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CAPITAL CITY COURIER, SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 1889.
10
ML l'
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IA
. :
fev
r (1
OTlnrn smiled a atntlo or forgiveness,
an out) who foil sorry to aeo nu nmliihlo
young gentleman lxawod of ho violent
a temper.
"I'll tnko ehnrgo of till gentleman,"
aald Martin, Mopping tip to O'Hnm nnd
displaying his iKiilgo. "Dennis Costcllo,
I arrest you for tho iiiunlor of Roso
Kfilngtonl"
Costullo's fnco became Itvld, and ho
crouched against tho wnll, hut noon found
volco to apeak,
"You have mistaken your man, my
good Blr. My uniuo In Dlonysltts O'llnm,
ntul I never hoforo heard tho natno of
tho lady you mention. If you will ox
cuso mo, I will hlil you good morning, 1
tun nn artist, ntul I havo n dlstlngulsho'l
alitor waiting nt my studio." And ho
tuiido n atop towards tho door.
Mat tin had no thought of lotting him
go, but ho didn't mind playing with him
n moment,
"Your nnmo U not 0011111.1 Costollo,
you any?"
"No, sir, my nnmo Is not Dennis Cos
tclloinnd with your permission I will
tnko my leave." Ah ho ndvnnecd townrds
tho door Rush mmlo n movement ns
though to atop him, hut Martin winked
nt him and nt tho door, tho knob of
which Costollo hastily turned. As tho
door opened tho giant form of Johnson
nppenrod In tho hall.
"At lastl" exclaimed Johnson, whoso
fnco wns almost blnck with rngo. "At
lastl Dennis Costollo, murderer of Roso
Kfllngton, I havo got youl"
Mnrtlu sprang forward nnd released
Oostello'a throat from Johnson's grnsp,
for ho didn't want justice to bo out
witted In this wny. Costcllo saw that
thcro wns no uso In donylng his Identity
any longer. Johnson know him nnd ho
know Johnson. Ho stopped buck out of his
assailant's reach nnd gently touched his
throat with his fingers ns though to soo
If nny harm hnd lcon done.
"Your friend In n bruto, my dear sir,"
wild ho, turning to Martin. "I thank
you for your nssistaneo."
"Don't you talk alout brutes, Douuls
Coitcllo; a man who could murder an
inoffenslvo woman Is too vllo n bruto to
live. I havo traced this story to its end,
and I have found you tho murderer of
Koso Etllngvm." And Johnson looked
very much ns though he wns going to fly
ut Costello's th'rout again.
"Of tho two or us," said Costollo,
quietly, "I think that our violent friend
here looks tho most llko u murderer. Ills
accusation is false. 1 will not deny nu
acquaintance with the lamented MIsa
Ellington, but 1 deny that I had nny
hand in her untimely taking off. It was
a clear case of suicide, oor girl."
"You will havo it chance to prove this
In tho courts if you cant In tho mean tltno
I must nsk you to como with mo, nnd I J
nut afraid you will linvo to wear these,
aald Martin, taking a pair of handcuff
from hl pocket,
"1 will go with you if It Is nny accom
modation," replied Costollo, "but don't
ask me to wear those, I can't benr to
see a ruun with bangles on his wrists; It
Is really too effeminate. Besides, I should
like to atuoko a cigarette, with your per
mission." And, taking a Honrndcz from
a littlo caso in his pocket, ho rerolled nnd
lighted it. "Now, sir, If you nro rendy,
I am. Before 1 go, howover, I should
llko to havo 0110 word alono with this
lady," motioning with his cigarette to
wards Deaalo, who only olung tho tighter
to Rush's arm.
"You scoundrel," aald Rush, "don't
you daro oven to turn your oyes In this
direction."
" Aa you will," said Costollo. "I nm
aorry to havo offended you, Miss Archer.
I think I could havo explained nwny this
mystery If you hnd allowed mo; but I
sever foroo my society upon a lady.
Good morning nnd good-by," And ho
undo a courtly bow as ha reached tho
door. Then, turning suddenly, ho aald,
"How rudo of mot I hnd forgotten
Fanny. Fanny, my dear, where nro you?
are you going to let your Cos go without
ylng Rood by?"
" This wns too much for Mtuo. Fanny,
who Jiad hid behind a curtain when tho
trouble began. She loved Coatello in her
way, and alio know enough about the
ErHngton affair to know that alio would
never seo hint again. With tho tears
reaming down her painted cheeks and
her hair awry, she came out from behind
(he curtain and was In the act of throw
lag herself upon Ida bosom when ho held
her gently back.
