Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-04-16
Sy|via's Guardian;
A YOUNG GIRLS LOVE.
BY RETT WILDWOOD.

Was BOOu lOI ucI VI NldTk OdSIleLOIl anu
the ladylove from whom he had been so
nature had been aroused.
He must have been very fond of this
Isabel Grier," she told herself. 1.-The
wound has not been wholly healed. 1t
may never be-" And she sighed, with
out in the least knowing why.
Several days wore on. The grave
kindness of her guardian won upon
Sylvia hourly. They walked and drove
together, and sometimes spent whole
mornings in the library, reading some
favorite author. At last it came to be
quite the rule to seek refuge from Mrs.
Dalton's sneers and GOODNESS in the
society of Mark Castleton.
You fill niche that was empty be-
fore you came" he said one day, look
ing at her with deep light in his hand
some eyes. "Icould not spare you now"
A deep flush rose on her cheeks.
"Ingleside is the first real home /
have known since papa died."
You are happy, here, Sylvan"
70, very happy"
leave u.s."
The sweet dream of content was
soon to be broken. Mrs. Dalton was
shrewd woman, and soon saw in what
direction guardian and ward were drift
ing. 1t did not suit her plans that the
child she had affected to despise should
ever remain at Ingleside as mistress in
her stead. The next morning, as Syl-
via was gathering dew-wet violets in
the garden, she came down the walk
and paused beside her.
"IIave you formed any plans for the
future, Miss Dreemep" she inquired,
after few idle remarks had passed on
both sides.
NO" Sylvia answered, with care
less laugh. Like the birds and the
flowers, have taken no thought of to-
morrow"
Mrs. Dalton frowned.
That is unwise in a person endowed
with reason. OF course you cannot ex-
pect to remain here forever, as you are
now.n
why not?" said the girl, looking up
with start.
"Why not?" mimicked her tormen-
tor. Your own good sense should tell
you the reason. The bread of depend
ence must be sweet to your palate"
What do you mean, Mrs. Dalton?"
do you not know that you are living
here upon charityp That Marks money
pays for the food you eat and the
clothes you wear? l fancied enough
had been said upon this subject before
you came"
Sylvia had almost for gotten it. She
could not bring herself to believe the
woman's cruel words had any real
foundation.
1T is not possible that papa left me
penniless," she faltered, her sweet face
growing very pale.
The beggarly sum he left you was
spent long ago. l have investigated
"a
of your school bills. If you have any
spirit, you will decline becoming in
debted to him further"
Mrs. Dalton turned coldly away.
Having dropped her Parthian arrow,
she was satisfied to await the result.
Poor Sylvia! 1t was cruel awaken
ing. Sinking down beside the sweet
smelling violets, she shed the bitterest
tears of her lifetime.
She could not live upon Mr.. Castle
tons bounty another hour. She must
leave Ingleside at once-her dear, hap
by home. She could teach, give music
lessons, OF, with her voice, go upon the
stage. Many ways Of self-support were
open to her.
In her abstraction she failed to hear
the step descending the walk. 1t paused
beside her; a hand fell lightly upon her
bowed head
why, Sylvia, my little friend, what
is the natter"
Mr.. Castleton's voice! The poor girl
started up, flushing with shame, and
trembling with misery.
MIR. Castleton, L wish to know the
truth" she said, in tone of gentle
dignity. Upon what terms am / liv-
ing at Ingleside? What was the amount
OF he bequest left by my father?"
lie drew hack, visibly startled and
embarrassed,
Really, Sylvia, am unable to say.
l should be compelled to look over my
accounts and"
"You can tell me whether the money
has all been used or not" she inter-
rupted,
No answer. He stood looking at her
wistfully, his face full of sympathy and
yearning tenderness.
Sylyia's tears flowed afresh. "You
might have told me-" she sobbed. sit
was not kind to let me remain under
such a delusion, unknowingly living
upon your charity"
His face changed.
"What difference did it make, Sylvia?
/ have enough and to spare. hoped you
would never know. 1t was q real pleas
ure to be able to do you service"
She turned, trying in vain to suppress
her sobs.
AZ cannot remain at Ingleside, Mr..
Castleton. You must realize the neces-
sity of change as fully as do"
''But will not let you leave me-"
With hasty stride he stood beside
her, and was encircling her trembling
figure with his arms.
s'Sylvia, my darling, you do not know
how you have frightened the old place
by your presence. 1t has been like
paradise since you came. DO not go.
will not permit it. Remain as-m,
wife"
For a moment her brain seemed t
reel. IL was so sudden, so unexpected
Growing deadly white, she lifted hel
startled eyes to his face.
"You cannot mean it, Mr.. Castle
toni"
az do" he answered, in afervid tone
"Your girlish beauty and innocenc,
have won upon me from the first. 4
strong, deep passion. has grown up. II
my heart. L should be very miserable
/. IL you left me-"
She was looking at him steadily, blu
a sharp pang shot through her heart.
81 do not understand she faltered
NJ had been told that-that-you love-
another"