Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-06-21

20 play Ia the scenes you recall. 1 am not
your old love, Philip, but a wicked i'm
poster who has taken her place.
What did she do?
sure her too severely. She was but
child, remember-loving, impuIsiye but
desoiate, with no mother to guide and
guard her.
What wonder she trified with the terri
bic temptation chance had thrown in her
wayi
When Philip gave expression to his per-
pIexity, she would wreathe her white arms
around his neck and lift her lovely face
to be kissed.
Il suffered so much in the past would
willingly blot it all out, and live only in
the happy present"
Philip Rayner was not the only person
who felt bewildered. Major Villars no
ticed the difference. In many Of her
tastes and habits the girl was radically
changed. Though a good deal puzzled,
no suspicion of the truth crossed the old
mans mind.
you are not like yourself, Toinette,
he would say. You used to be very fond
Of society; now you never go out, or re-
ceiVe your old friends when they call. You
seem to prefer wandering by yourself in
the grounds"
ROsine watched her mistress curioUsly.
Weary Wretched, and desOlate, Dulcie re-
Taxed her vigilance, and almost forgot, in
the presence of her maid, the role she was
playing.
ROsine often asked herself. She seems
SO different since she ran away. Sweeter
and more gentle, but so absent minded
She must be grieving for her absent lover.
Guy Vaudeville, who held the key to a
part of the mystery, smiled grimly, and
said nothing. Even he did not suspect
the struggle going on in Dulcie's mind or
that she was meeting Philip Rayner daily
in the grounds.
He rested content in the belief that his
hated rival was still absent, in the old
world.
So the summer days wore on, and Philip
began to plead for an immediate marriage.
Not yet; wait a little longer" Dulcie
answered. And her lover wondered why
her beautiful face paled to that dull,
dead white, as she spoke.
"Oh, God! Give me strength and cour-
age to tell him the truth" she prayed.
But it was so hard, with a future of
perfect bliss opening before her, to put up
her hand, and dash the cup ruthlessly
away.
Atlast there came mad moment, when
she forgot right and duty, stiied the voice
of conscience, and promised Philip to fly
with him and become his wife that very
night.
She stole back to her room, looking so
wan and ghOst-like, ROsine cried out at
sight of her.
*Oh, my dear ladyl Are you i'll, or
My head aches, DuIcie answered.
Darker the room, and I will lie down.
The maid did as requested, then brought
rOse-water and smelling salts, offering to
remain. But Dulcie insisted on being
left alone.
Il wish to be perfectly quiet You will
only distress me by gtayinp %
Quiet! When the key was turned in
the lock Dulcie sank upon the couch,
sObbing, and moaning piteously And
slowly, as she lay there, the voice of
conscience again made itself heard in her
heart.
Go to the altar with that man before
telling him who and what you are, and
the vengeance of outraged Heaven will
fall upon your head, it said.
Dulcie sprang up, goaded to the verge
of madness.
Help me, pitying Father, help me to
do my duty" she prayed. Il am so weak,
so wicked, left to myself"
She crossed the room, a look of desper-
ate resolution on her face, and began
hurriedly to gather together the few sim
pie things Philip had given her. A book
of poems, few faded bowers, a photo
graph of himself.
He will despise me when he knows
how have deceived him, " she said
hOarsely. 4 dare not keep anything to
remind me of the happiness that might
have been mine.
She looked at the picture many minutes
such look as we give the cofined dead /
then her kisses fell hot and fast upon it. /
Farewell, darling Philip, farewell for /
ever. When I next look upon your face !
shall see it darken with anger, grow cold
with bitter scorn.
For she had fully made up her mind !
Oylfv 4 ho
thing had been gathered into a little bun
die, and lay with tiny heap of waste pa
per in the CRATE and she had taken a |
match into her hand, then she fell back
suddenly, white and gasping, and heard |
the voice of the tempter whisper:
why make this sacrifice? TOinette is
dead, the truth known only to yourself. !
You have only to close your lips in
silence"
She shuddered; a sharp cry broke from
her. Great white beads stood thiczly on
her forehead. The long, dreary years of a /
lonely life stood out before her mental |
vision like CHASTITY milestones. She !
might live to be an old woman with this !
bitter pain gnawing continually at her |
heart.
Happiness lag within her reach. She !
had but to grasp it, and be blessed.
Not at that price!" she cried, aloud.
Striking the match against the tiled !
hearth, she watched the flames lick up |
her poor little treasures with their hot, !
kissing breath.
As the day waned fearful tempest
arose. The reverberating thunder, vivid |
flashes of lightning and driving rain were |
in perfect accord with Duleies mood.
At last the storm swept past. At nine |
o'clock she stole softly from the house.
Philip was pacing up and down in the
watery moonlight before the gate.
Come, darling, he whispered, Selling
both her hands. My carriage is in the
thicket yonder."
Philip, you must not tempt me. I /
cannot 60"
Even as she spoke. MAKING q weak at