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10
yoimsc leave; of th-i trws looked no
green us though they worn junt mm
ling. Tito bird scorned to know that It
wiw .1 gain day, nnd sang their merriest
tongs. Nowliorc did thoy nlng more
merrily tlinn ntnong tho branches of the
black heart cherry troo that stood guard
over tho vlllngo rectory. Thoy must
havo known that thin was tho wedding
day of their kind friend, tho rector'
daughter who fed thorn ovory morning
with crumbs of brand.
IiihIiIu tho rectory all was pleasurable
excitement, Tho welding wan to tako
placoutlO o'clock, mid tlio jjnxm waa
to'mcct tho brldo at tho altar, Tho
bridesmaids ppent tho night at tho houso,
that thoy might ho with thobrido an long
ns oslblo before lluilr Html separation.
By half past 0 thoy woro all dressed and
ready to enter church. Amy never
looked Hweotor and prettier than In her
pure while ilrom and orange blossoms.
Tho bishop of tho dloccso and Dr. Hay
Km woro In tho vim try room, putting on
their robes. Tho lunula of tho clock In
tho tower were foul moving around to
wardrt tho hour, and tho plcturcsquo lit
tla church wai lllled with eager frlonda.
Tom lluyllss saw Rush Uurlstono hurry
lug around to tho vestry room, whloh
tho clergymen were Just quilting, and,
bolloving that John waa with him, ho
gave tho signal for tho bridal party to
movo tip tho alula Tho organist played
a lively wnltr. an tho proamnion ad vancod,
a buzz of admiration passed over tho as
sembled guests and tho brldo stood bo
foro tho altar. '
At thli moment Itush Hurlstono, wild
of oyo and whito of cheek, appeared in
side tho chancel railing. Ho whispered
n fow word to Dr. Uayllsa, and tho old
rector's cheeks turned as whlto aa his.
Without a won! ho stepped outside tho
chancel.
"Como homo with me, my datightor,"
ho said, putting Ida arm around Amy and
lending her down tho aisle, whilothooth
era camo after, followed by r. murmur of
aurprlso from tho wedding guests.
Tho frightened brldo could not find
volco to apeak. She know something ter
rible had happenod, but never for n mo
ment dreamed of tho truth. Her father
led her back to tho rectory, and, taking
her into Ida study, said, witli brokeu
voice i
"My child, nsk God's holp to bear a
torrlblo blow, John (Iurlstouo la dead."
And tho tears ran down his wrinkled
checks and fell upon Ida gown.
Amy seemed turned to mono. Ucr
largo bluo eyes gazed in speechless won
dor Into her father's face, IIo took her
cold hand in Ids.
"It Is truo, my dear child awfully
true. Would to Owl your mother had
been spured to comfort you in this great
trial I"
Still sho did not speak. Her lips
Boomed to movo, but there was no Bound.
Dr. Dayllss led hor to n chuir. Sho sat
down and stared at vacancy. Ho would
havo given nil ho owned if ha could havo
neon tears In her eyes; but thoy wcro
dry as Miotics, and encircled by black
linen that seemed to giow larger end
darker us the moments went by, John
Hurlstone's two clct'.'ra in tho drawing
room had to be told of what had hap
perxO, but he won afraid to leave Amy
alone, ho he mug tho bell and sent for
them to como to hint Thoy came, their
"young facea as whlto as tho dresses thoy
woro, and the old man broke tho news
to them, Their grief waa terrible to see.
Amy looked at them with vacant eyes.
Thoy throw themselves upon tho tloor at
her feel, and their tears foil thick and
fast upon her wedding dross; but sho sat
silent, stunned by her sorrow.
Rush had told tho news to tho bishop,
and ho In turn had broken It to tlio wed
ding guests, who left tho church with
sorrowing hearts, for John Uurlstono
was a great favorito In Farmstcd. All
day long thoy stood around tho streets
in tittle groups, discussing tho strati go
news, and wondering what on earth
could have Induced that handsome, gay
i'uuug man to tako his own life. At tho
lomoitteud the shutters were bowed, and
the bereaved mother lay prostrato on her
bed. surrounded by hor children. At
the rectory they succeeded In getting
Amy to her room; but sho would not
take of her wedding drew. For hours
be sat in awful silence, or paced the
loor with monotonous tread, her white
veil floating about her and the orange
blossoms tilling the air with perfume.
