LITERATURE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5912, 26 April 1887, Page 1

LITERATURE.

-♦— — — HELEN— A SKETCH. [By Zsmo.] (Continued.) Chaptbb 11. Next morning found the rector in much -the same -condition as the preceding day. He was oonsoious to a certain extent, but did not eeem to leoognise anyone. Helen, herself, was fu'ly occupied in attending on "her aunt, who had given way completely, the sudden shock of her husband's aocident having made her bo nervous and depressed that aho oould not bear to lose sight of her niece. Mr Steyne was, therefore, thrown «n his own resources, and employed part of his morning in walking down to the cottage, as he had promised Helen, to give the Whytea the latest news of the rector. He found Flossie very sympathetic, and,, when, after staying half-an-hour or bo, he rose to go, she would" not ask him to stay to lunoh as dear Helen would be so anxious, but she would walk up to the rectory that evening and try and persuade Helen to go «ut. It was so bad for her health staying in all day, and perhaps she herself might lie allowed to Bit with Mrs Graham so as to relieve the dear girl." Jaok found himself wondering, as he walked home, how it was he had never aoticed before that Miss Whyte was rather ■ * pretty girl ; she had improved immensely in the laßt few months. " Don't suppose j she is as fond of Helen as Bhe pretends U be, and she certainly is a flirt, but after all I I daresay the girl has some good in her." } *Then he lit his pipe, and dismissed Miea j Whyte from his thoughts for the next few hoore. Helen came down at lunch time for half-an-hour, but was obliged to return to her aunt directly afterwards. However,. about *ve, Miss Whyte made her appearance According to promise, and, Mrs Graham having consented to a ohange of attendants, Helen was able to go out for a stroll with Jack. When they returned after a lengthy absence, common politeneeß demanded that Mr Steyne should escort Miss Whyte home aud having done so, it was Iwt natural that he should linger a Bhorfc time in the cool, pretty garden before returning to the reotory. This day might be takrn as an example of the ensuing fortnight. For the first week there was no perceptible improvement in the rector's state, then he gradually began to recognise people, and seemed pleased when either Helan or Jack was in the room, but perfeot quiet being essential, he was not allowed many visitors. Mrs Graham still continued ailing, and Helen, having to attend on her .and also to the various household duties, was unable to devote much time to Jaok till the evening. - Miss Whyte repeated her offer to Bit with Mrs Graham, but it waa declined, Mrs Graham pettishly refusing to see " that girl," whom she had never liked. Mr Steyne was therefore obliged to amuße himself as best he might. He got into the habit ot walking to the cottage every morniDg to give an account of the rectory invalids. Once there, there was n» reason why he Bhould hurry away — the drawing-room was cool, Mies Whyte was pretty and attentive. She had a good voice and sang well, Mr Stoyne was fond of music, and had rather a nice tenor ; thug the morning would slip away so qnickly that lunch-time would come, and Mr Steyne was eftsily persuaded to stay for that meal. After lunch he would, by BpecUl invitation, smoke a pipe in the garden. Finally he and Mies Why te would walk up to the rectory together. Helen 'was surprised and pleased at Jack's evident -efforts to obey her commands and be agreeable to her friend ; and when he told her that Miss Whyte wasn't at all a bad sort of girl, Bhe was much gratified, and said triumphantly : " I waa sure you would like her when you knew her well." One day Helen got a holiday, and the three went out boating, an amusement of which she and Jack were passionately fond, and which Miss Whyte said she adored. But somehow the expedition was a failure. Helen waa tired, and not in her usual spirits ; and the other two, though they talked and laughed, felt the influence of that undefinable cloud which sometimes mars our pleasure under the raoet favourable circumstances. When they parted at the cottage gate, some suggestion waß oniide as to repeating the excursion next day, which was eagerly seconded by Miss Whyte. Helen said she should not be -able to go, but added, " That's no reason why you two shouldn't go ; I daresay you «an be trusted to look after each other." "<Oh yes, indeed ! " came simultaneously from the lips of the others; and Helen, looking up, laughing at the coincidence, -caught a glance passing between them which made her feel vaguely uneasy, she hardly knew why. So it was arranged that Mi3B Whyte and Mr Steyne Bhould go out on the morrow, weather permitting. That evening when the lovers were' enjoying their usual tMe-cL-tMe, Helen was Tery reitless, and at last, with an effort, broke a somewhat prolonged silence, " Jaok," she said, " I want to auk you •omething." " Well, dear, what is it ?" " Don't think I'm silly or jealouc, or anything oP that sort ; but. Jack]" speaking very rapidly, and with her face turned away from him, " are you quite sure you want to marry me still ? Do you still care for va&?" Jack was thoroughly startled. Eising, he put ilia urra round Helen's waist. "You rilly girl," he said, "what pet that idea into your head ?" "Ohi I dou't know $ but men do change sometimes, and," in a low whisper, " Floseie is very attractive." "Jealous:! Well, Helen, I thought you trusted me more than that. Surely you are not going to fret every time I speak «ivilly to another girl. Besides, was it not your own wish that I should make friends with Miaß Whyte ? To please you I cultivate her acquaintance, and then you tuim round and say lam fickle and deceitful. I am very mnuh disappointed, Helen. I thought you were above that sort of thing," turning with dignity. Poor Helen was quite subdued, She had had no real reasons for the litt&9 outburst which had called forth such righteous indignation. She told herself that Jaok was quite right, it woo she who had thrown him into Miss Wbyte's eooiety, and she ought not to be so suspicious. So oke went softly acrosß the room to the arm-chair in which the jußtly- offended young gentlomau had seated himself, and bending down, whißpened in his ear, " I'm so very sorry I annoyed you, dear. lam rather tired tonigfht, that's why lam ho cross. You know Ido truat you xeally. Please forgive me." " Of course, my pet, we won't say anything move on the subject. Only don't talk like that again. It ia the firat time you have shown jealousy, and I hope it will bo tho last." Thus Jaok^udioially; then softening ns he caught sight of her woebegone face, " Now, give me a kiss, dear* and forget all about It." Helen went off to bed, feeling rather as if she had been dismissed with a caution, -and repeating to herself, "I do trust him thoroughly j it ia bo silly to be jealous." Left to himself, Mr Steyne smoked at leant three pipes, thinking deeply all the while. As he rose and knocked out the ashes of the last one he muttered, " Bho certainly would fool any man who wasn't) . on his guard, but there's no danger with me. Helen ia worth ten of her. Don't think I'll go out boating with her tomorrow. However, we'll see." Despite his half-formed resolution of the preceding night, Mr Bteyne went out boating next day with Miss Whyte. He did, indeed, announce at breakfast that he thought of giving up the expedition, but

Helen, anxious to make up for her unworthy suspicions, begged him bo earnestly to g*, saying that otherwise she should think he was still angry* that he finally consented not to disappoint Miss Whyte. Helen, left at home, tried to employ herself ■with her duties, but her fancy was continually flying away to the little boat rocking on the blue sea, or to the shady cove, where a search for ferns was to be prosecuted during the afternoon. However, she greeted Jack cheerily when he came in, and as the was in excellent spirits they spent a very happy evening. The »ext day Mr Steyne spent entirely at the rectory, devoting himself as much as possible to Helen, and her peace of mind was entirely restored. Although Mr Graham was getting better, Helen was etillvery much occupied, especially as the rector, who waß slowly recovering his reason, liked, to have her in his room, where she «sed to sit and work. Thuß she felt that being unable to entertain her lover herself , she ought not to grudge his finding amusement elsewhere. One day, about a week alter the lovers' little tiff, the doctor had paid his visit and pronounced his patient to be progressing favourably. Jack had gone out for a walk, and Helen was sitting with her aunt, when there was a loud ring at the front door. " A telegram, Miss, for Mr Jack.** Helen took it, and as her aont had just fallen asleep, thought she would look for Jaok, who was probably in the village, and : give it to hin. It was a lovely morning, and delighted to find herself in the open air, she strolled I slowly along, her spirits rising at every ! step. At the little village shop she stopped to ask if Mr Steyne had been there. Yes, he had, and on leaving had turned down the ; lane leading to Myrtle Cottage. Thither' Helen bent her way. Arrived there, she pushed open the little < gate and went straight to the drawing- [ room window. No one was inside. " Out ' in the garden, I suppose," she thought, and turned off across the lawn. She remembered a oertain favourite seat of Miss i Whyte'e, which was approached fey two | paths, one a short cut through the bushes. < > This she choose mechanically, as it was the one ehe and her friend always used. As she drew near she caught a glimpse of a white dress, and knew that her search had been successful. A