Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-03-14
A DARK SECRET.
The Story Of a Tragic
Life Drama.
BY z. NJ. DAVY.
CHAPTER V.
FAIRLY BEWITCHED.

FAIRLY BEWITCHED.
An hour later, a cigarette my sole COM
paniOn, I was walking up and down a
gravel path of which felt sure a distant
view could be obtained from the windows
of No. 20.
[ grew restless and impatient. Day
light was fading before my ruse brought
any desired result; but at last I saw
figure coming toward me rapidly. It was
Edna Lynton. 1 flung away my cigarette,
and raised my hat as she came up.
She stood in front of me-her eyes cast
down upon the path, her fingers inter
Iaced-in a pretty, half-shy, deprecating
attitude I knew so well. There was moth
ing striking about the girl, as 1 have said;
nothing to attract attention. But she
had soft, winning ways, little graceful
nesses-if L may coin a term-that stole
upon you unGWares.
Mrs. HargreaVe sends her cOmpli-
ments, and will you favor her with your
company between and 9 o'clock, Mr..
Dudley?"
And this was spoken in the low, soft
voice that had once been such sweet
music to my ears; but now, the words
Jared!
Edna cried, impulsiveIy. was
instantly conscious of my mistake.
I have not finished" she continued,
quietly, still without looking at me.
Miss Hargreave also sends a message. If
you have anything for her, will you give
1t, please, to me?"
My compliments to Miss Hargreave,
and regard her request as a command.
This is the answer to the second mes
sage" took, as 1 spoke, a sealed en-
VelOpe from my pocket, but, before re-
Hnquishing it, added: Miss LyntOn,
tell meas favor, L entreat you to tell
me-what has brought you here in this
positiOn?"
4Best-far best to tell him" she muir
INJURED, as though parleying with herself.
Then she spoke out quite frankly:
Poverty, Mr.. Dudley, brought me to it.
My fathers annuity died with him. 1
thought at first of being gOverness, but
there are already too many gOvernesses
in the world, so 1 decided to be a conf
Dental maid. 1 came North, hoping to
be unrecognized."
you have not changed your name?"
Why should L? There is no shame in
what I do.
Our fOrtunes-Or rather misfOrtunes-
are strangely similar"
Have you been unfortunate?" she
asked, with swift, warm sympathy, allow
ing her eyes for the first time to encounter
mine.
aThe day after my fathers death I
awoke to the fact that I was a beggar, I
said with a little bitter laugh. Z have
to work for my living, that is all. You
see now how my case resembles
yours"
You, a beggar-I, a servant!" She re-
peated the words twice, wonderingly and
dTeamily, and added, smiling sadly, But
strangers strangers still"
Certainly not strangers, l fastened to
say "On the contrary, I propose that we
commence our acquaintance from to-day
on a new basis-that of friendship. Let
US be the best of friends"
Impossible, Mr.. Dudley"
1T is not impossible"
Totally and utterly impossible. Is 1t
necessary that I should explain my rea-
sons? Can you not see for yourself that
any approach to friendship on your part
will involve me in inextricable difficult
ties? Even now have been imprudent
in talking with you so long. Your mes
sages shall be delivered sir-at once.
And with that she turned away.
Standing where she left me, I watched
her until she disappeared within the
house.
Poor little Ednai What a hard lot was
hers, and yet how bravely she had set
about battling with the world! adj
mired the pluck-the splrit-Ot the girl
1t was a hitherto undiscovered trait in
her-an added charm to a character which
once 1 had thought the most beautiful,
most lOvable on earth.
An, Edna! Why could you not return
the love 1 offered you in those happy days
at IOIG0urSL! NO woman Will ever De &C
me what YOU were then. To no other car
I pour out my hearts best love, for yoU
had it all-all-and scorned it!
I continued to pace moodily up anC
down the gravel path until the stars ap-
peared, and a bitter east wind suggested
a return indoors. Then, and not unit
then, when the keen air made me SILVER
did recollect the evenings engagement
MY thoughts had carried me too far away
/ went to my room, dressed myself
with considerable care-and, when TIT
appointed time had come, knocked at thu
door of No. %.
Come in, please, said a voice.
I entered.
The walls were draped with rich tapes
try. Oriental rugs covered the floor
plants and flowers made the atmOspher
heavy with their perfume.
Mrs. Hargreave sat in a low easy chat
before a blazing fire. She looked thin
fragile and somewhat peevish as she ros
to receive me. This is very good of you
Mr. Dudley" she said.
mot at al, answered, warmly, tax