Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-08-02
Philip Raylor' Bride;
MAJOR YILLARY FATAL MISTAKE.
BY RETT WILDWOOD.
CHATTER XXI.

Z
aarkly down over the great city, through
whose busy streets the restless tide of
humanity keeps up its ceaseless ebb and
dow.
cat purred contentedly on the rug,
the window shades were drawn down, and
@Dan'eI easy chair had been wheeled
into the cOsiest corner, lust to make it
Lnvitin' to the dear boy after his hard days
work, the fond mother said; and Mrs.
Briggs herself was presiding over a stew
pan on the Oil-stoVe, whose friZzling con-
tents sent forth appetizing OdOrs, and
ever and anon running to listen for a well
come footstep at the open door leading to
the pasgageway.
Mrs. Briggs had lighted the lamps in
her snug little kitchen, and made every
thing bright, tidy, and comfortable.
t'Dan'el is late tonight" she said,
knitting her brows anxiOusly as she lifted
the cover of the stew-pan for the twenti-
eth time. "SuPper's been ready this half
hour, and now 1t viii be rare good luck
if I don't burn it to lcinders trying to
keep it warm. The lad must have picked
up an odd job on the way home. AS if
ho didn't work hard enough through the
day to lay of when the whistle blows.
But then, there amt lazy bone in
Daniels body. God bless him!"
Evidently the world had gone well with
the Briggses since We saw them last. The
attic room looked more comfortable and
home-ike than of old, little 1uxuries hav-
ing been added here and there.
There was a tiny bookshelf, a few
cheap pictures scattered about, and q
bracket In one corner holding a brilliantly
colored plaster of paris image. THE
fruits Of Daniels industry, Mrs. Briggs
was won't to say with pardOnable pride.
As she kept up that mOpOtOnOus trOt-
ting between the steW-pan and the door,
the good woman's thoughts were upon
Dulcie Dane as well as her own tardy
son. Not so much as a message had come
since the girl went away ''tO seek her
fortune, as Mrs. Briggs expressed it.
1.-The dear child has forgotten me, she
said to herself cor, more likely, that
other girl who enticed her away won't let
her write or come back. It's the queerest
thing I ever heard of that she and Toin-
cite should look as much alike as two
peas IN the same pod, and not even be
blood relations! If they were twin sis
tiers now it wouldn't be SO sUrprisin'. The
likeness Is only skin deep, after all. I've
seen q look in TOinette's eyes once or
twice that made my blood run cold. If
I'd had my way, Dulcie would never have
gone with her.
Mrs. Briggs drew a long breath that
was almost a sigh, and had again taken
her position in a listening attitude at the
door, when her quick ear caught the sound
of q carriage stopping on the tagging be-
low.
1t was an unusual circumstance for any
sort of vehicle other than a coal or dust
cart to find its way to that humble local
ity, and lifting one corner of the paper
blind, Mrs. Briggs looked out in a tremOr
Of excitement.
Far beIow-so far as to appear Of quite
diminutive proportions, in fact-she saw
close hack drawn up before the door.
And while she still stared with dilated
lon fv
Daniel in the Obscurity leaped lightly to
the ground and lifted out a slender, grace
fUh&gure that hung helplessly upon his
arm.
TT can't bel" gasped Mrs. Briggs, sink
ing helplessly into a chair as the two fg-
ures disappeared, and the hack rolled
empty away 1T simply can't be. My
Daniel ridin' in carridge, as if he be-
longed to the 'ristOcracy! And a lady with
himl Lord, no! 1 must have got specA
into my old eyes.
But it was. In moment she heard
heavy, staggering footsteps climbing the
stairs, and Daniel entered flushed anC
painting with exertion, and placed TIT
helpless little creature he bore in hi
strong young arms in the easy chair tina
had been made ready for himself.
Why, bless mel" cried Mrs. Briggs
with little shrek of amazement. TT
Dulcie herself, the darling.
w
young fellow. Il found her in the stree
on the way home. She seemed i'll, or tire
out, or something. She just gave a ittl
cry when she saw me, and tainted deat
away. That's what made me late. hat
her taken into a druggists shop, but sh
didga't seem to get better very fast. ST
what could do but call a hack and brini
her here?"
What indeed?" echoed Mrs Briggs
The darling. Won't you look up, miss
aud speak to your old friend?"
A faint smile played about the pale lips
the heavy eyes opened for an instant, thel
closed again. and the weary head drOppet
back upon the cushion.
wouldn't say much to her just yet
mother, whispered Daniel. Wait unit
she is stronger, and can do her part Of tn
talking.
But it seemed to the impatient woma-
that that time would never come. DUlci
lay like a crushed lily, silent and motion
less, dimiy conscious that she was wit
friends once more, and knowing little else
We left her kneeling on the brink of tn
dark river. Her scarf dropped unnOtice
from her shoulders as she looked with
fascinated gaze into the cool, murnuI
ing depths. All at once it seemed as
an Invisible hand raised and drew be
away.
Not there, she fancied an angel voic
hispered in her ear. Suicide is murde
Heaven has laid this heavy CROSS upon yoJ
tsar i brayeiy.