Rush took the first train to New York,
te make arrangements for bringing bis
brother body home. It was a sad jour
Bey. Ho thought of the last evening
pent with John, and of his wild words,
which his death explained. Out what
Hd it all moan? What reason had John
Hurlstono, of all men, to tako Ida own
life? Arrived at his brother's rodma, the
body waa given over to him by tho au
thorities. Then began those heartbreak
ing but necessary details that have to bo
attended to aftor a loved one's death; and
then the dead man was ready to bo re
moved. Antonio was loft in chargo of
the rooms, and Rush wont away with
the body.
He had not boon gono long when Lo
onL accompanied by her mother, camo
to tho place. Her grief at (hiding Iter
husband's body gono was torrlblo. In
moving about tho room she camo upon
the sheet of paper containing tho fow
words John had written to hor. As her
eyes scanned tho tear stained pago sho
threw herself In hor mother's arms and
wept for tho first time bIiico John's
death. Piteous as waa her grief her
mother rejoiced in It, for tlio atony si
lence of tho hours before had tilled her
with alarm.
It was a sad homo coming to Farm
ted. A few Intimate friends met Rush
at the railway station and accompanied
him with his brother's body tothohouso.
There it lay In a coflin in tho little old
fashioned parlor where many of John's
ancestors had lain before, but nono after
uch a douth.
Amy Daylisa seemed to havo got con
trol of her griof, for when sho heard
that the body of hor betrothed was lying
at hU homo, she took oil her wedding
dress, and, arraying herself in a suit of
Mack that she had worn after hor moth'
r'a death, walked out to tho homestead.
Hush oaw her coming, and, taking her
tgr the Hand, led her tenderly into the
I darkened room whero his brother's body
j lay, and left her nlono with hor dead.
The good hmiIu of Farmnted, who had
spent mostof their tltno In tho street dur
ing tho Mst day or two discussing John
llurlstono's auicldo, had .their curiosity
aroused to the highest pitch by tho ar
rival of two foreign looking women by
the noon train from Now York. Onu
waa middle aged, tho other young and
very handsome. Thoy woro !oth dark
and had large black eyes, and their dress
waa nn foreign aa their faces, Thoy
didn't seem to know thoy were being
stared at, but walked along tho main
street slowly, evidently looking fornomo
thing or somebody,
A lounger in front of tho tavern was
struck by tho beauty of tho young wo
man, and. na thoy soomod to bo uncer
tain of their way, ho stepped up to thorn
ami asked If ho could "act 'cm on tho
right track, as thoy 'pcarod to bo kinder
lost," The older woman thanked him,
and In her broken English asked for
"Meestor 'Urlstone" As Uurlstono waa
tho one naiuo on tho lips of ovory ono In
the place, tho man mrdorntood at once
where thoy wanted to go and olntcd out
the way. "1 novor neon nuohoyes us that
young 'mi's In all my born (lays," said
lie. rejoining his companions on tho
tavern veranda; "thoy jest burned like
two live coals. I reckon tliero'a a story
behind them oyeas" a suggestion tho
others wcro quick to tako up and discuss.
Arrived at tho Uurlstono homestead,
I?onl bado hor mother Im seated on a
rustle bench by tho roadside whllo alio
went up the path to tho house. When
the reached tho door alio looked cautious
ly around to rco If sho was discovered,
for sho had a vaguo fear that If hIio woro
seen alio would bo driven away. Sho
turned the knob of tho front door and
opening it softly entered tho hall. Not n
sound was heard. Instinct aeomod to
tell her which room it was that held tho
beloved dead. Cautiously pushing tlio
door open and closing it behind hor sho
entered.
Tho room was only dimly lighted
through tho bowed shutters, but rIio saw
the collln In tho center of tho floor and
throw herself down on hor knees besido
It, burying hor faco In her hands. In
this position sho remained for somo mo
menta. Thon alio nroso and kissed tho
cold face, tho lips, tho forehead, the oyo
lids, all tho tlnio whispering passiounto
words in her nativo tongue. On thoothor
side of tho coflin sat Amy Bay lias, hold
ing ono of tho dead man's hands In hers
and watching this strnngo woman with
dull wonder. Aftor Lcoui'a eyes had bo
como accustomed to tho light rIioniw tho
other woman, but supposed It was ono of
John's sisters, of whom she had heard
him speak. She said nothing, but taking
a packet of letters from her breast tho
half dozen sho had written to John, and
whMi Antonio had just returned to her
sho opened his coat and laid thorn upon
his heart, then kissed Ids cold lips again.
