Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-15
must be lying with rns ngnr OF day on its
pale face!

With an effort opened the mornings Do
per, and ran hastily up and down the col
umns. What cared l for politics, foreign
news, or money-mar net InteIIigencor mere
was the one paragraph which riveted all my
attention. The white tomb had given up its
secret! Readl To me those words were
written in letters of fire!
HORRIBLE DISCOVERY NEAR RoDING.-
The melting of the snow has brought to
light what to all appearances is fearful
crlme. Yesterday afternoon laborer walk
ing on the highway discovered the body Of
a gentleman lying by the roadside. His
death had been caused by pistol-shot. It
is supposed that it must have occurred on
the night of the great snow-storm, and that
the body has lain ever since under the snow,
which had drifted to the depth Of some feet
The facts that death must have been In
stantaneous, and that no weapon can be
found near the spot, do away with the
theory of suicide. Letters and papers found
upon the corpse tend to show it to be that
of Sir Meryyn Ferrand, Bart The unfor-
tunate gentleman's friends have been COM
municated with, and the inquest will be
opened Tomorrow"
For some minutes / sat like one stunned.
tore the paper to pi, ces and burned It l
think of all my dark days that one was the
one would be least willing to pass again.
| trembIed at every footstep on the stairs.
Any man who paused for a moment outside
our windows sent cold chill over me. And
in the midst Of my misery had to wear
cheerful face, and talk to Philippa and my
mother about the pleasures Of our projected
Journey! Ah! if we only reached the end
of it in safety, the pleasure would not be al
together imaginary.
The morning dawned. No fatal messen-
ger had arrived. I glanced hastily ct the
papers, which, however, contained no more
information about the tragedy. Shortly after
ten o'clock we started to drive to Charing
Cross. The rattle Of wheels over the stones
seemed to send fresh life through my veins.
We were on the road to safety.
We started in plenty Of time, as wished
to call at my bankers on the way. 1t was
my intention to take with me large sum
in gold. Notes of any kind could be traced,
but the bright sovereigns would tell no tale.
changed my check, and while doing 50
asked if there were any letters for me. Sew
eral persons addressed letters to me at my
bankers. The spruce cashier sent to In
quire, and, with my bag Of gold, passed un-
der the brasswire railing letter with wo-
mans handwriting on the envelope.
thrust il into my pocket, to read at my
leisure.
We travelled BY the tidal train for Paris,
uta Folkestone and BOulogne. 1t was not
the pleasantest weather in the world Tor
journey; but l wrapped my charges up
warmly, and did all l could to mitigate the
hardships of the voyage, undertaken osten-
sibly for the sake of my health. My moth
er, who was by now an experienced and
seasoned traveller, settled herself down to
the Journey, although she little guessed how
short the rest meant to give her until We
reached our destination. She laughingly
protested against the cruelty Of dragging an
old woman like herself away from England
lust as she had returned to it; but there was
that in her voice and manner which told me
she would for my sake make Tar greater
sacrifice of comfort than this
thought that Philippa's spirits, like mine.
rose as we left London behind us. She smil-
ed at my sallies and feeble attempts at max
ing merry, which, now that we were fairly
on our road to safety, were not quite 80
forced as they had been during the last few
DAYS. She listened with interest to the pic
lures 1 drew-imaginary ones, Of course-of
the beauties of the south: and was glad to
believe that the thought Of visiting what
might almost be called her native land was
beginning to awaken her interest Only let
me be able to show her that life could still
promise pleasant future, and the moody
memories of the past months might be ban
ished forever.
lam sure that no one who could have
seen Us that morning would have dreamed
that out of that party of three, consisting Of
a comfortable, pleasant-looking English ma
tron, a strangely beautiful girl, and myself,
two were flying from the hands Of justice.
Our appearance was certainly such As to dis
arm all suspicion.
But where are we going"' asked my
mother. II object to 60 wandering about
without knowing where our pilgrimage Is to
end"
I'VE are going to Paris first then to Spain
to wherever we can find the warmth and
sunshine which Is necessary to my existence.
If we can't find them in Spain, we will cross
over to Africa, and, if needful, go down to
the Equator"
Then you young people will have to 60
alone. draw the line Of my good nature
at Europe"
l glanced at Philippa Her long curved
lashes hid her eyes; but tell-tale blush was
ON her check. knew that the day was not
so very distant when she would answer my
appeal as wished. I knew that could I
but sweep away the record Of thaton night
all might yet be well with her. On, that she
may never recall what alone knowl
As we were nearing Folkestone l remem-
bered the letter which had been given mo
at the bank. Idrew it from my breast in
tending to read it; but the sight Of the Rod
Ing post-mark on the outside made mo
change my intention. ! remembered Mrs.
Wilson's half promise to send me some COM
munication. longed and yet dreaded to
break the seal. felt it would be better for
me to read that letter alone. Whatever
might be the tenor Of its contents, I was sure
it had some bearing on Philippa's relations
with Sir Mervyn Ferrand.
We were soon on board the steamer and
under weigh. Although the Arctic rigors
of the last three weeks had departed, the
air on the sea was too keen to mako the
channel passage an enjoyable one. per-
suaded my mother and Philippa to take re-
fuge in the saloon; and then 1 found quiet
without fear of interruption, or Of betraying
myself by the emotion Its contents might
cause. 1t was well did so, for the first
words bianched my cheek. The letter be-
gan abruptly, so:
Il know or guess all. I know why Sir
Mervyn Ferrand did not reach my house
that night. / know the reason for her
strange excited state. know why she left
my home before you came to seek her. I
know how he met with the death he deserv- :.
ed.
"Ah! she is braver than I am. She has
lone what years ago l swore would do;
and yet had not the courage. I was base
enough to forego revenge for the sake of the
maintenance he offered me-for
the sake, perhaps. of my children. sank
low enough to become his tool-to do as he
babe me, even to taking under my roof the
woman who thought herself his wife. Yes,
she has been Drawer than /. But her wrongs
we're greater than mine; for had but my.
'elf to blame for being in such degraded
position that he could throw me aside like
IN old glove. He never married me.
Fear nothing for your sister, If she bo
lour sister. Tell her my lips are sealed to
he death; and for the sake of her brave act
ell her this: