Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-02-22

VNAWUt0 NVAAO bhb AIbhAAH " ueNA 1hNa
sorrOwful."
1.-THE secret OF such lives as his Is
always tragedy" said Paul Flemyng
TO Ethel. II have often thought that
the late lord OF Crown Leighton had
some sorrow the world knew moth
ing Of"
II was Paul Flemyng who opened the
door, and Lady Charnleigh drew back
with little shudder, the color fading
from her brilliant face.
II have such a horrible fancy" she
said, with nervous attempt at laugh
ter; ut is when go In / shall find the
late Earl sitting In his chair with stony
face and set eyes"
"You may enter safely, Lady Charm
leigh" responded Paul; the room Is
quite empty. Yet 1t looked as though
II had been recently used"
81 gave orders that nothing here
should be touched" said the Countess
1T seemed kind OF dissertation to
enter the place.
There was q book on the table, o
table drawn near the fireplace, a paper
knife still resting on an uncut journal.
How strangely silent the place Isl
How different from the rest Of the
house," said Lady Charnleigh, with u
sigh. Come away--I feel as though
the room were haunted"
She turned away, but her attention
was drawn to Captain Flemyng. He
was standing before picture apparently
Q crossed by 1t. She called him by
ma 10; he did not hear. She moved
ward and touched him on the arm,
and was startled when he turned
round to find his eyes full OF tears. She
looked at the picture; 1t was Of young
and beautiful girl, with sad, tender
eyes and a lovely mouth. A grave,
noble face 1t was, with a veil OF sadness
on it--a picture that had In 1t certain
pathos, Underneath, in faint char
actors, were written the words, Loved
and Lost"
Lady Charnleigh looked first at the
picture, and then at the young soldier;
there was q certain resemblance In the
features that struck her.
who is 1t, Captain Flemyng?" she
asked, in low voice.
"That is portrait Of my mother, 4" he
replied. How comes it that it is hid
den away here?"
Loved and lost quoted Lady
Charnleigh-"what does itmean? Who
loved and who lost her?"
Il do not know" replied Captain
Flemyng. pray parden me, Lady
Charnlelgh; did not know that you
had picture Of my mother. I loved
her so dearly"
"ATe you sure it is your mother?"
she asked.
"As sure as I am Of my own exist
ence; she always had the same sad,
tender eyes, and when she smiled there
was something sad in her smile. Those
eyes have the same look now-do you
not notice it?"
Sir Bertram and Miss Dacre had
joined them, and were listening to him
In wonder.
"A portrait Of your mother here?"
questioned Miss Dacre. THAT seems
strange, Captain Flemyng.
81 loved her 80 much," he said again.
"and she died when l was quite young.
Lady Charnleigh, will you grant me a
great favor9"
"You know will before you ask it,"
she replied.
Permit me to have this copied. 1t
shall be most carefully preserved.
"You shall have the original II you
will, ! shall be quite content with the
COPY" 49,. ,.,,.. it,, !.
but l will not sgree to that. You
have superstitious feeling about this
room; have the same about this pic
ture. should not like to take it away
it belongs to the ROOM"
young countess. What sorrowful
words There is a story contained in
them--a sad story, too. What do they
mean?"
The brilliant tint had faded from
her; she had grown very pale and sor-
rowful, the violet eyes were dim with
tears--her whole aspect was changed.
Sir Betram looked anxiously at her.
"You are too imaginative, Lady
Charnleigh, he said. Come away;
you are growing sad and sorrowful.
Come out into the sunshine.
Without a word she followed him.
They went through the corridor at the
end Of the gallery, out on the western
terrace, whore the flowers were all in
brilliant bloom. Paul and Ethel fol-
lowed them. There, where the sun
shone and the song Of the birds filed
the perfumed air, Lady Charnleigh was
soon herself again. The exquisite rose
leaf flash stole back, the light came
into her eyes,
II have an idea," she said. What
do you think, Ethel? Shall we have
grand fete and ball here at Crown
Leighton, and illuminate these grounds
and gardens-a fete that will last from
sunset to sunrise, and delight every
body?"
Il should like it very much" re-
sponded Miss Dacre. The two gentle
men agreed with her.
Captain Flemyng and you, Sir Ber-
tram, must come over to help me; it
will be my first grand entertainment.
Shall we begin with charades? / am
so fond of charades; and we could get
up such really magnificent ones, What
do you say?"
1T would be delightful, said Sir
Bertram, thinking Of the rehearsals
and the number of times that he
should see Lady Charnleigh.
What simple, charming nature
she has!' remarked Sir Bertram to
himself, with smile. "She was weep
ing only few minutes since, her heart
full of pity; now she Is laughing at the
idea Of ball. She is IA perfect Undine
half grave, half gay-half child, half
woman-wholly charming.