WHY DID HE LOVE HER ?

Thames Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9829, 29 December 1900, Page 3

WHY DID HE LOVE HER ?

CHAPTER XV.—Continued.

If Philip Vane loved her well enough to ask her to become his wife she declared to her mint she would brave everything to do so. But Philip had some sense of manliness left in him, and when he had looked on the pale face of the girl he believed to be fading'into her grave because he had deserted her, lie felt that it would be base to inflict a new wound when the last seemed to have struck so deeply. He refrained from milking a declaration to Sa.vella, though he made love to her with every opptrtunity that offered itself; he felt secure that no rival could foil him, for he read the passionate soul of this girl, and awaited a more favorable time to ask her the momentous question—would she become his wife? Philip spoke to Savella of her uncle's distaste to him, and protested that he had lost favor through no fault of his own. Mr. Fontaine was peculiar, and a misunderstanding had arisen between their. He confessed that he had once admired Isola, but never till he saw Savella had his heart really been touched. With each hour passed in his society the heart of Savella became more deeply enthralled, till she owned thab without him life, fortune or any earthly good would be valueless in her eyes. With the skill of a skilful diplomatist, Philip led on this creature tilt he felt secure that in opposition she -would give him her hand and fortune when the time for action arrived. He liked her; was' flattered by her preference; but, until his father's suit was decided against him, he could not make up his mind to the last irrecoverable step which his vanity led him to believe would prove a death blow to Isolai The change in Isola.'s appearance wa.s remarked with pain by Miss Carleton, and she came over to La Fontaine and insisted on taking her young friend to the Vale to pass ;> few weeks. To this I'onUiine consented; for in his uneasiness he was ready to grasp at any change that promised diversion to her mind, ft was be'iwcd that the desolate feeling of winch she hud spoken to him was killing her slowly, and he hoped much for her from the cheerful companionship of the family at. the Vale.

Summertc;:i, who bad proffered medical skill, and been employed as her physician, approved of the proposed change. He prepared for her use a vial of drops, which he counselled her to take three times within twenty four hours, and Isola. promised to follow his directions. Savella expressed her regret at losing her, but promised to ride over every day with her uncle to enquire after her health. Fanny received her friend with joy, and exclaimed: "Now we have you among u* I mea.n tr try grandma's specific on yoii—the 'homo b'tte-s' that she used to dose us with when we were children. If it cured us then, it may do as much for you now, and I have a bottla in tbis room ready for you." Isola smiled, and replied: "Mr. Summerton is a phyrciiMi, and T have brought a supply of medicine tire pared by him." "Have his prescriptions done you any good?" "Not much. The drops seem to esh^ar. ate me for a few hours, but the reaction brings on a weariness and depression Uta' is indescribable" "Then you shall take no more of their. whil'o you are with us. ■ Try grandma's elixir, if you love me.*' Isola was in that listless state in wlrch she cared little what was offered to her, and she said: "As you please. I don't suppose it make much difference what I take, for nothing seems to do me good," "But we mean to do you good, an mako you well again. Don't ta'k as 5 you intend to go from us in the first b'o rn of youth. It is too bad, Lsola, to see hov lifeless you have become ;" and the gh burst into tears. "My dear Fanny, I shall only be to< happy if I could lay aside the dread th;>:. has settled on my heart. I confess that i' is hard "to lie. in the cold grave at 17 But if it is the will: of my Heavenlj Father, I must submit." "You must not, you shall not dk Isolo. Oh! what will' become of Georg when he hears—that you " She choked, and could not go on. Isoi; sadly said: "Ho will feel it, I know; but if I con ceal from him that I might have lovec' him in the time to come, he will not b. inconsolable." "Would you leave me to chink tha! love for that false man wounded you untc death?" asked Fanny. "My dear Isola givo George the consolation of knowiu;. what you have just expressed, if tin anguish of losing you by death list be liis The blow will be softened by the cer. tainty that your heart had asserted if> freedom, and Philip Vane is jio longei your ideal of manly excellence.* "I do not believe he was ever that tme, Fnnny; and now he has lost a' power. This is the truth, though nr. father will not believe ib." "But T bflievc it, and I believe (Ji:grandma's skill can rival that of yu;u Aesculapius; Do you know that if I were in you place I should be afraid to take anything offered me by those people." "Nonsense, Fanny. Why should they seek to injure me? I beg you will not insinuate anything so dreadful. His skil' is great, and his kindness to me unfailing. To speak the truth, I did mot like any of these strangers; but they have imp-ovec! on a longer acquaintance I am attached to Savella, and her aunt has been so attentive to me since I have been sick,, that I am ashamed of my first distaste to he*." But Fanny was still sceptical; she said: "They have everything to gain and nothing to lose by showing . sympathy; but if th"o affection of Mr. Fontaine for you had been less tender, I fancy they would have acted differently. I don't believe in any of them; Savella has more heart than either of the others, but she is a shallow parcel of vanity, and her head is turned by intentions to which she is unaccustomed. Have you remarked the manner of Philip Vane to her of late? She has done all sfcs could to attract him, and I believe he is ready to transfer to her the allegiance he once confessed to you." "He is quite welcome to do so; but Philip will scarcely dare appear before my father with another proposal for his heiress." "Perhaps he will not think that ceremony necessary. There are such things on elopements; and if the truth is told aboijt Mr, Fontaines affairs, his consent

will make no difference in the fortune his nioco is entitled to claim." This aroused Isola. fiom her apathy^ and she gravely said: "My cTiar Fanny, that is supposing Savella has neither principle nor gratitude. Do not suggest such an impossibility ns axii elopement. Philip shrink from the thought of such perfidy toward a man who has treated him with kindness from his boyhood." "Oh! well, let us waive the subject, Isola, for we shall never agree. Time will prove which is right." (To be continued.)