Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-05-31
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
When Leonie Rayner left Paul she
gave no thought as to whittier she was
going. She never thought Of Florette
waiting for her at Crown Leighton;
she had made the great sacrifice for
which she had strained every nerve,
and the reaction was fast setting in.
She told the c0achman to drive her
to the railway-station; she had some
vague idea of going to London and los
ing herself in the crowds of that vast
city. One thing she knew was impos-
sibe, and that was for her to meet just
at present those belonging to the old
brilliant life now passing from her for
ever. She would go to London and
find some employment there; but first
she must have rest-rest, She said the
word over and over again to herself; it
was all she could hope FORREST A
sweet peace seemed to float around her;
she was aroused only when the car
riage stopped at the station, The
coachman came up to her, and touched
his hat.
Have l any message, my lady, to
| take back to Crown Leighton?"
| dig oUul IGll 40 ullC ldllllllall MOluO lCll
on her car.
mo, none. You gave me title that
does not belong to me, Simmons. lam
no longer Lady Charnleigh. The will
has been found that makes Captain
Flemyng Lord Charnleigh heir to
Crown Leighton. He will be your mas
ter now.
Her voice was low and clear, every
syllable distinct The man looked at
her in establishment too great for
words.
at is nosecret, she continued. "You
can tell all the servants when you re-
turn.
Il am very sorry, my lady," and Le-
onie was touched at seeing tears in the
mans eyes. He did not leave her until
he had seen her comfortably placed in
the London train.
Then she was alone for the first time
since she had trampled on her tempta-
ton and put away her sin-alone, with
strange feeling of WEAKNESS and
peace alone with strangely mingled
thoughts. The brilliant life was over
forever. Leonie, Countess Of Charm
leigh, was dead-no such person
existed. How would they speak of her
in that world she had loved so we'll?
They would say that it was short,
brilliant reign, and that she had been
much admired; and they say also that
she died a queen. There had been
nothing paltry-nothing mean in her
abdication She had given up entirely
--she had not reserved to herself jew
els or purses OF gold, as some women
might have done. She was proud as on
that June day when, amidst light and
shade, the lawyer had announced to
her the fable of her wealth.
A strange WEAKNESS was creeping
over her; she laid her head back and
closed her eyes; she emoved the thick
veil from her beautiful, colorless face
that the air might refresh her
Strange fancie3 crowding on hel
mind strange fancies hoated before
her-then a calm, deep brooding dark
ness fell, and the tired senses seemed
to sleep.
Nature must have its reaction. After
q great storm comes calm. Such 9
calm came over Leonie Rayner as she
closed her eyes-darkness and silence
seemed to enfold her, and she knew nj
} moro. The strain upon her nerves haC
T. been terrible; for long months past she
had known no peace; night and day
she had been at war with herself. Now
the war was over-the evil spirit van
l ouished-ard she fell as u warrior
, might fall who had fought a hare
} battle and, wearied out, dropped by the
, wayside
l She remembered no more. The trail
+ was one not much used-there were
few passengers; nor did it stop urti
t Eust0n square had been reached
A There porter, opening the door, wa
: startled to find o lady with white
beautiful face, lying like one dead.
" He gave an alarm, and there wa
o q rush of people to the spot 1t hap
I pened most providentially that in tn
) booking Office sending messenger t.
Crown Leighton, was Ethel Dacre
t There had been great alarm whel
@ Leonie's sudden journey was discoy
cred. Lady Fanshawe was amazed
J: annoyed and disconnected.
n "Such o thing to do in the very mids
of the season-to rush Off to Grow
7 Leighton in that eccentric fashion
I What would the world say"
= But what the world was to say Q
}. think mattered little now to Leoni
/ Rayner. Lady Fanshawe could not b
L pacified until Ethel had promised to
p herself to Euston square and send
messenger to Crown Leighton.
n "Send letter to Lady Charnleig
begging her to let us know what sh
d is doing and when she intends to II
st turn.
e So Miss Dacre, who began to hay
m some faint glimmer of the truth, wei
at once and while she was engaged
l. dispatching a messenger she heard tn
~ people saying that lady had bee
found in a railway carriage ettht
as fainting or dying.
T A sudden conviction seized her th'
Il. 1t was Leonie. She found her instin
RI had not deceived her-Leonie, coli
silent and motionless, but with loo
w of peace on her white face which Eth
9. had not seen for months, was lying
the ladies' waiting room. She guesst
w at once what Leonie had done.
10 "She has been to Paul Flemyng al
~ has told him all"
Ethel knew that that calm, sere'