1 "Don't be bo demonstrative, Fannys
It'a vulgar, my dear." Taking her hand,
"Good-by; you have been a faithful
friend." And nutting his arm through
Martin's ho loft the room, followed by
Johnson, who did not Intend that Coa
tello should escapo him this time. Mine.
Fanny threw herself upon the rickety
'sofa and Rush hurriod Bessio out of tho
room, saying: "This ia no place for you;
you must get homo as Boon aa possible. I
will tako you, of course.''
' "The carriage la waiting for mo a fow
doors below," aald Bessio In a trembling
'voice, speaking for tho first time.
Thoy soon found it, and Bessie and
Rush got In and drove off.
But not unseen.
Besides tho ragged urchins who stood
along tho curb gazing at tho unusual
sight of a lino carriago nnd n lady
and gcntloman in East Fourth street,
there was a man standing in tho shadow
of tho houso across tho way who watched
them and ground his teeth. This was
Archie Tillinghnst, who had been haunt
ing this neighborhood for tho last half
hour. He hud kept his oyo on No.
and on tho carriago. Ho had not aeon
Bessio go in, but had aeon h.r cot out,
and with Rush. Ho saw that auo was
paid and agitated, and that alio clung
tightly to Rush's nrm. What did it
mean? Had Rush Hurlstono, lib friend,
whom he had always supposed to bo an
honorable gentleman, taken Bessio Archer
to a' low fortuno teller's rooms? It looked
very much like it, The world had in
deed gone wrong. Whom could ono
trust after this?
Grieved to tho heart, miserable and
unhappy, Archie- went down to tho ofllco
of hk paper, got a leavo of nbsenco, and
look passage on a steamer sailing for
' Bermuda tint afternoon. Ho would at
VwMt have a chantro of scene for a few
-m -!.
days; he might feel better when ho got
back,
When Bessio found herself alono in tho
carriago with Rush, alio put her hands
over her cyei mid sohlwd passionately,
Ho said nothing, iweuiiso ho did not
know what to say. Ho thought of fifty
dllTereiit things, but they did not seem
quite ndeiiuatj to tho oco:h!o.i and hn
left thoin tumid. Bessio wim tho first to
ajH'nlc.
"1 don't know what to any, Mr. Hurl
stone, how to explain my presonco nt
thnt place, nor how to thank you for
rescuing me."
"Neither explanation nor thanks nro
necessary, Miss Archor; it h enough for
mo to know tint I havo !oon of sorvico
to you."
"But I feel that I owo you both, and I
will not Iw satisfied until I have nt lonst
tundo an effort to pay tho debt."
The oyes nho turned tion Rush wore
filled with tears, mid their usual "I-cau
tako-cnro-of-mysolf" expression wns
gone.
"I believed Mr, O'Hara, or whatever
his name may bo, to Iw a clover man,
whom men disliked becnuso women liked
him. That ho aoetnnd to bo so thoroughly
io)tcd In occult scloncod interested mo.
nm nn idle girl, Mr. Hurlstono; I have
no outside interests to occupy my tlmo
or mind; mid when lis talked to nio of
things I know nothing about I wns fas
cinated and wanted to know more. Ho
told mo of a wonderful Minn. Knuny
who could tell strange truths while in n
truuee, and ho got my curiosity ao aroused
that I promised I would go with him to
seo her, He didn't urgu mo, but ho played
upon my curiosity and finally a day wns
iinmod. Mrs. Pryor was to chaperon us,
hut just before wo reached tho medium's
house she remembered something thnt
she had to attend to, ntul said that If wo
would go on hIio would rejoin us before
wo had time to iiiIsj her. I now boliovo
that she had no Intention of rejoining us.
From the moment 1 crossed Mine.
Funny's threshold I began to feel uncom
fortable. 1 had never lioen in such n
place before, nnd it frightened me. Mr.
O'Hnrn was very reassuring, howovcr.
He said it was n prolty hard looking
place, but that we should only bo theron
short tlmo, nnd he thought I would In)
rcald for my venture. Tho very look
of Mine. Fanny was enough to disgust
ono before sho spoke n word, nnd when
her assumed trnnco commenced I wished
myself nnywliero but there. .She begun
by dealing in glittering generalities, and
then sho became personal, saying that
there was u man waiting to marry
n. that wo were much nllko anil very
j utpnthctla B.1I1I 1 cannot think of it
without n shudderl Finally O'Harn camo
across tho room nnd took hold of my
hand and asked mo If 1 could any longer
doubt that ho was the man whom fato
had selected for my husband. Tho room
'n almost dark, but I could see his cat
like eyes shining close, to my face. I
"reamed for help; you came, nnd 1 wns
"ived, " .She sank shuddering nuiong the
cushions. "I mako no wottso for myself.
