Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-05-10

was almost faded from his soul, and when he
was fearful Of dangers on every side, that
Bertha said sho would like 10 sec her hus-
bands mill. He could not tell her that he
did not dare to have her seen; that he sus-
pected her secret had spread among the viii
layers; and that he feared the people whose
master la was ".I..
"Isnt i. too cod this morning. he On
swcred. avoiding her eyes, while he cast
about wildly for pretense TO keep her at
homo
"i I'm not an invalid" Philip, sho said
anilinsly, land you have kept me shut up as
IL wero prisoner. What crime have
committcdf
lie tried to laugh, but a sorry thing be
made of it.
"Well, shall we have the coupei"
why no; you aren't jealous Of me, are
your
In q few moments his beach wagon was at
| the door, He helped her in and taking his
seat in front with a strange, binding sensa-
| tion in his throat, looked neither to the right
hand nor the left, but drove as if he were on
| a race course
"Why, Philip, you take my breath away.
Why don't you enjoy the morning with men
How the people gathered in the windows to
see them go by.
81 am In hurry" he said
/ AhCiO 10 OoiiC U.s. ulCh v yOu
going to stop! Oh, yes, that is right Hero
is good chance to be friendly, as you
| wished
MAY l ride, toog said Mrs. Ellingsworth,
with childlike eagerness One might have
thought sometimes she had grown ten years
| younger with her new accomplishments.
| The carriage drew up to the curhstone, AM
| the usual greetings were exchanged. isn't
| it delightfnlN said she, as she took her seat
| with them. Jane was all smiles and bright
| glanceS this morning
"How does it seem to be married, Berthap
she asked, with charming innocence. Philip
| caught up his whip with a look so black
Jane thought he would strike her.
She saw he knew all; he had found it out
some way; but certainly not from Bertha,
| whose face changed not in the smallest ex-
preston as she made graceful answer
While Jane Ellingsworth affected to be ad-
miring the horses she studied the stern set
look of the face of this devoted husband, the
| deathlY WEAKNESS about his mouth, the SuS-
pense in his eyes, Then she glanced at
Bertha, the woman who now the second time
had struck him; this time mortally; who had
given him for the reward of his matchless
love and tenderness, first humiliation and
loneliness, and now the hourly fear of
infamy, certain to come in due time. Bertha
was smiling idly at ONE children at play by
the roadside the old Indifference was on her
face; the old pride in the untroubled depths
of her blue eyes. Well, let her wear it
awhile, doubtless there was q shame that
could touch her; doubtless her cold heart
would be racked at last, mistaken as it was
yet by the ruin it had worked i'll three lives.
Philip pulled up his horses at the counting
room door.
"There are the mills" and he pointed his
whip at the great brick buildings, that
seemed murmuring hoarsely to themselves III
their own strange language.
"But l want to go into them," insisted
Bertha after she had alighted.
"It would not interest you,n answered
Philip steadily. 'Would it, Mrs. Filings
worth!'
Jane understood the looks and words; he
feared for her, and glanced curiously at the
woman who struggled so blindly against his
protective love. The lower part OF her face
had become set and slightly unpleasant.
1T is very dusty, and the smell of the oil
would make you i'll, suggested Mrs Ellings-
W, rth. They were standing at the edge of
the piazza in full view of the windows of the
| workroom above, and the help were cole It
ing clriously and looking down.
"Please come into the Office" Philip aid
his hand lightly on Rertha's ann, but she
stepped little away from him.
mo; thank you,n she answered, in meas
ured tones II will wait here for you
A man whom no one noticed had GENE up
the street from the depot, and was just cross
ing over toward them.
HPlease not wait here, my love-" urged
Philip, very gently. "Only see; the help from
the windows above are all staring at you"
at will not harm me. May trouble you
to help me into the carriage! think will
sit there. Thank you"
Jane stood back little watching the un-
raveling of the plot whose threads she held in
her hands. 1t was very thrilling. Shc saw
the stranger como up and lay his hand on
Philip Breton's shoulder. Who could he be,
with his mysterious air, his black felt hat,
torn in tho crown, and his shiny broadcloth
coat without cuffs? Philip had glanced up
at the windows on the floor above, where q
number of tho operatives had gathered. Be-
hind them stood q man, who fancied himself
in the shadow; but Philip could see him point
his finger at Bertha and his lips move. Then
tho rest looked back at him and laughed, and
looked at Bertha and laughed again. The
fellow peered forward incautiously, and the
light fell upon the same malicious, distorted
features Philip had seen reflected in the side
board mirror the day he brought his bride
home 1t was Thomas Bales, one of the
witnesses to Bertha's marriage with Curran.
But Bertha sat superbly Indifferent, the CEN
ter of their evil eyes, the mark of their sour
rilous words. Philip turned as the strangers
hand fell ON his shoulder.
"May I have your car for Il moment.
said the i'll dressed man in low tone. Philip
seemed to stagger under new blow. James
keen eyes were very curious over this odd
meeting, but Bertha noticed nothing.
So three enemies to Bertha and his own
honor met by chance in his great mill yard
ignorant each of tho very existence and OF
the motives of the Others but each working
for the ruin of q life Three mines were
planted under one weak womans feet, but
neither enemy knew there was another
they were plotters, but not conspirators, and
moro deadly far. If she escaped one, she
must fall by another; if one were melted by
PRAYERS, still two remained; if one were
briiYcd with uncounted wealth, still there was
one l,,c -caect ~ y;C-,lc-, set tho focus
OF three pairs of hostile eyes, calm, beautiful
unconscious. The air might be thick with
horrid hate, she never guessed that even one
shadow had fallen across tho suns bright
beams. But one nlin had planted himself
before her. He did not know how many
foes he must fight, he did not know theiI
plan of battle, but if sleepless guardianship
and devotion unto death will save her he
will do it, He looks up pitifully at her face
averted from him in displeasure. Ah, il she
knew, she would give him strength for tx
conflict by a kind smile at least. But she
preferred to watch the impatient horses paw
ing the earth beneath their feet, and PhiliI
burned to the man who had touched hi:
shoulder. The man was staring with in
solent familiarity at Bertha, as if he had {
certain right of property in her.
II am ready" said Philip flercely, "coms
inside.n The paymaster called his name q.