Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-22
DARK DAYS.
BIZ BUGH CONWAY.
Author of Called Back."
CHAPTER yIII-CoNTINUED.
FLIGHT.

FLIGHT.
read the woman's letter again and again
read it with feelings in which Joy and dis
gust were strangely mingled; but the form
er was the predominant sensation. In the
first place, if Mrs. Wilson kept her promise
of secrecy, it seemed to me that all danger
of suspicion falling upon Philippa was re-
moved. There would be no one else TO make
known the fact, that upon the night of Sir
Marvyn'S death a wronged, distracted wo-
man left her home-a woman whose life's
happiness had been clouded by the villains
treacherous act-a woman OF strong pas
sions, who in her temporary delirium might
easily be turned TO take such vengeance for
which l, at least held her quite unaccount-
able. If could but feel sure of the silence
of the one person whom dreaded we might
even return to London, and fear nothing. /
wayered. After all there is something con-
temptible in flight Should / trust to Mrs.
Wilson's promise, and return with nv COM
panions by the next boat from Boulogne?
No, a Thousand times no! Philippa's well
fare is far too precious to me to be trusted
in the hands Of one eXcitable woman
q woman, moreover, who has wrongs
of her own calling for vengeance. To-mor-
row her mind may change, and instead of
furtherng our safety, she may be urging on
the pursuit. Let me trust no one save my
self.
For my loves sake, 1 was overjoyed to
hear that supposing the woman's state
ment and date were correct Philippa was
the dead mans lawful wife. Not that this
fact for one moment pslliated the guilt Of
his intention, or lessened the contempt and
hatred l bore toward him; not that it
changed in my eyes by one iota my loves
position. Married or unmarried, to me she
was all that a woman could be. Though 9
hlackguard's craft had wrought what woulc
be her shame in the eyes Of the world
though her hands were unconsciously red
with mans blood, TO me she was pure as ?
Vestal, innocent as child.
Yet for her sake the news gladdened me.
/ knew that If ever the time should come
when could place proofs in her hands tina
she was wife-that she could, If she chose,
bear her worthless husbands name, and
face the world without fear of scorn, the
restoration of her self-respect would bring
with it Joy which only a woman can right
ly comprehend. And Philippa, with all her
pride and passion, was a true woman, full
which characterizes the best of her sex.
Yet when should l be able to tell her?
Whenever did so must also reveal the
fact of her husbands being dead, and my
doing so must bring the whole story Of his
death 10 her knowledge. / trembled as
thought what this might mean. Surely its
dramatic surroundings must suggest some
thing to her mind-must bring back the
night and its horrors; must, in fact tell her
what she had done in her madness! Rather
than risk this, I must let her continue to
bear the cruel weight of what she thought
her shame. NY aim must be to make her
believe that Sir Mervyn Ferrand is still
alive, and troubling nothing as to what has
become of the woman whom he once falsely
swore to love and cherish until death. /
cursed the wretch's memory as thought of
him.
The sending of Philippa to live under the
charge of one Of his own discarded mistress
es was but another proof of the mans re-
voting cynicism. Mrs. Wilson's acceptance
Of the charge showed me to what a level a
woman could sink. 1t told me, moreover,
that in spite of her letter she was not to be
trusted. A woman who could lend herself
to her former lovers purposes in such
way as this must have parted with every
atom Of pride. 1t seemed to me that the wo-
man and the man were well matched in
baseness.
Still her letter lifted a load from my mind.
l felt that for awhile there could be no pur-
suit; yet resolved to risk nothing, but to
hurry on with all possible speed. Only
when We crossed the frontier of Spain
should I sleep in peace.
All researches. with view to obtaining
evidence of the first Lady Ferrand's death,
postponed indefinitely. Some day, il all
went well, 1 would return to England and
procure the documents necessary to prove
the validity of Philippa's marriage. There
was no pressing hurry. As to any money
which should be hers, never with my con-
sent should she touch penny which had
belonged to the dead man.
Protracted as my meditations seem on pa
per, they were in reality much longer; in
deed, they were not at an end when the
boat steamed in Boulogne harbor. / went
In search of my companions, who, / was
glad to find. had borne the voyage well. We
were soon in the train, and, without any
events occurring worth recording, at eight
O'Clock stood Oh the Care du Nord, Paris.
We drove through the brightly lit streets
to the Hotel du Louvre. The stains of trav-
el washed away, my mother gave sigh of
satisfaction as she seated herself at the din
ner-table. Like a sensible woman, she was
no despiser Of the good things of this life
There were other late diners in the great cof-
fee-room. and many head was turned to look
at the beautiful girl who sat on my right
hand; for every day which brought her new
hoo ani Sfrapp.h hroutrf,f al 10 v,,x ia,-<>
an instalIment of her former rich beauty.
In very snort time she would be to all ap-
pearances the Philippa of old.
How long shall We stay in Paris, Basilr'
asked my mother.
1T is now half-past nine; our train starts
at s:45 in the morning. Calculate the time"
'Oh, nonsense! 1t is years since have
been in Paris. l want to look at the shops.
So does Philippa, am sure"
my dear mother, the man, much more
the woman, who fingers in Paris is lost II
you are going elsewhere the only way is to
go straight through. or else you get no fur
ther. / have proved this, and mean to run
Iro risk"
But remember we are only weak women.
This poor child is far from strong"
She smiled at Philippa, whose eyes thank
ed her for the affectionate appellation.
Don't be merciless, BASIL" she continu-
ed, give us at least one day."
Not one. / am just going to look after
courier, so that you may travel in all posi-
BILE comfort"
Ny mother seemed almost annoyed, and
again said l was merciless. What would she
have said had she known that, unless had
received that letter, instead of going to our
present comfortable quarters, we should
have driven to the Orleans Railway, and
taken the first train to the south? How lit
tie she knew-how little, trusted, Philip
pa knew-from what we were flying!
/ felt must give my mother some reason
for my haste; so, before going in quest Of
my courier, / took her aside.
at is not well for Philippa to stay in
Paris" said. Some one whom she ought
not TO meet was here q short time ago."
blamed myself for the decantion. but