Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-07-05
Philip Raynor' S Bride;
EAJORVILLARg FATAL MISTAKE.
BIZ RETT WINWOCD.
CHAPTER u.-(Continued.D
Or

Instinct took the half-frenzied girl in
the direction of the nearest church. The
great doors stood wide open, a subdued
glow of gas-hght streamed forth and
mingled itself with the pearIy moOnbeams.
TOinette aighted, entered the dim old
church, and darted up the broad aisle to
where the aged minister stood leisurely
divesting himself OF his canonical robes,
lust within the chancel.
"The marriages. it over?" she painted,
IN hoarse, cultural whisper.
The clergyman caught his breath, and
stared at her as if she had been a vision.
Yes. Were you not the bride? No
for you are dressed differently. But you
are wOndrOusly like her"
With a swift movement TOinette stepped
past him to the desk where the register
lay open. Two names stood out from the
page as if written in letters of ire.
Philip Raynor "Dulcie Dane"
While Toinette stood mOtionIess, see
ing the two autographs out of blurred
mist, the clergyman came nearer and
dropped yellow, shaking finger upon the
delicate chirography of the bride.
'"That is not what the pretty thing
called herself, he said in a troubled tone.
<'She seemed so child-like and innocent
i hope there is nothing wrong! She called
herself TOinette Lynton, and 1t gave me
a real start to find a different name writ
ten here after she went away.
She brushed the cold white beads
fiercely from her forehead. So Dulcie
meant to keep up the farce until exposed!
GLOW long have the bride and groom
been gomez" she asked In a stifed voice.
''Half an hour"
OF course they would go straight to the
little station, less than a quarter of q
mile away Toinette looked at her watch.
"A train was due in three minutes. Gould
she reach there in season to detain themi
in hn "a
mad with excitement as the jaded horses
bore them swiftly on through the balmy
night. The roar and whistle Of the coming
train sounded to her ears like the voice OF
doom.
easter! faster" she shieked.
The pitiless lash circled an instant in
the air and fell with cruel force upon the
quivering flesh of the gallant steeds which
were already doing their best. The twink
ling station-lights shot into view, and the
carriage whrled up to the little wooden
platform.
Five seconds too late! There was dull,
rumbling sound, a kissing of steam, and
the train glided away before TOinette' S
very eyes.
She flung herself face downward among
the cushions, grOveling there in utter de-
spair Only for moment; then she was
on her feet again, making a hungry, hiss
ing sound between her teeth.
Ou6 ldSJ CnduC5. IL JudI 1d44bs L Cal
do no more"
She sprang to the ground and rushed
into the little telegraph Office where the
night operator sat alone. She knew the
man by sight.
did Mr.. Raynor go away on the trair
that has just left?" she inquired, breath
lessly.
The operator dropped his lower lip, and
stared at her much as the bewildereC
clergyman had done.
Yes, miss. He bought two tickets.
sold them to him myself I-I-beg you
pardon, Miss Lynton. A lady was Will
him. I could have sworn it was yourself
but since you are here"
Quick" TOinette interrupted, clutch
ing the counter for support. Give me
paper and pencil. I wish to send mes
sage to be delivered to Mr.. Raynor at the
first stopping place above. Mark it i'm
portant
She scrawIed a few hurried lines anC
pushed them toward the startled operator
At the first clicking sound made by the
wires, a horrible ringing filed her ears
and without a cry or a grOan she sanl
down insensible.