I acted tho part of a fool and I was pun
ished for my folly, but I tremblo to think
what might have been tho consequences
if you had not been thcro."
Rush told her how ho had been search
ing for wvnls for tho murderer of Roso
Ellington, but that ho never dreamed
thnt O'Hara nnd Costcllo wero ono nnd
tho Bamo, nnd ho could not help rojoic
Ing that the man was to bo dealt with
according to his detcrts. For taking n
young lady Into n vilo den, howovcr, he
could not bo punished. Rush might havo
horsewhipped him, but thnt would only
havo led to a public scandal. Rush re
gretted that Bessio should havo had such
nn oxperieuce, but ho felt thnt it had not
been lost, as it would end her longing
for tho "occult," When thoy arrived nt
Grnmorcy park Rush loft her nt hor
door. To her father nnd mother alio
tnndo a full confession of what had hap
pened, but, except Rush, no one elso
know of tho adventure in East Fourth
street until aomo years Inter, when she
made n clean breast of it to Archie.
Aftor leaving Bessio Rush wont down
to tho Tombs, where ho found Johnson
una Martin with Costcllo. The latter
was committed to await trial, and Rush,
brimming over with the excitement of
tho day, hurried to tho ofllco of Tho
Dawn, whero ho told tho city editor of
his success nnd aat down to writo out his
story. Ho wrote steadily until ho had
turned out enough copy to fill half a pago
of tho paper,- including, of course, a
quarter of a column "display head"
which tho city editor put over tho story.
It was a capital story. He rehearsed
the career of tho popular actress, tolling
how she disappeared from tho publio
gaze and remained unheard of until tho
fact of her death became known. It was
aald that she died in a tulserablo tene
ment In Newark, N. J. How alio got
tboro no ono know, nor what caused her
death. Somo thought it was from mal
practico; others, that alio had taken her
own uro; otners, again, that alio nau
been murdered.
Then Rush told tho romantlo story of
tho man now in jail accused of her
murder; how under an assumed naino
ho had lived n doublo life, and at tho
time of his arrest was tho most popular
painter In Now York city, with hnlf tho
young women of wealth nnd fashion
waiting to alt to him for their portraits.
Rush wns wrought up to a high pitch of
excitement, and his pen flow across tho
paper. He throw in just tho right
amount of light and shade, and mado a
story that wns copied fnr and wide.
Bessio Archer's connection with tho af
fair ho, of course, never mentioned, nor
did ho ovon hint that there was a lady In
tho murderer's company when ho wns
nrrestod. As it was, tho artlclo mado a
profound sensation. If it had been
known that Tilllnghast Archor's daugh
ter was with Costcllo in Mmo. Fanny's
don, society would liavo had a still
choicer morsel to discuss.
Whon a copy of tho paper containing
this story reached tho proprietor of Tho
Dawn, in Loudon, tho Duke of Bellofort
was breakfasting with him in his gor
geous house In Park lane. "What do
'ou think of that?" said Plummett, hand
og him the paper. The duko'liad known
Roso Ellington well, and ho glanced care
fully over the article.
"It'sn damned good story, nnd damned
well told."
After brcnkfiist Plummett cabled to tho
managing editor to give Mr. Rush Hurl
Btono 11 check for flvo hundred dollars
nnd mako him foreign editor on a salary
of soventy-tlvo dollars n week. Rush
wns delighted that his work hnd pleased
his chief, wns thankful for tho flvo hun
dred dollars (which, by tho wny, John
borrowed nnd forgot to return), but ho
was rather staggered by hisapiwlntmont
to tho foreign editorship, and ao ex
pressed himself,
"A Dawn man Is supposed to bo equal
to nny situation," snid the managing
editor. "Tho fnct thnt you nro not par
tlculnrly well posted on foreign matters
does not provent your becoming ao. You
will bo good enough to report for duty
nt tho foreign desk on Monday. This is
Wednesday. You havo nn intervening
tlmo to enjoy yourself In."
Rush was too anxious to do himself
orodit in Ills now Ksltlon todevotu these
fow days to enjoyment; so ho ajont
most or tho tlmo in rending tho flics of
tho foreign exchanges; for during tho
past fow weoks IJL. attention had been
uovotcd to local rather than to foreign
matters. '
CHAPTER XVII.
