Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-15
CHAPTER v.


From the moment when the true state of
Philippa's mind flashed upon me, to the
moment when left her sleeping that heavy
sleep, had little time to think of ANYTHING
else than the best means Of saving her life.
and, If possible, her reason True, through
out the whole Of my operations to effect this
end, dim sort of horror prevailed me-a
recollection of the CHASTITY object which lsy
on the roadside, some three miles from us !:
but it was not until turned from my pa
tents door that the terrible situation in
which she was placed presented itself to me
In all its dread entirety. Half broken-heart-
ed, threw myself wearily into my chair,
and covered my face with my hands.
| Any hope of removing Philippa-there,
put it in plain words-any hope of flight.
for days, even weeks, was vain. Let eyery-
thing go as well as can be in such cases, the
girl must be kept in seclusion and quiet for
at least fortnight or three weeks. 1 groan-
| ed as thought of what would happen if
Philippa was arrested and carried before
the magistrates, accused of the awful crime,
From that moment until the day of her
| death she would be insane.
Yet, what help was there for it? Themo
ment the deed is known-the moment Mrs
Wilson learns that Sir Mervyn Ferrand has
been found shot through the heart, she will
let it be known that Lady Ferrand is at
hand; and Lady Ferrand, who has been
passing under the name Of Mrs. Farmer
will be sought and found. And thenI
Even if she did not die at once-eyen IL
she recoyered-oh, the shame of the trial.
No jury could or would convict her; but for
Philippa, my queen, to stand in the dock. to
MEAD he N
convicted or acquitted, the deed was done
by her. To know that all England is talk
ing Of her wrongs and hervengeance. Hor-
rible! Horrible! 1t shall never be. Rather
will give her draught of opium heavy
enough to close her eyes forever. There will
be plenty more of the drug left for mel
Fool that was! Why did do things by
halves? Why, for her sake, did not hide
the dead man where none would find him?
Why did not rifle his pockets, so that sus-
picion should have pointed to a vulgar muir
derer; some one who had killed him for
mere plunder? Why did 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 l might have saved
her.
L
my feet; then sank back into my chair No;
not even for Philippas sake could 90 again
to that spot. If did SO, should return as
mad as she is now.
Not being able to bring myself to adopt
the grewsome alternative, l could do moth
ing, save wait eyents-nothing, at least, to
avert the consequences 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 procured. l summoned
William, and tod him he must go to Lon
don by the first train in the morning.
William would nave received my instruc-
tions to go to the Antipodes with impertur-
liability. He merely expressed doubt as
to whether any one would be able to get to
London tomorrow on account of the snow. |
walked to the wini0w and looked out.
The night was still one mad whiri Of |
mow-fakes. The window-panes were Ealf |
covered BY such as managed tn find rest
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