Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-07-19

whether her husband was still at the
Hiciands or not, but she could not 90
without some memantO of him.
After listening a moment at the door
she picked mp her bundle and softly
crossed the corridor TO a small dressing
room, where photograph Of Philip, in a
light ebony frame, stood on a small table.
She had seized it with trembling pas
sionate hands, and was placing it In her
bundle when there was a rustling sound
behind her, and Mrs. Rusk stood on the
threshold
Where. are you going my dear mis-
tress?" the hOusekeeper asked, taking IN
the situation at a glance.
Away from Highlands. Out into the
world Anywhere!'
But your husband wishes you to remain
here, Mrs. Rusk gently demonstrated.
Dulcie made no response. She gathered
up the bundle again, q look of desperate
resolution on her face.
Leave that here and come with me,
Mrs. Raynor, the hou~ekeeper said, alb
ruptly, after watching her a moment in
silence. Then you can do as You please.
Dulcie yielded, she scarcely knew why.
Mrs. Rusk left the house and led the way
across the lawn toward picturesque lodge
nearthe g tea mere nest OF place, con-
tanning three rooms.
Tt had been empty and deserted only the
day before, but as she drew nearer DUlcie
was surprised to see a CLEAN of light at
the latti ed windows.
Mrs. Rusk drew her young mistress close
to one of these, and In soft whisper babe
/ her look within
It was a low, wainscoted room, scantiIy
furnished. It's only occupant was Philip
| RaynOr. He sat beside the central table,
his head resting dejectedly upon his hand,
\ as If absorbed in thought.
/ After gazing breathlessly at the worn,
| haggard face of her husband for some
| time, Dulcie asked:
What does it mean?"
Mr.. Raynor had the lodge fitted up this
/ morning, and some of his personal effects
! brought here. He Will stay here as long as
he remains in the neighbOrhood.
Dulcie drew long, sobbing breath. Had
/ his resentment carried him SO far he could
not abide in the same house that sheltered
herself?
As She fell back from the lighted win
/ dow sick at heart Mrs. Rusk added in the
! same low tone:
Il know something of your trouble,
| dear lady. Not much-but Mr.. RaYnor
was compelled to trust me to a certain ex-
| tent. He knows l am true and faithful.
| I cannot look into your sad, sweet face
/ without feeling of compassion. Don't
| give way to despair. Master cannot hold
! out forever against one SO gentle and win
/ some. Of course you will see him Occa-
| siOnalIy while he remains so near"
Yes, yes" Dulcie interrupted, ex-
/ citedIy. And that Will be happiness
! enough.
/ Toward evening she went again to the
/ lodge. This time it was Mrs. RUsks
/ portiy figure that appeared in the open
| door Seeing the Wife's Wistful look, she
/ made sign for her to come nearer.
Mr.. RaynOr has gone out. He may be
| absent some hours. I have come down to
! tidy up the place bit while he is away"
/ May l come III, Mrs. Rusk?" Dulcie
! Ofaadad claspinC her hands
| Certainly, dear. was the answer.
| Though I can't see what good that will
! do you"
She glanced round the small, low room,
her heart beating painfully loud and fast.
There were so many things to remind her
of her husband! It almost seemed as if he
were present-that she would see him by
simply turning her head. The table was
| Uttered with his papers A book Of poems
! lay open just as he had left it, One of
/ his gloves had fallen to the floor. DUlCie' s
| face flushed and her hands trembled as she
stopped to pick it up.
| Then she noticed fragrant white rose
! half hidden under the scattered papers.
Her favOrite flower! Perhaps he plucked
! it because he knows how fond am of
/ roses, she thought her heart Tutoring
/ more violently than ever.
What would Philip say If he came
| back TO the lodge and found her sitting
there with the pale, sweet flower in her
hand?
Bending over the rose TO inhaIe its per-
fume, she saw, for the first time, crum-
| pied note lying beside it. The faint OdOr
of viOIets chung about it. Ddlcie starte d,
as though she had suddenly received q
dRgger-thrus In a moment she held the
letter in her hand, and was reading the
| few brief words it contained.
I must see you. VIII you come to Bon
nyview Hall this evening at slx2 Come to
the old trystlnE- place, will be there.
send this rose as memento Of the dear old
| days. TOINETTE.
Note and flower fell from Dulcie's quiv-
ering fingers. She glanced at the clock
ticking away on the carved oak shelf. Ten
minutes past the hour. So this was the
Grand that had taken Philip away? Even
as she stood there, he was basking in the
smiles of the woman ne loved!
All the light died from her face, the
tender warmth from her heart. She
turned and CROPPED her way blindly toward
the door. Her strange look and hurried
breathing caused Mrs Rusk to spring to-
ward her in alarm
What is it? Are you i'll, dear?"
Dulcie did not even hear her. Her lips
We're set, her eyes stared straight out.
She walked on mechanically until she
/ reached the river whose dark, murmUr-
depth seemed to fascinate her.
The helpless young wife was wrong in
thinking her husband had gone to meet
his old love. He had turned deadly pale
when Toinette's note was placed IN his
hand by the messenger, and he recOg-
nized the writing. But he was an honor
able man. He wrote Immediately in re-
Spouse:
1t would be worse than useless for Us
to meet again. Try to forget-it is ali
that remains for either of us"
He ordered his horse and rode away IL
a desperate state of mind But not
toward Bonnyview Hall. It was ten
o'clock when he came back. As he was
dismounting at the door of the lodge, one
of the servants came running down the