The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-14


him to forego them.
But scarcely had the first words been
spoken when she learned that she was
laborlng under q mistake. Deceived by
the dim light, and some sinilariaty Of
height and figure, she had addressed her.
self to Vernon Aubrey instead Of MIR.
Derwent.
Scarcely comprehending the meaning Of
her hurried speech, he did not hesitate to
pledge himself to silence, when she found
out her error, and entreated him to forget
what she had been saying. Thus he found
himself afterwards, not only bound bygShis
promise to withhold tho clue he could have
given to the murderer Of Robert Walters,
but compelled to endure, without an effort
at bis own, vindicatiop, the suspicion his
.eFasiEe ,Iaaaner entailed upon him, when
examined at the inquest. ~ -
e Charles Malcolm knew;not how to COM
pensate the dying girl for the doubts Of
her innocence which he had been cherish
ing but Sybil guessed what he would have
said, and tenderly silenced him., ~.
> "Do yousthink that blame you, how
ever you may have condmned me. The
bliss Of being reinstated in your esteem
amply repays me for all that And it
sweetens these painful moments to know
that when l am at rest you will always
think of me-not as the false-hearted wo-
man who rejected you, but as the Sybil
who loved you better than her own happ.
ness.
The Interview was exciting her too much,
and the surgeon who wus in the room
came forward and begged Mr.. Malcolm to
withdraw
Reluctantly, he WAS about to obey, when
Sybil murmurad "Not yet. Lift me in
your arms, and let me sec Violet once more.
I should like to bid her farewell"
Nlillicent flew in search Of the weeping
girl, whom Vernon Aubrey was endeavor-
ing to console and calm. She hurried to
the side of her friend, but Sybil saw her
not. Her last look had been already given
to Charles Malcolm, and she did not speak,
except to softly murmur, "My poor, poor
guilty father! May God have mercy"
When Violet leaned over her, and put her
lips to the white check reposing on NAL
colm's breast, it was already growing cold
in DEATH.
They laid her in one Of the fairest spots
in that loveliest Of all our suburban ceme-
teries, Norwood. No stone marks the spot,
for Malcolm would not have anything done
which might lead the curious to gaze upon
the tomb which held the daughter of Wall
ters, murderer. But a light railing encloses
the grave, which in spring time, is covered
with white violets and the blue forget-me-
not; and one faithful heart clings fondly
to the memory Of the brave, pure spirit,
whose mortal coil rests beneath it.
Mr.. Derwent cvaded death by the hand
of the hangman; for he had cunningly
concealed about his person some Of the
virulcnt poison which had rid him Of his
sival.. After some days spent in his prison
cell, in fits Of alternate remorse and revil-
ing at his fate, he swallowed the drug, and
was found dead upon his pallet.
1t was some time before Violet Lindsly
overcame the shock Of these terrible events
she had witnessed. Accompanied by Mil
liccnt, to whom she had became much at
tached, she went with Sir John and Lady
Lefroye to a secluded watcring-place, and
remained there until her health and spirits
were somewhat restored.
A careful investigation Of accounts
proved that much of her property had been
converted by Mr.. Derwent to his own uses;
but Vernon Aubrey loved her for herself,
and perhaps was all the more pleased that
she was no longer the wealthy heiress she
had been, as it enabled him to prove the
disintercstedness Of his affection.
Ere long she became his bride; and Sir
John Lefcoye, to testify his regret for the
neglect Of his duties as a trustee, which
had enabled Mr.. Derwent to commit these
frauds undetccted, presented the BRIDE
groom with the title deeds Of a pretty little
estate, to which the really happy couple
retired for honeymoon protracted far be-
yond its usual limits.
When Charles. Malcolm saw Millicent
Vyner again, an unexpected piece Of good
fortune had placed her and her mother
above want. A plot Of land her father had
purchased in Australia many years pre-
viously, had suddenly become valuable,
and the widow sold it for q sum which
Millicent insisted upon investing in an an
nuity for her mothers benefit.
Charles Malcolm negotiated the sale Of
the land for Mrs. Vyner, and this affair
brought him into frequent contact with
her daughter. Millicent was the only crea-
ture in the world to whom he could speak
freely Of Sybil, and it was during these
conversations that he learned to .lmire
and appreciate the spirit and intelligence
of this young creature.
"There is strange similarity in our
fates," he observed to her one day, as they
sat together at the window of the pretty
cottage her mother had at Twickenham,
idly watching the boats float by upon the
river.
Millicent looked up with some surprise.
"Not much, think. Your life has never
been such chequered one as mine. You
have never known what it IS to struggle
with poverty, and lie down at night op-
pressed with dread of what the morrow
may bring forth"
81 was not thinking Of that. I fear
that, under such circumstances, should
not have emulated the brave and cheerful
patience which you displayed"
Nlillicent's sweet face glowed at his
praises.
"You forget that you have only heard
this from my too partial mother, who never
knew how often the patience she lauds
used to fail me, nor how many repining
thoughts I cherished in those dark days !"
There was short silence, and then Mall
L
meant that we had both loved, and lost the
being on whom we ixod our hopes"
Milliccnt sighed.
"Was that sigh for Walters remory?"
her companion somewhat hesitatingly in
quirod.
"No," she answered firmly. "I have
overcome what, after I'll, was but girlish
pleasure in the fattering attentions Of
young and handsome man. l can see now
the folly committed in listening to words
that meant nothing; and l know that if
Robert Walters love had been ever so
sincere, could not have been happy as his
wife"
"What makes you say this?" asked NAL
colin, looking steadily at the lrooping face.
"a conviction that could not be content
with the mere outside advantages of hand
some features and fascinating manner.
1 could not wed unless l gave my whole
confidence to my husband-unless 1 recos
nzcd in him astronger spirit for good than
my own
She stoppcd Suddenly. for an upward