Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-02-04

and actions nowadays, EDWARD. tnlhR
sometimes that l am not quite sane.
I have gone through much suffering;
been the prey of imaginings that 81
most deprived me of reason, besides
enduring the real and present trial.
And heaven knows how unready l was
for 1t ALL"
zone word, my dear girl, and my in
qulsition is over. Assure me honestly
Wld without fear of wounding me, have
you ever, in your most secret thought,
blamed me for the casualty which so
nearly widowed you? did try, as you
can bear me witness, to dissuade him
whom we both love from the expert
ment that cost him so dear. The idea
that you may have doubted this has
panied me inexpressibly."
Dismiss the suspicion at once and
foreverw Constance looked steadily
Into his face and spoke calmly. 1.-THE
thought has never entered my mind.
blame no one for my trouble-except-
Ing myself"
Before she could divine his purpose,
Edward had put his arm over her
shoulder and pressed his lips to hers.
"Let bygones be bygones" he said,
brightly and fondly. I'VE have too
much to live and to hope for to waste
time in nursing unhealthy surmises
and fears"
"ohw The sharp little interjection
came from the threshold Of the door
leading into the hall, where Miss Field
was llcovered in fine attitude Of bash
full apology, family favored with prud-
ISh CONSERVATION. II did not dream
you were here. was on my way to
my cousins roomw she continued, in
a prodiglous flutter Of ringlets and
shoulders. II beg million pardons,
am sure"
"You need not beg oneP said the
undaunted Edward, without releasing
Constance. Connie and l have been
settling a trivial misunderstanding in
good boy-andgirl style-have just
kissed and made up, and we now mean
to be better friends than ever"
HE! he! you are excessively candid,
to be sure" Uttered Harriet. But"
shaking her black curls-"Mrs. With
ers knows men and human nature too
we'll to believe quite all you say. We
must not forget, my dear madam,
that men were deceivers ever"
"YOu speak feelingly," said Edward,
carelessly, following Constance with his
eye, as she moved silently toward her
husbands chamber. 81 shall caution
the lady Of my love-should the gods
ever bestow one upon me--not to sip Of
the bitter waters of your wisdom"
Had he seen the glitter of the round,
black orbs that pursued his retiring
figure, he might have made a more
thoughtful exit, his run down the stairs
been less swift, the air he hummed, as
he went, less gay.
He had pleasant drive; Constance
an hour Of mingled sweet and bitter
ness. 1t was difficult to bear her part
In the apparent renewal Of the familiar
Intercourse of other days, without re-
taxing the severe guard she had set
upon herself from the moment she dis
covered the true nature Of the senti-
ment she entertained for her husbands
brother. She could not help delight
Ing In his society, in the manifold
proofs of loving concern for her COM
fort and happiness Of which she was the
recipient. Yet underlying this secret
and feeting Joy, was the ever-present
shame that marked her remembrance
Of her guilty weakness, and the despair
Ing knowledge that remorse, duty and
resolve had thus far availed nothing
to conquer it.
She looked faded rather than refresh
cd upon her return, although she had
curtailed the ride in opposition to Ed
wards advice Wild, rebelliOus
thoughts fought for mastery within her
all the while she was with him, the
promptings of an insane familiarity she
could not cast out. IF had met him
two years ago instead of his brother,
and he had wooed me, the love which
is now my disgrace would have been
my glory" she was tempted to repeat,
again and again. "Yet my fitness to
receive his affection and my need Of
him are the same to-day as they were
then. Is he the less my companion