The Van Buren press., 1877-11-27

W ou'o "oiiu tIeasuTt 10 not give to
Gods destitute, who should I"
Sibyl returned from her drive, mex,
morning, cast aside her bonnet and man.
tie when she entered the sitting room,
and, seeing Herbert Talfourd seated
there reading, she flung herself into q
chair, exclaiming:
oh, dear! do not know what to do
with myself"
Herbert Talfourd hatf closed his book
and looked over at her half -curiously,
half.pityingly.
"A victim Of the demen ennui, sup
pose," said Herbert.
And Sibyl smothered little yawn.
You see have attended to all nv
dressmaking and shopping for this week,
and here tie only Wednesday, leaving me
all the rest OF the week with nothing to
do. There 10 no new novel out, and l
feel too tired--or lazy, II you like-to
drive, visit or gossip"
Sibyl uttered this speech defiantly, and
half closing her eyes, leaned back in her
chair.
And you never have anything to
think about but shopping, visiting, etc,
Sibyl = said Herbert, with an air of re-.
proach.
Why. of course not"
And Sibyl opened wide her eyes, and
flashed defiance at Mr.. Talfourd.
What else should leader of society
have to think about9 lbeg pardon. /
forgot what contempt Mr.. Talfourd
entertainad far ls..desa fss
And yct," SAID Herbert, without at.
tempting to contradict Sibyrs remark,
"what glorious opportunities for doing
good have leaders of society! Think OF
what an example you might set young
ladies and elderly ladies, Sibyl. who fol
low in your footsteps. You call yourself
leader, Sibyl, while YOU sit here, with
folded hands. and the beggar crying at
your gate"
"Well, let one of the servants give
him something to eat. De you wish me
to 90 down and answer the knock 7"
And Sibyrs defiant laugh filled the
room.
"Oh, Sibyl"
And Herbert Talfourd's handsome
face looked graver than ever she saw it.
1T is not the cry of one, but of thou
sands that rend the air around you. The
starving, the homeless, the dying are
reaching out their hands to such as you
for succor, and you sit here and say you
have nothing to do"
II said l was tired, Mr.. Talfourd,"
and Sibyl rose; :" too tired even to SIT
and listen to you talking this morning
If you will excuse me-"
"Sibylw
He was beside her and had her hand
clasped in his.
~ know how you detest me, for l
have often heard you saying it, but l
speak out, and you must listen to me this
time, for l will never lecture you again.
Sibyl, for the sake Of those who are in.
fucnced by you, you must rise TO bet
ter life, remember that
Can be iu its purpose and strong In its strife
And all life not be purer and stronger thereby!''
"And If Mr.. Talfourd has finished his
say, I'll have the pleasure of bidding you
good morning. and quickly Withdrawing
her hand from his clasp. Sibyl swept from
the room.
Herbert Talfourd stood motionless
where Sibyl left him, his heart torn by
conflicting emotions.
Sibyl Renmere was the only woman he
had ever loved, aud his love was in vain.
He could not tell her that he loved her,
while she felt as she did toward him,
neither did he wish her to know that he
was her slave, while she led her present
life; for Herbert hated the so-called
leaders of society; gay butterflies of
fashion. But before to-day he could not
believe that Sibyl was given up, body and
soul to frivolous gayety. She was
spoiled, pe,ted child, but he thought that
the heart in her bosom beat warm and
true.
Que, two, three weeks passed away,
and if Herbert Talfourd had turned to |
ice, Sibyl thought he could not be colder.
He never intertered with, never advised
her now. Perhaps it was this letting her
severely alone that made Sibyl forget she
detested him.
Now, this non-interference might ac-
count for Sibyl no longer detesting Mr..
Talfourd, but why it should keep him
in the young lady's mind, we
cannot say. Sibyl was not a moment
alone with her thoughts, and very often
when she was not alone with them, they
were on Herbert Talfourd.
What can have come over me? am
not myself Slbyl would say in her own
mind, as she wandered through the house
like restless spirit. But one day, while
sitting thinking of Herbert Ta!fourd she
burst into tears, and with a woman's in
wondered if he was never
going to take any interest in her, and in