Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-10-15


pale face!
With an effort opened the mornings pa.
per, and ran hastily up and down the col.
umns. What cared l for politics, foreign
news. or money maj ket intelligence? Here
was the one paragraph which riyeted all my
attention. The white tomb had givcnup its
secret! Read! TO me those words were
written in letters Of fire!
HORRIBLE DISCOVERY NEAR RoDING.-
The melting of the snow has brought to
light what to all appearances is fearful
crime. Yesterday afternoon a laborer walk
ing on the highway discovered the body of
gentleman lying by the roadside. His
death he'd been caused by pistol-shot. 1t
is supposed that it must have occurred on
the night of the great snow-stor,n, and that
the body has lain ever since under the snow.
which had dritted to the depth of some feet.
The facts that death must have been in
Simultaneous, and that no weapon can be
found near the spot, do away with the
theory of suicide. l. ,tters and papers found
upon the corpse tend to show it to be that
OF Sir Mervyn Ferrand, Bart. The unfor-
tunate gentieman's friends have been COM
opened Tomorrow"
tore the paper TO pi COS and burned II. l
think Of all my dark days that one was the
one would be least willing to pass again.
trembed at every footstep on the stairs.
Any man who paused for moment outside
our windows sent cold chill over me. And
in the midst of my misery had to wear
cheerful face, and talk to Philippe and my
mother about the pleasures Of our projected
Journey! All! il we only reached the end
of 1t in safety, the pleasure would not be al
together imaginary.
The morning dawned. No fatal messen-
ger had arrived. l glanced hastily at the
papers, which. however, contained no more
information about the tragedy. Shortly after
ten o'clock we started to drive to Charing
Cross. The rattle of wheels over the stones
seemed to send fresh life through my veins.
We were on the road to safety.
We started in plenty of time, as wished
to call at my bankers on the way. 1t was
my intention to take with me large sum
in gold. Notes of any kind could be traced,
but the bright sovereigns would tell no tale.
changed my check, and while doing SO
asked il there were any letters for me. Sew
eral persons addressed letters to me at my
bankers. The spruce cashier sent to in
quire, and, with my bag Of gold, passed un-
der the brasswire railing letter with wo-
mans handwriting on the envelope. !
thrust it into my pocket, to read at my
leisure.
We travelled by the tidal train for Paris,
ria Folkestone and Boulogne. 1t was not
the pleasantest weather in the world for
a journey; but l wrapped my charges up
warmly, and did all could to mitigate the
hardships Of the voyage, undertaken osten-
sibly for the sake Of my health. My moth
er. who was by now all experienced and
seasoned traveller, settled herself down to
the journey, although she little guessed how
short the rest meant to give her until We
reached our destination. She laughingly
protested against the cruelty of dragging an
old woman like herself away from England
Just rs she had returned to it; but there was
that in her voice and manner which told me
she would for my sake make a far greater
sacrific, of comfort than this.
thought that Philippa's spirits, like mine,
rose as we left London behind us. She smil-
ed at my sallies and feeble attempts at max
ing merry, which, now that we were fairly
on our road to safety, were not quite so
forced as they had been during the last few
days. She listened with interest to the pic
lures drew-imaginary ones, of coursc--of
the beauties of the south; and was glad to
believe that the thought Of visiting what
might almost be called her native land was
beginning to awaken her interest. Only let
me be able to show her that life could still
promise pleasant future. and the moody
memories OF the past months might be ban.
ished forever.
/ am sure that no one who could have
seen us that morning would have dreamed
that out of that party of three, consisting Of
comfortable, pleasant-lookingE English ma
iron, strangely beautiful girl, and myself,
two were flying from the hands of Just e.
Our appearance was certainly such as to dis
arm all suspicion.
But where are we goinG" asked my
mother. II object to go wandering about
without knowing where our pilgrimage is to
end"
I'VE are going to Paris first, then to Spain
to wherever We can find the warmth and
sunshine which is necessary to my existence.
II we can't find them in Spain, we will cross
over to Africa, and, if ncedful, 60 down to
the Equator"
"Then you young people will have to 90
alone. draw the line Of my good nature
at Europe"
glanced at Philippa. Her long curved
lashes hid her eyes: but tell-tale blush was
on her cheek. knew that the day was not
so very distant when she would answer my
appeal as wished. l knew that, could I
but sweep away the record Of that one night,
all might yet be well with her. Oh, that she
may never recall what alone know!
As we were nearing Folkestone l re mem.
bered the letter which had been given mo
at the bank. drew 1t from my breast in-
tending to read It; but the sight Of the Rod.
Ing post-mark on the outside made me
change my intention. l remembered Mrs.
Wilson's half promise to send me some COM
municatlon. longed and yet dreaded to
break the seal. felt 1t would be better for
me to read that letter aloIA. Whatever
might be the tenor of its contents, I was sure
1t had some bearing OH Philippa's relations
with Sir Mervyn Ferrand.
We were soon on board the steamer and
under weigh. Although the Arctic rigors
of the last three weeks had departed, the
air OH the sea was too keen to make the
channel passage ali enjoyable one. per-
suaded my mother and Philippe to take re-
fuge In the saloon; and then found quiet
spot where was able to read my letter
without fear of interruption, or Of betraying