"How daro youl what nro you doing?"
exclaimed Amy, rising.
"Excuso me, nlgnorlna; 1 am return
lug bomo letters that 1 know he will
want to have burled with him," Leont an
swered, In broken Englislt.
"Ho doesn't want your lett s." cried
Amy with indignation. "TuKe them
away."
"I know that ho doe8,r answered
Lsxml. "You nro his sister; you cannot
refuno mo?" sho went on, in a low, plead
ing volco. '
"I am not tils slater, and I tell you to
taku your lettors away."
"Not his slstcrl" exclaimed Leoni, all
tho jealousy of hor raco rising In hor
heart. "Who aro you, thon, who daro
to sit by Ida sldo, who daro to hold Ida
hand?"
"I was hla (lanco; ho waa my lover,"
said Amy, with dignity. "But who aro
you, that dares to profana my dead?"
Tho light of pity flllod Leoni a oyea;
sho hesitated for a inomont, and then
said, softly, "I am his wife; ho waa my
husband."
Amy stared at her as though sho did
not understand hor words, though sho
knew somothlng torrlblo had boon Raid.
There was allonco for a fow momenta;
thon Leoni put out hor hand to Amy,
across tho dead body of tho man they
both lovod, and Amy took it
"Will you forgivo him?" said Leoni
"Will you forgivo me? I did not know
anything of this. I only know I loved
him and he loved me. We were mar
ried privately la the sprlug. I am very
sorry for you, but I did not intend to
hurt you."
Amy llstoned to her words. "I see it
all now!" she said. "I was a silly fool
that I did not soo it before, 1 might
have known that ho could not lovo mo
aa I loved htm. If ho had only told mo
oh, Oodl if ho hod only told mo ho
might Btlll bo alive. His death U on my
head! Oh, John, John I why didn't you
toll me? I loved you so well that I
would havo given you up "rather than
this." And, for tho first time sinco his
death, Amy's tears flowed fast and freely.
Lconl's heart bled for tho girl, but her
Italian naturo did not understand tho
self oacrlflco of tho words sho spoke.
leather havo nlm Uvo and bo tho hus
band of another? Novorl sho would
rather soo him dead twenty times.
Amy, with oxqulslto unselfishness, had
nothing but tho tendcrest pity for John.
Sho blamed horsolf that sho had not dis
covered his lovo for this beautiful foreign
woman In time. Sho folt interested in
hor at onco, and regarded her mora. In
tho light of a sister than of a successful
rival. Sho asked her questions about hor
solf, and waa not shocked to learn that sho
was a ballet dancer. Sho know llttlo
about this profession, and tho llttlo sho
know did not place Its members In tho
category of saints; but sho was certain
that Leoni was a perfectly good woman,
and she believed too thoroughly io John
to think for a momont that ho could havo
married her had she been otherwise
A strango friendship was begun over
tlio coflin of John Uurlstono a friend
ship that grow stronger with years and,
to tho scandal of Farmsted, "tho ballot
dancer John Uurlstono marriod," spout
part of every summer at tho rectory,
where sho waa loved and admired by the
old rector aa sincoroly as by hla daughter,
Mrs. Hurlstono could not qulto froo hor
mind from the idea thatrLoonl was In
CAPITAL CITY COURIER,
aomo way responsible for John's death;
but ns time went on this fooling woro off,
and slii' mid her daughters railed on her
whenever hIio visited tho rectory, and
always hud her to end n night nt tlio
homestead,
Amy and lninl drovo In tho namo car
riage to JoIiu'h funeral (which was it
pilvato one, much to the disappoint
ment of tho villagers), and stood liiiud
In hand nt lilt grave. Whllo Amy was
calm nnil silent, I-eonl waa besido her
self with grief, and waa finally rnrrled
fainting to her carriage.
It waa not long beforo tho story of
John Ilurlstouu'H career In Now York
becamo known through tho ticwHpiixiu
Columns were devoted to It. It wan told
how tho dashing Col, Mortimer hud or
ganized n mining comxiny that owned
no mines, how ho had nwlndled unsus
pecting Moplo by hit falso represontn
tlons, nnd how tho clover young captain
who liad nerved so brilliantly under him
In the civil war had been used ns n do
coy nnd Anally Induced to sign names
other than his own to bogua certificate
of Htock. Tlio flight of Mortimer to
Canada nnd tho auicldo of Uurlstono,
who had boon secretly married to ono
woman whllo nnothor waited for him nt
tho nltnr, gavo the reporters a chanco
such ns they seldom had. It was nn
exciting ntory, nnd thoy mado tho most
of it,
CHAPTER XXI.
