Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-05-24

her heart full Of dread and fear-lay
watching for the dawn.
"She will betray me-she will tel
every ono what she suspects. Is IL
possible that | shall ever be found
QUIT" The very thought made her
whole soul grow sick with fear. Found
out"-she whispered the words to her.
self-"found out to be u thief"
She would fain have annihilated
time and space, so eager was her de.
sire to take hold Of the will and destroy
1t, Nothing could affect her il that
were once destroyed; no human being
could give evidence against her, and
she should live and die Countess OF
Charnleigh. Ethel pacre might be-
tray her-she might tell the story of
the letter-she might even whisper
her suspicious about the will; what
mattered it all when nothing -abso-
lutely nothing-could be proved against
her.
She laughed aloud-a harsh, discord-
ant laugh terrible to hear from the
lips OF one so young and fair.
~ have imperiled my soul, she said,
81 have sacrificed my love, and have
Sent the man / love to exile and death;
surely the small matter of losing the
esteem of my fellow-creatures cannot
hurt me after all that. 1t is tho last
sacrifice | have to make Goodness,
love, honor, honesty all are gone
self-respect may follow them, the es-
TEEN and good opinion of my kind 90
with it, but shall live and die Count
ess of Charnleigh."
Suddenly across the dull gray Of the
morning sky she saw CLEAN of gold,
and then she sprang up, knowing that
the morning had dawned. She changed
the white muslin wrapper that She
still wore for n dark travelling dress,
and as she did so Florette gently
oEened the door. She brought cup OF
tea and a fresh roll toher lady. Leonie
eagerly drank the tea, but did not
touch the roll
"Try to eat something, my lady, said
the girl, you will faint"
Then came to Leonie dull won
der as to whether she should ever eat
again; her heart was like lead within
her, her face pale, her hands trem-
bled so that she could not fasten her
cloak.
1--WE will walk to the nearest cab
stand, she said "Oren the door
quietly, Florette; | do not want to dis
turb anyone"
So, in the early dawn of the summer
Leonie left u magnificent
home, where she had lived so brilliant
ly, to commit one of the most treacher-
Gus of crimes.
Florette asked no question; yet she
what this sudden journey
wondered why her lady s
face was so sternly set and white why
the pale lips were so rigid and COM
pressed.
Crown Leighton was reached at last.
Great were the surprise and bewilder-
nent OF the whole household at seeing
their lady. No one could understand
It, Leonie asked at once for Mrs
tearou, and, more than half bewil-
lered, the housekeeper entered her
presence.
you are surprised to see me here so
early" she said. I'VE cannot spare
many hours from London now, so
came by first train, and shall return
this evening""
IL will do my best to carry out your
wishes, my lady" said the woman:
and you will not find the house in bad
order. Shall prepare some breakfast
or you?"
NO. Leonie could neither eat or
lrink again until that will was de-
,troyed
She went to the room, almost dread
ng to look in the hiding-place lest the
will should be gone. She locked the !
loor, and then went with trembling,
altering steps to the place where she |
lad hidden the document.
1t was safe; little cry escaped her
when she saw it again. She took the |
'ause of all her misery in her hands.
You have cost me my love, and you
nay cost me heaven" she said; snow
will destroy you. You shall cost me |
10 more.
But how was she to destroy it?
There was but one method, and that |
was to burn it.
IF l were to tie it up with stone,
and throw it into the sea" she said to |
herself, "it might rise again. | will |
burn til will watch the smoke from
It's ashes curl in the air-I will watch
he ashes dispense in the wind; then,
N my own right, | shall know that | |
nm Countess Charnleigh of Grown
Leighton.
How was she to burn it? If she car
lied it down into the servants quar-
iers, and was seen to put it into the
fire, rumOr might rise and tell against
her. She must destroy it here in her
own room, unseen, unknown by all.
"One more falsehood and / shall be
rec, she said to herself, as she rang
he bell
Mrs. Fearon answered 1.-THE maid
vas resting after her journey $780, and
ooked somewhat aghast when her
ady asked for fire.
"A fire." repeated the housekeeper,
Is she looked from the beautiful, rest
ess, feverish face to the glowing sun
outside. IF you do not think it too
warm -"
Il have taken cold--I am cold" said
4eonie; and the shudder with which
he uttered these words gave them the
of truth.
EARLY rising is not good for YOU, nv
ady," decided the woman; Twill light
he fire for you myself.
a few more minutes and bright fire
7as blazing in the CRATE, contrasting
ddly with the glowing sun and sultry
yarmth of the June day.
81 will ring If want you" said Lee
ME to the housekeeper, and then she
lcked the door and went to the hid
lg-place whore lay the will As she
assed the great mirror she started