Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-02-16
eyes, Edna. This gentleman has come

"Yes, Edna. This gentleman has come
for YOU"
At the gentleman in question tho won
derlng, porturbed Edna was starin g.
He made slight obelsance as she ap-
peared, Now, stIff, prlm, severe, his
salow face and nervous eyes rather de
pressed her
1T is--lt Is about" Hammered
Edna.
"Your past2 your frionds2" murmured
the principal, brokenly, yes, Edna, |
am very sorry, but your schooldays are
over.
"OhI Miss Chandler, don't say that"
Edna gasped the words. She COM
pretended that the contamination 80
deyoutly desired by her mystiiled, i'm
patient lover and herself had arrived.
But the shock Of the announcement, q
realization Of how sunny and happy had
been her life under the tender care OF
the school guardians sent the quick
tears to her eyes and the warm color
from her face.
Then eagerly, longlngly, piteouslY,
she glanced at the man before her.
Was he the relative she had so often
dreamed of--the mysterious censor OF
her fateP
"You are not-my father" she began,
twisting her hands in nervous confusion.
The strange, mobile features never
changed Staring straight ahead OF
him like some automaton, his face most
resembling that OF man In ill-health,
suffering but silent, sChooled against
the betrayal Of the least emotion, he
answered solemnly, but not unpleas-
lngly:
m no. l am only your fathers
friend-hls servant-his messenger"
"And-he has sent for meI"
Every word was throb Of suspense
and painful uncertainty. A father!
Then she was not utterly friendless? A
father! But why had he left her loyeless,
neglected, all these years.
Miss Chandler will tell you" an
swered the stranger. She recognizes
the authority by which appear"
Dear Edna, let 1t be smiles rather
than tears, spoke Miss Chandler. COM
ing to Ednas side and placing caress-
ing arm about her. at is all quickly
told. You have father, and he has
sent for you,
But"
Il cannot tell you more. This gem
tleman not only binds me to secrecy, or,
rather, leaves me in complete igno-
rance Of the motive for all this mys-
terry, but insists that you shall leave at
once. OF one thing be assured, how
ever. am satisfied that you are going
into kind hands. All will be we'll. This
letter VIII convince you. 1t Is from
your father. And Miss Chandler nodded
to the stranger, who handed Edna
sealed missive.
She barely glanced at it through her
binding tears. She read only the first
few lines, beginning:
My child, there have been vital rea-
sons for my seeming neglect of you,
there are still vital reasons why sud-
denly, abruptly, you must sever your
connection with your dearest friends
and hasten to me. When explain you
will know why no one must know"
Edna crumpled the unfinished missive
into her pocket at this stage, for Miss
Chandler was giving her directions to
go to her room and pack up hurriedly.
In that apartment Beatrice Mercer
joined her. With strange, wondering
light in her eyes, she listened to Edna's
story of the sudden summons.
"Oh shall surely be allowed to
write to you, to explain everything
when find my father" sobbed Edna,
as she chung to Beatrice in fervent
embrace, acknowledgements"
The scintillating eyes of the dark
beauty flashed wlckedly, but the express
sion was yelled from poor Edna s tear
blinded sight,
Il shall tell him"
THAT l could not bid him good-by;
they would not let me. Tell him will
get him word as soon as | can. Oh,
this mysterious haste unnerves me! 1
do not even know where | am going.
Good-by, dear friend. Good-by, good
by"
A clinging kiss emphasized every
word. The fearful Miss Chandler waved
her last adieu from the door. Her
somber companion helped her into the
carriage, and the wheels grinding down
the soft road seemed to be tearing her
very heart-strings, as Hopedale faded
from view in the distance and the We
hicle bounded forward, carrying limo
cent Edna Deane to meet a strange,
solemn mystery.
Twilight closed in about the land
scape, as the carriage dashed across the
country for the nearest railway station.
Twilight, folding its mystic shroud
about the old seminary structure, was
shut out securely from one room at
least.
With locked doors and shades drawn,
Beatrice Mercer sat at table in her
apartment, porting over a letter, study
ing it, analysing it, re-reading it.
1t was the crumpled missiye, half
read by the distressed Edna How had
it come into her possession? By de-
sign, the cleaning, calculating eyes
told, for those eyes had the mask down
now, all alone by herself.
TO BE CONTINUED,
Wire Nails.