Page:Watts Mumford--Whitewash.djvu/195

 Morton was surprised.

"Yes, I intended to speak to you of it. She told me she had put you on your guard. You remember I told you, dear, that I hardly thought him a gentleman." Philippa flamed. "Between saying a man isn't a gentleman and accusing him of murder and burglary there is a long stretch."

"Then you think she is entirely mistaken?"

Philippa hesitated. "You know how fond I was of her, and I know how much you thought of her; yet, Morton, dear,—but I can't help it, I am forced to believe she is doing this thing out of sheer vindictiveness and personal spite. It hurts me more than I can tell you to say such a thing,—but I can't help it, it's true." Her voice quivered, but how satisfying it was to say it!

Morton's heart stood still. "What makes you say that?" he asked. "Just what do you mean?"

"I can't very well tell you all. She knows that I guess the truth, and I suppose she will try and work me into the disgrace she is preparing for Valdeck, but I have you, Morton, and 185