Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-10-16
CHAPTER XVIII.


THE DAUGHTER AND HER MOTHER.
It required on the part of Eugene Cleve-
land, this same morning, an exertion of
all his courage to perform his duty as q
gentleman in receiving Mr.. and Mrs. Lee
land upon their return home. But courage
had been for some time past his sole re-
naming virtue; and this, at least, he
sought never to lose.
He received them most gracefully-his
father and mother-in-law as they de-
scended from their carriage and entered
the broad hall.
Mr.. Leland was much broken in health.
The trip, which it had been hoped would
benefit, had only wearied him; and now,
on again entering his own door, ne begged
to be at once assisted to his sleeping
room.
Mrs. Leland fingered in surprise at not
seeing her daughter there to meet them,
and cast an inquiring look upon Eugene.
He informed her that she had been
little indisposed since the preceding even
ing. Notwithstanding the precautions he
took in his language and by his smile, he
could not prevent Mrs. Leland from feel
ing lively alarm.
He did not pretend, however, entirely
TO reassure her. Under his reserved and
measured replies, she felt the present
ment of some disaster. After having
pressed him with many questions, she
suddenly turned and hurried up stairs.
shock, had quilted her bed and dressed
herself; and the poor child had even put
d little rouge on her pale cheeks. Eu-
gene, who had FASTENED after his mother
in-law, himself opened for her the door
of her daughters chamber, and then
withdrew.
THAT passed between them at first was
silent interchange of mutual esses.
Then the mother seated herself near
her daughter, drew her head on her
bosom, and looked into the depths OF her
eyes.
-Oh, nothing-nothing hopelessl only
you must love your little Flo more than
ever. Will you not?"
Yes; but why?"
Il must not worry you; and I must not
wrong myself, either. You know why!"
Yes; but 1 implore you, my darling,
to tell me-"
Very we'll; I will tell you everything
But, mother, you must be as brave as I
am"
She buried her head lower still on her
mothers breast, and commenced to re-
! count to her, in a low voice, without
! looking up once. the terrible revelation
/ which had been made to her, and which
/ her husbands avowal had confirmed.
/ Mrs. Leland did not once interrupt her
during this cruel recital. She only i'm
| printed a kiss on her hair from time to
! time.
Flora, who did not dare to raise her
| eyes to her, as though she were ashamed
of another's crime. might have imagined
| that she had exaggerated the gravity of
| her misfortune, since her mother had re-
| ceived the confidence with so much calm
ness. But the calmness of Mrs. Leland
/ at this terrible moment was that of the
! martyrs; for all that coald have been
suffered by the Christians under the
claws of the tiger, or on the rack of the
torturer. this mother was suffering at the
! hands of her best-beloved daughter
Her beautiful pale face-her large eyes
upturned to heaven, like those they give
to the pure victims kneeling in the Roman
circus appeared as though demanding
of God if He really had any consolation
/ for such torture.
When she had heard all, she summoned
strength to smile at her daughter, who at
last looked up to her with an expression
of timid uncertainty, embracing her
more tightly still.
Well, my darling" said she, at last, 1T
| is a great affection, it is true. You are
right Notwithstanding; there is nothing
to despair Of"
do you really believe SOP"
Certainly. There is some inconceiv-
| able mystery under all this; but be as
sured that the evil is not so terrible as il
appears"
I am better pleased he has acknow1-
edged it. That proves he has yet some
pride, and some good yet left in his soul.
Then, too, he feels very much afflicted; he
suffers as much as we do. Think of that
Let us think of the future, my darling"
They clasped each others hands, and
J smiled at one another to restrain the tears
which filled the eyes of both.
After few minutes:
I must go to your poor father now, my
child" said Mrs. Leland, and item
would like to repose for half an hour.
1 will accompany you to papa's room
Oh, can walk feel a great deal better.
I think you had better wal a little
my dear. Your father is reposing after
the fatigues of the journey. will come
for you by and by"
Very well, mamma"
Mrs. Leland rose to leave the room. A
the door she turned:
Be sensible" she said, with another
smile.
And you also." rejoined Flora, whose
voice failed her.
. Mrs. Leland fastened to her OWL
private room, closed and locked the door
raised her clasped hands toward Heaven
then, falling on her knees before the bed
she buried her head ID it, and commenced
to weep despairingly.
Flora. left alone in her room, dropped
upon her knees. clasped her hands, and
supplicated the Great Throne for strength
to bear the terrible trial through which
she was passing
The apartment occupied by Eugene was
continuous to this chamber He had been
walking with long strides up and down
the room, ext Getting every moment to sec
Mrs. Leland enter.