Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-04
TWENTY-SECOND INSTALLMENT.

| have only sympathy for you. My hus-
oand never told you of my existence"
der glance was keen and searching and
Louise qualed before it. The part she
had assumed was too much for her. Tears
showed in her eyes, the flush on her cheeks
gave way to pallor, and she turned to Phil
brick.
Where is your assurance?" she cried
bitterly, that you compel me to suffer
this?"
Louise found herself addressing Phil
prlcks back When she had gone to his
VIE aid attempted ar impossible smooth
ing over CT the situation he had shrugged
DIS shol lders and faced away, as a silent
acknowledgment of his utter defeat
Professor Drummond meantime, had
been standing as If paraIyZed by the IN
expected disclosure. His lips were parted
and his hand half appraised Anger ragged
within, but found no expression because his
fear was greater. What ought he to do?
He knew that he ought to fell and express
ir dignation for the imposture practfced by
PhlibriCk, but he dared say nothing lest
ne arouse the man to active hostility, and
MS Feelings We're more concerned with his
own safety than with sympathy for Louise
Had it been possible for the professor to
learn that there was Mrs. Philbrick in
existence he might have held the threat of
exposure over Phibrcks head; but there
she was, the exposure was made and all
hold upon a possible enemy was lost
Louise's prompt attempt to save her
pride gave the professor cue to which he
tried speak.
There is evidently some misunderstaud-
ing here he said. feebly; IF there was any
fault IN the matter 1t was NINE | assure
yeu. MIS-. Philbrick. 1 yielded to an i'm
pulse for fun, and was just playing a Drac-
teal joke on your husband, whom I regard
very highly as a friend"
1T was cruel joke TO me, pape," said
Louise, TREMENDOUSLY; you see what a false
portion you've placed me in"
These Were valiant efforts to bring about
peace. and while Professor Drummond for
the first time in his life felt a positive adj
mirauon for his daughter, Philbrick felt
perhaps for the first time, a sense of shame
He turned slowly around, and, without anv
trace of his characteristic confidence said:
Il am exceedingly sorry, Miss Drum
mcndr that ] had share in the practical
joke. | might have stopped it.
mo, nor interrupted tbs professor see
ing his vantage clearly now; at was all nv
iarlt IT was bad taste on my part, and
the end would have had no fun in it. Pro-
vided only we understand each other now
and proceed without aCrimony l shall be
very glad that Mrs. Philbrick came in upon
US as she did. Won't you come in, madam
and make yourself as much at home as
your husband does?"
THERE thought the professor. eff he
doesn't feel grateful to me for getting him
out of a scrape. I'm mistaken"
Mrs. Philhrck had dropped I.ouises hand
and now stood looking from one to another
in embarrassment and doubt.
Il arrived in Belmont about an hour
ago." she said. slowly. as if talking to her
self. ard went at once to the hotel Mr.
Philhrick was not in, and I learned that
probably ] would find him here So 1 came
down without the least thought of making
scene l think we'd better go to the
hotel, Amasa."
Certainly, my dear responded Phil
brick, humbly.
Let me get the carriage and drive you
down." exclaimed the professor.
THANK you; no." returned Mrs. Philbrick
firmly; Il much prefer to walk
TN not urge it, then, but won't you sit
down and rest?'
Il am not tired. The business 1 came to
see my husband about is pressing, and
must speak to him
The professor was very urgent with his
hospitality. He was congratulatng himself
that the device attempted by Louise was
succeeding under his hands. Could he but
succeed in preventing a domestic break in