ITIInllhis
fondness
for n good
time, life
wns a very
o a r 11 o a t
thing to Rush
Hurlstono, Ho
hnd n winning
K)si to reach, nnd
tho whole bent of
his energies wns
Whntover ho did in
direction.
tho lino of his profession lu did with en
thtislnsm, not only lecuuso It wns tho
profession of his choico, but becnuso suc
cess meant Helon, mid Helen meant nil in
llfo that wns worth having. He know that
his chances of winning hor us a success
ful man wero better than his chances us
nn unsuccessful man; and then ho had
no patlcnco with men who did not get
along In tho world. Somo of his friends
thought this Indicated a slight touch of
hardness in ills nature, but it did noth
ing of tho sort. Ho believed that u man
with health and strength nnd n fnlr
amount of intelligence ought to bo nblo
to make his wny ns well ns tho next.
With such mi ingrained belief ns tlds
he wns pretty ccrtniu to get nloug; for,
as I heard 11 wise old fellow onco express
It, "your cock-suro ninn is bound to
succeed." If it had not been for this
trait in his disposition Rush would havo
retired from tho contest for Helon
Knowlton's hand before ho had entered
upon It. Ho wns not such n fool ns to
think thnt ho only had to tell his lovo to
Helen to have her confess a reciprocal
passion. Ho knew that if he was to sue
ieod in his pursuit of her it would bo
nfter a long siege.
Ho know hU youth to bo a orious ob-
Ftnclo in his path. Ho wua nt least flvo
years younger than Holen, though V"
tliB casual observer ho seemed qulto as
old as alio did, for bIio had been kept
very young, nnd ho hnd always seemed
older than ho was.
On this point of disparity of years ho
had been gathering statistics of Into, nnd
ho wns surprised to find how many mar
riages wero mado whoro tho husband
was younger than tho wife, and ho was
delighted to find that tho great majority
of such marriages wero happy, His
grandfather Hurlstono wns ten years
younger than his grandmother, nnd to
tho end of their days thoy wero a loving
couple. At 75 sho appeared qulto ns
young ns ho did ut 03, and, although sho
died first, ho did not survlvo her ninny
months. Rush Intended to uso this il
lustration with flno effect when tho
time came, but just now ho was busy
preparing himself for his now depart
ment. Ho entered upon his duties as
foreign editor with zeal, and, as tho for
olgu department of tho paper was tho
ono In which Its proprietor felt tho
greatest interest, his work was brought
conspicuously to that great man's atten
tion. Rush knew enough French to
read tho French papers, and ho could
mako out fairly well with tho Italian ox
changes, "Why don't you study German?" said
Helen, when Rush told her of his now
position and his plans. "You will find
it a great help in your profcwlon."
Rush, delighted to think that alio took
enough interest in his affairs to mako a
practical suggestion, secured a Gorman
teacher the very next day and wont to
work with a will. Somo of tho older
men on Tho Dawn Bmiled at his enthu
siasm. "Why, my dear fellow, you may lw put
at pollco.reportlng to-morrow you can't
tell from 0110 day to tho next what your
position will bo on this pnper nnd then
what good will your languages do you?"
Oilltn nn mltr-lt irrwl nfl nt ttin fnrntrm
desk," replied Rush, with a smllo; "for
you know tho mixed nationalities of our
criminal classes. But, seriously, I do
not consider that tho study of languages
Is overthrown away; nnd, again, as long
ns I hold a position on Tho Dawn I want
to learn nil that uppcrtnius to it."
So ho went on with his German nnd
Italian, which, if not absolutely necessary
to his iKwltion, wero of very great assist
ance. Helen highly approved of his
thoroughness, nnd was genuinely pleased
nt his promotion. Aunt Robccca, for her
part, aald that sho was "prouder of htm
than of nny of her boys." Rush would
havo been In a very happy f rumo of mind
If It hnd not been for Helen s impending
departure. The evening before sho sailed
ho spent at her house, and, while it was
always an ecstatic delight to him to bo
in tho same room with her, ho would
have enjoyed it moro if there had not
boon so largo a party -Bessio Archer,
Archie Tilllnghast, Undo Llghtfoot
Myers, Mary Dick Griswold, Wost Hast
ings, and half a dozen mora whom Rush
did not know as woll.
