Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-07-26
CHAPTER Xxx.


Philip turned it over rather iistlessly.
He had given up all hope OF ever seeing
his Wronged young wife again In this world.
Madam Keeleris some one Dulcie used
to know, who has been kind to her, no
doubt, be said. It can do no harm to
60 and see her.
He set out an hour or so later. Madam
Keeler's millinery establishment was a
stylish house not far from Fifth Avenue.
He rang the bell and was shown into an
elegantly furnished reception room.
Madam Keller did not keep him waiting
long. She was pOrtIy-loOking woman,
dressed IN an exquisite combination of
velvet and rich brocade.
She shut the door and came forward,
looking at her visitor with curious intent
ness.
Who has done me this honor?" she
asked with a charming smile Of welcome.
My name is Philip Raynor.
/ She started slightly, but the convention
al smile still played about her rather full
lips. Before she could speak, the young
man added with an abruPtness that sur
prised himself:
II wish to inquire if you have a Miss
/ Brown in your EMPLOY"
It was not at all what he intended to say.
| But he seemed to be urged on by some
thing out of and beyond himself
Madam Keller bowed politely.
Yes, she said. And very efficient
person find her.
How long has she been with your"
Zone week"
! Philip grew white and cold. But a little
! over week had elapsed since DuIoie dis
! appeared. Had he been labOring under a
/ mistake all this while in thinking she had
/ drowned herself in the river?
! Can / see this lRdy?" he asked, eagerly,
! his voice trembling little. Tt is barely
/ possible she may know something of
/ young friend I have recently lost. At least
! there are circumstances that make me
! hope so.
Madam Keller smiled graciously, and at
! once led the way to a smaller apartment
across the hall.
Miss Brown is gifted with wonderfully
| good taste, she explained, and has quite
the air Of lady. Since the first day or
/ two l have not asked her to remain IN the
| wOrk-roOm with the other apprentices.
She drew aside heavy portiere with
| one plump hand.
Philip saw a s. si.LS5, girlisE figure sit
ting at a Uttered table within.
Her back was toward him, but in a mo-
! ment he had crossed the threshold with
| heavy, staggering tread.
The girl heard him, and spoke without
turning her head.
Please tell me, Madam Keller, how you
like the effect of these snoW-drOps with
| the carnations"
She held up a hat partly finished. The
dead silence that followed her question
/ caused her to turn quickly.
| AS she met the wild, startled gaze bent
| upon her she fell back with a gasping cry
and put her hands over her face.
My GOd!' said Philip, hOarsely. ct is
Dulcie herself.
Madam Keller stared She evidently
took in the meaning of the situation at
once; a peculiar smile played about her
| full lips.
$50 Miss Brown is the young friend to
| Strange! 1 had better leave you to come
to an understanding by yourselves.
She withdrew. Philip bent over the
shrinking little figure in the chair, and
clasping the trembling hands, covered
them with kisses.
My darling, my sweet little wife, it is
really you, aliVe?" he whispered, passion
ately.
He fully believed it was Dulcie herself
| who sat there, her lovely face lifted so pit
fully. In that first agitated moment, had
an angel appeared from heaven to warn
him that the trembling, frightened girl
| was IOInette LyntOn, who had cunningly
assumed the identity of his fugitive bride,
he would not have believed it.
My darling" he shuddered, kneeling
! beside her, Eve found your scarf on the
river bank, and thought you had destroyed
! yourself"
The impOstOr grew pale as a lily as she
! answered:
1T slipped from my shoulders, and I
| left it lying there. was fearfuIly tempted
at first; then seemed to realize all at
once the enOrmity of the sin was about
to commit, and God gave me strength to
/ resist"
Tears sprang into her big, wistfuI blue
eyes, and her lips quivered with genuine
/ emotion as she added:
Phillip, I know am an obstacle in the
! way of your happiness. Are you very,
| very sorry to find me alive?"
Sorry, DuIcie? I wish you could look
into my heart. I have suffered, suffered
these past few days! I felt like q muir
derer, I should never have known another
moments peace if you had diedi"
And yet you do not love me, she said,
/ very pitifuIly.
Il thought so once. When I first learned
/ of the deception I almost hated you.
/ But"
He hesitated. Toinette played her part
| we'll A glad light broke over her face,
and she said in the Wistful, pleading tone
Dulcie might have used:
Philip, Philip, tell me-are you learn
| ing to care for me just a little?"
He half raised himself, made a move
/ ment as if to clasp her to his heart, but
fell back, cold and trembling
Did he suspect? For moment TOi-
nette's breath stopped, and her heart al
| most ceased to beat.
ILL Cou4U 44Os clSCOL-44S 1~4 l--5 3s4d-14t55
/ feeling that stole over him. 1t was as
/ though a wave Of expulsion had suddenly
| swept between them.
Il cannot understand my own heart,
he answered huskily. Il only know I
/ should be a miserable man without you.
/ You must come back to Highlands.
/ cannot let you go. Come back, darling,
/ and give me an opportunity to atone for
/ the past.
You are sure you wish it?"
@Oh, yes, yes.
@Are you willing to forgive and forget
/ the wrongs did your"
Yes, Duleie. You, too. have had much
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