Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1896-11-23

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apart. she was dear, very dear to me- |
hated the thought of her seeing me, her
ONLY child reduced TO such wreck of
my former self; yet for her sake | again
renewed my resolve of leaving my Sc
clusion.
Yet | knew that tomorrow / should
forswear myself, and sink back into my
apathy and aimless existence. All. |
knew not what events were to crowd
into the morrow.
But now back to the night 1t was
mid-winter, and bitterly cold out OF
doors Ny lamp was not yet lighted; the
glow of my fire alone broke the darkness
of the room. | had not even drawn the
curtains or shut the shutters. At times
| liked TO look out and see the stars.
They shone SO peacefully, so calmly. so
coldly; they seemed SO unlike the world,
with it's strife and fierce passions and
disappointments.
/ rose languidly from my chair and
walked to the window. TO see what sort
of a night it was. AS l approached the
easement I could see that the skies had
darkened; moreover, l noticed that
feathery flakes of snow were accumulat-
ing in the corner of each pane. | went
close to the window and peered out into
the night.
Standing within yard of me, gazing
into my dimly-lit room-her face stern
and pale as death, her dark eyes now
riveted on my own-was woman; and
that woman was Philippa, my love!
For several seconds | stood spellbound,
gazing at her. That / saw more than a
phantom of my imagination did not at
once enter into my head. In dreams I
had seen the one i loved again and again,
but this was the first time my waking
thoughts had conjured up such vision.
Vision. dream, reality! | trembled as [
looked; for the form was that of Phil
ippa in dire distress.
1t was seeing the hood which covered
her head grow whittier and whittier with
the Installing snow which aroused me
to my senses, and made every fiber thrill
with the thought that Philippa, in flesh
and blood, stood before me. With low
cry Of rapture tore asunder the fasten-
ings of the French easement, threw the
sashes apart. and without a word my
love passed from the cold. bleak night
into my room.
She was wrapped from head to foot
in a rich. dark fur-trimmed cloak. AS
she swept by me 1 felt she was damp
with partially thawed snow. | closed
the window: then with throbbing heart
turned to greet my visitor. She stood
in the center of the room. Her man
through the dusk | could see her
white face. hands and neck. | took her
hands in mine; they were as cold as
iccles.
"Philippa. Philippa! why are you
here? [ whispered. Welcome, thrice
welcome, whether you bring me joy or
sorrow"
A trembling ran through her. She said
nothing, but her cold hands clasped mine
closer. | led her to the fire, which /
stirred until it blazed brightly. She
kneeled before it ard stretched out her
hands FOR warmth How pale she
looked; how unlike the Philippa of old!
But to my eyes how lovely!
rs [ looked down at the fair woman
kneeling at my feet, with her proud
head bent in shame, [ knew intuitively
that 7 should be called upon to keep
my oath: and knowing this, I re-regis-
tered it in all it's entirety.
At last she raised her face to mine.
until Row I had never seen there,
In her eyes was a somber fire. which
until no-v | had never seen there.
"Philippa! Philippa!' I cried again.
Fetch a light she whispered. LET
me see a friends face once more-if
you are still my friend
Your friend. your true friend, for
ever | said, as 1 FASTENED to obey her
As [ placed the lamp on the table
Philippa rose from her knees. [ could
now see that she was in deep mourning.
Was the thought that flashed through
me. that it might be that she was a
widow. one of joy or sorrow? 1 hope
l try to believe it was the latter.
We stood for some moments in ST
lence. My agitation, my rapture at see
ing her once more seemed to have de-
prived me of speech. [ could do little
more than to gaze at her and tell myself
that | was not dreaming; that Philippa
that ! had heard. her hands that /
clasped. Philippa it was, but not the
Philippa of old!
The rich. warm, glowing beauty
seemed toned down. Her face had lost
its exquisite color. Moreover, it was
the face of one who has suffered one
who is suffering To me it looked as if
illness had refined it. as it sometimes will
refine a face. Yet. if she had been i'll,
her illness could not have been of long
duration. Her figure was as superb, her
arms as finely rounded. as ever. She
stood firm and erect. Yet trembled as
[ gazed at that pale. proud face and
the while ask her why she sought me.
She was the first to break the silence.
you are changed, BASIL" she said.
'Time changes everyone" [ answered,
forcing a smile.
''Will you believe me-" she continued,
when l say that the memory of your
face as | saw it last has haunted even
sill, had | been true to myself / think
| might have learned to love you. $500
She spoke regretfully. and as one who
has finished with life and it's love. My
heart beat rapidly; yet l knew her words
were not spoken in order to hear me tell
her that loved her passionately as ever.
Il have heard of you once or twice."
she said, softly. "'You are rich now.
they tell me, but unhappy"
Il loved you and lost you," [ answered.
''How could | be happy"
''And men can love like this?' she
said. sadly. "All men are not alike,
then?"
Enough Of me- I said '"Tell me of
yourself, Tell me how I can aid you.
Your husband
She drew sharp. quick breath The
color rushed back to her cheek. Her
eyes glittered strangely. Nevertheless,
she spoke calmly and distinctly.
Husband! | have none," she said.
''1s he dead?"
''No'-she spoke with surprising bit
terness-"No; l should rather say l
never was 2 wife. Tell me, BASIL" she
continued, fiercely. ''did you ever hate a
man. %