Middletown transcript., 1903-08-22

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Paul, and all manner OF vague
dreams and plans by which ne
might save her from the shame
which was her certain portion
if ever this story became known
flashed through his bewildered
brain. Wealth and honor were
as dear to him as to most men,
but it seemed easy enough to him
Just then to sacrifice himself and
to give up all for her sake. But
as his brain grew clearer the dif-
ficulties of such a course began
70 present themselves. Even If,
for Hilda's sake, he was content
to relinquish his claim to the
estates, could he do so with any
benefit to her? Would not the
next heir-a second cousin of Sir
John step in and assert his
claim?
Paul knew him slightly and
had heard that he was a grasping
avaricious mantle most un-
likely person in the world to be
swayed by any chivalrous feel
ling. The secret which his moth
er had guarded so carefully
might not remain a secret al
ways, and there would be end
less trouble and complications.
Paul thought and thought until
his brain whirled. He had been
taught to dislike Sir John, and to
regard him as his own and his
fathers enemy. But he was too
generous and manly to harbor
vindictive feelings, and there
was something repugnant to him
in his mothers persistent re
venge.
Mother, does anyone else know
of this? he whispered.
One other Ralph Sullivan!The
feeble fingers with difficulty
traced the words upon the slate,
but the bright eyes rested on
Paul's face with an odd look OF
triumph. It seemed to him as il
they penetrated to the innermost
depths Of his heart and rejoiced
that their owner had put it out
of his power to rob her of her
triumph.
The twilight grew darker;
stars came out in the dark blue
summer sky, andPhyllis entered
the room with a shaded lamp.
| She started at the sight Of Paul S
set white face and the scattered
papers on the bed.
"Will you have lights, Paul?'
she asked gently.
The young man started and
looked up with bewildered eyes
He hastily gathered up the papers
and replaced them in the enve.
lope, and then, as Phyllis left the
room, he looked at his mother
with-sad eyes.
"Be content will wait,
mother" he said.
| Hastily locking the packet in
the desk he went out into the
garden, where the tall white
lilies were cleaning in the twi-
light, and the scent Of the jessa.
mines and mignonnettee filed
the air with a subtle fragrance,
and only the distant voice Of the
sea broke the silence.
Up and down the garden Paul
paced, with his hands thrust
deep in his pockets and his head
a little bent. He was, as a rule,
keenly alive to the beauties OF
nature, but that night he was
deaf to her voice. His thoughts
we're full of Hilda, and he paced
up and down, grieving for her in
the trouble which lay before her
from the depths of his loyal
heart. He knew that there was
but one honorable course open
to him. Sir John ought to be
| told the truth at once. He was
a strong healthy man and might
| live dozen years: the revenue
| from the estates was large, and
| it would be easy in a few years
if expenses we're reduced and the
lavish outlay on the estate
checked-to save sufficient tc
provide for his children hand
somely.
But Paul felt thankful that il
was not absolutely necessary te
decide at once. He would wal
for a few days. He felt sick
faint, and almost worn out will
violent emotion and long sleep
! less nights of watching by hi.
mothers bed, and at last b.
turned to re-enter the house. A.
he passed into the porch h'
CHANGED to raise his eyes to th'
sky, and at that moment a sta
Of singular beauty and lustr'