Ho aaw very littlo of Helen; alio was
monopolized first by one and then by
tho other, ho that ho had no chance of
seeing her alono. Wost Hastings was
vory dovoted; and U110I0 Llghtfoot told
him It was "doucod selfish" of him when
laaMfcj:
)Hnfn
in that
ho wns going to cross over in tnoatcamcr
with Helen, while tho rest of them were
going no further than tlio gang plnnk;
so Hastings retired from tho Hold witli a
smile which said ns plainly us words
could say it, "You seo I could have her
nil tho evening if I would, but I won't
bo too hard on tho rest of you." From
Helen ho turned with tho easy grace of
it society innn to Bessie Archer, who,
though alio did not care much for that
stylo of muii, found this particular speci
men rather nmtislng.
This last ovunlng nt Helen's New York
homo was u very pleusunt one, for Helen
wusn charming hostess. As It drew to
11 close they hail somo music, mid Helen
Insisted uku Rush singing a song. Ho
refused so flatly at first ad to appear
almost rude, but Helen knew this to bo
embarrussmeiit. Hhe wanted her guests
to hear what a flue barytone volco ho
had; so alio sat down nt tho piano nnd
began play In; tho accompaniment of one
of RuliinstciiiH songs.
"You will not refuse mo tho last re
quest I shall make of you for months
possibly the hut I shall ever mako, for
the ocean is very wide, end even tho
largest ships nro frail.'' Sho snid tills
with 11 smile, but moro seriously than
sho Intended, and Rush turned u almdu
alcr at tho thought.
"1 novor sang to a roomful of peoplo,
nnd I will not do ao now; 1 will sing to
you."
"Thnnk you very much," said Helen,
pretending not to notice tho meaning of
his words. "I thought you could not re
fuio mo." And she began playing tho
accompaniment again. Sho played It
beautifully. Her accompaniments wero
an Inspiration to n singer. Rush stood,
by the sldo of tho piano whero ho could
look nt heruiid not face the room, though
ho did not turn his back 'to the guests.
Ho had learned enough German to bo
nblo to slug tho words in that language,
and ho felt freer In Hinging u sentimental
song lu a foreign tonguo. On tho first
two or three notes his voice trembled
slightly, but the words and Helen's pres
ence warmed him, and ho sang us he had
never sung before, giving every word Its
full meaning, nnd looking straight into
Ity'r eyes us tho rich tones poured from
his lips. He sang us he felt, and ho
threw such nu Intensity into somo of the
words that Uncle Llghtfoot Myers, who
knew 11 little German, looked ut Aunt
Rebecca nnd winked, ns though to say,
"Another victim."
When Rush finished singing every ono
in tin- room except West Hastings camo
up mid complimented him on his vo'.ce.
"You never sang for me, Mr. Hurl
stone." said Bessio, rather reproachfully.
"Why, Rush, old ninn, how you hnvo
improved." oxcintmed Archie. "I re
member you used to sing college songs,
but 1 never heard you slug them like
that."
"Where did you got this beautiful
voice you havo been hiding under a
bushel, nnd who is your teacher?" nsked
Maty Dick, taking his hand nnd slinking:
it enthusiastically.
"The voice, such n 11 is," said Rush,
ellghtly embarrassed, "1 suppose 1 cume
by naturally, but ray knowledguof music
1 owo to tho beat of teachers, for Miss
Kuowlton has been kind enough to give
mo most vnluublo instructions."
"Nonsense!" said Helen. "I heard htm
sing u littlo song ono night, and I saw
that he had u musical ear and n very
sweet quality of volco; so I mado him
bring his music nround hero, nnd gavo
him n few hints, which fell upou good
Boll, for thoy havo bornofruit a hundred
Rush's singing had certainly mado a
sensation, nnd they would not let him off
until he had sung nnother song, Into
which ho threw oven moro passion than
ho did into tho first, for it wns "Bid Mo
to Live."
"If Dick Griswold had over sung to
mo like thnt," remarked tho vivacious
Mury Dick to Undo Llghtfoot,"! wouldn't
have kopt him waiting ao long for an
answer as 1 did."
West Hasting didn't enjoy this part of
the performunco at all, and remarked to
Bessie Archer, with an emphasis that
made .her smllo in splto of herself, that
ho despised u singing man and thought
Herman a beastly language. If ho could
not sing to Helen ho was determined that
alio should aing to him, and when alio aat
down at the piano again ho put the music,
a pretty French lovo song, on tho raok,
and stood Immediately in front of her as
alio sang it. Now, as all singers like to
havo aomo ono at whom they can look
when singing, Hastings turned tho iwges
and caught tho glances ho coveted and
was content.
