The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-02-12

lulled into security, II not fo%rgetfulness, and
for telling myself that my troubles were
nearly Al an endi Who can wonder 40 tho
castles ! built as hour after hour l lounged
In the patio, with It's fragrant soothing at'
mosphete and gazed at P%hillppa's bea tiful
face, and now and again meeting her dark
eyes, and sometimes surprising In those
thoughtful depths a look which thrilled my
heart-A look which told myself was one
OF Lowell
True, that often and often In my sleep ]
saw the white, dead face, with tho snow.
heap forming over II. True, that often and
often Philippa's wild cry, "1he Wages Of
simon, on, onr' rang through my dreams,
and Iawoks trembling In every limb; but
In the daytime, In tho midst OF the sweet
shaded repose, ! could almost Danish every
memory, every thought which strove TO lead
mo back TO grief and horror.
The days, each one sweoter than Its fore.
runner. passed by. Each day was passed
with Philippa. We wandered for hours
through the marvellous gardens OF tho Al
cazar; we drove under the shading trees OF
Las Deliclas; we made excursions 20 Italica
and other places, which the gulde-book tels
you every visitor 10 Seville should see; but |
think We found L.. the ordinary sights, which
were at our very door, aa much pleasure az
IN any OF tho stock ahowa We loved TO
watch tho people. We delighted In the plo
turesque, ragged.looldng, black'eyod Anda'
lualan boy-raSoals who played and romped
at every street corner. We noticed the OK
quiaitoly g~raceful. figures Of tho BovillanasJ
!, moreover, noted that the most graceful Of
those figures could not DO compared TO Pill
lppa'a own. We strolled up the awning
rooted Gale do las Bierpea, and laughed al
the curious w~lndowless little shops. Every.
thing was 80 strange, 30 bright, 30 teeming
with old world tradition, so full OF inten I
interest. that no wonder l could for the
time send painful memories TO tho back
ground.
And P%hilippai Although tbore wore
times when her faoe grow sad with sad TO
membranes; although At timea hor eys'
sought mine with that troubled, inqulring
look; although l trsmbled As 10 what might
DO the question which seemed IA SEQ her
lips about 10 form; did not, could not bo'
llevs she wal entirely unhappy. The smile
"a quiet, thoughtful one, yet q smils-wai
oftensr seen on her faoe. II cpms NOW Of IL
own accord. More and more certain l grew
that, II nothing recalled the past, or
should say, II nothing filled tho blank, sc
merolfully loft, OF that one night, the houi
was not far distant whom my love would
call herself happy. oh, 10 keep that fatal
knowledge from her forevsri
Such was my life, 30, In calm and peace,
all but happiness, the days passed BY, until
the hour came when for the third time
dared 10 toll Philippe that loved her-to
toll her 10 with the certainty Of hearing her
re.echs my words. Yes, certainty. Had
not for many days seen her syss grow
brighter, the grave, thoughtful lsok leave
her face, her whole ann change whom
drew neari Such signs an these told mi
that the browning moment OF my life wal
at hand.
Here for ono moment I pause, I scorn u
sxcuss myself for wishing o marry u woman
who had been, or supposed herself 10 hay,
been, the innocent victim OF n s~coundrolly
man OF tho world. have nothing In com
mon with those who think kuch An excuse Il
needed. Mira Wilson's statement that the
marriage was valid might DO true or falsa
II rave ma the impression that II wM true
and l believed that Philippa could lay claim
30 bear the mans accursod anne. But
whether aho was Lady Fsrrand, or n trust
Ing woman betrayed, for my own sake
cared little, She was Phillppal
An 10 my intention OF marrying, my on,
wish 10 marry n woman who, In hor tom
porary and ully.accountod'for dollrium,
had killed the man who 30 cruelty wronged
her, I have but this 10 say. Ny tale, A.
though l give II 10 tho world, 10 not written
for tho purpose Of fiction. II Ia the story
OF mysolf-a story which seemed 10 me
worth telling-of a man who loved one
woman ~passionatoly, bllndly, and without
consideration. Such van my great love foi
Philippa that | feel no shame IN tolllng IN,
ruth, and saying that had ! soon her, IN ful
possession Of her senses, level that pistol AM
shoot her betrayer through his black heart
l should have held that only justice ha'
been done. should have regretted tho act
but nevertheless l would have pleaded 10
her love ~ feryontly and reverontly M
was now about TO plead for II.
Once moro | say, II you condemn m
throw the book aside.
Philippa, with her eyes half closed, was
an was usual At that hour, sitting In tho pu
TO. In her hand she hold a sprig Of orang,
blossoms, and ever and anon inhaled its do
lioloua perfume; an action, by tho by
rcarcoly noodful, ~ the whole air was redo
lont OF the fragrance thrown from the groA
tree In tho centre OF the marble space. Sh,
was, or fanclsd she was, alone, m some It'll
time before l had left tho court 10 obtain
fresh supply OF cigarettes, and my mother
who could never quite adapt herself 10 III
aeml.open.air life, was taking q niosta In TN
drawing room. Az / saw Philippa In oil ho
glowing beauty, tho white marble ogalns
which sho leaned making m II were q suit
able foil 10 tho warm color OF hcr ~chock-th
long, curved, black, downcaat lashcs--th
bosom rising and falling gcntly-like an In
plrntlon tho thought camo 10 me that In
minute my fate would 10 decided. Heavens
how could I have waited 10 long 10 hear tn
words which | know she would sayl
crept nolselossly 10 her sido. pasao'
my arm round hor waist and drew hor y
me. whispered words Of passionate low
In her oar-words, tho confidence OF who
startled me; but thon this time know TIA
my love OF years was 10 be rewarded.
sho did not shrink away; eho did no
struggle 10 froo horeolf, but she tremble'
like a Leaf In my embrace. sho sighe'
deeply, cyon hopoloesly, and ! saw tho tear
wolilng In her dark eyoa Closer and hrino
/ held hor, and kissed her choek again an,
again. Had that moment boon my last
should have said that ! had not lived l
vain.
~"Phillppa,n I whispered, tiny queen, m,
love, toll ms you love mo nj last"
Bhs was silent. The tsarn broke from he
eyes and ran down her ohoeka. kissed Oh
signs OF sorrow away.
'psaroatn l said, ~ IL Answe snouE
that you sufror those kisses, but l hav
waited 10 lcnE--been 10 unhappy; look q
Inc and satisfy me, lot mo hear you say,
love your"
Bhe turned her fearful eyes 10 Mine hu
not for long. Bio cast her looks upon III
ground and was still ailcnt Yet she lay III
resisting In my arms. That after all. wa
the true answer.
But I must nave 10 from her lips. ITO
-. A.t. All MA a,,a N 4 nravad.