anyone or not. I will ask, if you will step into the parlor, sir.’ I went in, my head in a whirl. I was hardly seated when Helen rushed in—a vision of loveliness in white—and actually threw herself in my arms, exclaiming, ‘You darling Allen; I know what you are going to say, but don’t say it, dearest, for my heart is broken, too.’ 14 15 Helen Jessup to Herbert Grayson “‘What do you mean,’ I cried, ‘your heart broken? Who has broken it, may I ask?’ “‘Allen dear, don’t look at me that way; I cannot endure it. You look as if you blamed me for what has happened.’ “‘And who, pray, is to blame?’ I found breath 16to ask. At which she melted into tears and cried, ‘You don’t love me any more.’ 16 “I was almost dumb with astonishment. ‘You don’t expect me to love you when you are going to marry another man, do you,?’ I gasped. “‘Don’t you see how it is; I love you and always shall love you. Really, I could not marry you after papa found that your income from your mother’s estate was only four hundred pounds a year. Now, dearest, you know I could not dress decently on that. No, I had to marry Herbert, but I do not love him and never shall.’ “‘Why, Helen,’ I cried, ‘why did you not say it was money, not love, that you wanted, and I could have told you I have an allowance of five thousand pounds a year from my uncle, who is one of the wealthiest men in Australia.’ “‘Why didn’t you tell me that before; it would have made all the difference in the world. I don’t see what I can do now, unless I get up an awful quarrel with Herbert, and I will do that if I can.’ “I was shocked beyond all expression. This grasping, money-loving woman, who did not hesitate to say that she loved one man, when she was on the eve of marrying another. Could it be my Helen, whom I had thought the soul of innocence and goodness, all girlish love and yielding tenderness? “I turned from her with a feeling that was almost loathing. I could not answer one word, but took my hat and left her presence forever. 17“The next day found me with a ticket for New York in my pocket, and a determination to spend the rest of my life with my
Prev.
Back
Top