Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-09-25
Gales ano Sksttbes.
SYLVIA.
THE STORY OF A DREAM.
Continued from Yesterday }

Continued from yesterday
''But the-coEdition. | said hesitating
and conscious of the hos flush that stained
both brow and cheeks ~ the words.
rs it a very hard one?'' he said with s
smile. A beautiful. amiable. accomplish.
ed girl like Miss Leigh. There are plenty
of men who would envyyou her more even
than your fortune. think you have great
cause for thankfulness mvself'
But l was silent and disturbed. This had
taken ME utterly by surprise. No thought
of marriage had ever entered my head yet,
and to be suddenly brought face TO face
with it as an adjunct to so large Il fortune
naturally startled me considerably. If
did not wed Sylvia she wonld be begrar
for in case of either of US refusing 10 COM
ply with the conditions of the will, the
whole was To 60 to some public charity !;
80 in one way could help the girl to the
fortune that she had been brought up to
consider as her own ia the future. No
wonder l was sorely prepleXed ard puz-
zled.
As stood there debating these questions
in my mind Lady Helen glided slowly up
to me.
Let me give you word of advice. Mr.
Graham She said in that clear. hard vo-
ice of hers. "Do not count too surely on
your fortune or Your wife. There has
been foul play in this matter, if am not
much mistaken. and when the affair is
thoroughly silted do.bt whether Miss
Leigh's part will look rs honorable in
your eyes as it does now
Lady Helen" answered Indignantly,
IL do not understand your imputations.
nor do think they become you wo-
man. ] can make due allowance for dis
appointed feelings. but cannot hear you
accuse one who | am sure is innocent of
the very shadow of the dishonor your
words imputc.''
She drew back. and looked at me from
under irowning brows that gave her beau-
tiiul face dark and stern appearance.
"You are eager in Your championship,
she said with a faint sn2er.
but | can make allowance tor you
also, knowing how much is at stake"
Il cannot force you TO believe in the
single-heartedness of my motives. " |
answered. stung 70 wrath by the baseness
of her insinuation.
Time will prove them best only
hope for your sake that this later will may
be found. You will understand me better
then"
And with a distant bow turned away
and left the room.
My brain was in whirl longed for
cool air and solitude.
Not knowing whittier went | rushed
out into the park once more and wandered
off with needless feet. too busy with my
own perturbed thoughts and imaginngs
to pay any attention to external sur
roundings.
1t startled me therefore to find myself
in the little glade again, where had first
met Sylvia.
1t startled me still more to see that the
pretty nook was not untenanted; but oh,
it panied and grieved me most OF all to
see that slender girlish figure lying there
crushed and powerless with grief. shaken
by heavy sobs that almost stiiled her.
"I1ow can bear it ?' she moaned, and
the agony in her voice cut me to the
heart.
..Oh, God how can bear it ~
In one moment of swift and passionate
sympathy threw myself by he side.
sylvia cried, ''oh. Sylvia, don't
grieve like this. May not he your
friend ? May not comfort you?'
She started to her feet, her whole
frame quivering with emotion-her pale
tear-stained face flushing scarlet beneath
my plying. imploring gaze.
"You-'' she said, and then was
silent.
rose also. cold c;slm. and sorrowful
Il wish knew of ANY words wish
could perform any aca that would prove to
yo how feel for yc,, in your grief and
loneliness" / said, .and my voice was
trembling with the e,lrnestness that filed
my heart.
II can see Lady Helen is no friend Of
yours.
know how strange and painful your
position is at Silverss'e. and worst of all.
know also that anything ! can do or say
henceforward is liable to pc misinterpretcd
by others as well as Yourself
A torrent Of warm blood again rushed
over the beautiful, sad young face.
Il know " Il mean kindly she said.
II will try to believe so ut all events
'.Indeed you may answered earnest
| ly.
MAY tell you" she asked hesitating-
| ", .'about this later will I? Ii was drawn
up. know. but my guardian told me he
had himself destroyed it. 1t may be
wrong to say 50. but | know. and he
knew, too, that Lady Helen had married
him solely from interested motives.
| But oh, how / wish-how / wish he had
let that will remain
This speech grated unpleasantly enough
in my ears. Was so very obnoxious. |
thought, that the mere question of snch an
arrangement as that strange will proposed
was hateful in the eyes of this girl?
1T is very unjust to all parties, ! said
coldIy. mo one cares to have their
future arranged so peremptorily for them.
1t is unfair, too. to Lady Helen"
But doubly unfair to you," the girl
cried sorrowfully. ITO you who are OF
right the lawful heir-to you who must
either lose this great wealth, or accept it
burdened with condition 50 hateful, so
humiIiating. So"
Hush, Sylviar' interrupted hastily.
"You wrong yourself by such words. BY
Heaven cried, with rising passion. as
the whirl of these new and vivid emotions
stirred my beating. throbbing heart; Il
would have asked no more welcome be-
quest than the guardianship Of your life
the future hope of awakening in you some
warmer, kinder interest; but now this
hated wealth bars nv way to happiness