Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-11-12
CHAPTER XIII.
THE LAST HOPE,

THE LAST HOPE
Iney were sitting in the courtyard. nv
mother and my wife. They looked the EN-.
Dodilnent OF serene happiness. Their large
Iaiis-the use of the fan came like an in.
spira'lon to Philippe, my mother acquired
IL AFTER much practice-were languidly way
Ing to and fro. Philippas rounded arm was
outstre'ched: her fair lef, hand was in the
clear water which fell from the fountain
and filled white marble basin. in which
the gold carp darted about in erratic tacks.
She was moving her fingers gently back.
ward and forward; startling the timid fish.
and half smiling at their terror. 1t seemed
to me, that my mother was demonstrating
at the uprOar she was creating in the brill
liant coated republic
The picture is still in my mind. That pic
ture! can sit now in my chair, Law down
my pen, and call up every picture of that
time. Nothing. save the grief, has ever. or
ever will, fade from my memory.
IL was well for both of us that I had
fought out the battle with myself in solitude
where no eye could see me, where could
see no one. Even as it was, knowing what
change my news must work, paused. and
ghost of the days temptation rose before
me. But it rose too late. The die was cast.
Philippa had seen me, and my mothers eyes
followed hers. l braced myself I'M. and
went toward them with as jaunty manner
as l could assume. My mother began a
mock TRADE on my shameful desertion of
Philippa and herself Her words carried
no meaning to my ears. My eyes met those
of my wife.
With her made no attempt at conceal.
ment. Where was the good? The worst, the
very worst had come. My eyes must have
told her the truth.
1saw her sweet face catch fire with alarm.
saw her lips Quiver. saw the look Of
anguish flash into her eyes; yet knew that
was helpless. utterly helpless.
She rose. l made some conventional ex-
cuse, and went to my room. In 4 moment
Philippe was at my side.
Basil. husband, love- she whispered,
ut has comew
laid my head Oh the table and sobbed
aloud. Philippa's arms wera wreathed
around my neck.
dearest, knew it must come. / have
known 1t ever SO long. Basil. do not weep.
Once more, tell you am not worth such
love as yours"
covered her dear face with kisses. l
strained her to my heart. | lavislled words
of love upon her. She smiled family, then
sighed hOpelessiy-a sigh which almost
broke my heart.
Tell me all, my love-" she said, calmly.
LET me know the very worst
IcOuld not speak; for the life of me tho
words would not come. With trembling
hands drew out the newspaper, and point
ed to the fatal lines. She read them with
calm which almost alarmed me.
Il knew it must be-" was all she said.
threw myself on my knees before her.
embraced her. was half distranght. Save
for my wild calculations of undying love,
there was silence for many minutes between
us.
Presently, with great force, she raised my
head and looked at me with her sweet and
oorrOwful eyes.
Basil, my dearest, you have been wrong.
The right is right, the wrong is wrong. Sec
what you have done! Had You not striven
to save me, only should have had to answer
for this. Now it is you and me, and perhaps
third-an innocent, stainless life, that will
be wrecked"
Spare me! Spare mev' I said. "As you
love me. spare ne!'
She kissed me. Dearest, forgive me. l
should not blame you. Oaly | am tOblame."
Then. with sudden change in her voice,
when do we start for England, Basil?"
Although | expected this question. l trem-
bled and shuddered as heard it. Too we'll
knew what England meant. 1t meant
Philjppa's standing in open court, in pris-
oners dock. the center of gasping crowd.
self-accused of the murder of her husband!
And as pictured this. once more, and for
the last time, the temptation shook me.
spoke, but averted my eyes from hers.
could not meet them. Ny voice was husky
and strange; it sounded like the voice OF
another man. A sort of undercurrent OF
thought ran through me. that if Fhilippa
would but share it, l could bear any burden,
any dishonOr.
"Listenw said, in quick accents. I'VE
are far away, safe. We love each other. We
can be happy. Let the man take his chance.
What does anything matter, SO long as we
love and are together
felt that her eyes were seeking mine. /
felt change in the clasp of her hand. l
knew that she was n0bler and better than l.
BASIL" she said, softly, and speaking
like one in o dream, 'it was not my hus-
band, not the man love, who said that. l
forgive you for the sake of your great love.
for the sake Of all You have DONE or tried
TO do, for me. Tell ms now. when do we
start for Eugland"'
Her words brought back my senses. Never
in the widest height of my passion had l
loved Philippe Is loved her at that mo-
ment. besought her pardon. Shegaye 1t,
and once more repeated her question.
With the calm OF settled despair consult
ed TIE railway guide, and found that II We
left Seville tomorrow morning by the first
train, we might, by travelling day and night,
early on the morning of the twentieth reach
the town in which the trial was to be held.
I made tho result Of my researches known
n my wife; and upon my assuring her that
Xe should have time to spare, she left all
the arrangement Of the Journey to me.
Afssr this, another painful question arose.