Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-08-30
Philip RaylOP' S Bride;
AJORTILLARO' FATAL MISTAKE.
BY RETT WILDWOOD.
CHAPTER xxx-fContInued).

CHAPTER XxX.-(COntinued).
ust as they gained the lower hall, there
came the tramp Of heavy footsteps across
the veranda, and the house door was flung
violently open.
at is master!" gasped Rosine, her
teeth chattering. Quick, my good
woman-this way. You must hide your
self"
Too late. Major Villars and Guy
Vaudeville strobe into the hall, drag
ging TOinette between them.
Mrs. Griffin caught a momentary
glimpse of the girls face, and staggered
against the wall. a cry of irrepressible
terror breaking from her lips.
~Merciful heaven!" she gasped, falling
into the very natural mistake of con-
Guiding the newcomer was the child she
had cOnhded to Mrs. Ryan's care seven
teen years before. "The other one! Now
they are both in the clutches of that
wretch.
Major Villars saw the covering figure,
caught indistinctly the muttered words,
and sprang at nor, an angry scOwl dark
ening his brow.
Who the ID are you? What are you
doing here?"
Mrs. Griffin shook and quivered so in
his grasp all his suspicious were con-
frmed. With one sweep of his hand he
tore If the himsy disguise under which
she had thought to hide her identity.
you stupid, meddlesome fool, so you
have betrayed mel" he Kissed, Instantly
divining the truth.
Don't kill mer' gasped the terrified
woman.
He flung her furiously from him, and
she fell PROSTATE at his feet.
Dulcie had heard the confusion. and
came flying down the stairs.
She was so overcome at the unexpect-
ed sight of IOinette, after the revelation
that had just been made, as to forget
everything else for a moment.
She tottered forward in a state of in
tense and terrible excitement, and
clasped her arms about the startled girl.
do you know that we are sisters?"
she asked, pathetic culver IN her voice.
BE my friend. My life has been so
lonely, SO desOlate. Try to love me
little''
Toinette held her at arms length,
sickly look creeping over her face.
You are mad! What are you saying?
Sisters?"
even so,' said Major Villars, mock
ingly. COncealment was no longer pos
sible, and the truth would come as
gracefully from his lips as from anOth-
er's. ''YOu are twin sisters. It was the
irony of fate that threw you in each
others way. There is something past
comprehension in the workings of Prov
idence. OF course you Will embrace,
forget you were rivals, and be wholly de-
voted to each other"
''Neverr' gasped Toinette, freeing her
self roughly from those chnglng arms.
81 have no sister, refuse to recognize
the tie. 1t is my nature to love with d
desperate love, and hate with a relentless
hate. I see IN this girl only the bitter
enemy who has wrecked and ruined my
life"
Then, winter than death, her velvety
eyes dilating, she swept past them all,
he AZ 1Lrl vro Cto hTTT
herself IN one of the rooms above.
Dulcie's agOnizing sObs broke forth.
Her lonely heart had hungered for a
sisters love. 1t was very hard to be so
scornfully repulsed.
60 back to your room, Major Villars
said, after looking at her a moment in
silence. You viii learn later what
course I intend to pursue, so far as you
are concerned. AS for this tattling
woman"
He stopped, gasping with amazement.
The spot was vacant where Mrs. Griffin
had been crOuching a moment before.
Taking advantage of his preOccupatiOn,
She had stolen away.
@Let her 90, =" he muttered. She has
done me all the harm in her power.
Dulcie crept trembling back to the
pretty bOUdOir. Rosine, shaking with
excitement, would have followed her in,
but the distressed girl refused to admit
Il am very wretched-I want time to
collect my thoughts, she said. Leave
me to myself.
A half hour wore on, and as Dulcie sat
with her head sunk forward on her arms
a low imperative knock sounded on the
door. She opened it and TOinette en-
tered.
at is unusual to be compelled to knocl
like a stranger before entering my OWL
boudoir," Toinette said, with a shOr
laugh. But this is world of changes
The most unexpected things are con
stantly occurring to surprise and startl,
us. Who ever dreamed that kindred
blood flowed in our veins, nOtwithstand.
ing our marvellous likeness to eacl
other.?"
Dulcie held out her arms impulsiveIy
Try to love me, she pleaded. Nv
stand almost alone in the world.
seems so terrible for sisters to cherisI
bitter and vindictive feelings. 1 wouI,
do anything for you.
Toinette came nearer. Anything?
she repeated brassy glitter lighting
her eyes.
Yes, anything.
@Will you keep up the deception a fey
hours lOngerl Be TOinette, and let m
take your name and identity? wish j
very much.
major Villars knows"
Nonsense, Toinette impatiently in
terrupted. All I require of you
easily done. We have only to exchang
clothing I viii remain here, and yO
must 90 to the room across the corrido
have Just vacated. Do you cCnsent2"
A hesitating pause. and Duicie softl
answered: