Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-09-03


wretch with whom Philippa ned ! hated
him, Now that my worst suspicious vert
true, what were my feelings?
felt that nv lips compressed themselves
knew that when ! spoke my voice was a.
stern and bitter as Philippas. sit down.
! said, land tell me all. Tell me how you
knew was here-where you have CONE
from"
Let me but learn whence she came. and
felt sure the knowledge would enable me y
lay my hand on the man l wanted.
life now held something worth living
Il have been here some months" Sea-.
Phiippa.
Here! In this neighborhood?
Eyes. have seen you several tin's.
have been living at house aboutthree mi e.
away. felt happier in knowing that II
case of need had one friend near me-
l pressed her hands. Go on, said
hoarsely.
HE sent me here. lie had grown wear,
Of me. was about TO have child. l WI:
in his way-a trouble to him
Her scorntul accent as she spoke was in
describable.
"Philippa! Philippa!'' croaned. "hat
you sunk so low as to do his biddng?'
She laid her hand on my arm. More.
she said. Listen. Is fore we parted h'
struck me. Struck-m.! lie cursed M ant
struck me! Basil, did you ever hatea man"
threw ont my arms. NV heart was fu
of rage and bitt.rne SIS. And you becam,
this mans mistress rather than my wife,!
gasped. \ .ither my love nor her sorrow
could stop this one reproHcli from passing
NV lips.
She sprung TO her feet. You she cried
do you-think-d" You imag lie Read
Only this N .rning l learned it,
She threw letter toward me-threw II
with gesture of loathing. as one throws q
nauseou> reptile from ones hand. ! open
cd it mechanically.
Yes she sad. you are right in think
ing had fallen low. SO low that went
where he chose to send me. So low that
would hav. forgiven the Entertainment OF
months-the blow, even. Way? Bscans-
until this morning he was my husband.
Read the letter. Basil, did you ever hate a
man?"
Before read 2 anccd at her in alarm
She spoke with n most feverish eNcit, ment
Her words followed one another with head
long rapdity. But who could wonder at
this mood with woman who had such q
wrong to declart? She grew calm beneath
my glance.
Read" she said, bescecAingy. "Ah,
God. ! have fallen low; but not so low as
you thought"
She buried her face in her hands while
opened and read the letter. 1t was dated
fir, m Paris, and ran so;
'As It seems to m, that we can't exactly
hit it off together. think the fac" had bet.
ter end. The simplest way to make my
meaning clear is to tell you that when /
married you had wife alive. She has
died since then; and dare say, had we
managed to get on letter together. should
have asked you to 20 through the marriage
ceremony once morr. However, AS things
are now, so they mad better stop. You have
the satisfaction OF knowing that morally
you are blameless.
''lf. like sensible girl. you are ready to
accept the situation. am prepared to act
generously, and do the right thing in money
matters. AS hate to have anything hang
ing over M unsettled, and DO not care 10
shall run across to England and see you.
shall reach 1soding On Wednesday evening.
Do not send TO the station to meet me;
would rather walk"
The letter was unsigned. My blood boil.
ed as read it, yet, in spite of my rage
felt grim humor as l realized the exquisite
cynicism possessed by the writer Here
was man striking foul and recreant blow
at a woman whom he once lovcd-a blow
that must crush her to the earth. His own
words confess him a rogue, bgamist; and
yet he can speak coolly about money ar.
rangements; can even enter into petty de-
tails concerning his approaching visit. He
must be without shame, without remorse
q villain. absolutely heartless!
TO BE CONTINUED.