, 1884-12-25

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tries, France and the United States; so that
our choice OF a resting -placs was not SO lin
itSd rs those who are flying from the clutchea
OF the law find IL to-day. However, In order
10 make certain, l paid a visit to q legal
friend OF mine; and. by quoting a suppositi-
tious case. managed to acquire a good deal
Of information respecting the dealings Of one
nation with another, 30 far as fugitives were
CONCERNED.
1 found that although, with the two ex-
captions above named, there was no settled
International law on the subject, there was
q kind of unwritten substitute. which vas
known by the name OF the Comfy OF Ma
lions. Under this code OF courtesy anotori
Gus criminal, who had sought refuge in tho
arms OF another country. was not uncom-
monty, although there was no law under
which no could be arrested. given up to his
purruers, by being simply driven across the
frontier OF the country in which he had hoped
to and security. However, l gathered that
this so-calied comfy was scarcely expected
to be exercised by tho most friendly state,
unless tho fugitive had fed almost red
handed. and 80 placed his guilt beyond doubt
No ono exactly know how far this obliging
expulsion might DO counted upon 1t was
generally supposed to be decided by tho
amount OF Influence or persuasion which one
government exercised on the other.
This Information rather upset my precon-
ceived idea as to the case with which safety
might be obtained; but reflection told me l
had little to fear. The case against Philippa
could be nothing more than one Of sus-
picion- No one, not even / myself, had seen
the deed done. A warrant would, no
doubt, be Issued for her arrest; but II our
flight precluded Its execution l did not be-
lisve that any government would put itself
out OF the way to aid the English law.
There was no one, save myself, who could
positively swear that Sir Mervyn Ferrand
had been killed by Philippa-
Iloarned that Spain was then. even as It
Is now. the and safest against English law
Perhaps the reason Is that the grave yet at
times hot-blooded Spaniard reckons human
life at a lower value than more n~ortherly
nations. Amy way, It was to Spain that l
turned my eyes, Spain that resolved to
reach without an hours unenforced delay.
Tho very next day I broached the subject
OF foreign travel to my mother. Although
20 short a time had passed since they first
met l was overjoyed to see the terms upon
which she and Philippa stood The girl
seemed to cling TO her as to a natural pro-
tector-seemod ready TO install her In the
place of the mother she had lost. After all,
the love Of her own sex is indispensable to a
woman's happinass. 1t did my heart good
to soc the two together. Philippa talked to
my mother as she had never talked to me;
and 1 knew that when the day came upon
which 1 should ask for the only reward l
wanted, my mothers kindness to the for
saken and shame stricken girl would DO an
nd vocate that pleaded strongly I'm favor OF
my suit.
But could 1t ever bel Could we know
happiness in tho face OF thar dark nights
work. All mel my heart sank as l thought
that any day might bring the crushing
blow. Let there be no delay. Let me not
blame myself hereafter for any negligence
or false security. Let us away from thu
peril
Mother" ! said, twill you ccme abroad,
with Philippa and mer'
Abroad, Basili l have only just come
home.n
mo matter; come with US at once. Let
US go to some place where there is warmth
and bright sunshine. Let US go TO Spain"
''Spainl why Spainf Besides, surely Phil
ippa is not At for n long journeyrr
ut will do her good Her recollections Of
this country are but sad ones"
"Well, in a week or two l will SEQ about
it."
mo, at once. Let US start tomorrow or
the next day. Mother, l ask it as a favor
"Give me some good reason, Basil, and 1
will do as you wish"
Look at me. and you will SOC the reason
Cannot you see that I am III, worn out,
nervouii l must have a change, and at
once."
She gazed at ne with solicitudc. eyes, 1
know you are not well; but why 5paini"
"A whim-a sick mans fancy. Perhaps
because 1t is ~Philippa's fathers country put
Il into my head Mother, tell me, how do
you like herr
"She Is the woman you love; she is very
beautiful; she has been cruelty treated; she
is blnmeless; to say more after so short an
acquaintance would be e~xaggeration-n
you will come to Spain with me-with
herr
She kissed me and CAV into my whim-
Then I sought Philippa-
MY mother is going to take us abroad /
said, with q smile which was forced. as all my
smiles now wore. ''Shs will SEQ to every
thing for you"
Ssh IL kind-she Is sweet" said Philippe,
ciasping her hands ''Basil. l am beginning
TO worship your mother. But wiz are we
going abroadf'
ITO get away from sad thoughts, for one
thing; for another, because l feel Ill"
She gave me a quick look OF apprehension
which brought tho flush TO my check "Oh,
let us go at oncei' she cried. Let US leave
this land OF leo and l will nurse you and
make you well. Where arc we goingi
When are WI goingr'
"To Spain-to-morrow or the noxt day.
Sho looked at me with the troubled gaze
which | had so often noticed. Basil" she
said. '.you are doing this for my sake"
"And my own, 1 fear.p
al threw away your love-I spoiled your
life. came to you a shamed woman You
saved mel You did not scorn me. You
brought me to your mothers arms. Basil,
may God requite you; ! never can"
She burst into tears, and left the room
hastily.
It was well / settled the matter OF the for
eign journey then. That afternoon the
wind changed and a thaw set ina thaw
that slowly but surely drew away the thick
white veil which covered the whole of Eng
and.
That night 1 had little sleep. l could do
nothing but lie awake and picture that
white tomb slowly melting away, until tho
White face beneath peered out of 1t and
mnde the dread secret known to all. Who
would be the first to discover It'll Doubt
less some country man or woman passing
that way in the gray OF the morning. 1
drew pictures OF tho discoverers horror-the
Shrek OF terror he or she would give. l
scarcely daroi TO close my eyes; for | knew
that n l dreamed my dreams would take
mt TO tand over the ~snowdrift, and force
me to watch it melting away 1t seemed to
me lint until Philippa was out OF the range
OF pursuit l should not sleep again.
Fastor and foster. now it had once begun,
the thaw went on. Warm wind, heavy rain
the next day. helped it. That tremendous
fall OF snow had. indeed, been tho last effort
OF the winter. l dreaded what might see
in the mornings papers.
For 1t was the third day from that on
which l spoke about going abroad; yet we
we're still in London. When II really came
to making preparations for tho projected
trip there were a thousand and one things
10 be lone There was the needn't passport
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