Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-06-21

sweet She loved him so;
and her life had been full Of misery. She
would enjoy a few moments OF stolen
happiness, then confess herself an I'M
postor, and tell him that TOinette was
dead.
|sence, Philip went on, drawing her more
closely to him. "They seemed long and
lonely. Even the historic places of the
old world had no charm for me. Day or
night you were never absent from my
thoughts, TOinette. 1t was happy mo-
ment when I felt free to hasten back to
your side. I dared not write; my letters
would have been intercepted, But our
probation is at an end, darling. We Will
not even think of it any more. Heaven
has been merciful; we are together again. !"
He led her to a rustic bench under the
trees-the same where he had often sat
with Toinette in by-gone days. Not a
doubt disturbed his mind; he felt sure the
blushing girl was his old love.
Your guardian has been trying to CO.
cree you into distasteful marriage, he
added. But love for me has made You
strong to resist. I know how brave and
heroic you have been, darling. You are
all the dearer to me for the strength of
character you have shown in thus holding
out against his petty tyranny"
He paused, but still she was mute.
Perplexed and vaguely troubled, he bent
down suddenly and looked into her eyes.
They were dark and full Of fear.
why don't you speak to me? Say that
you love me, Toinette. It is SO long, so
long, since have heard the assurance
from your lips"
She flung her arms impulsively around
his neck.
II love you, Philip"
Her words came naturally, as though
she had uttered them thousand times.
How strange that her very first utter
ance should be the confession of her
lovel
The strong arms held her as though
they never meant to set her free.
God bless you, Toinette. Now Z am
back you must marry me at once. Secret
ly, of course. We can never hope to gain
Major Villars consent
"No, no, Dulcie cried, struggling out
Of his embrace, as If suddenly recalled
to herself. Such happiness is not for
mel"
Why do you say that? I thought you
loved me.
$50 lido. But"
How could she tell him? And yet it
must be done.
Philip" she cried suddenly, standing
before him pale and trembling, look at
me we'll. Is this the woman you left be-
hind when you went abrOad?"
Yes, yes. The sweetest creature in all
the world.
you are deceived in me. am not
what seem.
He smiled into her troubled face.
Don't say that. Nothing can shake my
faith in you, TOinette.
Philip, viii you not understand? Lis
ten; let me tell you while I can"
What? That suffering has made you
nervous and distrustful of yourself?
can understand all that. Let US forget
the dark, bitter days through which we
have been passing"
He drew her down beside him again and
kissed her lips, all the deep love of his
heart shining in his eyes.
This is your place, darling. Be con
tent.
What could Dulcie say? Toinette was
dead-at least so she believed-it would
do her no wrong to keep the secret a little
longer.
So the second great temptation of her
life came to her. Later, as she tossed on
her sleepless couch, thinking it all over,
slumbering conscience awOke. She re-
solved to tell Philip all In the morning.
But when they met, and she saw the
look of Joy that flashed into his handsome
face, the confession died upon her lips.
Why should she speak, and make Philip as
unhappy as herself?
I viii wait a few days" she thought;
then it viii be easier to tell him the
truth"
She did not realize that invisible chains
from which it would soon be impossible to
escape, were forging their links around
her. Philip gave her every opportunity to
speak. He found her changed IN some
indefnable way. Often he would sit and
gaze at her in puzzled wonder, conscious
Of a difference, and vainly searching his
own mind to determine in what it con-
sisted.
Often, when ne recalled little incident
OF the past that would have been as
familiar to Toinette as to himself, tn Q
Young girl would have no recollection Of
them.
Strange that you should have forgot
ten +" he said again and again. These
events are as fresh in my own mind as
what happened yesterday.