Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-05-12
CHAPTER XXI.

It 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. It 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 a 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 hurst
upon them before today. New, haggard
lines had come into his face. He had watched
all the countenances Of the villagers for signs
and warnings Would his enemies give him
time? 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
last night to make him out of the solitary
arrival on the evening train. If the old man
had known how much depended on him, he
would surely have FASTENED. Philip dared
not trust his mills in any hands but his. The
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 come 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. The excitement that
flushed her face seemed to have smoothed out
the lines of care, her eyes We're brighter than
love for him had ever made them. She
seemed grown young as the 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 the wretches deserve! Yet perhaps he
had sacrificed his wife to them. Perhaps this
delay would make those sweet, eager eyes
weep forever; that queenly, gold crowned
head bow in humiliation. How the world
would wonder that he had not saved her from
q felon's cell, with such wealth and power as
his to command. He had risked her saliva
ton TO soften Tie ldlt vi but tuOuotili
grateful creatures in his mill who cared
nothing for him.
''Oh, Bertha, forgive mem he cried as If
his heart broke that moment All his hope
seemed dead then; the waters of desolation
were sweeping in ceaseless swelling waves
over his soul.
For a moment the woman looked at him in
silence. trying to interpret for herself the
meaning on his wan, passion marked face
It was for him the supreme moment of an
agony such q soul as hers could not even con-
ceive of. The man suffered more in that mo-
ment, than the foulest dungeon in the world.
or the SCOTS of a city rabble, or the contempt
of every woman that ever spoke her name
could hurt her Then she drew herself back
from him; she thought, poor creature, she
understood the expression on his face
''Then you have missed the steamer, and
YOU knew, too, how much | wanted to GO"
He did not speak, but a pitiful look of con
fusion was struggling into his face.
"When can we go, thens she asked coldly.
''The next steamer sails Saturday. Sat.
urday! Poor girl Poor Bertha The furies
are folding their black wings this instant to
settle about her soul She only thought it
was her pleasure trip was deferred; 1t was his
plan to save her from impending ruin failed.
One of the ministers of evil was at the gate
this mo9lent; now at the door; i'll the hall.
Then the servant announced a name, and
Mrs Ellingsworth stepped into the room.
She had been smiling her best, but every
smile vanished at the sight of the shawls and
travelling bags. She looked sharply at Ber-
tina, who was dressed in her blue travelling
suit; her hat was on the sofa beside her. She
glanced about the room. The chintz covers
were placed over the damask upholstery; the
piano was closed and packed. Bertha looked
listlessly at her.
ooh, won't you sit down." But this strange
visitor stood if rooted to her place.
''You are going awayE PlGlip turned
surprised glance at her, the tone she assumed
was crisp and imperious. he saw the dsn-
gerous look come into the dark, brilliant
eyes, which forgot their dlSsem bli1g for the
moment Thewoman knew everything. In
some way she had learned the secret. Would
she dare denounce his wife before himf was
he so poor a man woman like this dared to
beard hims He did not speak. Her message
of scorn and infamy would come in mo-
ment she would tear down the ven he had
spread before his wifes crime; he saw her
red lips fairly trembling with the bitter
words Then Philip looked at her no more,
but his eyes rested pityingly ON Bertha. How
would see meet it, Would she flush INTO
rare passionl Would she turn pale and faint
in overpowering shamef
eyes, we were going to Europe answered
Bertha, utterly unconscious of the hate that
glowered a. her out Of the flashing eyes.
"Philip did not want me to speak OF II or
should have told you before: but suppose 1t
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 dears Why, you don't
miNJ my telling J9nel 1t was Berthas own
words then, that had decided her fate. There
Lndbeen some hope before, Philipnowremelu
bered; but at last her deadliest enemy knew
everything The mine would be sprung he
fore to-morrow's sun hadset. He could see il
in the sudden triumphant CLEAN in tho
woman's eyes before she thought TO smile
But Bertha was the only ono who could talk,
just yet
Won't Won lend mo q few things, to get
over q lew days, everything is packed up,
ccr baggage on the way, you know"
Bertha went on to explain in detail her
o,lr necessities. Tomorrow win do"
ot4aipy, / only wish you had let mo
yoQ get ready" But her hsat laugh
duo iieceive Philip again, but il was
late now TO guard against her. Il viii