The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-10
Printed By Special Arrangement Copyrighted 1867
IHEFORIUNESOR PHILIPPA FAIRFAX
By Mrs. FRANCES HoDesoN BURNETT,
Autkor Of "a Fair Barbarian.'' s'Ihot Lass o. Lon
rie's, Through One Administration Etc, Etc.
CHAPTER ".

and looked at the envelope. It was directed to
her, but in hand she was not familiar with.
She tore it open, full of curiosity. and turned
to the signature:
Believe me, my dear Phllippa," she read;
yours most sincerely, Dorothy Oswald
Something-almost like chill, fell upon her.
Why had Mrs Dorothy Oswald written to her
of all people in the world?
She did not stop to take off her hat She
carried the letter to the fire. and stood there to
read it; and when she had finished reading 1t
she let the hand that held it fall at her side.
II wish hadnt come" she said. II wish she
had never heard of me-
For Mrs. Dorothy Oswald had written. asking
her to come to Brackencleugh, and give her an
opportunity of learning to know her young kins-
woman.
II am fond of young people, she wrote. land
blame myself for knowing so little Of you. My
young kinsman, Mr.. Wilfrsd Carnegie, is with
me now, and makes the old place so much
brighter by his presence liz it, that I find myself
anxious for more youth STILL"
1t was late when Mr. Fairfax came ia that
night but Phil had not gone to bed. She was
waiting for him, and Mrs. Dorothy Oswald's let
ter lay on the table.
If he had looked mis- best in the morning, Fair
fax looked his worst now. He was haggard and
ly in its waxen pallor.
II am very tired, Phil, he said, throwing him
self into a chair. "Fearfully tired
Then he saw the letter. SIS it dunG' he said.
"Who is it,"
Phil picked it up and opened it for him.
'It is not dun, governor" she said. "It is
an invitation from Brackenceugh -from Mrs.
Dorothy Oswald"
He started and held out his hand for it gu ite
eagerly
From Mrs Dorothy Oswald he repeated,
after her.
Phil watched him rather curiousy as he read
the letter, and was plainly excited, and his face
flushed. When he had finished he looked up,
with smile.
'You are very lucky" he said.
Lucky Phil answered, somewhat constrain-
edy "Why2'
are young, you are handsome, you are invited
to BrackencIeugh, you are to share its hospital
tiles with MIR Wilfred Carnegie"
Phil coIored holly. She had not expected he
would say quite as much as this
81 do not think shall co." she faltered II
don't want to go. | would rather stay here
He shrugged his shoulders. impatently.
'That is foolish, he said. "And you are not
often foolish"
'You think ought to gol'
The fit of coughing, which attacked him Just
at that moment. prevented his answering her at
once, but when he could speak his reply was
very decided one
''You must CO." he said. ''The last straw has
been whirled towards you again on the current,
and it must not pass you this time" - ,.x
Rufp m was 10hk -
ing at the white handkerchief he had held to his
lips the moment before.
"Governor" she cried, with sharp dread in her
voice: What is that stain upon your handker
chief"
He was leaning back 10 his chair breathless,
and shaken with his unavoidable exertion; but
he managed to give her one Of the smiles he was
always ready with.
''1t is blood, my dear" he said. "Only lit
tle-but blood, nevertheless. And il is not the
first time, either"
The girl burst into tears and flung herself
down upon her knees beside him.
And you want me to go away and leave you"
she exclaimed. "Oh, governor, darling, it isn't
fair!"
His answer struck her to the heart.
''You must go for my sake as well as your own,
Phil. am beginning to find out that my day is
over"
She looked up at him in sudden horror
"Over!' she said. ''Over! You mean to
say"
IT mean to say that must give up" he re-
turned. II mean that THAT 1 thnk-that
know am dying man. and ne turned paler as
he said it,
MY strength has failed me" he went on, after
pause. II have been obliged to give up play
of late because my hand Is unsteady and my
nerves are unstrung. L am becoming weak and
useless. can do nothing. Yes! l have given
up. Duvars wedding has been my last festiyity,
Phil, nv dear"
49, ~ Lco Ao.~ Lol L 4
den her face upon his arm, which rested upon his
knee, and she was weeping passionately.
''If l was rich man" ne continued, 'as rich
as Mr.. Wilfred Carnegie, might afford to be an
invalid. might linger on to the end in COM
Portable luxurious way; but as it is Don't cry,
Phil. my dear"
But she did piteously-tempestuou
despairipgly. She cried until she was worn out
and then she lifted up her pretty impassioned,
tear stained face.
Dorothy Oswald. AS long as am at Bracken-
cleugh [ shall need no money and-and J. am
going to Brackencleugh.'
CHAPTER V.
Mrs Dorothy Oswald looked up at her young
kinswoman, with the least possible shade of
anxiety in the scrutiny
You are not Roscoe, Philippa.' she said.
care you like your fatherW
Phil, still in her travelling wraps, was seated
IN a large carven chair. opposite to her relative
and she saw the anxious expression, and rather
resented it.
''No." she answered. "Governor-mv father
is the handsomest man l ever saw-and have
seen a great many men,"
Have youY" said Mrs. Dorothy gravely
eyes. 1 remember hearing it said that you
must have seen great deal Of life for one so
young.
Phil laughed bitterly. She wondered who had
said so. and if Mr. Wilfred Carnegie had heard
it, and if he did not consider it rather an unen-
vable sort of reputation for girl of nineteen to
have.
Mrs. Dorothys next glance had sympathetic
tenderness in it-almost pity.
''If you have rested sufficiently will take you
to your room myself" she said 'sYou must be
very tired
Phil rose and followed her. She YVES tired
almost too tired to observe her surrounding
Brackenceugh impressed her with sense of an
tiquity and vastness. 1t was quite Journey
from one end of room to the other The cell
ings seemed at enormous height from the