Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-02-02
Select Story.
SIBYL'S MISTAKE;
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
By Tie Author Of "a GREAT MIsrAKE-"
aRoss OF THR WORLD" "KNG CoPHE-
ruAj OR, RuBY NoRTH's LoyERs," &c.

lie was beginning 70 fear, in truth, that
his marriage had been q mistake, for his
wife as well as for himself. The years,
instead Of drawing them closer, were
widening the gulf between them. Even
Mabs little hands were powerless to hold
their lives together.
But, when Amaranth spoke to him one
day-cautiously and in her usual reason
able and composed manner-about what
was uppermost in her thoughts, he laugh
ed in her face.
"You are speaking of my wife," he said
curtly. "I believe in Sibyrs honor as
do in my own"
''Of course" returned Amaranth, rather
shocked by such forcible language. "But
every one does not know Sibyl as well as
you and 1; and Percival is thoughtless
like most young men. He means no
harm; but he does not consider. 1t is
what people may say that I am thinking
Of"
ave need not trouble ourselves much
on that score," said Mark. at is natural
enough that my wife should like to talk
to her cousin, who was once like broth
er to her. Iwon't have her bothered, poor
child, with any such ridiculous country
gossip"
But it was inevitable, for all Marks
loyalty, that he should look at the cousins,
after this conversation with more observ-
ant eyes. In this way he became con-
vinced Of his wife's increased unhappi-
ness at least. And it happened that on
the same evening, as he went into the
smoking-room, he heard Percival Lans-
ing's name being spoken, and noticed that
at his own appearance a sudden and
rather embarrassed silence fell on the
room.
Amaranth Carruthers had not been
mistaken on one point; it was clear that
people were talking. Marks manner to
his wife, always considerate, became more
gentle and protecting than ever He was
seen walking with her and sitting by her
q good deal-somewhat to the amusement
Of one or two of his guests.
A few days later being in search of
copy of the Field, which he had been read
ing, he went into the drawing-room be-
fore going to dress. 1t was early still;
but he found that Sibyl was already down
stairs and was at the piano playing softly,
while Percival,who had drawn low chair
close to her, was leaning forward, and
looking into her agitated downcast face.
The candles had not been lit there was
only the flicker of the freight in the
room.
~ must go indeed" Mark heard him
say. II feel that it has been weak of me
to stay so long,
He stood up quietly enough as Mark
drew near.
"Aren't you late, Squirrel" he said. "Or
is it we who are early9 We wanted to
try over some songs for this evening. ST.
byl plays accompaniments better than any
one I know"
Sibyl went on playing little louder;
but she had been crying, her husband
saw. He determined that he would speak
to her without delay. Not that night
She was so ill-ftted to bear any excite
ment; it might spoil her rest. He would
wait until the morning.
And then he did speak, very gently,
very firmly, appealing to her own woman
ly feeling to help him.
~ am sorry if have given you pain"
he concluded. ITO you and me it seems
hard that your intimacy with your cousin
almost your brother-should be msun-
derstood, dear; but think that Percival
would do wisely to leave us for a little
time"
every well,' sibyl replied in a frozen
voice.
They were standing in her sitting room
with the latticed panes. where they had
stood in the warm September sunshine
where they had stood when Mark had
told her of Percivals return to EnglandI
The rose-trees were nothing now but a
bare brown network of twigs and branchesI
ontside the windows; few slow snow
fakes were falling through the leaden air
and resting on the sill.
"You will tell him yourself, Sibyl,child,"
The Squire added. "It will be pleasanter
for him."
every WELL" she said again, not looking
at him, but keeping her eyes on the fire
before which she was standing in long
pale-blue morning gown trimmed with
border of dark fur
Her thoughts had gone back to her we'd
ding-day. She remembered how she had
said to Amaranth Carruthers that there
would be only one vow she would be able to
keep Of the three she was going so soon to
fake-that Mr.. Breton himself could
hardly expect her to love or honor him
very much.
ale will be satisfied if you obey him, I
dare say" Amaranth had answered COM
posedly as she arranged the BRIDES wreath
-"most men would"
Sibyl was recalling the scene now, and
resolving with compressed lips that she
would do exactly what Mark had told her
to do. She would obey him to the very
better.
Mark stood and watched her. He was
chilled and panied by her Indifference
What was it, he wondered blindly, that
had changed the frank warm hearted
girl with whom he had fallen in love into
this beautiful sad woman of ice and snowG
II must be going. suppose. now that
] have said my say" he began again.
ale laid his hand lightly on his wife's
shoulder-his big kind sunburnt hand;
but she moved almost imperceptibly, so
that the hand slipped down by her side.
The blood rushed to his face.
4sSihulin he cried kYo1 are nnt ofEand