The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-03-18
DARK DAYS
G GO N Y,
Author of " Called Back"
CHAPTER VA WHITE TOMB

From the moment when the true
state of Philippa's mind flashed upon
me, to the moment when l left her
sleeping that heavy sleep, I had little
time to think of any thing else than
the best means of saving her life, and,
If possible, her reason. True, through
OFT the whole Of my operations to
effect this end, a dim sort of horror
pervaded me--a recollection of the
CHASTITY object which lay on the road
side, some three miles from us; but it
was not until l turned from my
patients door that the terrible situa-
ton in which she was placed presented
itself to me in all it's dread entirely.
Half broken-hearted, I threw myself
YEARLY into my chair, and covered my
face with m yhands.
What was to be done? Tomorrow
morning the body would be found. 1
felt certain that when inquiry was
made suspicion would at once point
toward Philippa. Mrs. Wilson knew
of her starting from home in the even
Ing, alone and on foot. She knew,
moreover, that Sir Mervyn Ferrand
was her husband; that he had ill-used
her. She would most certainly know
TO whom Philippa had fled. 1t did
not follow that because was ignorant
as to who were my neighbors they
Knew nothing about me. At anyrate,
William, my man, would know the
truth. Solar as I could see, tomorrow,
,r by the latest, the next day Philippa
would be arrested for the crime.
Most probably, 1 should also be includ-
I'd in the arrest. For that seemed
10 care nothing; except that it might
hinder me from helping my poor girl.
ANY hope of removing Philippe
there, put it in plain words-any hope
of flight, for days, even weeks, was
vain. Let every thing goas well as
can be in such cases, the girl must be
kept in seclusion and quiet for at least
q fortnight orthree weeks. 1 groaned
as I thought of what would happen if
Philippa was ARE ted and carried be-
fore the magistrates, accused of the
awful crime. From that moment until
the day of her d. ath she would be in
sane.
Yet what help was there for it?
The moment the deed is known-the
moment Mrs. Wilson learns that Sir
Mervyn Ferrand has been found shot
through the heart, she will let 1t be
known that Lady Ferrand is at hand;
and Lady Ferrand. who has been pas
sing under the name of Mrs. Farmer,
will be sought and found. And then
and then!
Even if she did not die at once
even if she recovered-oh, the shame
of the trial! No jury could or would
convict her; but for Philippe. my queen,
to stand in the dock, to plead for her
life. 10 knowtha whether convicted
or acquitted, the deed was done by her.
To know that all England is talking
of her wrongs and her vengeance.
Horrible! Horrible! 1t shall never be.
Rather will I give her a draught of
opium heavy enough to close her eyes
forever. There will be plenty more OF
the drug left for me!
Fool that I was! Why did 1 do things
by halves! Why for her sake did l
not hide the dead man where none
would find him? Why did I not rife
his pockets, so that suspicion should
have pointed to q vulgar murderer;
some one who had killed him for mere
plumber? Why did I not, at least, de-
stroy any letters or papers which were
about him? identification might
then have been rendered difficult, and
perhaps been delayed for weeks. In
that time might have saved her.
Why do I not do this now? 1start-
ed to my feet; then sank back into
my chair. No; not even for Philippa's
sake could l 60 again to that spot.
If l did so, 1 should return as mad as
is now.
Not being able to bring myself to
adopt the gruesome alternative, l
could do nothing, a wait events
nothing, at least, to avert the ccnse.
quences of her delirious act.
But for her something must be done.
How could she in her frenzied state, be
left here-her only companions two
men? Nurses must be at once pro
cured. I summoned William, and tolt
him he must 60 to London by the first
train in the morning.
William would have received my in
structions to 60 to the Antipodes witt
imperturbability. Hemerely expressed
a doubt asto whether any one would
be able to get to London tomorrow or
account of the snow. I walked to thu
window and looked out.
The night vas still Il mad whirl
Of snow-lakes. The window-panes
we're half covered by such as managed
to find a resting-place there. As
watched whatI could see Of the wild
white dance, 1 found myself thinkin:
that by now that dead man on thu
road must bs covered an inch-mus'
have lost shape and outline. 1 SHY
cred as I turned away.
"They are sure to keep tho limo tt
town open," ! said. "If you can Sc
to Roding, you can get to London"
"Oh, 1 can get to Roding righI
enough" said William.
Then I told him what he was to do
He was to take a letter to n Of tn
Nursing Institutions. and bring bacI
two nurses with him. No matte
what the weather was when Che
reached Roding. they were to come t.
my house at once, even If they had I
hire twenty horses to drag them there
He vas also to got me a lew drug
which I might want.
William said no more He nodded
to show that he understood me; ana
knew that it 1t were possible to 10 ID
bidding it would he done
OF his own accord he then brough
me food. I ate, for I knew that
should want all my strength to SUI
port the anxieties of the next day Q
two. -,
Istayed up the whole night. OF
that awful night! shall Lever 1orgt
it? The solitude-the raging snow
storm outside-the po)r creature, I
whose side l crept nolselessly every ma
an-hour. She lay there with a TAG
like marble, calm and beautiful. I'D
long, dark lashes swept her pale cheel
The only movement was the regulS
rise and fall of the bosom. On, happ,
oblivion! On dreaded Weakening! q
Ilooked at her, in spite of the love
boreher, 1 believe that,had Though
such a prayer would be answered,
should for her sake have prayed tns
those lashes might never again be III
ed.
Morning at last broke on my drea'
vigil. Philippa still slept. return
to the sitting room and drew PACK u
curtains from the window. Yes;
was morning-such il morning
leaden, wintry skies can give. 1t W
still showing us heavily. II not mo
heavily, than it had showed last nigh
For twelve hours the flakes had falle
without internlisslon-