USII was
nearly
crushed by
the blow
Ho was
proud of
his family
name. Aa
far hack as ho
could trace, every
Uurlstono ii a d
been a man of
lion or. It re
mained for this
gonorntlon to
blot the escutch
eon -just, too, as ho waa winning for
himself n conspicuous nnd Important
place in the metropolis, nnd (bitterer
than nil) just ns ho was trying to mnko
ovory straw weigh In hla favor with
Helen Knowltou. It was a cruel blow,
and It took all his manhood to rise up
under it. Ills associates nt the ofllec of
Tho Dawn showed tho best side of their
natures. Thoy wcro kind nnd consider
ato nil through this trying thno. Al
though tho story of tho fraudulent mining
company and tho sulcldo and its attend
ing incidents wcro tho sensation of the
hour, they priutcuVia llttlo of it uh possi
ble, nnd kept Hush's name out altogether.
IIo had no itoonor returned to Now
York and settled down to work ngalu
than Archie Tilltnghast called upon him
and by his gentle and manly Hympathy
sealed their friendship with n seal that
nothing could ever break. He also
brought kind words from Bessie
Archer und her mother and an in
vitation from Mr. Archer to spend
tho following Sunday with them. Rush
was siecerely touched by these ex
pressions of sympathy, for he almost
felt himself ostracized by the disgrace
that had befallen him; and the llndlng
of Uncle Llghtfoot Myers' curd nt his
lodgings ono day did moro towards con
vincing him that there was something
worth living for, nftcr all, than anything
that had happened since his disgrace,
for It showed a kindliness of spirit on
the part of a moro acquaintance that ho
had no reason to excct.
A short letter from Aunt Rebecca, who
of course had heard nothing of tho
tragedy that had cast so deep a shadow
over tho life of hor young friend, an
nounced that sho und Uolen would sail
from Liverpool on tho 1st of September,
so that thoy woro nearly duo In Now
York at tho tltno Rush received tho letter.
With what conflicting emotions ho road
this announcomontt A fow weeks ago it
would havo thrown him into an ecstasy
of delight; now ho burled his faco in his
hands, and his thoughts woro not pleas
ant thought. Would Hclon look upon
John's conduct aa disgracing his brother?
Would sho think thoro was crlmo in tho
blood of tho family, and turn her back
upon him?
"I could not blamo hor," said Rush to
himself, "for it would reflect upon her
to bo soon in the company of tho brother
of John Hurlstono, tho swindler and sui
cide." And his strong framo quivered
with agony.
Thoro was no relief from his thoughts
but work. At his desk in Tho Dawn of
fice Rush could forgot tho frightful past,
and ho thanked God for work that must
bo done Tho 11th of September camo,
and ho know that tho Germanic was to
arrivo that day. Ho would not go down
to moot it, but would wait for Holon to
tako somo steps that would end his sus
pense What If ho never heard from
hor? Ho almost bellovcd that ho would
tako his lifo, as his brother hod done.
Archlo Tilllnghost, who divined what
was going on In Rush's mind, went down
to tho stcamor and met Helen and told
her what had happened. His heart was
with Ids friend in his trouble und his
recital flllod Helen with sorrow. Ucr
beautiful brown oyos swam with tears.
Ah, if Rush might havo seen them!
"Poor boy! poor boy!" said she; "1
long to see him, to tell him how deeply
I sympathize with him,"
"Havo him round at onco, Helen.
Poor fellow, wo must cheer him up,"
said Aunt Rebecca, in hor hearty voice
"You aro awfully kind, I ntn euro, but
I am confident that ho will not come
unless, you nsk him; ho fools that ho is a
disgraced man, und he will not volun
tarily go beforo any ono, much less you.
Miss Knowlton," answered Archie.
"I will send him a word at once Have
you a wncll ? Thank you; that is just
tho thing." And, taking a card from
her card case, she wroto, "Aunt Robecca
and 1 were disappointed not to soo you
at tho steamer. If you will como in tho
evening at nine wo will bo alono. II. R."
This sho guvo Archlo to deliver, and,
and aftor putting hor In her carriage, ho
wont ut onco to Rush's lodgings. Ho
found Rush sipping his cafo au lait in a
listless fashion.