Whon tho ovonlng broko up, as tho
ploasantost evenings will, Aunt Robocca
called Rush asldo und said sho wantod to
say a fow words to him after tho other
guests had gono. His heart beat high In
expectation, for tho thought crossed his
mind, "Perhaps sho has disisovcrcd that
1 adore hor nlcco, and is going to toll mo
that alio will bo my friend." Helen
stayed in tho drawing room after her
guests had gono only long enough to
thank Rush again for his songs and say
that sho should expect to aeo him at tho
steamer. "So now addlo," alio said, giv
ing him her hand. Ho took it und raised
it reverentially to his lips. Sho thought
nothing of this, for thoy were very good
friends, nnd then sho hnd lived a good
deal among foreigners.
"Now, Mr. Hurlstono," said Aunt Ro
becen, taking him by tho nrm nnd lend
lug him to tho sofa, "I think I under
stand you pretty well" (Rush blushed to
the roots of his hnir), "and I feel that 1
can speak to you plainly, nnu not wnsto
tlmo in beating ubout tho bush."
"You can certainly depend on mo.
Miss Sand ford. I am proud to bo your
confidant," answered Rush, in a steady
voice, though ho thought it was going to
tremble.
"Well, then, to tho point. I seo that
you aro fond of Holen"
"I a" Rush was going to say, "I
adoro hor," but Aunt Rebecca, who was
thinking ho- own thoughts, went on as
though ho had not mado an uttempt to
speak: "And I believe that her Interests
will be safe in your hands. You aro tho
foreign editor of Tho Dawn, I boliovo."
"I havu that honor."
"Well, then, if ourngont Bends youan
ovcastotml caotegmm from uonucm
about Helen's success will you put it In
your pajwr? You know Tho Dawn is tho
most linKrtant paper to a publio singer.
What do you say?"
"1 shall bo dollghtcd," answered Rush,
though Ills hopes hnd been suddenly
dashed to tho ground. "Anything your
agent sends mo about Miss Knowlton
shall be doublo leaded and havo ft dis
play head."
"Thank you very much. I shall not
takoudvnutagoof your kindness, but I
am glud to hnvo a friend nt court ono
who will see that tho truth gets Into
print. I'm sorry to havo kept you ao
long, but business Is business, and I
might not get ao good a chanco to
morrow, when everything will lo hurry
and bustlo. By tho way, why can't you
go down with us? Tliero'll bo plenty of
room In tho carriage. Good Ideal I'm
auro Helen will bo pleased. You need
not hcsltuto; you can mako yourself use
ful as well ns ornamental; ao wo shall
expect you to bo hero at half past 11
sharp. Tho steamer anils at 1. Good
night: I'll aeo you in tho morning."
Rush shook hands good night, and
promised to bo punctual; nnd ho was.
Tho drivo to the dock wns not particu
larly guy. Holen felt homesick nt leav
ing all hor friends nnd her beloved Now
York for u strange city nnd a strango
peoplo. When they arrived at tho
Btcumer, howovcr, thcro wero a number
of friends to aeo thom off tho guests of
tho night lcforo, and somo others who
were strangers to Rush ami thero wasu
great deal of laughing, and tho usual
amount of small talk and frolic that aro
part of such nn occasion. Helen's atato
room was tilled with flowers, and thoro
was a brilliant horticultural display on
ono of tho tables of tho dining room
Telegrams poured in upon her from
every direction, und thcro was also qulto
n collection uf letters from friends who
could not get to tho steamer, but who
wished to say bon voyage Tho most
gorgeous flowers alio received boro West
Unstlngs enrd.
' Rush knew thnt ho could not compoto
with her wealthy admirers, und that it
would bo foolish for him to tiuiko tho ut
tempt, so ho had lought a curious Clilneso
vase covered with dolphins und littlo
fishes nnd filled it witli growing forget-me-nots.
Helen wns moro pleased with
tills than witli anything elso nlie received;
"for." said sho. "it will give me some
thing to take euro of during tho voyage,
und every tlmo 1 water It or break olfthe
dead leaves 1 will think of you. nnd 1
will wonder how you nro getting along
In your new jiosltlon. You must write
nnd tell me till about it. i will not prom
ise to answer your letters, but Aunt Re
becca will, nnd you will getu much more
entertaining letter from her than 1 could
write."
Rush fully realized that Helen was go
ing away. Tho nctive preparations for
departure gave him tho most uulancholy
feelings, which it required all his man
hood to keep him from betraying. When
tho bell rang nnd the order "All ashore!"
was shouted ho had serious thoughts of
staying aboard and taking his chances,
but tho impulso was only momentary.
