The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-17


if we are to purchase peace for Philippa"
YES" answered Wilfred, rather gloomily.
II must go to London and have an interview
with the fellow myself. He will make as much
out of as possible of course. but we must
submit to his trlckery for Phil's sake"
They talked the affair over and decided upon
the course to pursue before they parted Will
fred was to go to London, as he had proposed, and
obtain an interview with Philip Fairfax, with
the object of gaining information AS to the ex-
tent of his liabilities. Said liabilities were to
be discharged and certain small sums placed at
his disposal, on condition that Phil was not in
formed of the transaction.
"a romantic state of affairs enough" said
Wifred, Struggling his shoulders. 'He will
laugh at us in his sleeye-but it is for her sake,
as 1 said"
The next morning, to Philppa's surprise, and
perhaps somewhat to her relief, Wfred left
Brackencleugh. When he announced his inten-
ton of going they were at breakfast, and Phil
looked up at him, and then down at her plate,
and colored slightly 1t seemed strange that he
should go so after their conversation 1t
was not like him to have forgotten so early his
own opportunities and her promise But, curl
Gus as she felt, she made no remark, and man
aged to avoid being alone with him. during the
hours intervening between the meal and his de-
parture.
Mrs Dorothy was in the room when he babe
Phil goodbye.
81 will be home by the end of the week if
not Unexpectedly detained, he said.
Phil watched his departure from one Of the
windows, and, when the carriage was out of
sight. turned to Mrs Dorothy, with diplomatic.
like pretense at yawn.
Rather sudden, isn't it?' she remarked.
Eyes" answered Mrs. Dorothy. "He did not
discover the necessity of the journey until yes
terday"
Phil made no reply. She began to wonder why
he had not mentioned it before, if he had known
yesterday. 1t was the first time she had known
him to show reticence upon a subject since their
acquaintance had begun.
She spent the morning in writing to ner
father, and when she had completed her letter,
she saw that it was written in a new tone.
Heretofore she had written grlish, affectionate
eplstles, full of tender protestatioDs and anxiety
for the recipients health and comfort. There
were no protestations in this one and no terms
of endearment.
SIT sounds like woman's letter." she said,
after she had read it over. Il never wrote one
like it before" And she sealed it with regret
full sigh.
The day following Wilfred Carnegie's arrival
in London, Mr.. Fairfax amazed his landlady by
returning to his deserted apartments with the
manner of gentleman who had merely vacated
them for the purpose of paying friend brief
visit. On the evening of the same day. Wilfred
himself appeared.
Mr. Philip Fairfax arose from his easy chair,
in all the becoming comfort of tasteful dressing
gown and embroidered slippers, and welcomed
his guest with an air that was grace and high
bred ease itself. Wilfred had not expected to see
such refined physical beauty. such readiness of
apropoS speech And then the man was plainly
ill-far more frail than even Pills anxiousness
had led him to suppose The hand he extended
had painful beauty and transparency. Wilfred
softened as he touched it, and began to feel
ashamed of himself.
'Mr Wilfred Carnegie said Fairfax "and to
Mr.. Wilfred Carnegie am indebted for my re-
lease.
had assigned to him.
ut would be impossible for me to express my
sense of obligation as should WISH" said Fair
fax Il feel, however, that you will understand
what l wish to say-but cannot" From that
moment Wilfred understood Phirs admiration
and affection. On his own part he began to find
his errand an ungracious one. How was he to
explain that he had come merely as & matter of
busipess-that knowing Mr. Philip Fairfax to be
polished knave, nothing but his regard and
pity for Phppa would have induced him to seek
him stretch out helping hand-that it was
Philippa, and Philippa alone whom he consid-
cred, and for whose sake he did this thing 1t
was difficult to be decently practical and BUSH
ness like.
II come partially on Mrs Oswald's BEHALF
he said.
Partially"
Partially upon my own" said Wilfred, col
oring little and feeling as if he was revealing
himself in a manner he had not intended.
''Perhaps." he added, in momentary impulse
of annoyance, perhaps it would be more hon
est to admit that, while Miss Fairfax is quite
IGNORANT of my purpose in coming here, Mrs.
Oswald and myself have been led to decide upon
acting as we do solely in consideration for her
feelings"
Having spoken thus candidly, he was conscious
that the rest would be easier Fairfax smiled
family and bent his head.
'Solely on Philippians account?" he observed.
Then must also thank Phi!ippa"
pardon me-" said Wilfred impatient again
"but purpose is to spare Miss Fairfax as
much as possible, and you must excuse US for
making it a condition that she is told nothing"
"a conditions" in a delicate tone Of suggestion
Wilfred hesitated no longer, but plunged into
the matter at once. He WAS anxious to get it
over; and he had surmounted his first stumbling
block, with such unexpected ease. aided by his
| temporary warmth, that he was prepared for
smaller difficulties. If they should arise
at was not through Miss Fairfax we heard the
story of your embarrassment" he explained.
Mrs. Oswald gained her information through
the merest chance, and gaining it atthe time she
did, it was solution to Miss Fairfax's evident
depression of spirits We have become much
attached to Miss Fairfax" conscious vexatiouslv
of self revelation as before, and conscious, too
of a certain depressed smile on the fair hand
some face on the other side of the fire.
1--WE have began to regard her as one of
ourselves-we should be more than reluctant to
remain inactive when it would be possible to re-
lieve her from weight of anxiety, by any effort
or sacrifice on our part She has been unhappy
and unlike herself, and discovering the cause of
her unhappnesS, we desire to remove it. I
came here for the purpose of learning what your
liabilities are, and, if possible, of discharcing
them; and thus setting Miss Fairfax at rest.
have expressed myself as frankly as possible
and trust you will be equally frank"
For the first time il his life, perhaps, Philip
Fairfax found unprepared. He was as
| founded, and it was his very knowledge of the
world which lay at the root of his establishment.
He had hoped to make use of these people, but
| such lavishness as this took him at disadyant-
age.
~ find it difficult to assure myself that you
are entirely serious" he almost stammered
"This-such a course is certainly very unusual
and-and generous"
ave are quite aware that it is unusual" said
Wilfred. 1--WE even know tina: it appears some
what romantic. a plan; but we have deter
mined that ordinary obstacles shall not stand in
our way"