"Well, Rush, my boy, I havo aeon
njkBI
SATURDAY, JUNE 29,
tier!" said Archie, throwing himself upon
n convenient chair; "and I novor thought
better of your taste than I did today,
Sho Is simply fltipcrh. Hor trip hasdono
her a world of good, Stick, to it, old
man; nho Is too great n prize to lose I
bellovo I am half In lovo with her my
self." "I know you mean well, Archlo, but
your tone does not harmonize with my
mood, I can't feel very gay when 1
know that my chances with Helen
Knowlton nro slimmer todny than thoy
ever were and that any balance (hero
may have lieen on my Hide of tin ledger
Is now agahibt mo. Tho prosect Is not
pleasing, and I wish 1 woro dead,"
"Nonsense, Rushl I'm ashamed of you,
You nro not talking llko n man. I begin
to think you don't deserve bo flno n wo
man. Why should you fly to tho con
clusion that bIio will turn her back upon
you because you aro in trouble? You
havo no right to do her so great nn Injus
tlce, and 1 liellovosho would bo hurt to
tho quick If sho know you thought bo
poorly of her."
"You forget, Archlo," answered Rush,
sadly, "that I am not an accepted lover
of Helen Knowlton. If I was, I should
excct her to stand by mo through thick
and thin. I am only n friend, a now
friend nt that, and I havo my place in her
regard still to win. Whether I nin suc
cessful or not depends upon myself. If
I can prove myself to bo everything I
should llko to havo hor believe mo, well
and good; but I havo got to fight my
way Inch by Inch, nnd for many reasons
my claims aro not strong enough to giro
mo nn Instant hearing. My success is a
question of tltno and fortunnto circum
stances." "I suppose what you say is bo," said
Archlo, pacing tho room excitedly, "but,
by heaven, it is n strnngo law of natural
Ono would think thnt uny woman would
1k proud of tho honest lovo of nn honest
man. Notubltofltl Women nroqucer
creatures; thoy don't seem to know when
tho right man comes along."
"After all, how nro thoy to know?"
asked Rush. "Every man thinks ho is
tho right one Look nt tlio men who liavo
loved Helen, for instance I won't say
sho has given them any encouragement,
but thoy havo loved her just as truly all
tho same. I heard only tho other day of
a man who loved her with an honest,
sincere lovo. Ho was a lieutenant in tho
army. He only met her onco, nnd then
as only one of a dozen who wero pre
sented toher, but ho saw her many times
on tlio stago of tho Academy. IIo be
llovcd there was no hopo for him. He
was stationed at Governor's Island, but
ho naked to bo sent out on tho frontier, bo
that he might run a chanco of being
killed. lie was transferred as he re
quested, and. whenever there was a
skirmish with the Indians, put himself
in the front of the fight. Ono day ho
was rewarded; a bullet hit him in a vital
part and he died on the flcld. A friend
of mine, an otllccr in the same regiment,
found him dying, and asked him if ho
had any message he wanted delivered.
'Yes,' Mild the dying man; 'cut a lock of
hair from my head and take it to Helen
Kuow'ton. und tell her that I loved her;'
and with these words upon Ida lips ho
died. My friend took his penknlfo nnd
cut off the lock of hair and delivered it
as requested. Uolen was very much af
fected by tho incident, though sho didn't
remember tho man nt all. Now, who
shrill say this poor follow was not tho
right man, if only ho and sho had known
it? Certainly ho loved her with an hon
est love."
"Truo Indeed," answered Archlo, still
pacing tho floor "true indeed. Tho
whole subject seems to bo involved in
mystery. I don't know, after all, If nn
other war maxim is not to bo applied to
affairs of tho heart: 'To tho victor belong
tho spoils.' But whllo wo nro dealing in
glittering generalities I am forgetting
tho object of my calk Hero is a llttlo
note Helen scratched off for you on tho
dock." And Archlo handed tho card to
Rush, who took it cagorly.
"Did sho know did sho know every
thing whon bo wroto this, Archio?'
"Yes, old man everything."
"I will go, thon God bless hor!"
It seomed an ago to Rush beforo it was
time to go to Helen's house, and, al
though ho was impatient for tho hour to
como, his heart boat high with excite
ment and his cheeks woro palo with
nervous dread when ho rang tho front
door boll of tho llttlo houso In West
Twentieth street.
