Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1894-01-04
AT WAR With HERSELF.
The Story Of a WOman's Atonement,
by Charlotte N. Braeme.
CHAPTER m-Contlnued.

looked at the flushed face and shining
eyes.
IF you think there is any doubt,
however slight, tell me. Leave me
here to my old life, TO its monotony,
its dreary gloom; ! can bear il now, |
could never return TO it, once | left 1t, "
"There Is none, returned the lawyer,
gravely. IL did not wait upon you UNI
I'll everything was perfectly clear; there
cannot be the faintest dispute as TO
your title. The probability Is that, If
the Earl of Charnleigh had made q
will, he would have left everything to
Captain Paul Flemyng, who, in the
genealogical table, stands next to you,
He Is the only member of the family,
1 believe, that the Earl ever saw or
noticed. | remember once he men,
toned your father, and asked me II he
had left any children. | answered,
'Yes-one daughter 1T puzzles me,
he said, why there are so many women
In the world; could do better with just
half the number"
Despite Leonie's emotion and anxiety
faint smile rippled over her lips.
Did he know my father?" she asked.
mo, only by repute, as being brave
young officer. The truth was, he liked
no one; If such u thing could be,
should say he was hater of his kind ="
"And this captain-what name did
you say?"
captain Paul Flemyng," repeated
the lawyer, and she half whispered the
name.
Did any warning come to her then Of
the tragedy that was to shadow her
after life-the weight that was to make
the coronet burden?
Paul Flemyng-and is he disap-
pointed?" she asked.
Il cannot tell. He may have thought
the chances were greatly in his favor;
but he is too true gentleman and too
brave man to envy the happiness that
has fallen to lady's lot"
Il hope he is not disappointed she
said pleased as | cannot help feeling,
| should not like to purchase my hap
piness by anothers pain.
Even should Captain Flemyng feel
pain he will not show it" observed the
lawyer
"Do you say shall have a great deal
of money? He could have some of it.
l am not obliged to keep it all myself. :"
Mr., Clements smiled at the simple
words-perhaps another idea suggested
itself to him.
Il do not think that will be needed, +"
he remarked. Captain Flemyng has
some property besides the income de-
rived from his profession. He is at
present with his regiment at Malta"
What relation is Captain Flemyng
to me?" she asked, looking up at him
with the questioning glance Of child.
81 should say about fourth cousin, if
such relationship exists at all. Your
father was the late Earl's second cous-
in. Captain Flemyng stands three de-
grees lower on the family tree. l wrote
to him at once, and told him there was
no will. 1t is six months since the late
Earl died. Every possible search has
been honestly made, and there is no
trace of his ever having intended to
make will-no memorandum, no pa
pers. During that time we have anx-
iously made out the claim of each rela-
tive, and yours is the strongest, the
clearest, and the truest; indeed your
title is so perfectly clear that you
might safely take possession of Crown
Leighton tomorrow"
"What shall | do?" she cried And
again the beautiful young face grew
deadly pale. "How can bear the
change? | shall not know what to do
with my life"
There will be much for you to con-
slider, Have you no lady relatives of
your mothers living?"
NO." she replied, with an outburst
OF passionate sadness. 1T may be true
that | am q countess, but | am quite
alone in the world"
Il should suggest that you at once
engage the services of some elderly
lady as chaperon. You cannot live
alone. Perhaps Miss Templeton would
be the best person to consult in the
emergency"
Mr.. Clements here rose from his
seat and bowed with an air of Difference
he had not shown before.
"Permit me" he said "now that my
legal business is explained, to be the
first to offer my congratulations to the
Countess of Charnleigh. pray heaven
to bless your ladyship in your new life,
and to send you every blessing and
prosperity and every earthly hap
piness."
u thank you, she said gently.
Then Mr.. Dunscombe stood up and
offered his congratulations.
IF you will allow me" said the law
yer, 81 will wait upon you, Lady Charm
leigh, tomorrow. | have an impera-
tive engagement this evening: to-mor.
row hope to have something to sug-
gest that will meet with your entire
appreciation.
J With the most respectful of saluta-
z. lSS.Is, they left her standing like one
entranced; as they left her, so she re-
NAMED, until the sound of the door
opening aroused her.
CHAPTER ".
snow, Miss Rayner," said a rough
voice, "if you and your visitors have
done with the room, shall be glad to
get it ready for my mistress"
The insolent tone and the sharp
words generally brought proud flush
into the beautiful face; now the young
girl looked at Susan Netley, the cross
house-maid, as though she had not
even heard her.
Il have lived at Kings Court" con-
tinued the aggrieved domestic, "for
many years, but this is the first time | |
ever saw governesses and their friends
make so free.
"If she knew" thought Leonie, smil- |
ing. instead of being insolent to me, |
she would fawn and hatter-she would |
cringe to me. All, the power of this