Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-02-13


I folded the letter and placed it in my
breast. wished to keep it, that I might
read it again and again during the next
twenty four hours Long hours they would
be. This letter would aid me to make them
pass. Philippa made no objection to my
keeping it, She sat motionless, gazing
gloomily into the fire.
'sYou knew the mans right name and
titleg' I asked.
eyes, from the first. All! there wronged
myself, Basill The rank the riches, perhaps,
tempted me; and-Basil, loved him then!n
Oh. the piteous regret breathed in that
last sentenced ground my teeth, and felt
that there was stronger passion than even
love. "That man and l meet tomorrow"
told myself softly.
''But you spoke of childs' said, turning
to Philippe.
SIT is dead--dead--Aeadw she cried, with
a wild laugh. A fortnight ago it died. Dead!
My grief then; my joy to-dayl Seel 1 am
in mourning; tomorrow I shall put that
mourning off. Why mourn for what is a
happy event? No black after tomorrow"
Her mood had once more become excited.
As before, her words came with feyerish
rapidity took her hands in mine, they
were now burning.
''Philippa, dearest, be calm. You willse
that man no mores"
II will see him no more. It is to save my
self from seeing him that I coma to you.
Little right have I to ask aid from you; but
your words came back to me in my need.
There was one friend to turn to. Help me,
Basil! l come to you as sister may come
to brother"
''As sister to BROTHER" l echoed. II
accept the trust" [ added, laying my lips
reverentially on her white forehead, and
yowing mentally to devote my life to her.
"You will stay here, nowg' I asked.
''No L must go back. Tomorrow l will
come-to-morrow, Basil, my brother, you
will take me- far away-far away?n
'Where you wish. Every land is as one
to me now.'
She Lad given me the right brothers.
right, to stand between her and the villain
who had wronged her. Tomorrow that man
would be here! How 1 long for the moment
which would bring us face to face!
PhilipIa arose. Il must 60" she said.
l press-d food and wine upon her; she
would take nothing. She made, however,
no objection to my accompanying her to
her home. Weleft the house by the case
ment by which she entered. Together we
stepped out on the SHOWN hitened road.
Sic took NY arm and We walked toward
her home.
I asked her with whom she was staying
She told me with widow lady and two
children named Wilson. She went to them
at Sir Mervyn Ferrand's command Mrs
Wilson, he told her, was a distant connec-
ton of his own, and he had made arrange
ments for her to look after Philippa during
her illness.
1t was Lut another proof of the mans re-
voting cynicism. To send the woman who
falsely believed herself to be his wife to one
of his own relatiove! Oh, l would have
full reckoning with himl
'sWhat name do they know you byg 1
askel.
''He said was to call myself by the false
name, which, for purposes of bis own, he
chose to pass under But l felt myself alb
solved from my promise of secrecy. Why
should | stay in a strange house, with
with strange people, by Sir Mervyn Fer
rand's request, unless I could show good
cause for doing SO? So told Mrs Wilson
everything.
''s'he believed yous'
''She was bound to believe me. l would
have no doubt cast upon my word. showed
her the certificate of my marriage. What
ever she may have thought at first, she saw
then that l was his wife. No one else knows
it except her. To her 1 am Lady Ferrand
Like me, she never dreamed of what mans
villainy can reach Oh, Basil! Basil! why
are such men allowed to livea'
For the first time Philippa seemed to break
down. Till now the chief characteristics of
her mood had been scorn and anger. Now,
sheer grief for the time appeared to sweep
away every other emotion. Sob after sob
broke from her. l endeavored to calm her
Ito comfort her. Alas! how little I could
say or do to these ends! She leaned heavily
and despondingly on my arm, and for a long
while we walked in silence. AT last she told
me her home was close at hand.
Cont inued neat Uttk.