Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-06-14

stopped before the grand front entrance
of the house at BonnyvieW Hall.
All was dark and silent, but Major VII
lars impatient pull at the bell soon
brought sleepy-lOoking servant to the
door.
Summon Rosine to attend her young
mistress, he said.
The maid quickly appeared; and never
doubling but it was Toinette who stood
before her, pressed a kiss upon Dulcie's
forehead.
Il am glad to see you, my lady. Come
up stairs. YOu must be worn out with
your long journey"
Major Villars detained DuIcie a moment
as she was slipping away.
Now you are safe under my roof once
more, 1 shall not reproach you for your in
gratitude in running away, he said, hur-
riedly. But it is best we should under
stand each other. My fixed purpose has
not changed-you shall submit to my au-
thOrity-accept the husband of my chOos-
ing"
Dulcie's face was colorless as marble as
she turned to follow the maid. In the
confusion of her thoughts she had for
gotten the bitter persecution which had
driven TOinette out into the world a home
less fugitive.
Heaven help met" she sighed, pushing
back the golden curls from her forehead
with trembling hands. Il may have sealed
my own doom by yielding to the powerful
temptation that beset me.
But she almost ceased to regret the step
she had taken when the splendors of the
suite Of rooms she was to occupy burst
upon her dazzled vision.
There were soft, velVety carpets like
messy banks Of viOlets and forget-me-
nots, cleaning statuary, exquisite engrav-
ings, polished rosewood furniture, and full
OIL al hcV. NJ
figure whichever way she turned.
Dulcie was a WOrshiper of beauty in every
form; her cheeks flushed and her pulses
tingled with delight as she eagerly glanced
around.
1T seems like a dream. Am really
awaken" she asked herself, half incredu-
lousy. This spIendor fairly takes away
my breath. Am the little vagrant who
used to tramp the streets and alleys of
New York, after going supperless to bed,
or nObly born princess who has always
slept upon down and fed upon rose
leaves?"
No wonder her brain was we'll nigh
turned. The illusion seemed complete
when ROsine wheeled forward a velvet
couch, and brought the ermine- lined dress
ing gown from the wardrobe.
Let me disrObe you, my dear mistress,
said the girl. Il will sit by you and battle
your head until you fall asleep"
Dulcie submitted herself TO the hands
of the willing maid, enjoying for the first
time in her life the Injury of being waited
upon.
But sleep was out of the question. She
lay with her great blue eyes staring dream
lily up at the painted ceiling, thinking Sc
riOusly and deeply.
"Rosine, she said, suddenly, who is
this man my guardian wishes me to
mary?"
The maid started, half fearing her lovely
mistress had taken leave of her senses.
What a strange question for you to ask,
miss. You who know Guy Vaudeville so
we'll.
Dulcie repeated the name to herself
once or twice to impress it on her mem
DRY.
Everything seems strange and unreal to
me tonight, ROsine, she said aloud. 4As
though I were not myself, but some other
person"
Passing her hand slowly over her fore
head she added, YEARLY:
Why, why is Major Villars so deter
mined that I shall wed the man Of his
choosing?"
Because you are a great heiress, miss.
Pray don't talk so strangely. You brighten
me. With all your pretended ignorance
you understand these matters much better
than I do.
The girls eyes filed with tears. She
mind had been affected.
please bear with me, said DuIcie,
gently.
4 know you are unhappy, dear lady. No
wonder YOU seem changed. It is very hard
that you must give up Philip Rayner whom
you love, and be forced to marry a wretch
you hate. "
Philip Rayner! Another name to be
slowed away in memOry's chamber. What
was Toinette's favored lover like? Would
she ever meet him?
After a long silence, she asked:
Us there a portrait of Guy Vaudeville in
the house?"
4Only card photograph, missile same
you told me to destroy. But that seemed a
pity, Mr.. Mandeville is so handsome. So
hid it in the dressing case"
Bring it to me-"
AS the maid turned to comply with he1
request, Dulcie took from her bosom the
cherished pencil sketch. She had the
accurate touch of the true artist, and
every feature of the manly face which had
! caught her girlish fancy was clearly brought
out
What are Guy and Philip to me? !
shall never marry any other than the
original of this picture. All my love is
given to a stranger have seen but once.
The next moment ROsine appeared and
placed a card photograph IN her hand.
One glance into the dark, handsome,
smiling face set every doubt at rest.
/ Guy Vaudeville was the gentleman she
/ had accOsted in the streets of New York
/ while disguised as a newsboy.
CHAPTER v.
/ n TIE NT,vS4vEpJv2