Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-07-12
Philip Raynor' S Bride:
MAJOR YILLARS FATAL MISTAKE.
By RETT wINwO0D.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE SECRET TOLD.

an old woman named Hannah Dane, to
whose care she had been intrusted when
very little child.
Hannah had been kind to the girl,
clothed; fed and sent her to school as long
as she had any money. She always
claimed that Dulcie was a great heiress,
and some day would richly repay her
when she came into the fortune of which
she had been defrauded.
But the poor old woman died suddenly
in abject poverty, and that was the last of
Dulcie's grand dreams.
No one came to claim her, or to take
any interest in her fate, and she was soon
forced to believe the fortune had only ex-
listed in Hannah's too vivid imagination.
Major Villars may have thought differ
emily, for an ugly scowl darkened his
brow as he listened, and when Toinette
ceased speaking, he said:
That girl is your natural enemy. 1 am
glad you are learning to hate her. You
shall have your revenge on her for steal
ing your lover away; will look to that.
But TOinette only buried her face in the
pillows with another burst of bitter sobs.
There was no news of Philip. She men
tally pictured him as fOOlishly happy
with Dulcie, his newly made bride What
was revenge to her now? 1t could not
bring him back.
For several days Major Vi1lars continued
to come and go between Bonnyview Hall
and the lodging house in the village,
where his ward was slowly recovering her
health and strength.
The same slatternly girl always let him
in. Even TOinette noticed how persist
emily Mrs. Griffin kept out of the way.
Why, you have never even seen the
woman, she exclaimed; and she has been
very kind to me
But the Majors curiosity was first
aroused by some words DR.. Dodge care
lessly dropped one day.
at is strange that Mrs. Griffin should
shun and fear you so. She knew Toinette's
mother
Major Yillars turned very pale and said
hastily:
Are you sure? Who is the woman?"
"a native of the village, who removed
to another place years ago and married
there. 1 have forgotten hermaiden name,
If I ever heard it.
That was enough. The instant Dr.
Dodge left the house Major Villars made
his way to the parlOr down stairs and sum-
mOned the slip-shod servant.
Il must see your mistress, he said, per
emptoriIy.
Please, sir, she's busy, and can't come, e"
stammered the girl.
mo matter Go to her and say shall
not leave the house until she has granted
me an interview"
Mrs. Griffin came-there was no help
for it. She was pale and trembling The
instant their eyes met Major VillaTs start
ed back with faint, haf-increduIOus
cry;
Yes; that is the name by which was
known previous to my marriage" said the
woman, shaking more than ever.
Major Villars' piercing gaze rested upon
her agitated face for some seconds, then
he led her to a chair and said, with forced
composure:
This meeting is most opportune. You
he 70
when Toinette was born. I have wished
for days that I might find some trace of
you"
Mrs. Griffin shrank from him, white
with terror, clasping her hands convul-
sively together.
What do you want?" she painted.
@AlI the facts connected with that
eventful night, he coolly answered. at
is my conviction some Of them were kept
back at the time.
Il have nothing to tell-nothing. Let
me go"
she attempted to rise from her chair,
but he thrust her fOreibly back.
Not until you have answered a few
questions. How many children saw the
light in that upper room on a certain even
ing many years ago? You will be at no
loss to understand without further par
ticularizing."
Mercy! IL"
Answer mel"
She saw his face darken frightfully
with rage, and recoiling, gasped in child
ish terror:
There were two--twin daughters Oh.
for the good Lords sake, be mereiful and
forgive me"
Major Villars CRASHED his teeth, and
began gnawiug his lip in the old beast
like way he had when excited.
$50 you deceived me, woman, at the
time-lied to me? What led you to do it?'
Because, sir, I could not resist the
poor dying mothers prayers and en-
treaties"
The children were both born aliye?"
@Yes"
What became of the other one? I must
and viii know. Tell me the whole truth
without reservation, or it viii be the worse
for you.
He stood over her threateningIy, his
face so blue and livid with anger the
poor. trembling old soul fancied her houl
had come.
Spare me, sir. Spare my life, and II
make clean breast of everything" she
moaned. dropping on her knees in The
most abject terror.
Major Y.ilars replaced her in the chat
with no gentle hand.
GO on, you cid fool. The whole story
remember.
After gasping once or twice, Mrs. Crit
I'm said, Ia a hoarse, strained voice, with
many pausss:
Perhaps you viii call TO mind that
was sent for very suddenly that night sew
enteen years ago. T found poor Mrs
Lynton lying alone In an upper chamber