Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1891-12-10

could never regard her with the imper-
sonal interest he might have given an
other woman
His unaeknOwledged acquaintance
with her secret had also lent such pc
cnliar, tender sWeetne 8 70 his manner,
that Lady Dunraven unconsciolsly
yielded herself 10 its destinations, and
gradually turned her starved affections
toward him, with that loveliest Of senti
ments, the love a woman gives her
young brother The romance Of her
heart had all been lavished upon her
husband-she could never take it back;
but she had yet some deep emotions
left, and Edgar Arden had set them
flowing.
She had always found a strange pleas
ure in eontemp ating his features, from
that first night when he lay unconscious
before her; she still INDUCED in these
long meditative studies; he would wake
in the dead of night, when nothing
seemed TO live around them save the
roaring sea, to find her bril- iantly spir-
itual face bending toward him out Of
the darkness, with such yearning look
that. knowing her secret sorrow, his
whole soul would respond 10 the mute
cry FOR sympathy. and he would feel
wild impu Sc u offer her the service Of a
true knight If mortal could bring her de-
liverance from her grief.
Edgar had not conquered himself so
far rs to resolve upon leaving the island
and Ulva Immediately, when an invita-
tion came from Lady Dunraven TO join
the ladies in her DarlOr If he was feeling
capable Of the exertion.
Mr.. SircOmbe was good enough to
visit him while he was still coming over
the welcome note, with spark ng eyes
and bounding heart He came upon
him, gray aud haggard, with some prick
| ing discomfort fresh upOl him, shade
upon the lovers eXultatiOn.
~Ah, that IS right; yOI have fOrsaken
/ your invalid habits.B said he. affecting
/ genial interest He shook hands with
/ Edgar, touched his pulse a II oment. and
shook his head with a rallying smile.
/ ~But you must not OverdO il, Mr.. Edgar.
| No new exertiOn 10 day. I an not quite
/ satisfied with that pulse. You are too
/ easily excited, and excitement is special
/ ly to be avoided, if you mean 70 escape
| from your captivity this week"
Il feel capitally,] said Edgar, unsus-
/ piciOusly; Il mean TO make my first de-
but in the ladies' parlors Lady Dun
raven has asked me to try it TODAY"
SircOmbe's hardening face showed that
he had already learned this item, and felt
no elatiOn at the prospect.
He hesitated a little, then looked sig
/ nifcently at Edgar, and said:
Il would advise you not to try it to-
day.
athdeed!S exclaimed Edgar. dryly.
/ ~NOr everl" proceeded the director in
a toneless voice.
Sorry to disoblige you, retorted Ed.
gar, his blood rising at the mans cool
assumption of authority, @but l feel
that l will accept Lady Dunraven's kind
| invitation. Oh, don't suffer from anxiety
on nay account l am far stronger than
you imagine, he added, ironically.
Mr.. SircOmbe walked about a little,
knitting his brow and gnawing his lip.
He made an abrupt pause in front OF
Edgar, astonishing him by the intense
animOSity he betrayed in his face.
Il warn you" said he, quietly; as one
who has for many years been intimate
with the interests Of this house, ! warn
you not TO take advantage of the acci
dent which has thrust yOu in our midst
Retire, as you came, a stranger; in nc
other way can You so worthily repay
the kindness which has been shown you
here
Edgar's own conscience echoed these
words; but Mr.. SircOmbe's involuntary
glare Of hatred multiplied them in hi:
mouth. What personal stake had he il
the matter, that he should indulge il
personal emotions.
Pardon, but l am quite content t.
submit to Lady Dunraven's will in the
NATTER said Edgar. calmly; Il shou.C
be sorry. indeed, TO cross you in any
thing that concerned yourself"
~Sir, sir, would have you understand
that this matter concerns me near.y,
cried SircOmbe in great heat; my lort
placed me IN this house as his own rep
resen. ative-I am sole director here.
DO you then wish TO inform me tina
Lord Dunrayen would object to my pay
I f,or Of NJ =. - 1,l 4.
this house, TO whom L owe my hfe?
cried Edgar.
Again SireomBe walked about tn,
room, lowering and pondering, at los
how to annihilate this persistent antag
onist
Again he halted before Edgar, givini
him bitter look.
1T i'll becomes either you or me to dis
cuss the concerns of this family" sa
he; @you are an utter stranger: you mus
accept my word as authorized by my pc
sitiOn- Lord Dunray en- does not inten
to accept a husband for Lady UlXa
Were prince of England to sue for he
hand, it would be denied him. Rank, o
genius, or worth-they are all alike
Lady Viva may never marry"
This statement, as 1t dropped slowl
and deliberately from his lips, seemed t
sicken speaker and hearer alike.
In passionate ihcredulity Edgar he'll
his eyes with his owh-Sircombe neYe
WINGED, but watched his shocked an
troubled face with gloomy satisfaction
Il need not apologize for Offering you
OfficiOus information, n said he presently
~YOur face betrays the interest witt
which you already regard the young lady
1t affiicts you to learn that she is never Z
be yours Think, then, what affiictiOl
might be hers, if with such a sentimen
in your heart you associated with he
in the informal and intimate relation
natural TO her present situation? COul
you deny yourself the luxury of feedinl
your lOver-eyes upon her-of showin
your best side to her; of doing all tina
lovers do to stir her fancy and awak
her hear? You could not-you coul
not Then be generous, l implOre you
Her father, who adores her, is not her
to guard her; but !, to whom he confide
both wife and child will guard he
happiness against the world / entrea
i command-yOu, to leave this HON
before you bring sorrow and broke
heart into it, "
Without waiting TO be questioned, tn
director bowed and departed, leavin
Edgar overwhelmed.
Two mornings in one day.
CHAPTER VI.