Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-08-16

4
am not TOinette. There she sits.
At this moment Dulcie lifted her bag
gard face. Major Vil1aFs saw her for the
first time. He started, stared Perplexedly
from her to TOinette, and dropped the
latter's hand.
rs it possible I have been so deceived?"
He bent over Dulcie, trembling with ex-
1t would not answer to make
a mistake. He mentally cursed the fatal
resemblance that had led to SO much
trouble and confusion. Are you my run
away ward2"
The bapless girl felt the meshes of
cruel web closing round her, bat for Phil
FPS sake she dared not speak and avOw
the truth.
minutes silence. and yet / could have
sworn it is TOinetts stands yonder."
He brushed his hand across his fore
head with a bewldered air. Duicle,s
silence was more convincing than words
would have been. He could not con
ceive why she should lend herself to a
deception when she had everything to
lose, home, husband, all that q woman
prizes and holds dear. No, he had been
mistaken; this girl was TOinette, not the
other.
And yet there was a look on her sad,
sweet face that turned him cold with
perpleXity.
suaded that Dulcie had destroyed her
self, he said. Il am amazed to find you
both here, under this roof. But 1t is not
the time for explanatiOns-ths can come
afterward. Neither is this the place for
you, Toinette. You must see for your
self the folly of seeking refuge here. If
you are wise you will come with me
quietly"
He took Dulcie's hand in his clasp.
CHI chT Il cd at Is
she did not repulse him. Fate had done
it's worst. She must submit to being
dragged back to BOnnyVieW Hall. She
had given up her husband; what did the
rest Of her life matter to her now?
Like one in a dream she suffered Ma
jor Villars to lead her to the door. She
then looked back for an instant. Philips
hopeless eyes were following her; she
saw from their expression that one word
would bring him to her side, ready to
give his life, if need be, for her sake.
She did not speak it, but a tingling
thrill shot through her veins.
He must love me a little, his heart
pleads for me so strongly" she thought.
What happiness might have been nine,
with the past all forgiven and the pres
ent unclOuded!"
The policemen gave way and she left
the house, leaning heavily upon Major
Villars' arm A close carriage stood in
the gravel drive. The door few open as
she approached, a hand was eagerly ex-
tended.
"You have Gomez" said Guy Mande-
ville's hated voice. Forgive me, TOinette,
for resorting to harsh measures, but there
was no help for it.
DuIcie had forgotten the scheming vii
lain, and all she had to dread from his
prosecutions. Her courage gave way,
and she would have fed, but Major Vii
lars held her firmly. AS she shrank back
with an involuntary cry, he raised her in
his strong arms and placed her upon the
soft cushions
Twilight was settling slowly down, but
there was sufficient light to bring the
faces of the two villains into strong relief.
As Dulcie noticed their set lips and gleam-
ing eyes, she shuddered with a deeper
terror of the two men than they had ever
before inspired.
AS the carriage rolled away from High
lands, they put their heads together and
interchanged a few rapid whispers. Guy
breathed a sigh of relief as though a great
burden had been lifted from his mind.
at is all very strange, she heard him
mutter. But I am glad Dulcie is alive,
and with her husband. The case had a
bad look while we fancied TOinette was
at Highlands, trying to palm herself off
as Philips wife.
Dulcie leaned far back in the carriage,
and dropped her head. But once while
that Journey lasted did either of her COM
paniOns directly address her.
Then Major Villars said:
will you tell US, Toinette, why you fed
a second time, and what induced you to
seek refuge with your old lover, knowing
that he was lost to you forever"
Dulcie's head dropped lower, to hide
the burning blush that swept over heI
face; but she made no response, and the
inquiry was not persisted in.
The deeper darkness of night had gath
cred over the scenes before the brief
journey to BonnyVieW Hall was accom-
plished.
Dulcie was hurried into the reception
room. AS the lamp-light fell upon hel
| face, revealing its sad outlines clearly to
/ Guy Vaudeville for the first time, he was
struck, as the Major had been, by its
| sOftened expression, so unlike the def
| ant brightness of the willful woman he
| loved.
Good heavens!" he exclaimed, staring
at her with dilated eyes; "are you TOi-
nette?"
"NOnsense!" Major VilIars sharply in
! terrupted struggling to overcome his Owl
| growing uneasiness. "Don't be a fool
man. We have your runaway bride in
| our clutches again. This time she need
/ expect no mercy.
/ He touched the bell and Rosine ap-
! peared. The girl turned pale at the sight
/ of her mistress, never doubling but it was
! really Toinette, and embraced her trem-
! blingly.
My. dear lady! my dear lady!" was al
/ she could say.
/ Major ViIiars thrust the maid toward
/ the door and said, in a sneering tone:
Take your dear lady to her own room
/ See that you guard her faithfully. Re
member, I shall hold you responsible fOl
/ her safe keeping"
Dulcie went willingly enough, glad t
/ escape from the presence of these men
/ When once the key was turned against al
/ intruders she threw herself, sobbing
upon the velvet couch.
And so I am to be detained here, {
helpless prisOner!"