Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-03-27
CHAPTER XVII.
CLEAR SKIES.

Although England was now to me and to
my wife land very different from the one
quittedssome eight months ago, we were
anxious to get back to Seville, if only to SIT
at rest my mothers fears. She, poor woman,
as letter showed, was much exercised as
to what manner of business could have
made us leave her in unceremonious a
way. The moment the glad truth had be-
come known to me, I had telegraphed, say
ing that all was well with US, and that we
should join her. Two things only detained
us.
The first was that we wanted the con-
vict's confession. Although Philippe said
little on the subject, l knew that until it ar
rived she would not be quite happy. There
was with her haunting dread that the
man, in the hop, of mitigating his sentence,
had plead / guilty to a crime of which he
was innocent. Even the accurate account
which gave her of the interview with the
solicitor did not quite satisfy her. So we
waited impatienty for the full explanation,
which might or might not come.
The second thing which kept US in London
was this. determined that before I left
would have the fact that when | married
Philippe | married Lady Ferrand fully &C
knowledged. l found my way to the IL
tlemen who were winding up the dead
mans affairs and stated my case to their
incredulouS ears. At first they treated me
as an impostor
But not for long. Indeed, nay task was half
4 one They had already, without any as
s. rance from Mrs. Wilson, ferreted out the
adate and particulars of the death of the first
I.aaly Ferrand. They had but to assure
themselves that the marriage certificate
,wh5ah l laid before them was no forgery,
aud surrender at discretion.
1T was a poor estate, the administrators
told meo. Sir Mervyn had died intestate
He had curing his lifetime made away with
nearly al he could ALLEVIATE. Still, there
was SONS personal property, OF which my
wife cQ,.kz Calm a share, and certain
amount OF real property. on which she wa S
entitled to, dover. But il was very poor
estate
cut them. very short. l told them that,
let the GeceAseG's wealth be great or little,
mot one penny-piece of it should soil my wife's
Hngers If Sir Aervyn Ferrands heir was
in want OF the money, it should, provided he
WAS different stGgfp of man from his i'm
mediate predecessor, be given to him free
gif5 If not, some hospital should be bene-
fiteE by it. All l wanted was that it should
Rue ckary understood THAT k9lr Mervyn Fer
RAND left q widow.
The administrators, one of whom was, by
the 3br. the heir, evidently looked upon me
as IA most eccentric persona ge. perhaps it
was fo.' this reason, or-as | ot7 not wish to
.castsnmerited blame--perhaps ii was be-
cause tao estate wound up to notiting-7well,
ANY way even to this day we have received
mo communication, much less remittance,
from the administrators; nor, to tell the
truth, have l troubled them again. fhii-
Rppa's marriage admitted, 1 washed my hands
of allithe Ferrand brood.
The con cssion did not arrive; but I per-
suaded Philippe to leave England Mr..
Crisp could send whatever he had to send to
Seville Just as well as to London So once
more, and this time in all but perfect zap
piness, we took the long journey which tras
by now quite familiar to us.
The JOY, the wild joy, with which Phil
ippa threw herself into my mothers arms
checked all the upbraidings and reproach
which we apparently merited Our return
was like the return of a prodigal son and
daughter. Laughter, tears and happiness!
Although told my mother nothing as to
the object of our mysterious journey; al
though she asked me nothing; although no
word evidencing her knowledge of what had
passed has ever crossed her lips, | know
that all has been revealed to her; that Phil
ippa has sobbed out the whole strange tale
On her breast. l know it by this, that since
the day of our return my mothers deep
love for my wife has shown itself even ten
derer. sweeter and deeper Yes, / was
spared the telling of the tale. My mothers
eyes the next day showed me that Phil ppa
had given her the history, as l have given it
here from beginning to end.
No, not quite the end. Sit by me Gl1ce
more, as l asked you at the beginning of my
STORY to sit by me; but this time. not by the
side of smodering fire. but out in the Ia IL,
gay patio of our Andalnsian home. Phffippa
and l are sila by side. The post has just
come III and brought me bulky packet, on
which, in a clerkly hand, is written my
name and address. l tear the wrapper open
With eagerness. I know what it contains;
Philippe knows. wish to read 1t first alone,
but the appealing look in her eyes turns ma
from my purpose. After all there is nothing
to fear, there can be nothing which she
should not know. So, with our cheeks sil
but touching, we read together. Sit by us,
lean over my shoulder, and read with u.s.