How strangely familiar tho drawing
room looked! Everything was as it had
boon tho night beforo sho sailed. A
faithful servant hud kept tho placo open
and in order whllo sho was gono, and it
seemed as fresh and bright whon sho
got back as though she had novor been
away. Rush noticed tho dolicato odor
of violets that hung about everything
that belonged to Helen, and it brought
her as vividly beforo his oyos as if alio
stood thoro in all hor loveliness, no had
not long to wait beforo she did stand bo
foro him In her bodily presence Sho
camo towards him with both hands ex
tended. "You must oxcuso my neglige, Mr.
Uurlstono, but I didn't want to keep you
waiting, nnd I wanted to seo you.
Aunt Robecca will bo down in a fow mo
ments, but sho Is so busy with trunks that
sho can't como at onco. Sit right down
herq on this sofa and tell mo how you aro
and how you'vo lieen."
"I needn't ask you how you aro," said
Rush, at last llndlng volco to speak.
Seating himself besido her, ho regarded
her with undisgulbod admiration, no
might well think hor lovely; less preju
diced eyes would havo agreed with him
thoroughly, Sho had lieon helping Aunt
Robecca with the trunks, and had donned
n loose morning gown of soft whlto stuff,
trimmed down tho front and around tho
nock and sleeves with dark fur. Tho red
upturned point of a gold cuihroldorcd
Turkish slipper peeped out from beneath
her gown and gavo tho only bit of color
to her costume Hor brown hair was
dono up in a cureless classic knot on tho
top of her head, and sho looked as though
sho had just stepped out of a framo and
It would tako very llttlo to make hor stop
back again.
Nothing could bo kindor than hor
manner to Rush. Hor object seemed to
be to make him forgot himself and his
1889.
troubles, nnd sho talked about every
thing of interest sho had seen. Rush
followed her vaguely, for ho could not
shako off tho load upon his heart, "Tlio
mora she talked mid tho mora beautiful
sho looked, tho worse ho felt. Among
other things, she asked tilui if ho had
seen anything of Undo Llghtfoot Myers
whllo bIio was away. Ho replied that ho
had not seen him, but that Mr. Myers
had left his card at his lodgings.
"I wonder if ho it in town now. When
was it that ho left hi card?"
Rush ran over in his mind alt that aw
ful time. IIo remembered hit feelings
when ho found tho old gentleman's card,
and tho recollection was moro than ho
could liear.
"It wus only n fow days ago," ho man
aged to say. "I had just got liack from
homo." And, witli this memory fresh in
his mind, ho buried his faco in hla hands.
His framo shook with suppressed sobs
and tho hot tears forced their way
through his fingers.
If you aro inclined to call this nn un
manly exhibition, you must remember
that his nerves wcro strung up to n high
pitch, tiiat ho had gono through n great
deal during tho past fow days, and was
not master of himself. Helen regarded
htm with feelings of tho most profound
pity. "Poor boy." sho Bald, softly. And
taking his hot head between her cool,
soft palniB, sho kissed him gently on tho
forehead.
CHAPTER XXII.
ERIIAPS
you may
think tho
kiss with
which Helen
touched Rush's
brow made him
happy. On tho
contrary, it made
hiin very unhap
py; for ho know
that if she had
loved 1dm as ho loved hor sho would no
mora havo kissed him thali sho would
havo put her hand in tho flroand burned
it off. It was a kiss of friendship a
sisterly kiss any Bort of kiss except tho
kiss of lovo; nnd Rush Hurlstouo's heart
sank into his boots. Ho folt more hope
less ut that moment tlinn at any other
timo during ids courtship. His Inter
view with Helen, however, did him
good. It at least assured him of her
friendship; and friendship, by careful
cultivation, might bo changed intosomo
thing warmer.
West Hustings had not returned from
Eurojio yet, and' Rush had the field al
most to himself, for it wns early in the
season, and the men whom Helen know
were mostly out of town. Ho himself
was at her house every (Jay not oxuetly
us n caller, but mora as a brother. It
was to bring her a book, to bIiow her
something In the papers she might not
have seen, to try over n piece of music
with her; there was always romo good
excuse Helen was mora than glnd to
have him, partly because she liked at
tention, und partly because alio liked a
bright man with whom sho could bo on
sisterly terms. Rush's hours ut Tho
Dawp oltlcc wero such that his tluio wus
hh own from noon, when ho got up,
until 0 o'clock in tho evening, when
ho wns duo at his desk, whero ho ro
mnined until 2 or half past.
