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


Very great"
What Is your manner?
Flora Cleveland, she said, simply.
The man looked bewildered.
will you tell me where you liver" he
asked
She gave the number with perfect sim
plicity and perfect indifference She
seemed to be thinking nothing of what
she was saying.
"Ahl just below here" said the Off
Ger.
YES" she rejoined.
will you take my arm?"
She did SO quietly, and they started
slowly down the street.
Eugene had just reached the house, and
heard with stupefied surprise, from the
lips of the lady's maid, the details of his
wife's mysterious disappearance, when the
bell rang violently.
He rushed out and met his wife on the
stairs. She had somewhat recovered her
calmness, and as he Intercepted her with
searching glance, made CHASTITY effort
to smile.
Il was slightly i'll and went out a lit
tie, she said. I walked too far and am
somewhat tired"
Notwithstanding the improbability Of
the explanation, he did not hesitate. He
murmured few soft words of reprorch
and placed her in the hands of her maid
who removed her wet garments.
During that time he called the officer,
who remained in the vestibule, and close
| " Intercepted him.
On learning where he had found Flora,
Eugene knew at once and fully the whole
truth.
He went directly to his wife She had
retired and was trembling in every limb.
One of her hands was resting outside
the coverlet.
He rushed to take it. but she withdrew
it gently, but with sad and resolute dig
nifty.
The simple gesture told him they were
separated forever.
By tscit arrangement proposed by her.
and as tacitly accepted by him, Flora be-
came virtually widow.
He remained for some seconds immova-
BILE, his expression lost in the shadow of
a curtain; then slowly left the chamber.
The idea of lying to defend himself never
| occurred to him.
His line of conduct was already ar
ranged-calmly, methodically. But two
blue circles had already sunk around his
| eyes, and his face wore a waxen pallor.
His hands, joined behind his back,
were clenched together; and the ring he
wore sparkled with their tremulous move
ment.
After half an hour he stood in the door
of her chamber.
-Flol" he said.
She turned her eyes cleaning with
fever upon him.
FLO, am ignorant of what you know,
and shall not ask you, he continued,
as he stepped into the room and ap-
preached her bed. L have been very
criminal toward you, but perhaps less so
than you think.
Terrible circumstances bound me with
iron bands. Fate ruled me! But seek no
palliation. Judge of me as severely as
you wish; but beg of you calm yourself
| preserve yourselfl
you spoke to me this morning of your
presentiments of your maternal hopes.
Attach yourself to those thoughts, and
YOU will always be mistress of your life.
As for myself, I shall be whatever you
will me-a stranger or a friend. But now
I feel that my pl esence makes you i'll.
will leave you for time, but not alone.
Would you wish Mrs. Morgan to come to
your"
YES" she murmured, family.
Il shall go for her; but it is not neces-
sary to tell you there are condolences one
must reserve from ones dearest friends.
Except a motherf" She murmured the
question with supplicating agony, very
painful to see.
He grew still paler. After an instant:
Except a mother!" he said. BE it sol
She turned her face and buried 1T in the
pillow.
Your mother returns tomorrow, does
she not?"
head.
You can make your arrangements with
her. I shall accept everything"
Thank you, she replied, feebly.
He left the room and went to find Mrs
Morgan, whom he awakened, and briefly
told her his wife had been seized with {
severe nervous attack. the effect of chill
The amiable lady ran hastily to Florl
and spent the night with her.
But she was not the dupe Of the ex-
PLANTATION Eugene had given her. WomeI
quickly understand each other In theil
grief.
Nevertheless she asked no condolences
| and received none; but her tenderness t.
the stricken one redoubled.
During the silence of that dreadful
night the only service she could rende.
| her was to make her weep.
Nor did those laggard hours pass les
, bitterly for Eugene Cleveland.
He tried to take no rest but walked NJ
! and down his apartments until daylight
in a sort of frenzy. The distress of thii
poor child wounded him to the heart.
The memories of the past rose before
him, and passed onward in sad process
, sion. Then the morrow would show hin
the crushed daughter with her mother
her loving mother Mortally stricken IL
all her best illusions, in all her deares
} hopes, in all connection with the happi
l ness of lifel
he Iound ne nod yet IN MS nearI HFell
, feelings of pity; Yet some remorse in hi
| conscience.
Strange to say, this weakness irritate,
him, and he denounced it to himself.
Who had betrayed him?
This question agitated him to an equa
degree, but from the first instant he hat
S not been deceived in this matter.
The sudden grief and half-crazed con
viction of his wife, her despairing att
/ tude, and her silence, could only be ex
3 planned by strong assurance and certain
i revelation.
i After having turned the matter owe
3 and over in his mind, he arrived at tn
conclusion that nothing could haV
i thrown such clear light into his life say
: Clara's letters.
He never wrote to Mrs. Elliston, bu