The Morning herald., 1878-05-31
CHAPTER XVII.
WHAT WILL SIZE DISCOVER

Three months later, Sibyl Elton sat alone
over the fire i'll her quiet lodgings III Jersey.
She had wandered Gbout the Continent ever
since Christmas, and was GettlAr@; weary or
perpetual motion, but was fearful 10 remain
long in any place lest Geoffrey should track
her and renew his terrible temptation.
Now, in this out-of-the-way spot she felt
safer, and, pleased with the beauty of st.
Clements bay, she had taken rooms for her
self and Cecil in "a cottage there, intending
to remain for a few weeks After long
hesitation, she had yielded to the incessant
yearning for news. of Geofrey, and had
written to Lady Temple:
lT"DEAE LADY TEMPLE You have learned
long before this OF the misery that has fallen
upon me- and know all from Geoffrey. He
will have told you why went away SO sud-
denly, without even wishing you goodbye
after all your great kindness. l could not
help myself He left me no other course.
But I have longed so terribly to hear how
he bears it. Will you bo the kind friend
YOU have always been and tell meg Please
do not let him know you have heard from
me- He had better never hear my name
again. l should like very much to know
how you and your husband and children
are. still retain my old name and my ad-
dress is Clemati5 Cottage, st. Clements,
Jersey. l can never thank you sufficiently
for your great Kindness to me and mine it
will remain.a bright spot forever in my dark
life. aN
always yours gratefully and Affection
ately, SrBYL ELTON"
In her lap as she sat by the fire, lay the
answer received that morning. She had
lust read it through for the twentieth time,
and the tears were stealing slowly down her
pale cheeks, while her lips twitched with
pain: ...a ..-...
'DEAR Mrs. ELTON It was great pleas
tire and relief to me to hear Of you again,
and you may rely upon me never to tell any
body but my husband-trom whom l have
no secrets-if you will write to me now and
then. I heard everything from Mr.. Chet-
wynd, and admired your brave conduct
more than can tell you. He was very i'll
with brain fever after you went--as near
death as could be and yet live. We brought
him here and nursed him through it but l
hope | may never pass such another Christ
mas! AS soon as he was strong enough to-
| travel he left us, saying that he should never
rest until he found you, and we have had
two or three letters from hin from different
parts of the Continent. hope you will not
meet, for he still persists in saying that you
are absolutely free from your husband, who
is dead to all intents and purposes, and that
he will give you no peace till you become
his WIFE think his mind has hardly yet
recovered from the cruel shock. We are all
well, am thankful to say, and my husband
joins me in kindest regards. Harry misses
, Cecil very much. Ever your true friend,
"ADELAIDE TEMPLE"
sibyl, as she read it, almost regretted that
she lad written, the pain Of knowing that
he was still fighting against fate was so
great. -, %
l.. - do not know what will happen if he
finds me-" she murmured, dashing away
tho fears with her hand Il do not feel as
if had strength to fight it out again. Poor
Godfrey! How wish we had never metz!
She started violently as knock came at
the door, and her landlady, Mrs: Legros,
entered. The good woman's face was
troubled and her manner hurried and ner-
vOus.
II beg your pardon, mum, I'm sure she
begau 'for disturbing you, but I'm just at
my wits end. The gentleman in the draw
ing-rOom floor, mum, IS SO dreadful Ill.
Res getting worse every mortal hour, and
it's NV belief he won't last till morning. J.
must 90 for the doctor at onst for Sarah
have cone to bed with toothache, and it's
raining and blowing fit to knock you down,
and it 'ud be downright cruel to send the
girl out 1 came to ask if you'd be SO kind
as to sit with the poor gentleman while I'm
ont. He amt fit to be left"
''Certainly, Mrs Legros, answered Sibyl,
rising; and then she added quickly: .Ot
course you would tell me if it were anything
catching, for the sake of my boyr
BLESS YOU, mum, do you think I would
send YOU there if didn't know as it weren't
catching? It's Inflammation Of the lungs
he's got-nothing more nor less--and heve
been q hard drinker, or I'm much mistaken,
and aint got no strength to throw it Oft.
He's off his head now, poor fellow, and his
friends ought to know; but don't know
where to send, nor nothing about him.
He's only been here fortnight"
"Poor fellow, how dreadful p exclaimed
Sibyl. 81 shall be glad to help you; but
perhaps you had better ask the doctor to
send professional nurse if he is very i'll. l
know very little about nursing"
"Ah, but do!' replied the woman, ."
was professional myself till I broke my
arm through slipping upon bit of orange
peel three winters ago, and it's never been
Strong enough since for lifting. I can man
age well enough while he lasts. But I'd be
greatly obliged if you would sit with him
now for half an hour"
She gave Sibyl directions about his medi-
cine and hurried off, and Sibyl slowly as
cended the stairs to the sick mans room.
The door stood ajar, and she heard his
quick, hard breathing and low mutterings
as she stood outside, summoning courage to
enter. 1t seemed to her that the voice was
familiar, but she could not recall where she
had heard it. With slow, quiet step she
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