Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-11-05
DARK DAYS.
BY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER xI.-CoNTINUEn.

of her, told her how she had swept past
me in the snow-storm: how had overtaken
her. repeated her wild words, and told
her now the fatal weapon had fallen at my
feet, and how had, on the impulse of the
moment. hurled 1t away into the night; how
she had broken away from me. and fled
down the lopely road; how. excited and ter
rifed BY her words, had gone on to learn
their meaning; how had found the body of
Sir Mervyn Ferrand; without thought of
concealing the deed. had laid the dead
man by the roadside: how had rushed
home, and found her. Philippe, waiting for
Inc, and in the full height of temporary in.
sanity. told her all this. and swore that
from the moment l discovered that her
senses had gone astray held her, although
she had done so dreadful deed, as limo
cent OF crime As when she slept, a babe, On
her mothers breast.
She listened to me with fixeddilated eyes.
She interrupted HE neither by word nor ges.
ture: but when had finished speaking she
covered her face with her hands. and great
tears trickled through her fingers. No
hope! No hope!' she cried. 'Oh. Basil,
dared to hope that something you would tell
ME would show me it was not my hand
Which did this thing! Ny love. my own
love, we have been so happy while l could
persuade myself all this was Il dream! We
shall be happy no more. BaSil.'
Although she still shrank from me, by
force drew her to nc, and laid that poor
head on my shoulder. strokct. the smooth
black silky hair, kissed the white forehead,
and used every endearing and soothing ex-
preston that love such as mine could sus-
gest. In vain! The moment loosened my
hoi my xvifo Aod FROM v,r clio
BASIL" she cricd "you knew it: You
knew the blood of a man was on my hands!
Again say such love is not holy!'
Dearest, agaiil tell YOU that in my eyes
-if the truth were known. in the eyes of all
--y.G are innocent as a babe"
She shook Der head kopele:sly. I saw
that nothing at pr.srnt could move her
Perhaps 1t was more than had right to
expect. So for the time gave up arguing.
l begged her for my sake 10 retire to rest. I
gave her soothing draught. l sat BY her
for hours, and held her hand, until at last
her cyelids fell, and, worn out BY grief, she
SLEPT.
OH, how right had been in choosing
flight! Although cursed chance had re-
vealed what fondly hoped would be for.
ever buried In oblivion, how right l had
been! Had the hands OF Justice grasped my
sweet wife, although she might no doubt
have been found guiltless, the trial, the en-
posture, would have killed her. Thank
heaven, she was safe, and amenablc only to
the tribunal Of her own sensitive conscience!
When heard her breathing grow regular,
and knew that she was in deep sleep, /
pressed my lips gently to her fair cheek,
and left her. went III search of my moth
or, and made tie best tale could think of
+. :.t.,,,,..::.t &C. iinna's i-''srcsi.ion. l
forced myself t. Vs.. a Sailing Zee anu 10
listen with show of interest to the account
my mother gave me of certain difficulties
which had during my absence arisen with
some Of the native servants. But there was
nothing which could really interest me
when Thought of my poor love lying there
sleeping. to wake, alas! to sorrow and re-
| morse. No wonder that, as soon as had
| spent with my mother the smallest portion
OF time which filial duty and gratitude ex-
acted, A.w back to Philippa's bedside.
watched beside her until she awoke--un-
| til her splendid dark eyes unveiled them
selves. leaned over and kissed her pas SION
ately. Between sleeping and waking. while
consciousness was yet in allegiance, she re-
! turned my caresses. Then came back mt IN
DRY and its terrors.
"Lcave me-" she said; II am muruer-
esp
! Oac, more denied 1t; ones more told
her she was innocent. My only hope was,
| that by continued argument might in time
| case her mind. She listened almost apa-
thetically. Igrew eloquent and passionate.
| Was not pleading for my own sake as well
as hersg Ill could but persuade her she
was nnaccountsble for what she had done,
some remnant Of the happiness which = few
days ago had promised myself might even
now be left.
BASIL" she whispered, II have been
dreaming horrible things. Will they try me
and hang me?''.
I'VE are in Spain, dearest Even If you
were guilty, the English law could not reach
you."
She started. i'And it was for this you hur
ried to Spain? To save me from feion's
death"'
ITO save you from what, in your state al
the time, you could not bear. say again
you are innocent but dare not risk the
trisl."
She was silent for some minutes; then she
spoke.
n am proud, passionate, wicked" she
said; ''but could never have meant to dc
tnlS. ! WAS nou! must nave Oeen uloO
Basil. you could tell them was mad. They
would believe you and forgive me-
She looked at me implOringly.
Il could stand up" l said. "and state or
oath that you were at the time in raging
delirium. could pledge my professional
reputation that your actions were the result
Of madness. Fear nothing OH that score, my
wife"
1spoke boldly; but as spoke thought
shot through me--a thought which blanched
my cheek and brought the beads Of perspira'
ton to my brow. knew enough Of law "a
be aware that . husband could not In q
criminal case give evidence for or against
his wife. Ny marriage with Philippe had
deprived her Of the benefit Of my testimony
Is to her insanity. i trembled like aleaf n
pictured what might happen in the event
OF her being tried for the murder Of Sit
Mervyn Ferrand. The very nurses had but
seen her sane. No one but myself and per
haps my servant had seen her In her mad
ness.
My dismay was such that was bound Il
leave the room, In order to recover my pres
ence of mind. Again and again thanked
heaven that We were on foreign soil. TIT
| Nh0,nwh< that 1Nvn milo nj