The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1907-07-04

others, had its day, and passed by.
Three years slipped away, and
Jack Richmond came home. Phil
ippa waited for him in her sitting
room. She was in black, for her moth
err had died six months ago.
There were hurrying steps upon the
stairs-a hasty knock upon the door.
Her voice-where was her voice? She
tried to speak, and could not. The
door opened and closed She was in
his arms.
After awhile they began to talk con-
nsctedly.
"Philippa, dearest!" he said. you
have been through too much since
left you! Away from you l am afraid
Il didn't realize it as l should
But now l have come home to
take care OF you. We will be married
at once, dear. You won't keep me
waiting any longer. l have"
I'VE will speak of that tomorrow"
she interrupted
He looked distressed and puzzled.
He had an open face, as many men
have who follow the sea; it expressed
every shade of feeling.
When he left her that evening he
went back to his hotel and wandered
into the library. He moved aimessly
from shelf to shelf.
You seem to be looking for nothing
In particular" said man whom he
knew slightly, "but if you want an in
teresting book, read this"
He gave him a copy Of the Gil
lingham Letters" Richmond thanked
him and took the book to his room.
The next day wore away. Philippa
again sat waiting. Why did he not
come? She had nerved herself to con-
fess everything to him, and she had
supposed that he would be with her
as usual soon after ten o'clock. She
had told herself that by II all would
be over She would then know his
verdict.
She started to her feet. when final
ly there was a knock upon the door.
She flew to open it, and Richmond
came in.
He held her in his arms, kissing her
again and again.
Darling" he said, presently. Il have
done you a terrible injustice. l want
to tell you at once and see if you can
pardon me for having doubted you. l
have been reading that book
A shudder passed over her. He held
her closer.
There, dear, don't tremble so! \
.now how you feel about 1t. or
course | see that the letters. my IA
theirs and mothers love letters, must
have been stolen from you. and the
thief published them. l recognized
them at once, and, Philippa, dear, l
thought you had done it. Can you
ever forgive me for such an injustice?
was very angry, Of course. And then
suddenly the truth came to me! l
cursed myself for not having thought
of it before. They were stolen from
you, and you were afraid to tell me-
Why were you afraid, dear? Afraid of
me?
She did not speak. Presently he
led her to the sofa, and they sat down.
For the second time in her life she
was confronted by great tempta-
ton.
HE believes that they were stolen!'
she thought. "If I choose, l can let
him continue to think so. All may yet
be well. He will never forgive me If
he knows the truth. l can plainly see
that he will never forgive me. Only
a little silence-only little lying
She turned and looked in his face
that dear face which she had so longed
to see through all these weary years.
She stood very straight, her head
thrown back. She had never looked
more beautiful.
You were right in your first
thought" she said THE letters were
not stolen from me. | sold them
Wait! Don't move or say word I'M
til | have told you the whole story. l
was desperate for some money. 1t was
nearly three years ago, soon after you
sailed | was in debt-not foolish, use
| less debt, Jack, but for necessities,
| ACTUAL utC6SSlllcS. vi, odSh' oei,iA
| Forgive mel Say something!"
His voice, when he did speak, was
| unrecognizable. And you did this
| thing to me, and when l came home
you received me as though nothing
had been done You were not going
! to tell me- | know it now only be,
cause l found it out by chance. A
man gave me the book to read last
night. Mere chance
| moi" she interrupted. you are
mistaken. I was going to tell you to-
day. l only allowed myself a day s
| happiness"
Happiness! Is this your idea OF
happiness?
1T was as much as | could expect
being what am, having done what
did. That was why | asked you to
wait till tomorrow before we shoulc
make any arrangements. | was afralc
IL knew it would make a differ
| ence and-oh, Jack! Life has been sc
hard, | was so poor, and it seemed
such an easy way to make some
money!"
He looked round vaguely. He turned
toward the door.
Jack" Her voice was like the cry
of forest animal, wounded by the
hunters. Jack! | don't want to de
fend myself. | can't. There is moth
ing tn saw. hut I did very wrong"