Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1897-02-11
CHAPTER X.--fCoNTINUnD.I

her brother-in-law. He was not less
kind, and his fraternal attentions we're
rendered freely and cordially as ever
but he was less gay, and was addicted
70 fits of abstraction, profound, al
though apparently not sad, while his
absence from the family circle, with
out apology, became so common that II
ceased to provoke Harriet's frivolous
wonder, and to disappoint Mr.. Withers.
Constance had never complained OF or
remarked upon this. But her mind
was tossed night and day upon tu-
multuous tide Of conjectures, she would
fain have termed apprehensions, rath-
err than hopes. Up to this date she had
believed her love and her misery to be
unGhared and unsupported by him; had
reiterated, in her flimsy self-deception,
thanksgivings choked by tears that she
was the only sufferer from her wretch
cd folly. Did she grow suddenly cruel
and base the moment when the thought
that the error was mutual awoke
vaptures, the remembrance Of the suf-
fering ne must also taste had not the
power to still?Was the salve to her self
respect supplied by the discovery that
her divinity was fallible man, impo-
tent to resist the subtle temptation that
had overcome her prejudices and sense
of right, worth the price paid for 1t? A
new terror, more sweet than any joy
she had ever known, soon laid hold
Of her. 1t was idle to ignore the fact
that Edward furtively, but persistent
ly, sought private interview with her.
She might disregard his beseeching
glances, affect to misunderstood his
signals and his uttered hints, might
seek, In constant ministrations to her
husbands wants and whlms, to guard
herself, and to forget those omens of a
nearing crisis. But she comprehended
his designs; marked with a thrill, that
was the opposite to pain, his chagrin
at his failure, and the augmented rest
lessness Of his mien, betokening per-
plexity and desire. What was to be the
end of this pursuit, and her evasion Of
It, when her own heart was the temp
ter's strongest ally? She dared not
hear him say that she was dear to
him as he had long been to her. Know
ing, as she did, that she ought to spurn
him from her at the remotest approach
10 this theme, she was never able to
Eay with an honest purpose that she
was likely to do it. If she doubted his
Intentions, she doubted herself yet
more.
"John," she called through the front
window, where are you going? What
brought you here?"
"Mr. Edward told me to call for him
ut 4 o'clock, ma'am. thought he had
spoken to you about it," was the re-
spectful rejoinder.
There was no immediate reply, and
he checked his horses to inquire.
"Will I go back, mann"
mo; go on"
She threw herself upon the back seat
again, with throbbing pulses and a
feeling that she had spoken the SEN
Eence which was to decide her fate for
time and for eternity. Heaven help me
to stand fasty the tongue essayed to
say, and while the heart was melting
into tenderness, and vibrating with ex-
pectation.
It lacked ten minutes of the appoint
ed hour when they reached the Office,
but Edward stood upon the door step,
hat and gloves on.
! "It is good in you to submit so quietly
to my meddling," he began, by the
time he was seated. But have some
thing to say to you, story to tell
which I can keep no longer. You must
have seen, although you have seemed
not to do so, how l have logged your
steps for some weeks past, in the hope
Of stealing an opportunity for confess
sion. l have sometimes ventured to
believe that your Womans wit and
wOman's heart had penetrated my Sc
cret; that what entered so largely into
my thoughts and motives, made up so
much Of my life, could not remain hid
den from your eyes. wanted to tell
you Of 1t long ago, dear Connie, but
the recollection Of what was due to
another withheld me, while l was yet
uncertain that my love was returned
] had 80 little reason for hope, although
hope has never flagged--mine is san
gulne nature, you know-that l hest
tated to speak openly. Now that I can
feel firm ground under my feet, my
happiness is mixed with much alloy.
must either take from one who is a
hopeless invalid the ablest and most
lovely nurse that ever man had; con-
denim him, whose claim the world would
declare to be superior to mine, to lone
Illness and sorrow, or consent to a sea-
son of drearT waiting before can
call my darling my own. Do you won
der that thoughts such as these have
preyed upon my spirits; racked me
with anxiety, even in the blessed hour
Of assurance that my devotion was not
Easted?"
CHAPTER XI.