Ho was tho lust of Helen's friends to say
good-by to Iter, and when ho took her
hand her eyes wero filled with tears.
Tears aid not disfiguro Hclcn'scyes; on
tho contrary, they heightened their
charm. How ho longed to tnko her in
hi arms mid kiss them awayl What ho
did do wus to glvo her hand a formal
shako, and smllo mechanically as ho bodo
hor good-by. Thon ho ran along tho dock
nnd out to tho bow of a ship mooted
thcro, bo that ho had tho lost sight of her,
and was In turu tho lost friend sho aaw
In America, Sho throw him a roso as
sho passed and it fell in tho water. In a
moment he had pulled off his coat and
sprung into tho river, whero ho picked
up tho flower and waved it to Helen as
tho steamer passed out of sight. Ho paw
the frightened expression on her faco
whon ho dived and ho was repaid. A
muii in u rowboat picked him up, tho
crowd on tho dock cheered, and ho carried
tho roso homo in triumph.
CHAPTER
XVIII.
UNT RE
BECCAwaa ns good ns
hor word,
and wroto
Rush a 11
u musing
letter from Lon
don. Sho had a
keen oyo for tho
ridiculous, and
tho portraits of
distinguished
peoplo alio gavo
liim wlthastroko
of tho pen wero
as characteristic
as thoy woro
clover. While theso amused him ho was
moro interested whon sho apoko of
Helen. "Tho dear child scores a tri
umph every night alio sings; but her
heart Is truo to Poll, and tho npplauso of
all tho crowned bonds of Europo could
not thrill hor as do tho plaudits of her
own countrymen In tho dear old Acad
emy," Sometimes Holen would send a
messago or add a lino to Aunt Rebecca's
lcttor, which wns a great consolation to
Rush, for it showed that alio still thought
of him. Ho was delighted to know that
tho vaso of forget-mo-nots was still
blooming, nnd that nelcn, who was de
voted to flowers, kopt it In her room nnd
tended it ovcry day with hor own dear
hands.
During tho long summer days Rush
worked hard nt his desk in tho ofllco of
Tho Dawn, nnd tlmo did not drag with
him, Helen was coming baok lu tho
fall; thero was thnt to look forward to.
In ono of her letters Aunt Rebecca men,
tloned In a casual manner that Wost
Hastings had gono over to Paris with u
party of Americans, and that sho thought
ho was quito enamored of a western
heiress, ono of tholr number. When
Rush rend this aontenco ho wanted to
turn a hand spring lu tho editorial sanc
tum, for it was proof positive that Ilast
tngs was not engaged to Helon, that ho
should loavo her to go to Paris In tho
train of a wostern Ijeauty. That was tho
best uqws ho liad heard in many a long
JwmtW
day
When Rush's two wooks' vacation
camo ho accepted tho very cordial invi
tation of Mr. Archor to spend half of it
at his country phico on the Sound; tho
other week ho dovoted to his mother nnd
sisters ut Furmsted. Mr. Archer's placo
was nbout two hours from Now York by
tho bout and stood upon n high bluff
overlooking tho Sound. It wus u largo,
rambling, old fashioned house, with nu
merous additions that had been tnndo
from tlmo to tlmo for convenience and
comfort. Archto Tilllnghast was thcro
at tho tlmo of Rush's visit, much to his
annoyance, for ho could not got It out of
his mind thnt Rush wns In lovo with
Bessio. The thought troubled htm, and
ho could not help showing it. Bessio
saw that ho was jealous of Rush, but alio
know well enough that ho liad no cnuso.
Ono night when Rush nnd Archie wero
sitting out on tho moonlit veranda en
joying their cigars nfter tho rost of tho
household had gono to bod, Archlo put
tho question plainly to his friend, 1
"Rush, old man," aald ho, "I think It
better 'to speuk out in meeting' than
to let anything ranklo. Tho question
I'm going to ask you Is not n usual ques
tion, but I don't ask It out of curiosity,
but liecauso 1 must know tho truth. Aro'
you in lovo with my cousin Bessio?"
"Why, bless your heart, Archlo, I
nover dreamed of such a thing!" And
RU3I1, who was thinking of his lovo for
Holon Knowlton when ho spoko, laughed
at tho absurdity of the question. ,
Archlo resented his tono.
"You couldn't lovo a better girl If you
tried," he said: "nnd I think your manner
extremely utlonslvo."
