Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-01-26


I member, who was here . few weeks ago
had told Amaranth Carruthers some
story about you having tainted in Perciv-
ais arms, and Of his being auu Petits soins
with you. Such women as she ought 10
be hungl But find, my dear Sibyl, that
you have the family common-sense, and
know the value Of your present position.
/ 20 back with lighter heart, / assure
you; and-and"-there was q momentary
break in the brisk hard old voice-"thank
you for taking me in at pinch"
Sibyl made her grandmother a superb
eurtsey.
"Knowing the motive of your ladyship's
visit" she said, ''it is ! who should thank
you for coming"
Her great brown eyes shone steadily out
of her colorless face. The Countess
dropped hers before them.
any dear Amaranth," the old lady cried,
when she had safely reached home again,
at has been false alarm! Percival new
er put in an appearance the whole time
was there"
Mrs. Carruthers was pouring out tea
for her grandmother by her dressing room
fire.
1 don't see that that proves much" she
said; and her usually composed voice had
an uneasy ring in it. ~ should rather
look upon it as confirming than contradict
ing what we have heard"
This was view that had evidently not
occurred to the Countess. Her hands be-
gan to tremble. She was growing very
old, and could i'll bear any unusual excite
ment or fatigue.
"Sibyl looks ill., she declared abruptly !;
"and she walks about more like somnam-
bulist than anything else. What have l
done"-in quavering treble accents-"that
1 should have this young woman with a
heart and notions born into my family 7
The rest of us have got on remarkably well
without them"
"You must not excite yourself, grand
mother" said Mrs. Carruthers, calmly.
"Amaranth, you must go down and stay
there" the old woman continued "She
ought to have some one to look after her.
Mark Breton is the best fellow in the
world; but he leaves Sibyl altogether too
much to her own devices"
1--WE shall only irritate her by playing
the spy upon her," reasoned Amaranth
sensibly. "sibyl never could bear any in
reference. No one could manage her but
my poor mother"
"The spyi Stuff and nonsense! In
her delicate health it is natural that she
should have some member of her own
family with her. ~
"Her health-was just as delicate before
Percival came back" said Amaranth with
significance.
"But I tell you I don't like the look Of
her! She looks dangerousw
A little pause fell upon the roomj the
two women drank their tea and mused in
silence.
"There need be no question Of your 60
ing to Wyndicote," the Countess began
then abruptly; "there is Datchap close
by. 1t will only be line from me to La
dy Milwood; and at least you will be in
the neighborhood."
"What has kept you away all this
time?" Mrs. Breton was saying at al
most the same hour and moment to her
cousin, whom she had met during her
walk.
Percival hesitated.
u never can stand the Countess" he
said abruptly. "Are they always as de-
voted to you as they have been Of later
II never ask them here" Sibyl answer
ed with weary shrug of her shoulders.
at is an age since l have seen any of
them"
"Then," Percival said slowly, ''they
have come down solely on my accountl'
There was no answer. Mrs. Breton
had complained of fatigue, and, as they
had just then reached stile, her cousin
had lifted her-she was so painfully light,
he noticed-on to the topmost rail, where
she sat, leaning her back against tree
He stood beside her smoking his cigar
The early autumn dusk was falling upon
the fields around them.
"Sibyl,' the young man said again af-
ter Il time, II shall have to go away"
She started, and began nervously to
rearrange some bright colored leaves and
berries that lay in her lap.
"Why2" she said family.
"Because'-he went on smoking, with
his back against the stile, and his eyes
fixed on the far purple horizon-"because
am not going to have you talked about,
child"
There was another little pause; and
then Sibyl answered, breaking into an un-
steady laugh.
GAS if cared what they say"
"But I care for you," he answered gent
ly. at will be better that should not
come to Wyndicote."
"Very WE'LL" she said in the same faint
voice.
He turned and looked up into her face,
his own was pale with feeling.
"People don't know that we were once
like-like brother and sister," he said in a
pleading manner, as if trying to persuade
himself as well as her. II won't have
you watched, Sibyl, by that old woman
and Amaranth. l will go at the end Of
the week"
"Very WELL" she said again; and after
a few minutes they proceeded on their
homeward walk.
AS they reached the avenue, break
was just turning in at the lodge gates.
bringing the men back from their days
sport.
The Squire was driving, the others were
smoking, and chatting and holding their
guns between their knees. Mark turned
and looked cu,iously at the lettering cou-
pie in the dusk, but apparently did not
recognise them.