The Morning herald., 1878-05-27
CHAPTER VIII.
'sMY HUSBAND IS NOT DEAD r.

Sibyl Elton was sitting in low chair in
the veranda, just outside the drawing-room
window when Geofrey entered the garden
that evening; she looked up with slightly
heightened color as the gate clicked. Her
calm composure was gone now; she was
conscious of certain shyness at his ap-
proach, and reluctance to meet the straight
look of his eyes ; but she attributed it to the
strangeness Of their position and the knowl-
edge that she was doing what the world
would consider incorrect in allowing this
good.looking young bachelor to visit her.
living alone and unchaperoned as she was
81 cannot help tit will not last long,"
she argued to herself-''and Cecil must not
fret himself ill., He will be going back to
London soon, and we shall never meet
again. How Cecil will miss him! How
very kind he isl" and she ended with sigh
of which she was unconscious.
Geoffsy came forward with smile
Il am so glad to find You down here" he
said, seating himself on the low window-sill
by her side "You must not shut yourself
up too much with him and injure your
health"
"He is asleep now so Mrs Hughes does
as well as myself, she answered; 'and my
head ached SO, | louged for a breath of fresh
air. How deliciously cool it is now
s'It has been trying day for you, he
said, glancng at her pale face and heavy
ewes. '.You are terribly fond of that child,
but suppose it is only natural"
Gle is all / have in the world-the one
bright spot in my life, she answered, al
most in q whisper "When I thought he
was killed this morning, felt as if L must
60 mad. But Heaven was too mercltul to
take him."
1T is folly to talk like that at your age"
exclaimed Geotirey impatiently, jealous
alike of her love for the living child and
dead husband. "You cannot be more than
four or five and twenty, and you talk as if
your whole life were over, your part played
out, There is more happiness before you
than behind, trust"
She shook her head, her face resuming its
usual look of gravity and weariness.
"Impossible. You do not understand.
But do not care to talk of myself; I am
content to 90 on as I am. Did you ride
into Stilborough to-dayp Cecil has taxed
so much about the book.
"Here it is. I do not think anything can
excel Andersen" and he unfolded gor-
geous scaret-and-gol volume and laid it IN
her hands, pleased with the qualification he
read in her face.
How good of you! You are too kind to
him. I fear he will fret terribly after you
when you go back to London. Are you 60
ing soon|
He looked into her eyes for moment
and then out to sea, where the moon was
making glitterirg, dancing path across the
waves.
81 cannot tell" he said, in q slightly un,
steady voice; that will depend on others
more than myself.
She was silent for some minutes, watch
ing his face then, as he turned and looked
at her once more, she said hesitatingly:
Il think I know. l suppose | ought to
wish you success, Mr.. Chetwynd-but l do
not"
"What do you mean?" he asked quickly.
And she went on burrlcdly
"I beg your pardoI--l had no right to
say it, She may be all that is nice, AID she
is very handsome-only--
She stopped abruptly.
'Please 90 on said Geofrey, beginning
to catch her meaning, and his voice vas SO
quiet that Sibyl felt more nervous.
''You know what thought you--thatis,
are you going 10 ask that dark, handsome
girl with Lady Temple to be your wife, =
He looked at her strangely for minute
almost angrily, she thougAt-and ten said,
shortly:
"You know I am nov; you are not so blind
as all that" r
81 did not know; ] have thought so some
times, she answered gently. "But do not
be angry, please; did not mean to annoy
rnn