The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-19
Fettered, Yet Free.
BARRETT SYLVESTER.
AUTHOR OF "CLoUDs AND SUNSHINE" aEg.
ZELLEs ERRoB," ETo.
CHAPTER XVII


over the ERE in her quiet lodgings in Jersey.
She had wandered about the Continent ever
since Christmas and was getting weary of
perpetual motion, but was fearful to 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 h T.
self aud Cecil in cottage there, intending
to remain for a few weeks After a long
hesitation, sic had yielded to the incessant
yearning for news of GeoGrey, and had
written to Lady Temple:
'DEAR LADY TEMPLE: You have learned
long before this of the misery that has fallen
upon me, and know all from Geofrey. He
will have told you why went away sud-
denly, without even wishing you goodbye
after all your great kindness. l could not
help myself. He left me no other course
But have longed so terribly to hear how
he bears it, Will you be the kind friend
you have always been and tell met 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
arc. still retain my old name, and my adj
dress is Clematis Cottage, st. Clements
Jersey. 1 can never thank you sufficiently
for your great kindness to ME and mine it
will remain bright spot forever in my dark
life
always yours gratefully and Affection
stely. snYI ELTON"
In her lap as she sat by the fire, lay the
answer received that morning. She had
Just read it through for the twentieth time,
and the tears were stealing slowly down her
pale cheeks. while her lips twitched with
pain:
Oman Mrs ELTON It was great pleas
ore and relief to me to hear of you again,
and you may rely upon me never to tell any
body but my husband-from whom 1 have
no secrsts-if you will write to me now and
Ehsn. l heard everything from Mr. Chet-
Synd, and admired your bravo conduct
more than 1 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 1
hope may never pass such another Christ
Enasi As soon as he was strong enough to
1rayel he left US, saying that he should never
rest until be fouad you, and we have had
two or three letters from hira from different
paris 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
bis wife. think his mind has hardly yet
kecovered from the cruel shock. We are all
well, am thankful to say, and my husband
Joins ne IN Endest regards. Harry misses
Cscl very much. Ever your true friend
"ADELAIDz TEMPIR."
6ibyl, as she read it, almost regretted that
she had written, the pain of knowing that
be was still fighting against fate was 30
GREAT.
a do not know what will happen if he
ends me" she murmured, dashing away
tho tears with her hand. II do not feel us
Ii had strength to fight it out again. Poor
Geoffrey! How wish we had never met "
She started violently as knock came at
Che door, and her landlady, Mrs Legros,
entered. The good woman's face was
troubled and her manner hurried and ner-
vous.
a beg your pardon, mum, Tn sure" she
began, 'for disturbing you, but I'm Just at
my wits end. The gentleman in the draw
ing-room floor, num- is 80 dreadful ill.
He's getting worse every mortal hour, and
It's my belief he won't last till morning. l
must go for the doctor at onst, for Sarah
have gone 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. came to ask if you'd be SO kind
ps to sit with the poor gentleman while I'm
out He aint fit to be left"
Certainly, Mrs. Legros, answered Sibyl,
rising and then she added quickly "Of
course you would tell me if it were anything
catching for the sake OF my boy2'
"Btess you, mum, do you think / 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 leas-and he've
been a hard drinker, or I'm much mistaken,
and aint got no strength to throw it off,
He's of his head now, poor fellow, aud 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 |" exclaimed
6ibyl. 81 shalt be glad to help you; but
perhaps you had better ask the doctor to
send professional nurse if he is very ILL., l
know very little about nursing"
"Ah, bat do !" replied the woman. ~
was professional myself till l broke my
arm through slipping upon bit of orange
peel three winters ago, and its never been
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 Sbyl slowly as
cended the stairs to the sick mans room.
The door stood aar, and she heard his
quick bard breathing and low mutterings
rs she stood outside, summoning courage to
enter. 1t seemed to her that the voice was
familiar, hut she could not recall where she
had heard it. With slow, quiet step she
entered the room and unnoticed by the in
valid, seated herself by the fire. He was
muttering to himself, broken sentences COM
ing in gasps between the loud, hard breath
ing, and she heard him take and offer bets
discuss women and cards, and swear at his
fate, his ina mary companions, and every
thing else till she shuddered.
She looked at the thin hand, the wasted
frame and drawn features, and read in all
the sad story of misspent life. 1t was a
handsome face, and she knew she had seen ;
somewhere, nut could not recall where. Hs
was man of about forty, but his hair was
kilyery.Drnv alraady praaa,itlv he TN rnad