Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-13


tlcton-a real, live British peer, who
had fad to live in America under
the name he bore until the title came
his way, Alice waited until She was
alone with Helen, who, by this time,
was thoroughly restored to conscious
ness.
Maybe this is your gold mine.
dcarie," she whispered. You never
can tell; but, unless I'm greatly mis-
taken, if you play strong hand,
you've struck it rich"
Poor Helen was too weak and dis
traught to care much at that moment
what became OF her. She sobbed out
a broken story. Matters had come
to climax in the store that day. She
had been dismissed summarily for in
attention, and the small sum due as
wages had been lessened by the fine
levied for ten minutes lost that morn
ing
When she went home, fearful and
disheartened. her mother had met
her with nothing but reproaches. She
was hidden to go out and not return
until she found another job. She knew
| how hard that quest would be with
out a reference. Her heart quailed at
the task While crossing the park
the cool, glistening water OF the lake
looked SO much like solution OF
her problem that she resolved then
and there to make an end of the cease
less struggle.
almost before | knew what ! was
DOING she confded to her friend. 81
had climbed the rail and flung myself
over.
But Alice only laughed. ~ you ask
me, kid, she said, you dived head
first into a mighty good proposition"
Helen did not recover her strength
quite SO rapidly as the doctor anticl-
pated He, good man. had counted
merely on the recuperative power of
youth and superb physique. He
knew nothing OF the daily and nightly
strain of weary years. He could not
guess that the beautiful appurtenances
of that we'll equipped house, the ex
cellcnt fare, the sleckiootcd servants,
the every care and solicitude with
which the girl was tended, affected
her mind to an extraordinary degree.
But nature was not to be denied
At the end of week Helen was quite
strong again, and the nurse announced
that she would be taken out into the
open air. John, with his wonted
kindness OF thought. suggested at
once that his automobile was at their
disposal, so Helen and the nurse were
sent for a glorious ride into the coun-
try. Alice Martin, wishful, in her own
obtuse- minded way, to assist her
friend, had helped John to purchase
some suitable garments, Hence,
Helen looked singularly attractive as
she was helped down the steps of the
porch and into the car, while on her
return, the flush of new health had
replaced the pallor OF her cheeks.
/ 1t happened, unfortunately, that her
brother saw her as she laughlngly de-
cined the nurses proifered arm and
walked unaidcd into the house. The
Young reprobatcS amazement may
well be imagined. OF course, there
had been a hubbub at home, but no
one knew what had become OF the
missing girl. The mere magnifcence
OF Johns residence almost frightened
Mr.. Ray. He hung about irresolutely.
His self-oonfidence needed the sharp
est Squirting before he could nerve
himself to the task OF ringing the bell
and asking to be allowed to see his
sister
Meanwhile, Burton was entertaining
his pretty guest at tea, Realizing
that the girls health was almost fully
restored, he vcntured to say that she
must surely be thinking now about
returning home. Although he had as
certained from the nurse that Helen
had never shown the least desire to
communicate with her parents, he was
in fearful rebellion
Il don't want to go home she
sobbed. You can't think what it
means TO mc--to leave tins lovely
house to be sent lar away from
such surroundings to a miserable flat
in mean street. never want to
see my people again, Pm sick OF be
ing poor--sick to death. refuse to
put up with it any longer. Let me
stay herc-on any terms
John was sure that the distraught
girl hardly knew what she was say
ing Anxious only to Soothe her dis
trcss, and having made up his mind
to help her he drew his chair little
nearer and took one OF her small
hands gently II his big, capa5,e ones
Now, listen TO me- he said You
are talking OF impossible things You
don't begin to understand the wretch