Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-05-24
BY CHARLES ]. BELLAMY.
CHAPTER xXXII.


TOO LATE.
1t was the afternoon of the Wednesday
that the steamer Salvador was to sail But
Philip Breton and the woman he had hoped
to save were yet in their house in Breton
vile, hundreds of miles from the pier. The
clock in Bertha's drawing room had struck
three. 1t was the very hour; the last bell
must be ringing now, and friends were say
ing their farewell words, handkerchiefs were
waving graceful adieux, with here and there
teardrop. Home seemed very sweet at this
moment of separation, and dreams Of joys in
strange lands seemed too vague to comfort
many heart that had been light and merry
till now.
Philip had not slept these two nights for
anxiety. The very air had seemed so full of
danger he had feared the storm would burst
upon them before today New, haggard
lines had como into his face. He had watched
all the countenances of the villagers for signs
and warnings Would his enemies give him
timer Well, they had given him time, and
yet he waited.
He had driven to every train for his old
friend Philbrick, but he had failed him. He
had strained his blood shot eyes so eagerly
arrival on the evening train. If the old man
had known how much depended ON him, he
would surely have hastened. Philip dared
not trust his mills in any hands but his Tho
old man would be gentle with his charge; he
was patient, he had broader ideas than
Philip Breton, he was less of an aristocrat.
And his mills were very dear to Philip-only
less dear than his wife. Perhaps the old man
might como yet, before the next steamer
sailed, but there were three long days for his
terrible secret to work its way to the light
three long, dark nights for blow to fall
Philip found Bertha in the drawing room.
waiting for him. Tho excitement that
flushed her face seemed to have smoothed out
the lines of care, her eyes were brighter than
love for him had ever made them. She
seemed grown young as tho first day in the
garden she had fallen asleep on his shoulder
How the poor girl longed to go. He stood
moment before her, and love and sorrow
swept over his soul in alternate waves She
was his beautiful wife, who looked to him for
her only protection. And out of pity for the
mob that had insulted her he had let slip,
perhaps, his last hope Of saving her. What
did tho wretches deserve? Yet perhaps he
had sacrificed his wife to them. Perhaps this
delay would make those sweet, eager eyes
weep forever eii'l1 lucehlyj Bolu crowned
head bow in humiliation. How the world
would wonder that he had not saved her from
felons cell, with such wealth and power as
his to command. He had riSked her saliva
tion to soften the fate of the thousand un-
grateful creatures in his mill who cared
nothing for him.
ooh, Bertha, forgive mel" he cried as il
his heart broke that moment. All his hope
seemed dead then; the waters of desolation
were sweeping i'll ceaseless swelling waves
over his SOUL
For moment tho woman looked at him in
silence, trying to interpret for herself the
meaning on his wan, passion marked face.
1t was for him tho supreme moment of an
agony such n soul as hers could not even con-
ceive of. The man suffered moro in that mo-
ment, than the foulcst dungeon in the world.
or the SCOTS of city rabble, or the contempt
of every woman that ever spoke her name
could hurt her. Then she drew herself back
from him; shc thought, poor creature, she
understood the expression on his face.
"Then you have missed the steamer, and
you knew, too how much wanted to CO."
He did not speak, but pitiful look of con
fusion was struggling into his face.
"When can VIC so, them" she asked coldly.
''Tho next steamer sails Saturday" Sat-
urday! Poor girl! Poor Bertha! The furies
are folding their black wings this instant to
was her pleasure trip was deferred; it was his
plan to savc her from impending ruin failed.
One of the ministers of evil was at the cato
this moment; now as the door; in the hall.
Then the servant announced q name, and
Mrs Ellingsworth stepped into the room.
She had been smiling her best, but every
smile vanished ut the sight of the shawls and
travelling bags. She looked sharply at Ber-
tina, who was dressed in her blue travelling
hat bp cnfa Jo Gl,o
glanced about the room. The chintz covers
were placed over the damask upholstery; the
piano was closed md packed. Bertha looked
listlessly at her.
ooh, won't you sit down." But this strange
visitor stood as if rooted to her place.
"You arc going awayH PElip turned
surprised glance at her, tho tone she assumed
was crisp and imperious. He saw the dam
gerous look como into the dark, brilliant
eyes, which forgot their assembling for the
moment. The woman knew everything. In
some way she had learned the secret. Would
she dare denounce his wife before him? Was
he so poor man woman like this dared to
beard him. Hc did not speak. Her message
of scorn and i:sfamy would como in mo-
ment, sh' would tear down the veil he had
sp.s.A -. -. - 80. l,.i,,,c; / : &C. kc"
words Then Philip looked at her no more,
OeA" -" 'JSo ANS1St Plol 1ASsl VII 'Si Oni. IloN
would sec meet il? Would she flush into
rare passion' Wc:c:ld she turn pale and faint
in ovcrpowcring a'',lnc?
YES, We W.lo aotng to Europe" answered
Bertha, utterly unconscious of the hate that
glowered at her out of the flashing eyes.
"Philip did not waht me to speak of it or l
should have told you before: but suppose it
don't make any difference now, since we've
lost the steamer. 1t left the pier an hour
ago. So we are not going now till Saturday
Isn't that it, Philip dear? Why, you don't
mind my telling Jane!" 1t was Bertha's own
words then, that had decided her fate. There
had been some hope before, Philip pnow remem
bered; but at last her deadliest enemy knew
everything. The mino would be sprung be-
fore to-morrow's sun had set. He could see il
in the sudden triumphant gleam in the
woman's eyes before she thought to smile
But Bertha was the only one who could talk,
just yet,
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