The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1897-12-25
CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.
Nature had made Philippa L'EstranSc
beautiful, circumstances had helped TO
make her proud Her father. Lord Is
TRANCE, died when she was quite n child,
leaving her an enormous fortune that was
quite under her own control. Her mother,
Lady LEstrange, had but one idea in ilfe,
and that was INDUCING her beautiful
daughter in her every caprice. Proud,
beautiful and wealthy, when she most
needed her mothers care that mother
died leaving her sole mistress of herself.
She was but seventeen then, and was
known as one Of the wealthiest helresscS
and loveliest girls of the day. Her first
step was, in the opinion of the world. a
wise one: she sent for Il widowed cousin,
Lady Peters. to live with her as chaperon,
For the first year after her mother S
death she remained at Nerdun Royal, the
family estate. After one year given TO
retirement, Phiippa LEstrange thought
she had mourned for her mother after the
most exemplary fashion. She was just
nineteen when she took her place again
in the great world, one of its brightest
ornaments.
An afternoon III lIoUuOu Ill MAY L 1T
air was clear and fresh; there was in 1t a
faint breath of the budding of chestnuts,
the hawthorn and lilac; the sun shone
clear and bright, yet not too warmly.
On this afternoon Miss LEstrange sat
in the drawing room Of the magnificent
family mansion in Hyde Park.
She played for some few minutes with
the rings on her fingers, smiling to her
self soft dreamy smile, as though her
thoughts were very pleasant ones; then
she took up Il volume Of poems, read a few
lines. and then laid the book down again.
The dark eyes, with a CLEAN Of impa tience
in them, wandered TO the clock.
How slowly those hands move" she
said
~ gu are restless observed a calm, low
voice; "watching n clock always makes
time seem ltnS
"Ah, Lady I eters," said the rich, must
cal tones, "whcE 1 cease to be young, |
shall cease to be inpatient
Your anxiety about the gentleman
would be very flattering to him if he
knew it," remarked the elder lady.
Why should | not be anxious? | have
always loved him better than the whole
world. ] have had reason to be anxious. .
"Philippa. my dear PhiIippa. would
not say such things if | were you. unless
had heard something really definite
from himself"
The beautiful young heircss laughed a
bright, triumphant laugh.
Something definite from himself, Why.
you do not think it likely that he will
long remain indifferent to me, even if he
be so now-which l DO not believe"
y have had so many disappointments
in life that | am afraid Of being san
cuine," said Lady Peters; and again the
young beauty laughed.
1T will seem so strange to see him
again. / remember his going away 50
well. | was SO young them am
young now, but l feel years older. lie
came down to Nerdun Royal to bid rs
good-by, and | was in the grounds. He
had but half an hour to stay, and mann
ma sent him out to me-
The color deepened in her face as she
spoke, and the light shono in her splendjl
eyes-thcre was kind Of wild, restless
passion in her words.
Il remember it all so well, There had
been a heavy shower of rain in the early
morning. that had cleared away. leaving
the skies blue, the sunshine golden. while
the rain drops still glistencd on the trees
and the grass. | love the sweet smell of
the green leaves and the moist earth af-
ter rain. | was there enjoying it when
he came to say good-by to me-mamma
came with him. 'Philppa.' she said. Nor
man is going; he wants to say good-hv
to his little wife. He always calls me
his little wife. I saw him look very grave.
She went away and left us together y on
are growing too tall to be called nv little
wife, Philippa.' he said, and laughed at
his gravity. How long shall you be away,
NOrmanT ! asked him. Not more than
two years he replied. You will be quite
a brilliant lady of fashion when return.
lhiIippa; You will have made conQuests
innumerable.' 4 shall always be the
same to YOU | replied; but he made no
answer. He took the spray of lilac
was holding from my hands. My ideas
of you will always he associated with IL
laos, he said; and that is why, Lady Pet
ers, | ordered the vases to be filed with
lilacs to-day. He bent down and kissed
my face. 'Good-by, Philippa' he said,
may | find you as good and as beautiful
as | leave YOU And then he went away.
That is just two years ago: no wonder
that l am pleased at his return
Lady Peters looked anXiously at her.
There was no regular engagement be-
tween you and Lord Arleigh, was there,
philippa:"
What do you call a regular engage
ment:" said the young heiress. He new
or made love To me, if that is what you
mean--he never asked me 10 be his wife:
but it was understood always under
stood"
by whom?" asked Lady Peters.
MY mother and his. When Lady Ar
leigh lived. she spent & great deal of time