Ho threw his cigar on tho grass and
nroso to go inside.
"Why, Archlo. old friend," said Rush,
taking his hand, "thoro Is no woman in
tho world for whom I havo a moro pro
found regard than I havo for Miss
Archer: but I thought you, who used to
twit mo with it, know of my lovo for an
other woman, and it seemed to mo ao
absurd to think that I could lovo any ono
else, that 1 could not help laughing as I
answered your question."
"I'll forgive you, old boy," said Archie,
resenting himself und lighting a fresh
cigar "nnd since you nro so confiding
I'll confldo In you in turn. 1 lovo my
cousin Bessio. Sho rcnlly Isn't my cousin,
you know: no more relation to mo than
y ;U arc: and as sho gives mo 110 encour
agement 1 supiKwed it was because thero
was another man in tho field. You and sho
seemed to bo so intimate that I hnvo looked
upon you us u succcitsful rival for somo
time post, uud have only been waiting
to call you out; but now 1 gladly ac
knowledge my error. If you nro not my
rival I know I havo none, and I'll go in
to win now, or know the reason why. I
did once think of challenging that black
guard O'Hara, or whatever his natno
wus, but the law took him In hand and
aat ed me tho job. Imprisonment for
lift he got. wasn't it? 1 thought so tho
rnsoull Hanging would have lieun too
good for him. But tell me, old man. nro
you still really and seriously in lovo with
tho Knowlton?" ,
"Really nnd seriously, Archie. But I
wish you would not call her 'the Knowl
ton; that sounds ns though sho was
nothing but n publio character, whon
really that is tho least part of her. It is
as a woman that I ndmiro her, though I
consider her tho greatest singer of our
time.
Rush's exporienco of pilmo donuo was
limited, but ho had heard this statement
advanced by excellent authority and felt
Bafo in echoing it. "My confession to you
to-night," ho continued, "is in tho most
sacred confidence. No ono suspects what
I havo told you, Miss Knowlton least of
any one: but I nm going to win her ,or
dlo in tho attempt."
"I admiro your pluck, old man, for It
It is plucky of you, doucod plucky, whon
you have to fight against so many suit
ors. I glvo you my blessing; go in nnd
win. You possibly think, with becoming
modesty, that If you win Helen Knowl
ton you aro tho ono upon whom con
gratulations aro to bo heaped: certainly
you deservo somo; but Miss Knowlton Is
tho one whom I shall congratulate And
now to bed, and to droam of our sweet
hearts Qod bless thcml You havo made
mo a happy man, Rush, or perhaps I
should say a comparatively happy man."
And tho friends pressed each other's
hands aiid said good night.
Tho next and last week of Rush's va
cation wus spent with tho dear ones at
Farmstcd. It was tho middlo of August,
and all tho village was In a fluttor of ex
citement p.ver tho arrival of bo distin
guished a townsman. Old Bennio Miles,
tho seedsman, said that ho "knowed Rush
Hurlstono wus going to mako a placo for
hlmsolf hi York. Thcro was tho right
kind o' seed in hi in. Just givo It a
chanco, and seo how it 'od grow." And
old Aunty Stout, tho village charwoman,
said sho "could hov told any ono that
that thero young foller was born for a
marblll palish; and if what sho beam
toll wus true, his ofllco in Now York was
uothln less than marblll from its front
stoop to its lean-to."
Tho approaching Vcddlng of Jolin
Hurlstono to Amy Bayllss was xio less,
an occasion of local excitement. John
hadn't been in Farmstcd since ho wont
away "to take keor o' that gold mine,"
as tho villagers expressed it, but Amy
liad heard from him regularly, and ho
liad at last fixed tho wedding day. It
was to be September tho Od, and great
wero tho preparations then going on.
Amy's brother Tom was to bo tho beat
man, John's kwo sisters tho bridesmaids,
anil itfith Dr. Bayllss und the bishop of
the diocese wero to perform the wedding
cereniiiiy Farmstcd wns in n flutter of
excitemeutover the event, nnd tho church
was receiving somo needed painting nnd
upholstering In anticipation. John wroto
that ho would not ho on until tho very
morning of tho wedding, becnuso ho wns
busy getting his affairs in order, bo that
h- might tako u wedding trip to somo
now and far o(T place. Rush had seen
little or nothing of John in New York
during tho Hummer, and lie was delighted
to ki.ow that ho had settled down nnd
was determined to marry tho dovoted
girl to whom ho was engaged.
.In tho meantimo, tho affairs of tho
Mutual Dividend Mining company woro
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