Fleming Helphenstine
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t first I thought there was a superfinePersuasion in his face; but the free glowThat filled it when he stopped and cried, "Hollo!"Shone joyously, and so I let it shine.He said his name was Fleming Helphenstine,But be that as it may; -- I only knowHe talked of this and that and So-and-So,And laughed and chaffed like any friend of mine. But soon, with a queer, quick frown, he looked at me,And I looked hard at him; and there we gazedWith a strained shame that made us cringe and wince:Then, with a wordless clogged apologyThat sounded half confused and half amazed,He dodged, -- and I have never seen him since.
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