Columbus index. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1869-1893, 1875-07-16

avengers come Anu Ill Is kuOWus
In haste-for she knew not how soon
she might be summoned away-Millicent
tried to dissipate the unnatural slumber in
which Sybil Derwent had been wrapped
50 long. At first no success crowned her
/ efforts; but just as she was about 10 re-
! nOunce them in dispair, the dark eyes De
! gan to unelose, and look wonderingly INTO
her face.
Then GIilicent spoke sharply ana ue-
| cidedly. She warned the awakening
[ sleeper that there was danger at NAM;
! that she must rise, and either prepare LOT
! the worst, or escape while there was yeJ
! time to do so.
The words fell upon dulled ears Syba
| listened but she did not comprehend: Inc
/ lethargy in which her senses had beel
, STEPPED still hung over her; and Mlllicent
most earnest adjurations were heard with
! an apathetic Indifference that she could
! not overcome.
At last, she spoke the name Of Robert
! Walters, and now Sybl raised her hands 10
/ her head, and seemed TO be trying 10 COM
! prehend what Milhcent was saying.
Walters !" she repeated. Why is lie
| here? Why will he persist in remaiug
! Have I not cautioned him that he is nor
! safe within these walls Yes, cruelty as
: he has insulted me, L have not let him
rush upon his fate without warning. H.
II disguise that ne could not penetrat..
have stolen to his side and hidden him fy.
Why does he not go 20
"You forget" said Millicent epeakir,
slowly and cmphatically; Robert Wal
ters is dead. Poison was infused in a class
of lemonade, which he swallowed unsus-
pectingly, and so persisted"
Sybil shuddered, and put out her haDEs /
rs If beseeching the speaker to cease these
terrible details.
He was murdered, and the poisoner is
: discovered at last Milhcent went ~,
Charles Malcolm, who avowed 10 ave,,.@,.
the death OF his cousin, viii be here in an
other hour. Away with you before he
comes! Awayr
But Sybil paid no heed to the Injunction.
Sitting up on the couch, she incohereutIy
repeated the words, Murdered Yes. She
tells me that Robert Walters is dead Poi
Soneo! Why does she come telling me this
Have not the knocking voices Of the wind
munaured 1t to me continually ever since
that dreadful night?"
1Ii]iccnt heard her name called in tbe
corridor by several voices. The fair brides
maids had decided that it was time to
commence their duties, and Miss Linds3v's
maid was loudly summoned TO assist them.
She ran towards the door to answer the
inquiries they were making; then the
thought Of leaving Sybil in her present
condition oyercane all others. She went
back and made another effort to thorough
ly arouse her.
Miss Dcrwent, in pity to yourself, listen
tome"
Il an listening" said Sybn, trying to
command her wandering senses. Il know
r,-.- A-.rr
60 you want with me ?"
Charles Malcolm VIII be here directly.
Do you know on what errand he is conling?''
Eer dark eyes dilated as she slowly re-
Piled, We tors request was 20 be avenged. \
Aes, yes, l remember that. IL was Toa
who told me so-was it not ?"
And 1t is Iwho bid you hasten away ere
the Lequest il fulfilled" Millicent emphat-
ically calculated. "For Mr. Malcolm's
sake if not for your own, DO as l tell YOU
Think what he VIII suffer if lie sees the
woman lie so dearly loved crushed beneath
weight OF shame and disgrace which he |
cannot avert
Sac dared not stay to say more, but few !
back to Niolet's apartments. To all the /
reproofs for her negligence which were /
Icyclled st her, she either made vague re-
pies or none at all. As silent as the list
less bride, who permitted her friends to
ador@ her as they pleased, Millicent obey
ed the orders she received. But unlike
Violet she had not lost all hope; and was
even now listening for the coming of help.
Inc sacrifice for which they were wreath
lng passive victim with pearls and flowers
sAonIt not be consummated, even if the
expected aid came not in time, and she had
~ oppose it alone.
Just as the last touches were being put
to the brides toilet, and her attendants
welc loud IN their praises of her appear
ehce, Mr.. Derwent sent a servant to saw
tha6 he wished to see Miss Lindsly's maid.
enc could not help trembling little when
she reared the summons.
Go, you thirethome, thtupid girl!r
erlsd Nina Caverly, laughing and gently
pushing her toward the door. 81 dare thav
ne wanth to know if we are ready. Tell
him he mutht give nth five-and fifty thee
ondth more. Bridegroomth are alwayth i'm 4
patient"
As she could not very well excuse her
self, Glillteent went. Mr.. Derwent, dressed
for his wedding, but looking pale and I'M
easy, had Just paid and dismissed the
man who had been employed to repair his
desk.
lie pointed to it sternly, with an air Of
displcasure
See TINS has but just been brought T
house. You neglected, it appears, to give
~ message. l shall have TO pack this up
alter we come from church. Is Miss
indsly ready ?"
''She is nearly ready, sill"
"Then YOU can 90 at once to my daugh-
Ter. I can trust you, can not 20
"No! I" said 8Iilicent, boldly, for she was
now wrought up to pitch Of excitement
that robbed her of all fear for the con-
reouences to herself, let them be what they
might.
He frowned at her angrily, but without
t,kinc in the meaning of her defiant reply.
This is not time for foolish jesting.
Go to Miss Derwent as soon as we have left
for church. This essence will arouse her
if she is still sleeping. Break the tidings