The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-19

CuOusu Vi me 10 Ieet sure that whatever Is
the reason OF my leaving England, nothing
olsgraceful on my part is the cause of il. "
Constance stood immovable while be was
speaking to her. She had not attempted to
draw away the hand he had taken
When he began. she had not looked round
toward him, but had stood gazing over the
sea. Now she drew her hand away suddenly
and faced him.
Are you sure that it is an honest love YOU
oner met Are you quite certain that
your conduct has been that of a true gen.
tieman-thlt there is no disgraceful action
in the pasta"
her voice was clear and hard, and Philip
Chtheroe stepped back as if he had been
suddenly struck.
What do you meant Good heavens,
Miss Renan, what do you meanp'
do you call it the conduct of a gentle
man to play double part, and to fight
against woman with secret weapons; TO
have her every movement logged by spies,
and While protesting that you meant her
well, to work against her in the dark? Was
it gentleman's part to try to destroy the
one proof which would have put her in your
place by mutllating register in a church
and stealing her proofg Was it honorable
ana honest, when you learnt from your
spies that she was going out to search for
the one living witness to her mothers mar
rage, that you should take a false name
and go out in thessme ship with her so as to
forestall her in her search? Was it gen
tleman's part to try to win her love, so that
II you did not succeed in gaining all you
might at least share it with her? thank
God, MIR. Clitheroe, that had seen you be
fore, and recognized you at once when |
saw you on board. and that knew you FOR
what you are and not what you seem to be,
and that knew that your pleasant face
and your assumed frankness were but a
mask which hid one of the meanest villains
on earth"
Philip Clitheroe stood as one bewildered
when Constance first began to pour out her
accusations against him. She had spoken
at first in a hard, cold tone, but her voice
rose and the words came faster as she went
on, and there was ring of passion and pain
in them as she closed the Indictment
"My GodI" he said. in low, husky tones
when she had finished; land this is what
you have thought of me all along"
81 did not think, / knew" she cried.
"You are fine actor, Mr.. Clitheroe, " she
went on. bitterly. land l tender you my
compliments. If l had not been fore
warned, if had not known you all along,
you would have deceived me, and when l
some day learned the truth l should have
been one of the most miserable women on
earth. You thought that while you knew
me / took you for the Mr.. sam Brown you
pretended to be-tbe young man going to
fight his way in Australia. Happily | had
seen you at Bath, and my part has been a
comparatively easy one to play; but was
getting very tired of it, and am glad it has
come to an end.n
'Aud you are Constance Corbynm Philip
Ciitheroe said in a low, dazed tone.
Don't carry it on any longer, Mr.
Clitheroe," Constance said, contemptuously
1.-THE first part of the game is over, and you
have lost so far You think that there is
another game yet to be played in Australia,
and that you will beat me there. Perhaps
you may, the odds are hardly fair-a man
against girl; but have shown myself no
contemplate opponent so far, so do not
make too sure of success in the end Now.
Mr.. Clitheroe. will wish you good night"
The bitterness of the girls tone stung
Philip Clitheroe from his bewilderment and
he grasped her arm suddenly as she turned
to leave him.
Zone moment Miss Corbyn." he said.
"You have had your say, have a right to
mine. A man whom you have charged
with being mean villain-with having set
spies upon woman-with having
committed felony to deprive her
of her rights-with having feigned
a love for her to save mis- estates-has at
least the right of reply. You will not be.
lieve ME; but deny every accusation that
you have brought against me. As to your
last accusation that when pretended love
for Miss Renan | knew that she was Con-
stance Corbyn, | swear to you that it is
false, that did not know that Constance
Corbyn was on board the ship; that had l
known that you were here | would have
Stunned you as the pest; for from reasons
known to myself, Of all women in the world,
Constance Corbyn is the last l would marry.
/ do not expect you to believe all this.
don't know why you should; knowing only
what you know it is natural you should
think as you do. May / return you the
compliment you paid me on my actings
You are magnificent, Miss Corbyn.
You have won hands down. The happiness
of my life has been the stake, and / have
lost felicitate you ON your triumph"
He loosed his hold of her arm and walked
aft. Constance stood looking after him, as
if turned to stone. Then she suddenly
caught at the rail, and stood painting and
catching her breath in short gasps As yet
she could not think, only she seemed to hear
over and over again, keeping time with the
beat of the engine through the skylight
close behind her, the words, II swear to
you that it is false" 81 swear to you that it
is false"
At last she turned, and with difficulty
staggered to her chair by the side Of that
of Madame Duport, and almost fell side
ways into it,
"Dear! how you startled me-" Annette
said. 81 do believe | was asleep. / think it
is time to go below"
Constance did not answer Madame Du-
port put her hand on the girls arm and
drew it toward her. There was no respon-
sive moment, and there was something In
the way the arm dropped as she released it
that so startled Annette that she leaped to
her feet and stopped over Constance.
"What is it. my dear; is anything the
matterY
There was no reply, and the moonlight
showed that the girls eyes were closed and
her face deadly pale.
"Mon Deu the child has faintedn An
nette exclaimed. "What can it be7'
Annette, in the course of her service, had
seen fainting women before, and was equal
to the emergency. She went across to two
gentlemen who were smoking and talking
some little distance forward.
pardon me-" she said, ''but my niece is
suddenly taken i'll and has tainted, l think.
Would you kindly lend your aid to help her
below. 1t Is nothing, and she will soon re-
cover. Perhaps it is the moon and TIE night
air, but she will be best in her cabin where
can attend upon her."
Constance was at once lifted and carried
below, and Annette d the stewardess then
took her into her cabin and laid her in her
berth.
0Poor vouno lady - tha Stawerriaes seid