The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-01-08
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CHAPTER X

Nay. Sne SdlQ, never lllHt tIitHi, "a
fresh flower is very nice. A flower that
! has once been in the dust has lost its
| beauty"
| There was no trace of pain in the clear
| voice; it was rich and musical. Philippa
! L'EstraGge seated in the bright sunshine,
/ heard the words that were to her death
| warrant, yet made 10 sign. Il have not
yet met my IDEAL" Lord Arleigh had said
Captain Gresham picked up some OF the
| fallen flowers.
a dead flower from your hand, Miss
| L'Estrange." he observed, us worth
! whole gardenful of living ones from any
| one else"
She laughed again that sweet, musical
| laugh which seemed to come only from
! happy heart; and then she looked round.
! The Duchess of Aytoun and Lord Ar!elgh
were still in deep converse. Miss LES
| TRANCE turned to Captain Gresham.
! II have been told she said, that
! there are some beautiful white hyacinths
! here; they are my favorite flowers. Shall
we find them?"
He was only too pleased She babe
laughing adieu to the duchess and smiled
! at Lord Arleigh. There was no trace of
| pain or of sadness in her voice or face.
| They went away together, and Lord Ar
| leigh never dreamed that she had heard
! his remark
| Then the duchess left him, and he sat
under the spreading beech alone. His
/ thoughts were not of the pleasantest ma
/ ture; he did not like the general belief
/ in his approaching marriage; it was fair
neither to himself nor to Philippa-yet
! how was he to put an end to such gossip?
| Another idea occurred to him. Could it
! be possible that Philippa herself shared
| the idea?
| He reproaCh himself for the thought,
! yet, do what he would, he could not drive
/ it away. The suspicion haunted him; it
| made him miserable. If it was really so,
| what was lie to do?
He looked around the grounds, and pres
emily saw her the center of a brilliant
! group near the lake. The Duke Of Ash
wood was by her side, the elite of the
/ guests had gathered round her. He went
up to the little group, and again the same
! popularity struck hm-they all made way
for him-even the Duke Of AShWo0d, al
though he did it with frown on his face
and an angry look in his eyes. Each one
seemed to consider that he had some spe-
cal right to be by the side of the beauti-
full Miss IEstranEe, and she, as usual
when he was present, saw and heard 10
one else.
"Philippa," he said. suddenly 'the wat
! or looks very tempting would you like a
row ~
Above everything else" she replied.
And they went off in the little pleasure
boat together.
He rested on his SOULS. and the boat
drfted under the dropping branches of a
willow tree. He never forgot the picture
that then presented itscf-the clear deep
water, the green trees, and the beautiful
face looking at him.
Norman" she said, in a clear. low
voice, Il want to tell you that over
heard all that you said to the Duchess of
Aytoun. | could not help it was so
near to YOU
She was taking the difficulty into her
own hands. He felt most thankful.
Did YOU, Philippa? thought you were
cngrossed with the gallant captain
Did you really and in all truth mean
what you said to her. she asked.
certainly; you know me we'll enough
to be quite sure that | never say what |
do not mean
You have never vet seen the woman
you would ask to be your wife, she said
There was brief silence, and then he
replied:
NO. in all truth, | have not. Philippa."
y little bird was singing on swaying
bough just above them-to the last day of
her life it seemed to her that she rcn1em
bercl the notes The Sultry silence seem
ed 10 deepen. She broke it.
But. Normau,' she SAID, in a low voice.
have YOU not seen me-
He tried to laugh to hide his enlharrass-
menL but it was a failure.
Il have seen you-and | admire YOU. |
have all the affection of q brother for YOU. |
fhiiippa--" and then he paused abrupt
~.
But" she supplied. you have never
thought Of making me your wife? Speak |
to me quite frankly, Norman"
NO, Philippa. have not"
AS matters stand between US. they re- |
quirc explanation" she said; and he saw
| her lips grow pale. 1T is not pleasant for
M" To have to mention il, but must do it |
Norman. do you quite forget what We
were taught to believe when we We're
children that our lives were TO be passed
togcthcrE"
My dearest PhiIippa, pray spare your
self and me. | did not know that Won
even remembered that childish nonsense
She raised her dark eyes IL his face. ana |
there was something in them before which
tie >hrauk As one who feels pain.
One word, Norman-only one word
That past which has been 50 much IA mo !
that past in which | have lived, even
more rha@ in the present. or the future
am | 10 look upon it as what you call non |
sense"
He took her hand in his.
My dear Philippa," he said. Il hate
T,ySciC for what | have 10 s,v--i+ ,,,o1.oc