Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-08-23

4
could be put out of the way forever.
When it disappeared beyond curve in
the road, she turned from the window,
charming smiles wreathing her fair, false
lips.
Philip. husband, I hope you are fully
satisfied"
The words died in an angry hiss. She
was alone. Philip had gone out and left
her there at the very moment when he
should have been most sympathetic and
tender. Gone without a word.
There was but one way of accounting
for such an action.
VIII nothing allay his suspicions?" she
cried, breathless with passion. He must
love Dulcle with an absorbing passion
such as he never felt for me, even in those
old days when we were so happy. Other
wise the subtle instincts of his heart
would not lead him thus to shrink from
my very presence,
She went back to the pretty bOudOir on
the second floor and summoned the maid.
Dress me, she said, in a peremptory
tone. Make me as beautiful as possible"
Madam is lovely beyond compare
already, replied the maid. Such COM
plexion! such eyes md hair! And that
silk"
IT must have something more becoming
in my wardrobe" Toinette interrupted,
impatiently. Get it, and do your best.
mOnds, my lady.
Toinette signiied that these would do,
and the dainty toilet was completed at
last.
You are charming! You surpass your
self" the maid exclaimed. clasping her
hands in admiration.
Give me my fan. Now go down stairs
and see that the draWing-roOm is lighted.
TOinette waited few moments to col
Iaef har fb0unbfG bef0Ta daEcAn6fno tn
the room below. Her eyes glittered,
hectic color burned in her cheeks.
She understood the potent power beauty
Yields over the other sex, and was con-
sciOus of looking her best. 1t would be
strange indeed if Philip Raynor could
gaze unmOved on such q vision Of lowell
ness.
She listened to every step, never doubt
ing but he would come to seek her. The
minutes licked slowly on.
At last she began to walk the floor.
Strange that he should remain away, IN
less lurking doubt had deepened into con-
victiOn. Her bosom began to heave, a
light not good to see flashed into her eyes.
When the silyer-tongued clock on the
stairs broke the silence, telling the hour
of ten, she sprang to the door and flung it
open.
Where is your master?" she abruptly
demanded of a servant crossing the hall.
In the library, my lady. Shall I tell
him you wish to see him?"
mo; I Will go TO him there.
Gathering up her dusky robes, she
glided swiftly down the passage. Philip
was sitting in STOPPING attitude beside the
table in the large, lofty room, his head
resting dejectedly upon his hand.
He was so deeply absorbed in thought
as to be unconscious of her presence until
she touched him.
hov 81
Philip" she asked, in low voice, her
velvety eyes full of reproach.
He started violently. His face wore
the expression of one recalled unWil1ingly
from a world of his own dreams.
Il am SO miserable, she sObbed, sink
ing upon a velvet footstoOl beside him.
Hope is dying out Of my heart. 1 might
better have persisted in the river.
Even when a CLEAN of happiness prom
ises to iIlumine my way, it proves Elusive;
the clouds settle round me thicker and
darker than ever. How can I bear it
your persistent cOldness-yO indiHer-
ence?"
He was moved to compassion. He had
grown white and cold under her touch;
but, making an effort, he bent over her
and laid his hand caressingly upon her
head
Poor child! am sorry. have not
meant to pain or grieve you.
All your doubts have been dispelled?"
she whispered. you are convinced I am
Dulcie?"
Il don't know what I believe" he an
swered, shUdderingly.
Even though TOinette has been here
and gone again?"
He gave her a long, intent look, and
asked, hOarselY:
WAS it Toinette who went away?"
"Of course. It is madness, folly, to
1.efe oh
of whom love you, would never enter into
a conspiracy to deceive you, where the de-
ception must entail self-sacrihce and
lifelong misery upon one of them.
True, Philip had thought Of all this. If
it was DUlcie who had gone away with
Major Vjllars, he could not conceive what
her motive had been for lending herself
to the imposture.
But his heart refused TO warm to the
woman beside him. winning and lovely
though she certainly was. Call it in
stinct-what you please-there was a
feeling that made him doubt, shrink from
her very touch.
I may have been mistaken in my own
feelings" he said, slowly, after a long
pause. Possibly 1 care less for Dulcie
than I have tried to persuade myself.
And more for TOinette?" she asked,
quickly.
mo, no. IF you are really my wife and
turn from you, no other woman will ever
take your place"
Have I not sworn am DuIcie?" the
impostOr cried, cIinging to him with pitt
fuI means and sobs. believe me; you
must believe me-"
Il viii try to believe. wonder at my
self for doubling in the face of such evil
dence."
He raised her in his arms and placed
her in one of the luxurious ehairs-kind-
", though without any show of tender
ness.
TREMBLING With e1otion sGive me a Ill
tie time to persuade myself you are all you
claim to be-"
Then, with a strange look on his face,
he turned and left her. Toinette waited