The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1877-11-22

And Slbyl smOlnereu a niue
yawn.
..You see | have attended TO all
my dressmaking and shopping for
this week and here It IS only We'd
nesday, leaving me all the rest of
the week with nothing to do. There
is no new novel out, and | feel too
tired-or lazy, if you like-to drive,
visit, or gossip"
Sibyl uttered this speech defiant
", and half closing her eyes, lean
ed back III her chair.
"And YOU have never anything
to think about but shopping, visit
ing. etc., Sibyl:" said Herbert,
with an air of %reproach.
"Why, Of course not
And Sibyl opened wide her eyes,
and flashed defiance at Mr.. Tai
fourd.
"What else should a leader of
society have to think about: | beg
pardon. | forgot what a one con
tempt Mr.. -Talfourd entertained for
leaders of society,""
And vet" said Herbert. with
out attempting to contradict Sibyl's
remark, what glorious opportu-
mites for doing good have the lead
ers of society. Think of what an
example YOU might set young Ia
dies. Sibyl. who follow in your
footsteps. You call yourself a
leader. Sibvl, 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. Do
you wish me to go down and an
swer the knock"
And Sibyl's defiant laugh filled
the room.
"Oh, Sibyl."
And Herbert Talfourd's hand
some face looked graver than ever
she saw it.
ct is not the cry of one, but of
thousands that rend the around you.
The starving, the homeless, the
dying are reaching out their hands
to such us you for succOr, and you
sit here and and say you have moth
to do"
Il said | was tired, Mr.. Tai
fourd," and Sibyl rose; "tOo tired
even to sit and listed to you talking
this morning. If you will excuse
| me-
"Sibvl ~
He was beside, and had her
hand clasped in his.
81 know how YOU detest me, for
| have often heard you saying it,
but | VIII speak out, and you must
listen to me this time, for | will
never lecture you again. Sibyl,
for the sake of those who + influ-
enced by you, you must rise to a
better life, for remember that
mo life
Can be purer in its purpose, and strong in its
And ali lie not be purer and stronger there
"And if Mr.. Talfourd has finish
ed his say, I'll have the pleasure Of
bidding you good-morning," and,
quickly withdrawing her hand she
ran from the room.
Herbert Talfourd stood motion
less where Sibyl left him, his heart
torn by conflicting emotions.
Sibyl Renmere was the only wo-
man he ever loved, and his love was
in vain. He could not tell her
that he loved her while she felt as
she did towards him, neither did
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 friyilous gaietv. She was a
spoiled. petted child, but he thought
that the heart in her bosom beat
warm and true.
One, two, three weeks passed
away. and if Herbert Talfourd had
turned to ice, Sibyl thought he
could not be colder. He never IN
terfered with, never advised her
now. Perhaps it was this letting
her severely alone made Sibyl for
get how she detested him.
Now this non-interference might
account for Sibyl no longer detest-
ing Mr.. Talfourd, but why 1t should
keep him continually in the young
ladv's mind we cannot say. Shy
vas not a moment alone with hel
thoughts. and very often when she
was not alone with them, but they
were on Herbert Talfourd.
"What can have come over me:
| am not like myself" Sibvl would
say IN her mind, as she wandered
through the house like a r~estles:
spirit. But n day while sitting
thinking of Herbert Talfourd, she
burst into tears. and with a wo.
mans fine consistency. wondered
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