena's father had cul-
tivated his society. and in spite of the
difference In their years deep and
lasting friendship had sprung up be-
tween them. But although re and
she had been housemates at the time
for several weeks, Helena had not
seen their guest until the day of his
departure. end then his extreme re-
serve had somewhat puzzled her.
And after this, III spite Of her
fathers continual endeavors, it had
proved impossible to prevail upon
their late guest to be present ct any
of their larger social functions. al
though on a few notable occasions
he had been persuaded to accept their
invitations to small and informal din
ners -~---..sres.saa164ssass yssraaes,ssF
On those occasions she had OBJ
served him curiously. He was keen.
we'll read. good though not brilliant
talker, and with men he was entirely
1t his ease and his words evidently
carried weight But toward women
he was silent and reserved. He sell
dom addressed even her-his host
ess-although she noticed that he
paid her the rare compliment Of lis.
tening when she spoke. no matter
how much that was better hearing
might be going on about him. But
he never voluntary approached her
and at last his avoidance piqued her
WHI father talked much about him
"A fine fellow. my dear. not Onl,
like. / honor him. / suppose some
would call him a self-made man. bu1
say that God never made a finer
truer gentleman. He apparently di
vidss his time between his business
and his books. and l never knew I
more finely cultivated mind or mar
with higher ideals. His friendship
Is indeed = treasure. and I am happ!
In having won 1t. You think he doe
not like you? You are mistaken, m.
dear. he is no ladies' man. he is to'
reserved and difndent, but he admire
your Slncefltv-Qulte as muCn,
think, as I admire him."
So some six months had passed
And then one day as Helena sat read
Ing In the library awaiting he
fathers return at the accustome'
hour she. heard . footstep and sal
brightly, Father. dear. is 1t your"
Then she looked up and say Barr
Stevens agitated face. She aros
with faint cry: What is It? NJ
father? Oh, he is not dead?"
But she read the truth in his pit,
Ing eyes. and. overcome with the SUI
den violence OF her emotion. she fe
seuseless into his outstretched arm
From that merciful blank OF obli'
ION murmured. words Of endearmel