Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-08-02

CHAPTER ViII--COntlnued.
He left the house when Constance
went out fer her daily drive in the
park, and strolled in the same direc'
tion, caring very little where he went
upon this particular afternoon. The
Lady's Mile was thronged with car
riages, and there was q block at the
corner when Gilbert took his place
listlessly among tle loungers who
were lolling over the rails. He nodded
to the men he knew and answered
briefly enough to some friendly in.
quiries about his luck in Yorkshire.
"The FLY ran well enough, he said,
shut doubt II she's got stay enough
for the Chester"
"Oh of course you want to keep her
dark, Sinclair / heard she was u
flier, though"
Mr. Sinclair did not pursue the
conversation The carriages moved
on for few PAGES, at the instigation Of
pompous mounted policeman and
then stopped again, leaving q quite
little brougham exactly in front Of
Gilbert Sinclair. The occupant Of the
brougham was Mrs, Walsingham. The
stoppage brought her so close to
Gilbert that 1t was impossible to avoid
some kind Of greeting, The widows
handsome face paled as she recognized
Gilbert, IL was the first time they
had met since that unpleasant inter
view in Half-Moon street. The oppor-
tunlty was very gratifying to Mrs.
Walsingham. She hal most ardently
desired to see how Gilbert supported
his new position, to see for herself how
far Mr.. Wyatts account of him might
be credited. She put on the pro
pitiatory manner of q woman who has
forgiven all past wrongs.
why do you never come to see me?"
she asked,
81 scarcely thought you would care
to receive me, after what you said
when we last met, he replied, rather
embarrassed by her easy way Of treat
ing the situation.
Let that be forgotten. 1t is not
fair to remember what woman says
when she is in passion. | think you
expires ed a wish that we might be
friends after your marriage, and was
too angry to accept that proof of your
regard as | should have done, | have
grown wiser with the passage of time,
and, believe me, am still your
friend"
There was softness in her tone
which battered and touched Gilbert
Sinclair. 1t contrasted 80 sharply with
the cool contempt he had of late suf-
fered at the hands of his wife, He re-
membered how this woman had loved
him; aud he asked himself what good
he had gained by his marriage with
Constance Clanyarde, except the empty
triumph of an alliance with q family OF
superior rank to his own, and the vain
delight of marrying an acknowledged
beauty.
Before Mrs, Walsingham's brougham
hal moved on, he had promised to
look in upon her that evening, and at
10 o clock he was seated in the familiar
drawing-room, telling her his domestic
wrongs, and freely confes sing that his
marriage had been failure. Little
by little she beguiled him into telling
her these things, and played her part
Of adviser and consider with exquisite
tact, not once allowing him to perceive
the pleasure his COME sion afforded
her. He spoke of his child without
the faintest expression of affection, and
laughed bitterly as he described his
wife's devotion to her infant
II thought as woman of fashion she
would have given herself very little
trouble about the baby" he said, but
she continues to find time for maternal
rapture in spite OF her incessant visit
ing. | have told her that she is kill
ing herself, and the doctors tell her
pretty much the same; but she will
have her own way,
She would suffer frightfully if the
child were to die, said Mrs, Wal3ing-
ham.
Suffer! Yes, was thinking of that
this afternoon when she was engaged
in her baby worship. She would take
my death coolly enough, | have no
doubt; but l believe the loss of that
child would kill her."
Long after Gilbert Sinclair had left
her that night Clara Walsingham sat
brooding over all that he had told her
upon the subject of his domestic life.
Sand so he has found out what it is
to have wife who does not care for
him, she said to herself. "He has
gratifed his fancy for a lovely face,
and is paying heavy price for his con-
q o t. And am to leave all my hopes
Of revenge to James Wyatt, and am to
reward his services by marrying him.
No, no, Mr.. Wyatt; it was all very we'll
to promise that in the day Of my
despair. | see my way to something
better than that now. The loss of her
child would kill her, would it? And
her death would bring Gilbert back to
me, think. His loveless marriage
has taught him the value of woman's
affection"
CHAPTER TX.
THE BEGINNING OF SORROW
Sir Cyprian did not again call at the
hOusa in Park | ana He had heard of