Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1885-07-17
even a old Rufus Cairn desired.


Ths days went By, Dudley Coartns,
became more devoted to Sybii a. tim,
passed, and seemed in no wsy discour
aged by her calua. reserved manner
that wsuld have repelled : lsas arden
suitor.
Alice Courtney's manner took on
new degree Of affection, and in every
possible way she endeavored to wiz
SYPHILIS interest for her brother. As th,
young girl once declared to herself, i
world not be a difficult task to lear
to care fer handsome Dudley Courtney
were it not that another image rose a
barrier between them.
Not once did Sybii swerve in hei
faith to her absent lover, yet she wal
reluctant to speak her mind to Rufui
Cairn she, SO waited, hoping frat hs
would relent, and release her rf.sn the
csrdifions he had imposed.
One day at twilight. Sybil, sitting
lone in the dusky shadows, tbs heavy
curtains that half covered the broad
windows concealing her slender form
heard the sound Of voices in the hal
without, and a moment later Alice
Courtney's light tones broke the still
ness that pervaded the darkened room.
"Sybil, are you here?"
Leaning forward to reply, Sybil start
ed as hand caught her ewn in firm
grasp and finger was laid lightly mp
or her lips. Into tie recess where she
sat Rufus Cairn had come, and now,
standing beside her, he bent and whis
pered:
"Silence, Sybil."
Wondering, she leaned back in he,
chair, and then came the sound Of an
other voice, a voice that had often
thrilled her with its low tenderness.
"No one here, Alice!"
"No. Sybil must be in her room; 1t
is nearly time for dinner. Now tell me,
Dudley, when are you going to speak to
herr"
"This very night"
"Are you sure of SUGGEST"
81 think the girl loves me-"
Syb.l started again, but again de
tanning hand held her back.
eyes, you have played your card.
we'll, Dudley, but You always were ar
adept at love making. 1t seems to me-
though, that her manner is scarcely"
''Natural reservey that is all. Oh
Alice! why could not the old man have
made me his heir without bringing il
the girl?''
''True; bat having dena 80 you mus
accept her as necessary evil. We can
not do without this fortune; you know
that well.
Too well. I am glad you overheard
the interview between them, else VIZ
should never have known. I paid hel
attention at first because she was pretty
and took my fancy, but of late it ha.
been quite different matter"
Tonight, then, you will speak,"
'tYes-wish me luck, though hav.
played the role of lover well and dar.
say will gain the prize"
"lNell, 1 am going to dress for din
ner."
The voices ceased, there was tn,
sound Of retreating footsteps, and thes
old Rufus Cairn, dashing aside the cur
tains, drew Sybil out and across to tn,
entrance of his library.
"Come in here" he said, hoarsely. "l
want to speak with you"
With the lights lit and old Rufus sit
ting opposite her, Sybil raised her flush
ed face aud startled eyes to those of thu
old man, and saw them dark with anse
and chagrin.
"You have heard ALL" he continued
hastily. "That man is the one I weuls
have made my heir, would have givel
you into his keeping, and he weo
ing you because he loved, not you, bu
my money. Wretch-wretches, boil
of them; will have no more to do viii
them. AS they passed through tn
hall | was about to come from this room
and, standing on the other side OF tn
door, heard Alice say: I'VE dupe'
them easily Those words aroused m
suspicious, and-you know the rest
Now, Sybil, you shall have all.
"Wait, I have something to tell you
Sybil cried, and so disclosed her secret
her doubts and hesitation, her love fo
Philip Earle, and the old man hear
with lowering brows.
She, too, had deceived him, he sale
| and refused to believe her innocence.
On the morrow the whole party le
Cairndale, and with heavy heart Syl
il left the presence Of the old ma,
whom she pitied and cared for d~spit
| his liarshness.
A week later letter reached her il
closing these lines.
"Come back to me, Sybil; was b,
testing You. All have is yours, b,
or one condition: l want to see yo
we'll settled in Gfe-you shall mar
Philip Earle. He is good man, ell
he would not have woa your Low
Come, both of you, to your old, lone
friend. RUFUS CAIRN." :"
Pleasant people make a dull ds
cheerful; they have somewhat of Il