Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-08

opened ana reaa the letter. 1t was dated
from Paris, and ran so;
"As 1t seems to me that we can't exactly
hit it OF together, think the farce had bet
ter end. The simplest way to make my
!, meaning clear is 10 tell you that when l
married you / had a wife alive. She has
died since then; and l d.lre say, had we
managed to get on better together, should
have asked you to 20 through the marriage
ceremony once more. However, as things
are now, so they had better stop. You have
the satisfaction Of knowing that morally
you are blameless.
If like sensible girl, you are ready to
accept the situation, am prepared TO act
generously and do the right thing In money
matters. As l hate to have anything hang
ing over me unsettled, and do not care 10
trust delicate negotiations to q third party, |
shall run across to England and see you. l
shall reach Roding on Wednesday evening.
Do not send TO the station to meet me;
would rather walk"
The letter was unsigned. My blood boil
ed as read it; yet, in spite of my rage,
felt grim humor as l realized the exquisite
cynicism possessed by the writer. Here
was man striking foul and recreant blow
at a woman whom he once lOved-a blow
that must crush her to the earth. His own
words confess him rogue, bigamist; and
vet he can speak COolly about money ar
rangements; can even enter into petty de
tails concerning his approaching visit! He
must be without shame, without remOrse;
q villain, absolutely heartless!
folded the letter and placed it in my
| breast. l wished to keep it, that might
read it again and again during the next
twenty-four hours. Long hours they woult
be. This letter would aid m9 to make then
do hi N m
keeping it. She sat motiOnless, gazing
glOomily into the fire.
You knew the mans right name ant
title?" asked
Yes. from the first All there l wrong
ed myself, Basil! The rank, the riches, per
haps, tempted me; and-Bssil, loved hin
then"
Oh, the piteous regret breathed in thai
last sentence! l ground my teeth, and fell
that there was stronger passion than ever
love. That man and meet tG-m,rrow,"l
told myself softly.
But you spoke Of child?' l said, turn.
ing to Philippa.
1T is ead-desd-dead y she cried, with
wild laugh. "A fortnight ago 1t died
Dead! My grief then; my Joy to-day! See.
i am in mourning; tomorrow l shall put
that mourning of. Why mourn for what i.
happy event? No black after tomorrow.
Her mood had once more become excited
As before, her words came with fsverish
rapidity. l took her hands in mine; they
were now burning.
''Philippa, dearest, be calm. You will SEA
that man no more?'
Il will see him no more. 1t is to save my.
self from seeing him that l come to you.
Little right have l to ask aid from you; but
your words came back ~ me in my need.
There was one friend to turn to. Help me,
Basil! l come 10 you as a sister may come
to brother"
''As sister to a BROTHER" echoed. Il
accept the trust" added, laying my lips
reverentially on her white forehead, and
vOwinx mentally to devote my life to her.
You will stay here now%' | asked.
mo, | must go back. Tomorrow l will
come-tOmorrow. Basil, my brother, you
will take Inc far away-far away?'
Where you wish. Every land is as one
to me now"
She had given me the right . brothers
right to stand between her and the villain
who had wronged her. Tomorrow that
man would be here! How Ionged for the
moment which would bring US face to face!
Philippa rose. Il must Co." she said.
pressed food and wine upon her; she
would take nothing. She made, however,
no objection to my accompanying her TO her
home. We left the house by the easement
by which she entered Together We step
ped out on the snow-whitened road. She
took my arm and we walked toward her
home.
asked her with whom she was staying.
She told me with A widow lady and two
children, named Wilson. She went to them
at Sir Mervyn Ferrand's command. Mrs.
Wilson, he told her, was distant conncc-
ton OF his own, and he had made arrange
ments for her to look after Philippa during
her illness.
What name do they know you byT'
asked.
he said was to call myself by the false
name, "hich, Ior purposes OF MS own, lie
cIose 10 pass unoer. But Ielt mysell ap-
solved from my promise OF secrecy. why
shou,d stay IN strange house with strange
people pS or Mer'yh ferrshds request,
unless couia snow good cause 1or DONG
50. 90 toiu MIS-. wilson everything.
,.s Shs peileVed you'
Que was Uouiu 10 oeiie'e he. would
ns,e no ooupt Gas. upon my "oto. SNOW
ca her tue certincate OF In } marriage. what
ever .he may nave though. a. nrss, sns 81"
.neh maj l was nus "lIe. NO one e!se knows
II except her. 10 her am Lazy ferrand.
Like me, she never Dreamed 10 what mans
'llaiiiy can reach. ol' DASH! basn! why
arc sncn men @Lo"ed " I'VE.
TOT the MS. I'LL tiiiio IhilipPA seemed 70
oleah oown. III now 'ne chiei character
ts.os vi hsr moou h.u Dcen soorh
ana anger. NOW, sheer Sriel 1or the time
appeared 10 sweep away every o'her emo
.ioh. ooo Al'er SOD ofoAe from ner. ! on
aeaVoleu S'. 70 cam cam, hel-.o com.or. r.her. Alas!
nt 70" iitt.e l coula say o, 90 10 these ehds'
ohe ioHneu ne"'ly "nu uespohuims'y On my
slnl, anu iUr ions WINS VIC "aIheu III 81
iehce. Al lsst she toid me her nome was
Close ~ haliu.
Listen, Phlilppa, said; Il shall come
In with you and see this lady with whom
you are staying. shall tel! her l am your
brother; that for some time l have known
hn ah q IN q .h IN a q "