Tho opera season would not .begin un
til the middle of October, but Helen con
cluded to stay In Now York to look nftcr
somo costumes and rchcarso somo now
roles. Rush began to think that f ato was
kind to him at last, for nothing could
havo been moro delightful than his after
noons at Helen's. Though neither Rush
nor Helen wero sentimental, us tho term
Is usually interpreted, thoy woro both
very fond of poetry. Rush had read
moro than sho had, and it was his delight
to lead Helen through this path of liter
ature Sho was dovotcd to Mrs. Brown
ing's sonnets from tho Portuguese Rush
had gono through that phase, and led
her on to tho sonnets of Shakcapcaro and
of Dante Tlio latter thoy road in tho
original, Hclon reading and Rush asking
questions when ho did not qulto under
stand tho Italian. It really was an ideal
timo, and Rush, being uncertain of tho
future, wished that it might last indefi
nitely. But of course this wasn't to bo
expected. It was soon over, and poetry
gavo way to contracts, Mr. Maxmann's
visits growing moro frequent aa Rush's
grow moro rare
Howovcr, Rush found himself at Hel
en's houso as often as ho could hopo to
bo there It really Boomed aa though ho
was necessary to hor. His attentions
wcro constant, but not annoying, and
sho Boon began to realizo that ho was in
lovo with her. At first sho didn't llko
tho idea at all, becauso sho thought it
would break a pleasant friendship. Any
thing beyond that Boomed to hor out of
tho question. Ho was entirely too young,
though ho was a dear, good fellow and
sho was very fond of him. Whon sho
saw that ho had apparently no intention
of declaring himsolf, and that their rela
tions remained just as "thoy had been all
along, sho settled horsolf down to tho old
way, and nlmost mado up her mind that
a touch of such a feeling us Rush's added
n piquancy to friendship.
Things went on this way all winter;
but ono day In tho early spring Rush
walked in upon her with a telegram in
his hand. Ho looked oxcltod, but not
particularly happy.
"Hero Is n dispatch from ray chief,"
said ho, "ordering mo to London to ro
organlzo Tho Dawn bureau over there.
It is a big thing, us fur ns business goes,
but I can't say that 1 feel llko leaving
Now York. I shall bo guided by your
advice What shall it bo?" .
Helen hesitated a fow momenta and
then Bald:
'"If you wish mo to toll you what I be
llovo would bo for your best Interest, I
should say ut onco, 'Oboy tho order.' If
I went by my own footings I should say.
'Stay at homo,' for I shall miss you very
much."
"Then I shall go, both becauso your
judgment in tho matter is sound and be
causo I shall bo so fluttered to havo you
miss me Our chief orders by cable and
ho expects his orders to bo obeyed almost
In tho same manner. I shall havo to
sail to-morrow,"
"To-morrowl"
"So tho order Rays, Well, I supposo 1
had better let tho folks nt homo know it
and make such arrangements na nro nec
essary and bo off. I shall bo n round in
tho morning to say good-by, but this
evening I shall havo to dovoto to tho of
flee Thoro will bo n thousand nnd ono
things to attend to. If there Is anything
I can do for you on tho other Bide, com
maud me To bo executing your ordors,
though thrtv- thousand miles away, will
ail'ord mo the greatest delight," And bo
Rush talked on for half nn hour, unable
to tear himself awny, though well awaro
that It wti9 high timo for him to bo off,
Tlio next morning ho was nt tho houso
uguin. Helen wus taklnir hor lu'to break
fast when he camo In, dressed In hor
prettiest morning gown, und looking
llko u bit out of Wntteau as bIio Hipped
hor tea from a Sevres cup nnd patted tho
head of her pet greyhound. Helen waa
not one of those young women who think
it vulgar toeat. Sho had a healthy nppo
tito, nnd wus fond of good eating: but
sho ato very daintily, nnd had u way of
llxlng her food before sho began eating
that mado It particularly attractive Tho
presence of Rush did not in tho least In
terfere with her apietito. Sho was vory
particularubout hor teas, and sho browed
him u cup of what Americans usually
call "English breakfast tea." but what
Rush called noctar. And bo over tho
breakfast tublo thoy laughed und talkod
until it was timo for Rush to say good
by. Ho had been very gay, nervously
so, up to this point; but now his courage
failed him, and Hclon, too, showed signs
low spirits, Sho told hln bIio was going
to miss him; but sho had no idea how
much sho would miss him when sho
spoke
"I must givoyou something to remem
ber mo by, for if I do not you will forgot
mo over there umong thoso pretty Eng
lish girls." And bIio lookcdubout her for
something appropriate "Ah, hero la
just tlio thing," sho said, going to hor
writing desk. "Watch seals aro coming
into fashion again; hero is a curious old
ono thnt belonged to my grandfather; ho
scaled all his lovo letters to my grand
mother with It. I don't know whether
I ought to glvo you nn heirloom, but
thon 1 feel as if you wcro ono of tho fam
ily a younger brother, or cousin, or
something of that sort. Seo, isn't it odd?"
