Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-02-18
He had driven to every train for his csd

had strained his blood shot eyes so eaperlv 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 hastened. 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-onlv 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 thct 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 the first day in the garden she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. How the poor girl longed to go. He stood a moment before her, and love and sorrow swept over his soul ill 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
 
 would wonder that he had not saved her from felons cell, with such wealth and power as his to command. He had riskcd her salva- tion to soften the fate of the thousand un- grateful creatures in his mill who cared nothing for him.
 "Oh, Bertha, forgive mel" 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.
 E,,. = tl,o x,o,,,o,, Iool-od ut b;,, ;,, 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 soul as hers could not even con- ceive of. The man suffered more in that mo- ment than the foulest dur geon ill the world. or the scoffs of a city rabbIe, 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 0 pitiful look of con fusion was struggling into his face.
 "When can we go, thenF she asked coldly. nrday! Poor grill Poor Berthal The furics are folding their black wings this instant to settle about her soul. She only thought it was her pleasure trip was deferred; it was his One of the ministers of evil was at the gate this moment; now at the door; in the hail. Then the servant announced 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 Der thas 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 istlessly at her.
 s'Oh, won't you sit downg" But this strange visitor stood as if rooted to her place.
 "You are going awayp PIslip turned 2, 2 was crisp and imperious. He saw the dan gerous look come into the dark, brilliant eyes, which forgot their dissemblng for the moment. The woman knew everything. In some way she had learned the secret Would she dare denounce his wife before hims Was he so poor man a woman like this dared to beard him? He did not speak, Her message of scorn and infamy wCalld come in a mo ment, she would tear down the veil he had spread before his wife's crime; he saw her red lips fairly trembling with the bitter words. Then Philip looked at her no more, but his eyes rested pityi3gly on Bertha. How would see meet it? Would she flush into rare passiona Would she turn pale and faint in overpowering shame2
 'Yes, we were going to Europe" answered Bertha, utterly unconscious of the hate that glowered at her out of the flashing eyes. "Philip did not want me to speak of it or l SuOulu nave GOl1 you OclOIos UuG suppose lG don't make any difference now, since we've lost the steamer, It left the pier an hour ago. So we are not going now till Saturday. Isn't that it, Philip deara Why, you don't words then, that had decided her fate. There had been some hope before, Philip now remenr bered; but at last her deadliest enemy kneN everything. The mine would be sprung ',e- fore to-mor, ows sun had set. He could sec it in the sudden triumphant gleam in the 1voman's eyes before she thought to smile. But Bertha was the only one who could talk, just yet.