Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-08-02

Toinette.s little white fingers 2ntoFlselE-
ed conVuls5Vsiy with his.
How I wish We could begin ali over
sgain!" she whispered. Our married life,
I mean. Then We might both hope 20
forget the past and be happy IN the future.
Philip, won't you take me to the same
clergyman who married US before, and
plight your VOWS anew? It would make
nae happier. / would so much rather blot
Out that Wrstched time when we were both
miserable, and date our new life from to-
day"
She awaited brsatnIessIy his answer. It
came after a thoughtful silence.
@Our friends would think very strange
OF it, my darling, were the ceremony TO
be repeated. Let me suggest a better
plan. We viii go abroad. At once. If
you think best. Amid new scenes and as
soeiations you viii forget what now gives
you SO much pain to remember"
TOinette could have Gnashed her teeth
with disappointment. The difficulties Of
her anomalous position were increasing
every moment. She would be compelled
20 leave Highlands very soon unless some
thing cOuId be done. The very thought
of the peril that menaced her called q
blush of shame to her cheek.
OF course Major Ylilars and Guy Man
deville had missed her from BCnnyyjeW
Hall, They would search everywhere.
leave no stone unturned until they found
q clue to her fate Their suspicious
might already be turning In the right di-
rectJon. Ii so, it was only question OF
hours.
Again, Philips own heart might warn
him OF the truth, and that was more to
be dreaded than anything else. He was
perpleXed already; at times appeared to
struggle with himself. She could bear
up against anything but his GOODNESS and
indifference.
"You are cruel, cruel to deny me the
one wish of my hearth" she exclaimed,
passionately, snatching her hand from
his clasp and hastily leaving him.
The outbreak surprised him. He fol-
lowed her few PAGES, calling to her in
soft, persuasive tones, but she hurried
on without needing him, and fed to her
own ROOM Mrs. Rusk was there, dust
ing and rsarranging the pretty boudOir.
She gave TOinette such a curious, intent
look that a thrill of fear shot through the
guilty girls heart.
you do not wear your wedding ring,
Mrs. RsynOr, she said, abruptly. "Why
is it?"
Toinette had never thought Of the ring.
She remembered seeing 1t on DUlcie's
hand-a diamond of unusual brilliancy.
Had Philip missed it too? She had con-
tented herself with discarding every little
personal ornament that might lead ~
her detection.
The ring is a very valuable one, she
faltered. "I-I-remoYed it when I
went away"
"Humpb!" muttered the housekeeper,
with another searching look, as if dis
satisfied with the explanation. "TO me
it seems more fitting that a wife should
wear her wedding ring"
Toinette felt relieved when the woman
/ left her. She sat down and covered her face
with her hands. Something must be done
at once. Oh, why did not plying heaven
/ send some inspiration TO guide her?
Philip came to the door presently, but
/ she had secured herself against intrusion,
/ and he went quietly away.
! So the day passed-such long, anxious
/ day. Early in the evening one of the
maids brought a lovely bouquet to the
/ door. Philip had sent it as peace offer
! ing, and begged that she would come down
! stairs to sing and play for him.
Tell him I am i'll and Wretched-he
must excuse me, " was Toinette's response.
! There was bare possibility of gaining
/ her end by keeping him at a distance. But
! he sent no more messages that night. She
was left to pass its hours in doubt and
suspense.
The next morning she took desperate
alone, she called one Of the servants aside
| and dispatched him on a secret errand.
Several hours elapsed before the man
returned. He was not alone The same
aged minister who had performed the
marriage ceremony for Dulcie and Philip
/ that eventfu1 night few short weeks be-
fore followed him into the room Wher
| TOinette sat waiting.