Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-02-13

| apart. she was dear, very dear to me- l
| hated the thought of her seeing me, her
| only child, reduced to such wreck of my
] former self; yet for her sake l again re-
newed my resolve Of leaving my seclu-
| sion.
| Yet J. knew that Tomorrow l should for
| swear myself, and sink back into my apathy
| and aimless existence Ali l knew not
| what events were to crowd into the morrow!
But now back to the night. 1t was mid
winter, and bitterly cold out of DOORS ny
lamp was not yet lighted; the glow of my
fire alone broke the darkness of the room
I had not even drawn the curtains or shut
the shutters. At times 1 liked to look out
and see the stars. They shone so peacefully,
SO calmly, so coldly; they seemed so unlike
the world, with its strife and fierce passions
and disappointments.
rose languldly from my chair and walked
to the window, to see what sort of night it
! was. AS approached the easement could
see that the skies had darkened moreover, /
noticed that feathery flakes of snow were
accommodating i'll the corner of each pane. !
went close to the window and peered out
Into the night.
Standing within yard of ME, gazing into
my dlmly lit room her face stern and pale
rs death. her dark eyes now riveted on my
own, a woman; and that woman was
Philippa, my love!
For several minutes stood, spellbound,
! gazing at her That I saw more than a
phantom of my Imagination did not at once
enter into my head In dreams had seen
her loved again and again, but this was
the first time my waking thoughts had con-
jured up such a vision. Vision, dream,
reality! l trembled as looked for the form
hat Of Philiyy,o i,,5 i,.o6
1t was seeing the hood which covered her
head grow whittier and whittier with the fast
falling snow which aroused me to my senses,
and made every fiber thrill with the thought
that Philippa, in flesh and blood, stood be-
fore me. With a low cry of rapture 1 tore
asunder the fastenings Of the French case
ment, threw the saskes apart, and without a
word my love passed from the cold, bleak
night into my room.
She was wrapped from head to foot in a
rich dark fur trimmed cloak As she swept
by me I felt she was damp with partially
thawed snow I closed the window; then
with throbbing heart, turned to greet my
visitor She stood in the centre of the room.
Her mantle had fallen to the ground, and
through the dusk l could see her white face,
hands and neck. took her hands in mine;
they were as cold as icicles.
"Philippa! Philippa! why are you herep'
whispered. "Welcome, thrice welcome,
whether you bring me joy or sorrow"
A trembling ran through her. She said
nothing. but her cold hands claspsd mine
closer. I led her to the fire, which stirred
until it blazed brightly. She kneeled before
it and stretched out her hands for warmth.
How pale she looked! how unlike the Phil
ippa of old! But to my eyes how lovely!
Ac T look od down at tba fai.
ing at my feet. with her proud head bent as
in shame, I knew intuitively that I should
be called upon to keep my oath; and know
ing this, 1 re-registerol it in all its entirety
At last she raised her face to mine. In
her eyes was Il sombre fire, which until now
I had never seen there. ''Philippa! Philip
pal" l cried again
''Fetch light she whispered. esLet me
see a friends face once more-if you are still
my friend"
''Your friend, your true friend forever"
said, as fastened to obey her.
As placed the lamp on the table Philippa
arose from her knees. [ could now seq that
she was in deep mourning. Was the thought
that flashed through me, that it might be
that she was widow, one of joy or sorrows
l hope-I try to believe it was the latter
. We stood for some moments in silence.
My agitation, my rapture at seeing her once
more seemed to have deprived me of speech.
could do little more than to gaze at her
and tell myself that I was not dreaming:
that Philippe was really here: thai it was
her voice that had heard, her hands clasp
ell. Philippe it was, but not the Philippe of
old!
The rich, warm, glowing beauty seemed
toned down. Her face had lost it's exquisite
~ f. of
has suffered-one who is suffering TO me it
looked as if illness hal refined it, as itsome-
times will refine face. Yet, if she had
been i'll, her illness could not have been of
long duration. Her figure was as superb,
her arms as finely rounded as ever She
stood firm and erect Yet [ tremble1 as I
gazsd at that pale, proud face and those
dark, solemn eyes 1dared not for the while
ask her why she sought me.
She was the first to break the silence
| '|You are changed, BASIL" she said
''Time changes every one" l answered,
forcing smile
'WiIl you believe me-" she continued,
, ''when say that the memory of your face
as l saw it last has haunted even my most
/ joyful momentss All! me, Basil, had 1 been
true to myself think l might have learned
to love you"
! She spoke regretfully, and as one who has
finished with lite and its love. My heart beat
rapidly, yet l knew her words were not
spoken in order to hear me tel! her that l
loved her passionately as ever.
81 have heard of you once or twice" she
| said softly. "You are rich now, they tell
me, but unhappy"
81 loved you and lost you," answered.
'.How &C uld I be happy7'
''And men can lovo lfke t.l;sm she said
sadly. ''All men are not alike, then?"
Enough Of me-" said 'Tell me of your
self. Tell mo how ! can aid you. Your
husband"
She drew sharp quick breath. The
color rushed back to her cheek Her eyes
glittered strangely. Nevertheless, she spoke
calmly and distinctly
Husband! | have none,n she said
els he dead 81
"No"--she spoke with surprising bitter
ness-"no; should rather say never was
a wife. Tell me, BASIL" she continued
fercely, "did you ever hate man"
eyes," I answered cmphatically and
truly. Hate man! From the moment I
saw the wretch with whom Philippa fled
hated him. Now that my worst suspicious
were true, what were my feelings?
I felt that my lips compressed themselves.
knew that when spoke my voice was as
stern and bitter as Philippa's. "Sit down."
said, ''and tell me all. Tell me how you
knew l was here-where you have come
from"
Let me but learn whence she came, and l
felt sure the knowledge would enable me to
lay my hand on the man 1 wanted All!
life now held something worth living for
az have been here some monthsn said
Philippe.
"Here! In this neighborhoodg'