New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-10


Look at me. give ne hope. I have waited so
long
The lily had attained 1ts full growth. Nv
task finished. There came the sound Of
footsteps the gravel Some one was ap-
preaching the window Madam stirred
looked fun into Philips eyes
Release ire at once Some one is coming
Unless you wish 10 kill Madam. control your
self"
As IL involunrariIy he freed me rose silent
" 70 nv feet and Just in time mans face
appeared at the window-RandaI ST John
MAY 7 core in?~ Re cried. gayly looking.
Philip. who had his finger on his lips.
but directly at Madam. All I fear startled
you Didn't your wicked son tell you I'd come
hor-e2 No. see he didn't He has pale and
guilty look, Hes jealous 81 because hnd
favor in your sight"
Scrambling in ~ the vin.ov he kissed
Madam's hand with burlssque air OF devotion
"vaurien"' she exclaimed. reprovingly. She
seemed pleased 70 see him I've had a bad
dream. Randall. When you stared in thought
you part Of tt was frightened, Where Is vour
cousin? Where Is Richard Thorpe"
Randall turning very pale. glanced at Philip
as II for assistance Madam spoke again with
out waiting for an
All, I remember. NV Athena. forgive mel
Forgive an old woman who would die to save
Il Il
What's all this gorGeousness?' cried Randall
recovering hinselt am good-rsturedly trying 20
divert her mind. Miss Derohans fist I'll GO
bail. What's the use Of this paper-nay peep
under? Lilies were meant 70 blush IN
seen"
He lifted the Of silk I had Just laid
down. with an extravagant assumption OF care.
1T is finished Athena demanded Madam.
sitting up among her pillows. Her eyes sparsled
with animation. a color had crept into her
cheeks. Take Off the paper Let Randall ses
your handiwork. Foolish boy The paper Is 70
guard the lilies. The spotIess lilies. Unless
spotlsss they had better lie withered and dead
yes. dead
Her whimsical look and manner had returned
The intelligence that had so alarmed me had
vanished. Indeed. she behaved even more oddly
than usual for. the tissue paper being removed
I from my embroidery she babe me put on thu
loose robe over nv gown. I looked at her IN
quirinsly. Could she really mean what she saidr
Put IL on" she repeated. imperiouslv. unless
you fear to do So"
| Smiling sadly T shook my head
of course you won't hurt it. Miss Derohan.'
said Randall IN honeyed tones helping me slip
/ my arms into the wide sleeves Of the garment.
/ You're too much like lily yourself. whits
and pure"
Philip stood by US. gloomy and severe. Nv
| words had. like douche OF tee water brought
| him TO himself His sornbre eyes rested upon
| me steadily as clothed myself IN the heavily
/ embroidered robe. whose soft folds fell 70 nv
/ feet
These flowers are wonderful exclaimed
/ Randall. ring OF sincerity in his voice. They
/ look real enough 10 smell sweet, never saw
| anything like them-such quantities. yet
artisticaIly grouped, You have magic in your
/ handsome fingers Miss Derohani what's the
| thing for. anyhow Not a dressing-gown for
| Erranti I hope, The old wolf needn't try TO
/ hide himself in any lambs feece-his black
/ furd be sure to stick out somewhere. Il IL FOE
| me? I'd look real sweet in it, He smiled dis
| agreeably.
| NO. no. It's for you" said Madam,
henent1y. and youn never see 1t again! II Is a
| bridal garment-but the bridegroom Is long IN
coming"
| Her voice had lowered to a whisper Randall
! eyed her curiously then looked at Philip. stand
ing. arms folded gloomy spectator OF Tire 1itt1s
scene
| "A bridal garment? I'm not TO see it again
\ Dear Madam. how cruel you arei Mayn't come
to the wedding?' Randall spoke plaintively:
! then. turning TO me: rs 10 for YOU TO wear-as
| a bride Miss DerohanT
| mo. no. said Madam. laughing oddly. NO.
no no. The robe Is for me. Randall; but Athena
| will be my tiring-woman when wear IT, be-
! cause Of the love she bears ne"
/ What do you mean. Marnan?' asked Philip.
! He spoke irnpatiently, rousing himself with an
| effort from the reverie into which he had fallen
| Pray explain-I detest riddles"
| But Madam was IN teasing hunnor. Lean
| ing back among her pillows she laughed again.
| looking at MIN nockingly through half-closed
| eyelids
! II did not say you IT for the last time.
| Philip Perhaps only for the first Of many.
| many times. Should you do evil the lilies viii
= stir and disturb me. Then. in the night. the
| dark. dark night the lilies and will come with
gentle shiverfng rustic through the halls-up the
/ staircase-to your bedside-close. close to you'll
/ You open your eyes-and yes. yes. yes-you see
/ that robe again.
| Her voice sank TO a mere whisper. Ltftinx
| herself erect she pointed her finger at Philip
/ His set face grew white under It's tan as hs
/ stared at her terror-stricken yet fascinated
l Randall looked pale and startled Madam
= glanced from one to the other.
ct is my shroud" shs said. and fell back
/ though exhausted
| ''1raman?' cried Philip. N bitter reproach.
How could you-how dared you'll Taks IL OF.
Athena. instantly; do you hear rs7 Ny God.
what an awful omenY
With no gentle hand hs tore the garments
| from my shoulders. saying. under his breath:
| I'll never forgive her. neveri How could
| she have the heart TO DO itr'
As the robe fell to the floor he seized and flung
IT savageIy to one side. The latent brutality In
ed what might come but Madam appeared un-
conscious Of the storm she had aroused Her
eyes closed. her features IN perfect reposs, shs
| weary but A