Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-02-15
At WAR WITH HERSELF.
The Story Of a WOman's AtOnement,
by Charlotte NJ. Braeme.
CHAPTER XIX.


and unless mistake the Duke OF Alton
before Millais' picture
The expression of annoyance on her
beautiful face could not be mistaken.
1t made Paul Flemyngs heart heat
with happiness; it led him to the very
brink Of the error he committed.
you do not cara TO see him." he
said, hurriedly.
NO." was the frank reply. Il had
set my heat on seeing the pictures
with you and Ethel
Then you shall do so, We will wait
until they have passed. You shall not
be leased, Lady Charnleigh."
He contrived so that she was quite
unseen by either of the two gentlemen.
The Countess smiled her thanks.
"You soldiers ale all quick of re-
source" she said. II do not want to
hear again how beautiful am, or how
charming-and his grace tells me moth
ing else"
DO yon not like nattery?" he asked.
Sometimes was the candid reply,
land from some peoples but am not in
the humor for it now"
II have often been afraid that spoke
too abruptly" he sa d.
She looked at him kindly.
No words of yours could everveX me
they a, meant in kindness. Besides,
you know, do not class you with the
world in general"
They were standing then before q
picture that all the world knows and
admires-the Huguenot lovers-the
simple story of which is told so plainly
on the canvas. Round the arm of a
Protestant lover, in the dread time of
the great massacre, the Catholic girl
whom he loves is trying to fasten a
white scarf, the Catholic emblem,
which would take him safely through
the streets, but he refuses to purchase
his safety by false appearances.
They stood before it for some min
utes wrapped in admiration.
"HSw grand" said Leonie. after
all, nothing moves one so greatly as
true nobility of character, true hero
ism"
"Would You have sought to save your
lover in such fashion," asked Captain
Flemyng, gently.
"Yes, should have lost sight of the
means in the end; would have saved
IAlll GU ttlly NyoO'
Except that of honor, he added
"Ah, honor is the idol you soldiers
worship l should have remembered
his safety and my love first, and then
honor If convenient. Do not look
shocked Captain Flemyng; there is
not one woman in a thousand who
would not do the same.
81 would not, said the clear, sweet
voice of Ethel Dacre; mo matter how
deeply | loved man, would rather
oh, far rather-see him dead at my feet
than know him bankrupt in honor.
Paul Flemyng looked at the pure,
earnest face.
Il believe you" he said; you are the
one woman in a thousand whom Lady
Charm eigh speaks Of"
Her face flushed, her heart beat
faster at the words; earth held nothing
for her so sweet as praise from his lips.
"You are singularly alike in your
ideas. said Lady Charnleigh. "Pray
tell me, Sir Bayard-supposing that
you loved q woman very dearly, more
dearly than life, and that you found
had failed in this honor you prize so
highly, what would you do them"
Cease to love her. You may think
me severe, Lady Charnleigh, but l
could no more love a person whom l
knew to have committed dishonorable
action than | could"
Commit one Yourself" she inter-
posed, promptly, seeing that he paused
for word.
"You are right, he said. Honor is
the breath of life; the man or woman
who possesses it, possesses something
half divine: without it, they are barely
human"
What an earnest discussion inter-
rupted Sir Bertram Gordon, who had
Joined them unperceived. "Ah, Lady
Charnleigh, you are looking at Millais'
picture.
"And we have also been discussing
it," she supplemented, turning her
head lest the bright flush on her face
as memorable as Captain Flemyng?
Could you ever forgive a dishonorable
action in the person you lOved?"
He was silent for some minutes, and
then the grand Saxon head was proud
ly raised,
81 cannot imagine myself loving any
person capable of such thing" he
said. Love has instincts that never
err"
But if you are deceived-if you be-
lieved the lady everything good and
noble, and you found that she had been
guilty of one false action-could you
forgive it,"
Il cannot say. I should take the cir
cumstances or the temptation into con-
sideration. Suddenly his eyes fell upon
beautiful picture near them.
"Look, Lady Charnleigh, he said;
there is the answer to your question.
That is how l should forgive"
They followed the direction of his
hand. The picture was exquisite be-
yond words. 1t represented "The Par
don of Queen Guinevere."
In the background rose the gray
walls of the convent, ivy clinging round
the stone crosses, passion flowers and
roses climbing to the low-arched win
dows. King Arthur stood before the
gate, tall and stately, with a look of
pity, half-divine on his kingly
face. She, the beautiful, beloved,
guilty wife, lay at his feet, her white
hands clasping them; her lovely face
was lowered to them, and her golden
hair fell like veil over the imperial
figure so lowly bent.
"To see thee lying there.
ThNr a. L.. H..