And sho handed tho seal to Rush.
Ho examined tho curious workman
ship, nnd then turned tho scnl to tho
light. It was not only old fashioned, it
Was nrettV. Tho Stona WIU unrilnmrT-
and tho iutagllo represented a dovo fly
1 ...1.1. I-.. !-., , ,. 4
mi, nun u luui-r lieu arounu lis IlCCK.
Underneath was the legend, in French,
"From thy true lover." Rush blushed toj
tho roots of his hair as ho read it, but
Helen, who hnd fori-nttnn u-lint thn In..
scrlptlon wns until sho saw him blush,
prcicnucu not to notice inking tlio seal
carelessly from hij hand, sho fastonnd It
on his watch chain. '
"There.' she snld, "lot that bo your
talisman. See thnt vnn ilon't r-lm t
nway, nnd good luck will attend you'
wear u.
"You couldn't havo given mo any
thing that would please mo moro,'.sald
Rush, recovering from his cmbarr.'ss
mont. "For you to caro to glvo mo a.iy
parting gift is of itsolf flattery enough,
but to give mo a thing about which thoro
is sucli a pretty family sentiment is bo
yond anything I had a right to expect.
You may bo sure that I will novor part
from this talisman. I shall get so fond
of it that my only fear is that I may use
it for sealing olllco letters. That would
bo horrlblo, wouldn't it? I should llko,"
and ho hesitated; "I should llko to seal
such totters as I may bo allowed to send
to you with it." And ho looked oagorly
for her reply.
"Indeed no," sho nnsworcd him ban
toringly. "What a Bcrapo I would find
myself in with my French maid I Be
foro two lettors wcro sent you would
find paragraphs in tho newspapers about
It. No, indeed, my friend; no practical
jokes at my expense"
Rush folt that Ids timo had not come
yot, so thoro waa nothing left for him to
do but to leavo a good-by mosaago for
Aunt Rebecca, who was at tlio Academy
of Musio, harassing Maxmann, say good
by to Helen and take himself off.
"Well," Bald ho, rising, "tho best of
friends must part. I llttlo thought whon
I bade you bon voyago last spring that
In a fow months I should hoar tho same
words from your lips. I shall bo aw
fully homesick, there's no doubt of that;
but If you will occasionally drop me a
lino, if it's only a business lottor, I shall
bo supremely happy,"
"You know I am a poor correspond
ent," answored Helen; "but you can re
liovo your homesickness by writing to
mo. I lovo to get lottors, particularly
such Interesting ones as you will bo sure
to writo; only don't seal them with that
seal." And sho laughed a merry laugh.
"You must tell mo everything about
your business, for I am very much in
terested in your success," sho addod,
taking Ids hand.
"Whatovcr success I havo had, or am
to havo, Miss Knowlton, Is duo to your
encouragement. Tho kind words I havo
had from you, and tho dcslro I havo to
mako mnko mysolf worthy of your kind
ness, nro nn incentive that fow young
men havo when thoy begin tho work of
their lives," said Rush, with a touch of
sentiment in Ida volco.
"It's vory niiiiablo of you to say bo,
and I should bo vory plcasod to know
that nny word of initio had boon of holp
or encouragement to you; but I think
you over cstimato tho oncouragomont
you havo received from mo. Not that I
am not deeply Interested in you: both
Aunt Rebecca and I liked you tho vory
first day wo uaw you, You are a partic
ular favorite of my mint's. I won't say
what I think of you," sho added, with a
8iiii!o; "it might make you vain."
So thoy said good-by, and in a short
timo Rush wns on board tho Rtcamor
bound for Liverpool. Archlo Tilllnghost
came down to sec him off, und brought
a pleasant niossago from tho Archers
Bessie and nil, They congratulated him
on his foreign appointment, und hoped
that it wns but tho stepping etono to bet
ter things ut homo. And bo RurIi sailed
from Now York. Ho was a good sailor,
and enjoyed ovory hour of tho voyage
Thoro woro not many peoplo going ovor,
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