Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1898-02-23
CHAPTER VI.

Nature had made Philippa LEstrangt
beautiful, circumstances had helped Il
make her proud. Her father, Lord les
TRANCE, died when she was quite child
leaving her an enormous fortune that was
quite under her own control. Her mother
Lady LEstrange, had but one idea in life
and that was indulging her beautiful
daughter In her every caprice. Proud
beautiful and wealthy, when she mos.
needed her mothers care that mother
died, leaving her sole mistress of herself
She was but seventeen then. and was
known rs one of the wealthiest heiresses
and loveliest girls of the day. Her first
step was, in the opinion of the world. q
wise one: she sent for a widowed cousin
Lady Peters, to live with her as chaperon
For the first year after her mother:
death she remained at Verdun Royal. tho
family estate. After one year given tC
retirement, Philippa L'Estrange thought
Isshe 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 In London In May. The
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 L'Estrange 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 a soft, dreamy smile, as though her
thoughts were very pleasant ones; then
she took up volume of poems, read a few
lines. and then lsi1 the book down again.
The dark eyes, with a gleam of impa atience
in them, wandered to the clock.
How slowly those hands novel" she
said
you are restless observed a calm, low
voice; watching a clock always makes
time seem iLIg"
"Ah, Lady T eters," said the rich. musi-
cal tones, 'wheE / cease to lie young,
shall cease to be inpatient
Your anxiety about the gentleman
would be very iattering to him if he
hurw it," remarked the elder lady.
Why should l not be anxious? I have
always loved him better than the whole
world. ! have had reason to be anxious -
"Philippa, my dear Philippa, l would
not say such things If l were you, unless
had heard something really definite
from himself"
The beautiful young heiress laughed a
bright, triumphant laugh.
Something definite from himself, Why-
you do not think 1t likely that he will
long remain Indifferent to me, even il he
be so now-which 1 do not believe"
II have had so many disappointmests
in life that l am afraid of being san
guine," said Lady Peters; and again The
young beauty laughed.
1T will seem SO strange to see him
again. l remember his going away so
well. l was so young then-I am
young now, but l feel years older. He
came down to Verdun Royal to bid us
good-by, and l was in the grounds. He
had but half an hour to stay, and man.
ma sent him out to me-
The color deepened in her face as she
spoke, and the light shone in her splendid
eyes-there was a kind of wild, restless
passion in her words.
Il remember it all so we'll! 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 glistened on the trees
and the grass. l love the sweet smell of
ihe green leaves and the moist earth af-
ter rain. | was there enjoying it when
ne came to say good-by to me-mamma
came with him. 'Philippa,' she said, Nor
man is going; he wants to say good-by
to his little wife He always calls me
his little wife. l saw him look very grave.
She went away and left us together. You
are growing too tall to be called my little
wife, Philippa,' he said, and laughed at
his gravity. How long shall you be away,
Norman" l asked him. Not more than
two years. he replied. You will be quite
brilliant lady of fashion when l return.
Philippa; you will have made conquests
innumerable.' 4 shall always be the
same to you,' l replied: brt he made no
answer. He took the spray of lilac
was holding from my hands. My ideas
Of you will always be associated with IL
lacs,' he said; and that is why. Lady Pet
ers, / ordered the vases to be filed with
lilacs to-day. He bent down and -heed
my face. 'Good-by, Phiiippa,' he Said,
may End you as good and as beautiful
as / leave you.' And then he went away.
That Is just two years ago; no wonder
that / 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
er made love to me, il that IL what you
mean-he never asked me to be his wife:
but 1t was understood-always under.
Stood"
by whom" asked Lady Peters.
my mother and his. When Lady Ar
IeiQh livod nho srAs,< q ~roaf = dAa1 NJ I'm, a