Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-10-22
DARK DAYS.
EY HUGH CONWAY.
CHAPTER TX. CONTINUE,

-
and awoke trembling in every limb; but
In the daytime, in the midst Of the sweet
shaded repose, could almost Danish every
memory. every thought which strove to lead
me back to grief and horror.
The days, each one sweeter than its fore.
runner passed by. Each day was passed
with Philippe. We wandered for hours
through the marvellous gardens OF the Alca.
Ear: we drove under the shading trees of
Las Delicas; we made excursions to Italica
and other places, which the guide book tells
You every visitor to Seville should see; but
think we found in the ordinary sights,
which were at our very door. as much pleas.
IRE as in any of the stock shows. We loved
to watch the people. We delighted in the
picturesque, ragged-looki ing, black-eyed An
dalnsian boy-rascals who playe u and rom ped
ut every street corner. We noticed the ex.
quisitely graceful figures of the Sevillanas:
l. moreover, noted that the most graceful
figures could no. be compared to Philippa's
own. We strolled up the awning-loofed
Gale de las Sierpes, and laughed at the curl
Gus windowless little shops. Everyt thing
was so strange, SO bright, SO teeming with
old-world tradition. SO full Of intense inter.
est, that no wonder I could for the time
send painful memories to the BACKGROUND.
And Philippa? Although there were times
when her face grew sad with sad relnem.
brances; although at times her eyes sought
mine with that troubled, inquiring look al.
though treMbled rs to what might be the
question which seemed to see her Inns
about to form; did not could not believe
she was entirely unhappy. The smilc-a
quiet, thoughtful one, yet u smile-was
Oftener seen on her face. 1t came now of
7
grew that, il nothing recalled the past, or
should say, il nothing filled the blank SO
mercifully left, Of that one night, the hour
was not far distant when my love would
call herself happy. Oh, TO keep that fatal
knowledge from her forever!
Such was my life. So, in calm, peace, all
but happiness, the days passed by, until the
hour came when for the third time l dared
to tell Philippa that loved her-to tell her
SO with the eltainty Of hearing her re-echo
my words. Yes, certainty. Had l not for
many days seen her eyes grow brighter, the
grave, thoughtful look leave her face, her
whole manner change whom drew near?
Such signs as these told me that the CROWN
ing moment Of my life was at hand.
Here for one moment pause l scorn to
excuse myself for wishing to marry wo-
man who had been, or supposed herself to
have been, the innocent victim of a scoun-
drelly man of the world. have nothing in
common with those who think such all ex-
0Aeo Is needed. Mrs. Wilson's statement
that the marriage was valid might be true
Or false. 1t Kave m: the impression that it
was true, and believed that Philippe could
lay claim to bear the mans accused name.
But whether she was L1dy Ferrand, or a
trusting woman BETRAYED. for my own sake
cared little. She was Philrpa!
A. b my intention OF marrying, my one
W. r:.:::::;y' a ro....n wA..o, IA ifsf temps.
rAry and fully-accounted-fo for delirum, had
killed the man who SO cruelly wronxed her.
have but this to say. My tale, although /
give 1t to the world, is not written for the
purpose Of fiction. 1t Is the story of myself
"A story which seemed to me worth telling
of man who loved one woman passion
ateiy. blindly, and without consideration.
Such was my great love for philippa that |
feel no shame In telling the truth, and say
Ing that had seen her, in full possession of
her senses, level that pistol aud shoot her
betrayer through his black heart, l should
have held that only justice had been done,
! should have regretted the act, but, never.
theless, would have pleaded for her love
as fervently and reverently As was now
about to plead for it.
Once more ! say, ii you condemn me.
threw the paper aside.
Philippa, with her eyes half closed, was,
as was usual at that hour, sitting in the
patio. In her hand she held sprig of Or
ange blossom and ever and anon inhaled its
delicious perfume; an action, by the bye,
scarcely needful, as the whole air was redo
lent Of the fragrance thrown from the great
tree In the center Of the marble space. She
was, or fancied she was, alone, as some lit
tic time before had left the court to obtain
fresh supply Of cigarettes; and my mother,
who could never quite adapt herself to the
semi-open-air life was taking siesta in the
drawing-room, As saw Philippe in all her
glowing beauty, the white marble against
which She leaned making as it were suit
able foil to tho warm color Of her cheek
the long, curved, black, downcast Iashes--
The bosom rising and falling gently-like al
inspiration the thought came to me that in
mlnute my fate would be decided. Heav.
ems! how could l have waited so long to hear
tho words which knew she would say?
crspt noiselessly to her side. l passed
my arm round her waist and drew her to
Ne. WHISPERED words of passionate love
n her eer-words, the confidence of which
,tartlea me; but then this time knew that
my l6tl Of years was to be rewarded.
She did not shrink away; she did not
ltrugyle TO free herself, but she trembled
like leaf In my embrace. She sighed deep
". even hepelessly, and / saw the tears
yelling In her dark eyes. Closer and firmer
held her, and kissed her cheek again and
again. Had that moment been my last l
should have said had not lived in vain.
Philippe" whispered, my queen, my
love, tell ne you love me at last"
She was silent. The tears broke from her
Eyes and ran down her cheeks. kissed the
signs Of sorrow away.
"Dcarest,"I said, ut is answer enough
that you suffer these kisses, but / have
waited so long-been so unhappy; look at
me and satisfy me; let me hear you say, L
love your"
She turned her fearful eyes to mine, but
not Tor long. She cast her looks upon the
ground and was still silent. Yet she lay
inresisting In my arms That, after all, was
he true answer.
But must have II from her lips. .'Tell
ne, dearest-tell me once" prayed.
Her lips quivered; her bosom rose ana
Tell. The blush spread from her cheek and
stole down her white neck.