Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-05-19
xxxIv.
UNwELcoME VISITORS.

surprised. as he went his first round that
night, to see a mans figure leaning against
pillar in one of the weave rooms. The fellow
did not appear to mean any harm; he was
not breaking anything or stealing any cloth,
but how could he have found his way inside!
The watcfnan felt little uneasy in spite OF
himself: it was such thing as had never
happened before
ssHellol what business heve you got thereF'
But the interloper did not appear to hear
nim. How oddly he looked at the looms, as
if they were living things that he loved He
had not spoken, and his hat shaded his eyes,
but the expression of the attitude was so
plain that even SO rude man as the Watch-
man could read the tender reminiscence in
bis heart Perhaps the fellow might be
crazy but this was no place for him. Oh! l
didn't know you, Mr.. Breton. It's nice
svenin' sir
But the mill owner did not even answer
him, and moved away toward the window as
II impatient at being interrupted The moon
was full, and the sky was clear, only for
few silver edged clouds, One, he fancied
ship sailing over the sea, but how slowly it
glided; could it go no fasterl All! suddenly
it parted into bright fragments, and the
wind scattered them pitilessly. He looked
across at the other mills; the moonlight
kissed their grim walls fondly, and sparkled
in their windows like hundred brilliant
lamps. Why, here were his fire escapes, close
TO the window eoping-his first business
venture. Phlllp raised the WINDOW ana
stepped outside
1t must be nearly time for Bertha to come
with the carriage. as he had arranged, to
avoid possible suspicion. No, there was half
IN hour yet. But Philip closed the window
behind him and went down the silent stairs.
He went into his Office He would wait
there for the carriage, it would not be very
long, and then there was one last duty he
must attend to before it came. He struck
match and the gas shot up so brightly it
dazzld his eyes. He turned away for an in
slant.
A massive form stood in the doorway.
Philip must have left the counting room UNI
locked when he had come in. Some one had
followed him, apparently. But the young
mill owner took only one step toward the in
truCer. 1t was no stranger that crossed his
threshold, but . man whose name was
burned into his heart 1t was the rightful
husband of Philip Breton's wife-Curran.
His hair had grown long and almost straight
about his neck. His cheeks were thin and
haggard, and the form that had been like
proud oak was bowed as if it had been
weighed down by burden too heavy even
for giant to bear. Philip stopped short and
looked at the man with speeches. terror. He
had supposed him hundreds of miles away.
Could it be possible the outraged husband
had never left the village since their last
meetingi Perhaps his flashing eyes had
watched Philip wooing his wife a second
time and begrudged him his few cold kisses.
Perhaps he had peered in through the win
dows of Philips home; had he not right to
look at his wife, and followed them forth on
every walk and drive, waiting to strike till
the blow should fall most deadly. He had
chosen his time well. Poor Bertha, with her
dreams of Como and Chamouni. But what
would he doc Leap upon his enemy and kill
himg The man in the doorway looked too
pale and i'll for such violence; would he then
heap curses upon him, the bitterest human
lips ever uttered! But Curran advanced into
the room with outstretched hand.
Don't you know me, then friendF'
Philip hesitated again There might be
grain of hope yet; he would surely never
have given the young man his hand if he
had known-or called him friend.
''Some one wrote me to come 1 don't
know what he wanted Curran explained
wearily. They expect so much of man;
they want him to be God; and if he were
they would cruelty him.
Philip was recovering his composure. AT
first he had felt wild impulse to confess
everything to the wronged husband. He
seemed SO grand, so magnanimous; he would
not be cruel. But then his reason came back
to him. in such a case as this there could be
10 amends Innoce9tly, Bertha and Philip
had done him a teri tple wrong-and them
selves; forgiveness could not blot it out God
in his mercy might spare them the penalty
of infamy, but the injured husband had no
choice bur vindicate his honor, when he
came to know,
"You look ill., said Philip at last, drawing
him out chair. Should he detain him
Bertha might come before her time and break
in upon them the two men both of whom
she had injured so terribly! Obi that must
not happen Was not that step in the pas
sage now Should he let Curran go, then
The first man he met would pour the story of
his shame into his ears, and then the cataS-
trophe. He must not go-but he must not
stay. Philip looked out into the passage. No
one was there. Curran had dropped into the
chair Philip had offered him
''Do look ill z" he asked, pushing his long
hair back from his forehead Did you ever
love a woman who hated you Did you ever
want topour out your life for her, and see that
she despised You You know whom | mean
Why l once fancied you and she We're lovers
till she told me not. mean Bertha He
spoke the name so tenderly, q thrill of shame
passed over Philip. Bertha was this mans
wife. Had he not right then to speak her
name tenderly2 And so Curran had fancied
Bertha and he were lovers Till she told him
not-ah Bertha.
"She has left rae,n Curran won't on in the
same soft, tender tone. II don't suppose it
interests YOU. But if could only see her
now, / have such strange feeling that
might win her back She made such ten
der sweetheart" Then he lifted his eyes
more firmly TO Philips face, set like wall of
rock. SIS there any trouble among your
help!'
teeth
sit must have been that which made them
send for me. had hoped, or feared, hardly
know which, il might be something of Ber-
tina. Il is queer, isn't it, a woman like her
should turn my head so completely? What
is there about her, did you ever think of it,
OF course you haven't" Curran seemed, TO
make an effort to dismiss all thoughts of her
that unnamed him. "You needn't be afraid
of me; thought you seemed little strange
when L came i'm
Philip started Involuntary, but Curran
continued: II sha'n't encourage any strikes
r ~. God win bless your life for
FOR the poor If he hasn't yet, he
GA happier love than he has
Then he rose with new energy to
Il must 60 and stop the mischief.
ore with your laborers for good or