Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-09-24
Gales ana Sketttes.
SYLVIA.
THE STORY OF A DREAM.
Continued from Yesterday. }

Continued from yes,crday.)
CHAPTER IL.
| slept soundly enough that first night
OF my arrival at Silverlesne. aud was trou-
bled by no more dreams When awoke |
looked ont ofmy window and thought how
fresh and sweet the earth seemed in its
new spring robes Of emerald green and
pale soft yellow. The sunlight was playiny
Il hide-and-seek with the young leaves. the
dew glistened on grass and bough, the
birds sang in veriest rapture as il in exul-
tation ofthe mere sense ofliving in world
ST, fair.
| dressed hurriedly and went down
stairs, and across the lawn, and then into
the park beyond. Somehow could not
think of the gloomy side of life this morn
ing ;of the grim old hall with its dead mas
ter lying cold and stiff and silent in that
last sleep which knows no earthly waking
no longer able to exert tyrannical rule
over his household. or behold himself fear
ed flattered, obeyed. No; almost forgot
the melancholy occasion which had bought
me ,hither. and wandered on. on through
the woodland where the earth was carpet
ed with azure bells and the celandin glis-
tened like living gold, aud the fresh. cool
air was scented with the perfumes il had
gathered on its way through the primrose
covered meadows.
Suddenly stopped. Straight before me
| saw a tiny glade lovely rs a iairy's home.
and standing there, with her hands full of
violets. which she was tying into one
great bunch. was young girl. Her face
was hidden, but something in the grace of
the slender figure. the brightness of the
| ;f,,I l,,;, L.,
head, came to my memory with the sense
of that familiar before-seen feeling which
we now and then experience and for which
we cannot account. did not move. only
remained there watching her. and wishing
she would turn her head that might see
her face.
When her flowers were arranged to her
satisfaction she rose from her knees. the
straight, simple folds of her black dress
falling around her tall and slender figure
She came straight towards me, but she had
not seen me. and when | moved aside to
| let her pass she started violently-so vio-
lently that the flowers in h, + hand fell to
the ground and gave me the blessed ex-
cuse of gathering them up and handing
them to her again.
PRAY pardon me-" said neryously."l
am afraid | startled you"
Yes. she said. with even greater en-
barrassment than mine. ''I-I did not ex-
pect to see stranger here
MAY ask if YOU are Miss Leioh?" l.
inquired hesitatingly 81 Ieel sure you
must be, and if so, we need not surely be
strangers, for we are both inmates of Sill
verdesne.'
Yes, she answered quietly. lifting two
Iaa,~ LOT t... .,,ipn a hn 10
81 am Sylvia Leigh"
Il knew it, said triumphantly. and
then the surprised, cold look of the lovely
face recalled me to myself. ! beg your
pardon, Miss Leigh" | added more sober
ly. Il arrived last night. and | heard a
great deal about you. am so pleased to
make your acquaintance. am yonr guar
dian's nephew, Give Graham. dare say
YOU are aware of our long cstrangement.
| was surprised to receive so urgent n
summons heie. never thought | should
set foot in Silverdesne again
ale often spoke of you.'' she said. her
face lighting up with sudden interest. Il
tore-beforc he died, only he had not
courage to send. and then-at the least
it was so sudden
vou.n | said gravely. as | noticed how
pale and troubled She looked since that
vivid flush had left her face WAS my
uncle kind to YOU? Excuse the question,
but my recollectiOns of him prompt it,
'IIe was very kind-always. she said
earnestly ''lIe was my only friend
II was surprised to hear of his mar
riage,' continued. II had no idea of
it
She flushed holly and looked embar-
rassed.
Every one was surprised" she said.
Were they happy, do you think ?" ]
asked.
She shook her head.
NO." she said softly, IL think not.
Thev were unslliied to each other in so
many ways
turned and moved on by her side now
as saw she was going home. She made
no remark on my doing so. and for some
time we proceeded in silence.
What are your plans for the future.
Miss Leigh ?'' | asked presently. do
you remain with Lady Helen?"
..Ob. no. no. she cried with sudden
agitation. Il mean, she would not desire
it. / am of no use to her. was of some
little service to your unc'e.''
I began to think that my proud and
naughty aunt was no friend Of This lovely
girl. and all my heart went out to her in
friendly sympathy as heard those words.
Il am friendless, she said. with a faint
smile. My parents died when | WIS
quite child. My mother sent me to Mr..
Graham with a letter from herself, written
when she was on her death-bed in India.
remember coming here, a little foilorn,
miserable creature, frightened ut the
strange faces and ways of the people.
clinging desperately to my black nurse.
who had promised my mother to bring me
to England. That is ten years ago now.
Your uncle read the letter. never knew
what it contained, hNt he was always good
to me from that time. have never known
want that he has not supplied
"But your life must have been dull
here.'' remarked. ..Dull for young
girl of your age"
II never found it so,'' she answered
quickly. Il am not fond Of society. /
could never endure town life. I have
passed most of my time in reading and
walking. and latterly had good deal to
do for vOur uncle. He trusted me entirely,