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

tries, France and the United statesi 50 that
our choice Of a rostinR-place was not 90 linn
tied as those who are flying from the clutches
Of the law find il to-day. However, in order
TO make certain, I paid a visit to a legal
friend Of mine; and, by quoting a suppositi-
tious case, managed to acquire a good deal
Of information respecting the dealings Of one
nation with another, so far as fugitives were
concerned.
found that although, with the two ex-
c~eptions above named, there was no settled
International law on the subject, there was
kind OF unwritten substitute, which was
known by the name Of the Comfy Of Nae
lions. Under this code Of courtesy anotori,
Gus criminal, who had sought refuge in the
arms of another country. was not upcom-
monty, although there was no law under
which he could be arrested, given up to his
pursuers, by being simply driven across the
frontier of the countryin which he had hoped
to find security. However, / gathered that
this so-called comfy was scarcely expected
to be exercised by the moss friendly state,
unless the fugitive had fed almost red,
handed, and so placedh his guilt beyond doubt.
No one exactly knew how far this obliging
expulsion might be counted upon. 1t was
generally supposed to be decided by the
amount OF influence or persuasion which one
government exercised on the other.
This information rather upset my precon-
ceived idea as to the ease with which safety
might be obtained; but reflection told me I
had little to fear. The case against Philippe
could be nothing more than one of sus-
picion. No one, not even l myself, had seen
the deed done. A warrant would, no
doubt, be issued for her arrest; but il our
fight precluded its execution / did not be-
lieve that any government would put itself
out Of the way to aid the English law.
There was no one, save myself, who could
positively swear that Sir Mervyp Ferrand
had boon killed by Philippe.
Learned that Spain was then, even as it
is now, the land safest against English law
Perhaps the reason is that the grave yet at
times hot blooded Spaniard reckons human
life at a lower value than more northerly
nations Any way, it was to SPAN that
turned my eyes; Spain that | resolved to
reach without an hours unenforced delay.
The very next day l preached the subject
of foreign travel to my mother. Although
so short a time had passed since they first
met I was overjoyed to see the terms upon
which she and Philippe stood. The girl
seemed to cling to her as to a natural pro-
tector-seemed ready to install her in the
place Of the mother she had lost. After all,
the love of her own sex is indispensable to a
woman's happinass. 1t did my heart good
to see the two together. Philippe talked to
my mother as she had never talked to me;
and l knew that when the day came upon
which / should ask for the Only reward l
wanted, my mothers kindness to the for
saken and shame stricken girl would be an
advocate that pleaded strongly in favor of
my suit.
But could IL ever bel Could we know
happiness In the face of that dark nights
work9 All mel my heart sank as l thought
that any day might bring the crushing
blow. Let there be no delay. Let me not
blame myself hereafter for any negligence
or false security. Let us away from thu
peril.
Mother" l said, twill you come abroad
with Philippa and meq'
"Abroad, Basill l have only just come
home"
mo matter; com with US at once. Let
us go to some place where there is warmth
and bright sunshine. Let us go to Spain"
Spain! why Spainl Besides, surely Phil
ippa is not fit for a long journeyI'
ut will do her good. Her recollections off
this country are but sad ones" !
"Well, In a week OF two l will see about
it."
mo. at once. Let us start tomorrow or
the next day. Mother, l ask it as a favor
"Give me some good reason, Basil, and I
will do as you wish"
"Look at me, and you will see the reason.
Cannot you see that l am i'll, worn out,
n~eryousa l must have a change, and at
once.n
She gazed at me with solicitude. eyes, /
know you are not well but why Spainl"
"a Wilma sick mans fancy. Perhaps
because it is Philippa's fathers country put
1t into my head. Mother, tell me, how do
you like herf'
'TShe is the woman you love; she is verv
beautiful; she has been cruelty treated; she
is blameless; to say more after SO short an
acquaintance would be exaggeration.n
"You will come to Spain with me-with
herg'
She kissed me and gave into my within.
Then l sought Philippa.
my mother is going to take us abroad" l
said, with a smile which was forced, as all nv
smiles now were. ''She will sec to every
thing for you"
"She is kind-she is sweet said Philippa.
clasping her hands. "Basil, l am beginning
to worship your mother. But why are we.
going abroadW 4
10 get away from sad thoughts, for or!5li
thing; for another, because / feel ill., ua
She gave me a quick look of apprehensidH "
which brought the flush to my cheek. "OBse
let Us go at once!' she cried. "Lst us leave
this land Of ice and l will nurse YOU and
make you well, Where are we going9
When are we goingT'
"TO Spain-to-morrow or the next day.n
She looked at me with the troubled gazs
which ! had SO often noticed. "Basil,n she
said, you are doing this for my sake.n
And my own, Ifear.n
II threw away your love-I spoiled vopr
life. ! came to you q shamed woman. You
saved mel You did not scorn me. You
brought me to your mothers arms. Basil.
may Cod requite you; l never CAM
She burst into tears, and left the room
hastily.
1t was well I settled the matter of the for.
eign journey then. That afternoon the
wind Changed and a thaw set ina tbaw
that slowly but surely drew away the tbicl,
white veil which covered the whole of Emo.
land.
That night had little sleep. 1 could do
nothing but lie awake and picture that
white tomb slowly melting away, until the
WHITE iace beneath peered out of it and
made the dread secret known to all. Who