The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-07
CHAPTER XIV.
PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE,

-
During the whole of the succeeding day,
hustle and activity reigued at DegWent
Lodge There were preparationsto be
made for the wedding breakfast, and for
the journey at its close, which, as MI. Der.
vents absence was to be prolongedfor an
indefinite period, were Of greatermagnitude
than is customary for bridal tour u
Neither Sybil or Violet took amy part in
che necessary arrangements Indeed, the
former kept her room altogether, having
so Mr.. Derwcnt said when hewent to ascer.
tain the, cause of her non-appearance at
breakfast "a headache SO violent that
nothing but perfect apietude would re-
ieve it..
Sykil was too reserved to be favorite
with her fathers servants, and she had
discarded her maid long ago, as an unnec-
essary and troublesome appendage; so no
one testified any desire to 90 and offer their
services to the hesuHering girl, until Millicent
Nyner boldly addressed herself to Mr.. Der
went, and asked if she should carry somo
breakfast to Sybil's chamber.
HAS not any one done 80 2" he asked.
with an air of concern.
"No, sir. The housekeeper understood
you to say that no one was to approach
Miss Derwent without your permission"
He lifted his eyebrows.
"What a ridiculous mistake How these
people garble ones directions 1 merely
expressed wish that she should not he
unnecessarily disturbed. If you will 60 to
her. shall feel much obliged"
Accordingly, Millicent repaired to the
young lady room. She found her lying
on her bed partially dressed, her long black
hair hanging loosely around her feveret
checks, and one of her arms thrown across
her forehead, as if the small portion Of
light admitted by the shaded window daz-
zled her and increased the pain she vas
enduring.
Milicent carried her tray to the side OF
the bed, and begged the young lady to sit
up and try to swallow the strong coffee
she had brought her. But an inarticur
late murmur was Sybil's only reply, and
her father, who. had accompanied her SYM
pathizing visitor to the door of the room,
stepped in.
"Poor child" he said conpassionatcly-
"You see, she is suffering too much to ans
wer you. We must leave her to herself
little longer
"Has Miss Derwent ever had such
seizure rs this bcfore?" Mllicent inquired,
as in obedience to his beckoning gesture,
she was softly leaving the room.
eyes, several times, though not lately"
"Would it not be well to send for doc
tor, sir?" she ventured to suggest.
Mr.. Derwent unused. "No, think not.
These attacks are constitutional, and gen.
orally pass away as suddenly as they come
on. We will wait little while. l am
in hopes that few hours repose will re-
store her."
As MnGcent followed him down stairs,
he paused and observed, "Miss Derwent's
illnesses are generally brought on by
mental disturbance. Are you aware OF
anything having occurred to alarm or agi-
tate herT'
Shaking her head, she evaded a direct
reply by reminding him that her duties
confined her to Miss Lindsly's apartments.
where Sybil seldom came.
1--WE must hope, then, that there has
been no great cause for this indisposition,
and that it will soon pass away" he re-
piled. 81 think you are a good, trust
worthy girl; may ,depend upon you to
see that none Of the servants intrude
upon my daughter until she is better ?"
As he spoke, he laid his finger lightly On
Millicent's shoulder. She shrank from his
touch, but quietly promised to attend to
his wishes and he went to his study to
look over and pay the bill which, at his de-
sire, the tradespeople in the neighborhood
had sent in.
As soon as the door closed upon him,
Millicent Vyner sped back to SyLil's cham
ber. The sufferer had not sLiri Cd, n|r did
she appear conscious of it when called by
her name, first softly, and then with more
urgency. -,
Millicent drew away the arm that hid
her face, felt her pulse, and lifted the
fringed lids that hid her dark orbs. Then
che went to the dressing. table, and bought
aromatic vinegar AMI ammonia, AMI ad-
ministered them freely. But neither OF
these powerful stimulants aroused the
sleeper, and at last she desisted from her
efforts.
aThis is neither natural sleep nor the
stupor induced by excessive pain, she
said to herself. Miss Derwent is under
the influence of some very powerful mar
cotic, but whether she has taken it to OBJ
tain temporary forgetfulness of her trou-
bles, or whether it has been administered
to her, cannot tell. I must watch and
wait, as have done before"
She stole away, and succeeded in reach
ing Miss Lindsly's apartments unperceived
by any one.
The once gay, light-hcartcd Violet had
spent the night in tears and lalnentS for
her lost happiness. She hal wept herself
&nta that state of apathetic indifference
which so shocked Charles Malcolm.
But it was happier condition than when
her grief was more poignant; and Mr.
Derwent, who visited her as soon as she
had risen, mistook her calmness for returns
ing cheerfulness, and was delighted.
Before leaving her, he begged her to
hasten her packing, that there might be no
unnecessary delay on the following morning,
and she had not only promised obedience,
but tried to fulfil hes promise.
Millicent, more from desire to keep her
own troubled thoughts at bay than any
real interest in her work, labored in3efati-
gably; and trunk after trunk was filled
with the costly apparel of the pretty heir
ess, strapped and carried away, until the
wardrohes were empty, and nothing was
left but the dresses, &c, which Violet was
to wear at her bridal.
Leaving the young lady busy ut her SELF
imposed task of burning old letters, she.
then tripped to the study aud raped for
admission.
"Miss Derwent seems to have gone to
sleep, sir,' she said Would it not be rs
well for me to pack up her dresses, as
have finished my own lady's? 1t will save
her trouble she will not be very fit to un-
dertake after so many hours Of suffering
The proposal chimed in with Mr.. Der.
vents desire to keep Sybl undisturbed as
long as it was possible. Of Millicent's in
tention of leaving Violet as soon as she
was married, he knew nothing, and was
anxious to conciliate the quick-witted girl,
who, as the personal attendant of his young
wife, might have many opportunities Of
furthering his wishes.
He slid piece of gold into her hand.
t<You are very thoughtful and considerate
for my poor child. 1t will oblige me very
much ii YOU can do what Won propose. lf