Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-12-15
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SIBYL'S MISTAKE:
on,
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
By tho Auttor Of "a GREAT MISTAKE"
"RosE OF THE WORLD "K1NG CoPHE-
TUA; OR, RUBY NoRTH's LOVERS" &c.


An elderly woman in white cap an
swered Lady Annals summons, and con-
Quoted Mr.. Breton up broad stone stair
case to his rooms, u bedroom and little
sitting room opening off it, both looking
across the lawn and its lilac and saffron
crocus- beds, both wide open windows
thickly framed in ivy, and both furnish
ed in a delightfully."- quaint and simple
fashion.
But not primrose was to be seen. Mr..
Breton shrugged his shoulders, and
smiled as he noticed their absence, though
he really felt rather annoyed than other
wise.
"What is Lady Anna about 7" he thought
AS he proceeded to get rid of some of
the dust of his journey. "a woman who
knows the world, to let girl grow up
like that! However, in one way, I sup
pose it is rather fortunate. A fellow
might have been tempted into Irritation
with girl of another sort, shut up here
as l shall be, with no companion but my
own bitter memories" tremend-
GUS sigh to the cruel memory of cousin
Kate-"but am certainly in no danger as
far as Miss Sibyl is concerned, pretty as
she is. A man does not like to have the
running made for him quite so openly"
He was ready to go down stairs when
bell rang, which he took for summons
tosupper. Mr.. Lansing, an old and white
haired man, was already in the dining
room-a pretty room, oak-panelled like
the rest of the house, its open windows
showing picture-lke glimpse of poplars
standing stiff and straight against a green
ish sky; and they were talking busily
when Lady Anna and Sibyl came in.
Sibyl had smoothed her fair hair, but
she still wore her dingy serge frock. a
short-waisted little garment with tight
sleeves which seemed delightfully."- in
keeping with the old fashioned room.
AS young Breton took his place at the
table, he saw there was vacant chair
between him and Miss Kennedy, and that
on the table in front Of it stood the very
dish--a shallow one of green maiolica
filed with large pale yellow primrose stars
which he had been assured was intended
for his sitting-room.
"You have determined then to punish
me, Miss Kennedy" he asked playfully.
with the frank smile that was SO much
more becoming to him than all his Edgar
of-Ravenswood airs.
Sibyl stared. with eyebrows lifted, not
understanding then as she followed his
glance. she saw what he meant. and smiled
back as frankly.
'Oh, yes!" she said. "At least, l don't
mean that l want to punish you--that is
only your way of talking isn't it? But l
have taken them out of your way, and
given them to Percival.'
To Pcrcival! Mark was conscious of
some disgust. Was there actually one of
''the boys" still at the Rectory? He had
understood, dist ctly understood, that he
would be alone there with Mr.. Lansing.
This was too bad!
Sibyl was eating her supper with evil
dent enjoyment, and trying to tempt Lady
Anna with various dishes. Mr.. Lansing
began to talk in a precise, old voice, to
Mark about his father. Lady Anna had
relapsed into one of her leveries, and sat
leaning her chin on one hand and playing
with her fork. Mark had ample opportu
nifty to observe Sibyls unembarrassed
manner of satisfying her appetite under
his very eyes-a situation that had been
known to futter more experienced dam
sels-and to see that Percival's chair re-
manned empty during the entire meal, to
his malicious satisfaction.
'The 'other boys are sometimes guilty
Of ingratitude, see, Miss Kennedy" he
remarked when Mr.. Lansing's stream of
"reminiscences had at length ceased to
Aow.
Sibyl stared again with her serious
brown eyes. She could not understand
Why Mr.. Breton should harp so persist
ly on one string. especially as he did not
Dare for flowers.
"Do you mean Percival" she asked;
and then she turned q face full Of sweet
understanding to her aunt, and laid her
fheek softly for an instant against Lady
M0xa's arm. "Percival is there though
You cannot see him. Mr.. Breton. 1t is
".