The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-12-29
ceased to think of her self.imposeo tass
of watchfulness w and care

As to Sybil, she seemed to neithe
seek nor to avoid Mr.. Carr's society
yet the sound of his clear. modulate,
voice made her variable and restless
! She had on several occasions avOide'
/ him in a marked manner, and whoi
questioned by her lover or his mothe
as to her evident dislike of their CUES
made the excuse that she had an aver
sion 10 strangers, and Mr.. Carr did no
impress her favorably by any means.
But things could not remain in thi
condition long. SO one golden after
noon Sybil came face to face with he
bitter foe.
Gilbert's dark Southern face flushed
up with passionate fire; hers grew pal
as she met his gaze.
$50 we meet at last % he exclaimed
in hoarse, concentrated tones. laying
his hand rudeiy on her arm. while hi
bated breath came fast and hot will
suppressed excitement.
She shook it off as one would loath
some snail.
lone would think you an officer o
Justice. armed with the power of th'
law" she cried, haughtily erect, hel
gray eyes flashing ominously.
IL am an officer of justice in one
sense of the word. Arthur Vernon
shall not go blindfolded to the altar
Does he know anything of your pas
life, or have you confessed certain lit
tie incidents of which l am so wei
aware? Justice, my dear young lady
demands an answer to this question: y
was his sneering reply. as he stood
twisting an emerald ring around on his
finger until it shone. like the eye of :
baSiliSk in the rays of the sun.
You talk of justice you, the perse-
cutor of an innocent woman-the base
slayer of an old mans peace and hon
or ~ she cried. her short upper Lip
trembling with scorn. Have you moi
injured me enough rs it is, Gilbert Carr.
but that this last bitter blo.v must come
from your hand rs well. only to satisfy
your craven vengeance, your cowardly
malicep'
The man laughed, cold, sneering
laugh, not pleasant to hear.
Five years ago, Miss Thornton,
swore to make you my wife," he said,
with cool insolence; ''my will is like a
bit of tempered Steel; you may twist it.
q bend it, but break it necer;; and
unless you promise to renounce ell
claims to this new alliance of yours
and become my wife without delay,
Arthur Vernon shall know before night
tcI,One he has chosen to bear his Name
and fill the exalted position of mistress
to his home. An adventures, a"
The last words came in a hoarse
whisper. but they were loud enough to
make the girls slender figure shrink
and shiver as under u blow. and her
gray eyes with their black fringes. SO
like beautiful passion-flowers, darken
with namcless horror.
''You dare not you could not be so
base. SO cruel ~ she gaSped, an intOna-
ton of hopeless misery in her young
voice. enough 10 move Il harder heart
than Gilbert Carrs.
'.Promise to be mine, or the mists
through which you have walked shall
gather around you again tenfOld more
dense. You have cause to know how
we'll l can keep my word,' he an
swered doggedly.
'rhe poison of asps would be sweet
er to me than your caresses. Gilbert
Carr, 80 dc your worst Nothing can
be more bitter than a secret shared
with I'll unprincipled. heartless schemer.
The position of spy and informer we'll
becomes you. l knew you would hunf
me out. only regret that impoaed
at all on these kind friends-so do your
worst; ask no mercy"
..And this is your irrevocable decis-
ion?''
II would rather die than oven so
much rs touch your loathsome hand ~
'.Ah, hcroics become Miss Thornton.
he averred with polite sarcasm, the
mocking devil in his eyes revealing the
passion he tried to keep in leash.
''Should you change your mind l am
willing to concede you every advantage.
wish you good afternoon, Miss Thorn
lon," was his parting salutation. and
he turned and walked slowly away.
White and chilled rs marble stood
the tortured girl, dumbly stricken with
The burden of a bitter life, while the
April sunshine drifted noiselessly down
over her white dress and in the silken
braids of her dusky hair
And thus her lover and affianced
husband found her. the white misery in
hat beautiful face shocking him so
hat the superb rose he had gathered for
Ter fell from his nerve!ess fingers and
vas trodden under foot.
''Oh the lovely roseI - she cried,
bonding over the poor, crushed flower,
"a if it were some living thing.
what ails you, my darling? You
must be ill. Come and sit here under
.he trees; am really alarmed at your
Dallor."
Have you seen him." she asked
with feverish eagerness-"Mr Carp"
mo, have not Something is%rong.
What has Gilbert Carr to do with
vou?'
His kind blue eyes. filled with a Won
1rous love, were beaming down upon
Ter. seemingly inviting her confidence.
She wouldit tell him all; anyway it were
better to have the scorn of such man
han the prosecuting and unwelcome
Owe of one of Gilbert Carr's stamp.
''Sit close to me, Arthur. and hold
ny hands. l am going to tell you
which will part us for ever."
The said. plunging wildly into the sub
ect. ''Mv name is not Thorn, but
Thornton" Unconsciously his hands
ell away from hers. The man was SO
Upright and honorable himself that tile
east deceit in another hurt him like 4
blow. ''And when came here TO your
house," she went on rapidly,
II had just been released
rom an ignominious Imprisonment"
Your" he cried hoarsely. his face
gray under the shadow of the
coughs.
s.Yes. Ir' she reiterated. the dropped
ashes making n white shadow on her
cheeks, land your friend was the
,ause."
Tell me ALL" he commanded, bro
lenly, the hushed' pain in his voice
more hard for her TO bear than the
zeenest stings of reproacii.
my father was cashier in large
establishment owned by Mr..
Carr. who honored me by his prefer
,nce and annoyed me by repeated offers
# his heart and hand. l had no pro-
ector except my father, who was old
md broken down both in fortune and
n health. Time after time l refused
his mans hand, and still he followed
he with persistency which alarmed
Is well as angered me, and yet L was
to help myself, for our daily
,read depended on his good will; and
whom. one night. he came to our little
Dom with u heavy roll of bank bills
md asked me to take charge of them
lntil morning, as no had been called