Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-09-04

easier BY knowing that Philippa was gaslng
az me with that troubled look In her eyes
Altogether / felt that the strain was becom-
ing too much for me, and I began 10 wonder
II my life would ever again know a happy
Or secure moment.
liAfter a long silencs Philippe spoke.
TEL me, Basil, have you heard from that
manP'
1 shook my head.
"Where is hel He was coming that night
Did he comeP'
" suppose not. Why do you askT
basil, a kind Of horrible dream haunts
me. There was something / dreamed OF
that fearful night, something l dream Of
now. Tell me what it was.n
The perspiration rose to my brow.
dearest" I said, mo wonder you dream.
You are well now, but that night you were
quite out OF your senses. Your fancies are
but the remains Of that delirium. Think
no more OF that wretch; he is probably
living in Paris, after the manner of his kind.
Think only that life s going to be calm and
happy"
Anything to keep the knowledge Of her
fatal act from her! / forced myself to talk
in a light, cheerful manner. l tested at the
appearance Of the few m~ufisd-up country
people whom W. passed on the road. I
pointed out the beauty of the trees on the
wayside, each branch Of which bore foliage
Of glistening snow. I did all l could to turn
her thoughts into other channels-to drive
that strange questioning look from her eyes.
Right glad l felt when we were at last in the
train, and the first stage Of our flight an
accomplished fact.
Upon reaching London I drove straight
to the hotel at which my mother was stay
ing. It was one of those h~igh-priced re-
spectacle private hotels in Jermyn street.
l engaged rooms for my sister and myself.
l sent Philippe to her room to rest, and
then went to find my mother. In another
minute l was in her arms, and ere half an
hour was over l had toldher Philippa's story,
and my love for the woman on whose be-
half l besought her protection.
Yes, l had done right to trust her. /
knew her noble nature; her utter freedom
rom the petty trammels of society. I
knew the love she bore her son. Let me
'ere thank her once more for what she did
.or me that day.
She heard all my ~outpourings in silence.
l told her all, save two things-the name Of
the man who had wronged my love and the
fate which had overtaken him. / told her,
as l have told you, how l had loved-how l
loved Philippa; how / now dared to hope
that in time to come my love would be re-
warded. Iprayed her to take my poor girl
to her heart, and by treating her as a
daughter restore, If it were possible, her
self-respect
My mother heard me. Her sweet face
grew a shade paler. Her lips quivered, and
the tears stood in her eyes. l knew all that
was passing through her mind. l knew how
proud she was Of me, and what great things
she had hoped l should do in the world. She
was a woman, and, woman-like, had counted
upon her sons lettering himself by mar
rage; but, in spite of all this, / knew l was
right in counting upon her aid. Once again,
my sweet mother, l thank you.
She rose. LET me see the woman you
love. Where Is shea 1 will go to her,"
'She is here in this house. Alb, mother,
KNEW you would do this for me-"
She kissed my forehead. Bring her to
me-" she said.
ShN VuVy uhO OHU WOIu W L ulllppd puAU
l wanted her. She soon cana TO me. She
had removed the stains of travel, and, al
though pale, looked the perfection of grace
full beauty. led her to my mothers room.
She stopped short as she saw it tenanted by
a lady. A quick blush crossed her cheek.
"Philippa, dearest" / said, ''this is my
mother. l have told her all, and she is
waiting to welcome you"
Still she stood motionless, save thather head
bent down and her form heaved. Ny mother
came to her side, and, placing her kind arms
around her, whispered some words which /
neither heard nor tried to hear. Philippa
broke into a storm Of sobs, and for some
moment wept on my mothers shoulder.
Then she raised her head and looked at
me, and my heart leaped at the expression
in her fearful eyes. 'Basil, my brother.
you are too good to mep' she calculated.
My mother led her to the sofa, and. with
her arms still round her, sat down by her
side. l left them, knowing that my love
had now the truest, noblest heart to sob
against; the quickest, most sympathetic ear
to listen to the tale of her wrongs; and the
softest, kindest voice to soothe and console
her.
Ali how happy | should have felt could
that one nights dark work have been un-
done-conld that white tomb forever hold
its CHASTITY secretl