The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-02-26
CHAPTER NNHI.

CHAPTER XXVU.
Philippa, Duchess of Hazelwood, was
sitting in the superb drawing room at
We're Court. 1t was some time since she
had left town. but she had brought some
portion of the gay world back with her
The court was filled with visitors, and
nothing was thought Of but brilliant fes-
tivities and amusement The duchess was
queen Of all gayety: the time that had
passed had simply added to her beauty
she was now one of the handsomest wom-
en- in society.
1t was n warm day. me last day in
June. and We're Court had never seemed
so brilliant The lovely young duchess
had withdrawn for a short time from
her guests. Most of them had gone out
riding or driving. There was TO he a
grand ball that evening. and her Grace
Of HaZelwoOd did not wish to fatigue her
self before it came off. As for driving
or riding i'll the hot sun simply because
the day was fine and the country fair,
she did not believe in it. She had retired
TO her drawing room; a soft couch had
been placed near one Of the open win
dows. and the breeze that came in was
heavy with perfume. On the stand by
her side lay a richly jeweled fan. n bottle
of sweet scent. a bouquet of heliotrope-
her fayOrlte toWcr-and one or two books
which she had selected To read She lay.
with her dark. quecnly head on the soft
cushion Of crimson velvet III an attitude
that would have charmed painter But
the duchess was not wasting the light of
her dark eyes over a book. She had clos
ed them, as a flower closes its leaves in
the heat Of the sun. As she lay there,
beautiful, languid, graceful. the picture
she formed was marvelouSly rich study
of color SO thought the duke, who, un-
heard by her. had entered the room.
Everything had prospered with his
Grace. He had always been extremely
wealthy, but his wealth had been increas-
ed in a sudden and unexpected fashion.
On one Of his estates in the north vein
of coal had been discovered which was
one of the richest in England. The pro
cceds Of it added wonderfully to his in
come. and promised to add still more No
luxury was wanting; the duchess had all
that her heart. even in its widest ca
prices. could desire. The duke loved her
with as keen and passionate a love as
ever He had refused TO 90 out this morn
ing. because she had not gone; and now
he stood watching her with something
like alteration in his face-the beautiful
woman, in her flowing draperies of amber
and whir. lie went up to her and touch
ed her brow lightly with his lips
Are You asleep, my darling:" he ask
ed.
NO" She replied. opening her eyes.
Il have something to read to you
something wonderfully
She reused herself
Your geese are generally swans, We're
What IS the wonder"
Listen, Philippa." And the duke scan
ned the newspaper in his hands All
here it is, | am sure you will say that
this is wonderful. 1t explains all that
could not understand for Arleigh's
sake | am glad, though what you will
say to it | cannot think
And. sitting down by her side, he read
cher the newspaper account Of the Ar
leigh romance.
He read it without interruption, and
the queenly woman listening to him knew
that her revenge had failed and that in
stead of Furnishing the man who had
sighted her love she had given him one of
the sweetest, noblest and wealthiest girls
in England. She knew that her ven
geance had failed-that she had simply
crowned Lord Arleigh's life with the love
of n devoted wife.
When the duke looked up from his pa
per to see what was the effect of his news,
he saw that the duchess had quietly faint
ed away, and lay with the palor of leatb
on her face. lie believed that the heat
was the cause, and never suspected his
wife's share ia the story.
She recovered after a few minutes. She
did not know whether she was more glad
or sorry at what she had heard. She had
said once before Of herself that she WAS
not strong enough to be thoroughly wick
ed-and she was right.
A year had elapsed. and Lord Arleigh
and his wife were in town for the sea
son, and We're, as a matter Of course. the
objects of much curiosity. He was sitting
one evening III the drawing room of his
town house, when one Of the servants
told him that lady wished to see him.
He ordered her TO be shown into the room
where he was, and presently there enter
ed a tall, stately lady. whose face was
closely yelled; but the imperial figure, the
"Philippai' he cried, in establishment.
Then she raised her vail, and once again
he saw the grandly beautiful face of the
woman who had loved him with such pas
sionate love.
Yes" said the duchess. calmly. And
do yoI know why am here:"
Il cannot even guess" he replied
Il am here II impIore your pardon"
she announced. with deep humility-''to
tell you that neither by night nor by day,
since | planned and carried out my re
venge, have known peace. l shall Meth
er live nor die in peace unless you for
give me. Norman
She bent her beautiful. naughty head
before him-her eyes We're full Of tears.
Leaving her standing there. Lord Ar
leigh drew aside the velvet hangings and
disappeared, In few moments he re-
turned. leading his wife by the hand.
"fhilippa,' he said, gravely tell my
wife your GRAND; hear what she SAYS.
We will abide by her decision"
At first the duchess drew back with
naughty gesture
1t was you l car1e to see" she said
70 Lord Arleigh; ana then The sweet face
touched her and her better self prevailed.
"Madaline, she said, quietly, you
have suffered much through me-win you
pardon me-"
The next moment Lady Arleigh's arms
We're claspei round her neck, and the
pure, sweet lips touched her own.
1t was because you loved him." she
whispered. and l forgive you"
The Duke Of Hazelwood did not under
stand the quarrel between his wife and
Lord Arleigh, nor did he quite understand
the reconciliation; still he is very pleased
that they are reconci!e,i. for he likes Lord
Arieigh better than any friend he has
ever had.
In the gallery A. Nerdun Royal there Is
! charming n;,-r,a raNai "I'h.. -,