few steps further and she could see the bench and the occupants thereof, who, however, were too much engrossed to hear her soft step. Truly it was a pretty picture. The bright sun, glinting through the leaves, shone in ever restless patches on the white dress and upturned face of a lovely girl. Her head was resting on her companion's shoulder, and he was looking down at her with evident admiration. It is to be doubted, however, if the solitary spectator of the scene appreciated \ the beauty of it. A' girl must have an uncommon Bense of the pioturesque to fully enjoy the sight of another woman in her ' lover's arms, however intrinsically beautiful the situation may be. Helen was stunned. All the vagce suspicions and jealousies which had been floating 1 in her mind came back with overwhelming power. She Btood motionless, unable to go on, equally unable to turn j back, only watching with eager eyec. She had a dim feeling that it was mean thus to play the spy, but it was overcome by a burning curiosity to see the end of the little drama. Presently Mias Whyte'e Toice was audible. "Then you do not hate me now, Jack." There was a elight triumphant ring in thla speech, which the enraptured Jaok did not notice. "Hate you, Flossie!" he said, and Helen, with madness raging in her 'heart, watched him bend /down till his lips touched Floasie'B. She had heard and seen enough now, and without a word or sign that could betray her presence, she turned and went away, walking like one in a dream. v She met nobody on her way back to the rectory, and only when Martha, the parlourmaid, asked if she had found Mr Jack, did she remember the telegram which had been the cause of her taking the fatal walk. She placed it on the hall table, and telling Martha that Mr Jack would probably be out to lunoh, she went up to her own room and, locking the door, flung herself on the bed, and gave herself up to bitter thoughts. Late in the afternoon she heard Jack's step in the hall. Then her naxna was called. Jumping up, she seized her hat and ran hastily down the backstairs. She felt she could not face him jnet at that moment, and took refuge in the garden. She had been there for about half an hour, ■when she heard the sound of 'wheels, apparently going away. She looked cautiously out through the shrubs, and was greatly Surprised to see Jack in the rectory trap, driving very fast. Going back to the house, she interviewed Martha, who told her 'that Mr Jack had been in, got his telegram, and looked everywhere for her. Not finding her, he had paoked a Bmall bag and gone away, leaving & 'message to say that he was called to town on urgent business, but hoped to be back in a couple of days. Vader the .circumstances, his departure was a great relief to Helen. She was very distrait for the rest; of the day, and was glad when she was ; able to retire for the night, though ehe was by no means sleepy. Hour after hour she sat in her room thinking, , At last she -rose, her mind made up. She would not condemn the -culprits without a hearing, but Bhe would see Flossie first, aad beg her to eay if she and Jack really cared for each other. If Flossie said yes, then she would write to Jack &nd break off her engagement. Then she went to her desk asd took out her treasures, a bundle of letters, a couple of photographs, and a tiny lock of hair. As nhe tonehed the hair, she remembered in a \ flash all the circumstances connected with \ it ; how Jaok had asked for apiece of her hair I and she had given him a long wavy bit, j saying she must have a piece of his in ejeohange ; how they had laughed over the difficulty of finding a satisfactory lock, Jack, like most men, shaving feis head as ; though he had just come out of prison ; J how Bhe had said that it was very unlucky : to exchange locks of hair, and Jack's reply that no bad li&ck should ever come between him and her. "We never thought of Floasio Whyte t " she mnrmured bitterly. " I suppose ho has a look of her hair, I wonder if it is tied up with mine." Then altering her tons, ehe oried, "It can*& be tree, it is a bad dream ; he must care tfor me still. lam jfaet the same as when he said he loved me* and I love him, ah 1 I love him more than >cver/' j Bufc the scene in the Whyte'e garden rose again before her eyes, and she knew it j was no dream. "Ke would not kiss j aoftther gtii if he loved me," she reasoned. Too see she was an ignorant young woman, and had no idea that a man could really love and he engaged to one girl and y<;t have no scruples aboat administering . each delicate little attentions to another. : The letters and photographs ehe tied «p together, meaning to burn them, but she hesitated long over the hair, finally putting it back into her desk. Then ehe went to bed, but did not sleep till nearly morning, when thoroughly worn out, she dropped into a heavy slumber. { (To be continued.) .