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


hope.
How am l to bear it?' she cried.
What am to do?" She looked round
her with the bewldcred air of one who
had lost her way-with the dazed appear
ance of one from beneath whose feet the
plank Of safety had been withdrawn. 1t
was all oyer-life was all over; the love
that had been her life was suddenly tax
en- from her. Hope was dead-the past
in which she had lived was all a blank
he did not love her.
That night, while the sweet flowers
slept under the light of the stars, and
the little birds rested in the deep shade
Of the trees-while the night winds whis-
pered low, and the moon sailed in the sky
-Phlippa L'Estrange. the belle of the
season, one of the most beautiful women
in London, one of the wealthiest heiresses
in England, wept through the long hours
-wept for the overthrow Of her hope and
her love, wept for the life that lay in
ruins around her.
She watched the stars until they faded
from the skies and then she buried her
face in the pillow and sobbed herself to
sleep.
CHAPTER Nj.
1t was when the sun, shining into her
room, reached her that an idea occurred
to Philippa which was like the up-spring-
ing of new life to her All was not yet
lost. He did not love her-he had not
thought of making her his wife; but it did
not follow that he would never do so.
What had not patience and perseverance
accomplished before now? What had not
love Won?
She hoped against hope. Each day she
counted the kind words he had said to her,
she noted every glance. every look. every
expression. But she could not find that
she made any progress-nothing that i'll
Dictated any change from brotherly friend
ship to love. Still had she not hoped
against hope. the chances are that she
would have died of Il broken heart
Then the season ended. She went back
to Nerdun Royal with Lady Peters, and
Lord Arleigh to Reechgrove They wrote
TO each other at Christmas, and met at
Calverey, the seat of Lord Rneham. BY
this time some of Miss L'Estrange's ad-
mrers had come to the conclusion that
there was no truth in the report of the
engagement between herself and Lord
Arleigh. Among these was his grace the
Duke of Hardwood. He loved the beau
tiful, qucenly girl who had so disdainfully
refused his coronet-the very refusal had
made him care more than ever for her.
When the Duke Of Hardwood made m
his mind. he generally accomplished his
desire; he sought Lord Arleigh with such
assduity, he made himself so pleasant and
agreeable to him, that the master Of
Beechgrove soon showed him his most
cordial and sincere liking. Then they be-
came warm friends. The duke contided
in Lord ArleiGh-he told him the whole
story Of his love for Miss L'Estrange.
Il know he said that no one has so
much influence over her as YOU | do not
believe in the absurd stories told about an
engagement between you. but | see plain
ly that she is your friend. and that you
are hers; and | want you to use your in
fuence with her in my favor"
Lord Arleigh promised to do sO-and hn
intended to keep his promise; they were
on such intimate and friendly terms that
he could venture upon saying ANYTHING Of
that kind to her. The opportunity that
Lord Arleigh looked for came at last
Philippa had some reason to doubt the
honesty of Il man whom she had been
employing as agent. She resolved upon
laying the matter before Lord Arleigh.
and seeing what he thought about it. He
listened very patiently, examined the
affair, and then told her that he believed
she had been robbed.
"Philippa,' he continued. "why do Won
not marry! a husband would save Won
all this trouble; he would attend TO YOUR
affairs, and shield you from annoyances
of this kind"
The answer to your question. WHY
do not marryE would form a long storv.j
she replied.
"Philippa, there is something that I
wish to say TO you-somothing that long
have wished to say. VIII you hear il
now"
y tremor like that of the leaves in the
wind seemed to pass over her There was
startled expression in the dark eyes. a
culver Of the crimson lips. Was it com
ing ut last-this for which she had longed
all her life She controlled all outward
signs Of emotion and turned to him quite
calmly
Il am always ready to listen to you,
Norman, and to hear what you have to
say
Il want You TO tell me why you will
not marry the Duke Of Hardwood. You
have treated me as your brother and your
friend. The question might seem imper-
tinent from another; from me it will not
appear impairment, not curious simply
true and kindly interest Why will you
not marry him. Philippa:''
quick. sharp spaSm Of pain passed
over her face. She was silent for min
ute before she answered him, and then she
said:
The reason is very simple. Norman
because Do not love him
That is certainly n strong reason; hut.
Phillppa, let me ask you another ques-
tlon-why do you not love him.
She could have retorted. why do you
not love me-" but prudence forbade it.
II cannot tell you. | have heard you
say that love is fate. / should imagine
ii must be because the Duke Of Hazel
wood is not my fate
He did not know what answer TO make
20 that. il was so entirely his own way of
thinking.
Put, Philippa." he resumed after
pause. do you not think that you might
love him if you tried
When you urge me TO marry your
friend, you ask ME why I cannot love him.
Norman, why can you not love me-"
Il can answer you only in the same
wardS-l DO not know. ! love you with
as true an affection is ever man gave to
woman; but l have not for you lovers
love. | cannot tell why. for you are one
of the fairest of fair women
Fair. but not your ideal woman" she
said, gently.
No. not my ideal woman" he re-
turned; my sister. my friend-not my
love"
Norman. will you tell me what your
ideal of woman IS like, that l may know
her when l see herr"
Nay" he objected, gently, "let US talk
of something else
But she persisted.
Tell me" she urged. that may know
in what she differs from me-
L do lot know that | can tell YOU" he
replied. Il have not thought much of
the matter"
But II anyone asked you TO describe