Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-04-30
SyIvia's Guardian;
Or
A YOUNG GIRLS LOVE.
Or
BY RErr WILDWOOD.

ohiahh pdCh, uub tlc SlBuI OI Ills nag
gard face gave her courage. Yielding
ward and touched his arm.
"Mr. Castleton!"
lie turned with q start. Something
in his burning eyes, as they rested an
instant upon the girls face, frightened
and bewildered her.
"You?" he uttered, as if his lips
trembled. Then he shook off her hand.
Don't speak to me. Not word. /
could not bear it,"
He strobe past, without looking back.
Sylvia heard door shut in the dis
lance. To her vivid imagination it had
the harsh, grating sound of the door to
q tomb.
II believe he hates me- thought the
poor child. Even my presence is UNI
endurable to him."
The miserable hours wore on. In the
early evening Sylvia stole down from
her chamber, her eyes red with weep
ing. A light shone from the library,
and in passing the open door she looked
III.
Mr.. Castleton sat there alone, YEARLY
resting his head upon his hand. A pro-
found sigh broke the stiffness. Sylvia
could endure it no longer. lettering
forward. she stood before him.
"Mr. Castleton, have something to
say. You must listen to me-"
He looked up with shri- king gest-
ure. mo, no." But the N,xt instant
he had Gained himself. Every well, +"
he said, coldly. 1T may as well be now
as later. Proceed"
The proud color surged into her face.
His icy tone gave her the courage she
needed.
az, ord bo,,o wade . ,,o;etoIvo NIr
Castleton. Let us rectify it while we
may" -----~az..a
"You refer to our engagement?"
"Yes."
"You think it should be annulled?"
lie was looking at her steadily, his
face very pale.
II do" She replied. "To persist in
the error would ruin the happiness of
both our lives. release you from your
vows, and ask to be released in turn. !"
"I-I-expected this" he said, with
an effort.
Dead silence for moment. Sylvia
was startled at the look of mute agony
that crossed his face. She was watch
ing to see it grow radiant with joy.
4 Il do not know your plans-or even
wish to know them" he proceeded,
huskily, at length. "But will release
you upon one condition-thatyo you make
no change at once, but continue to re-
side at Ingleside as at present"
'.You-you are very cruel!" she cried
out. clasping her hands.
Something is due to me as your
guardian. Do you promiseYo
"Yes-since it must be So"
Then she left him.
Twenty-four hours later Isabel knock
ed at the door of Sylvia's dressing
room, where the latter was fighting the
hardest battle of her whole life. 1t is
not pleasant thing to see all that one
most prizes slip hopelessly from the
grasp.
"Ihave come to tell you how happy
/ am" Isabel said, her brilliant face
glowing with triumph. "Now l am in
different whether you leave Ingleside
or remain"
Sylvia did not raise her eyes. After
studying the lines of her face intently
moment, Isabel proceeded:
"Of course you know what l mean.
Mr.. CastletOn and l have come to an
understanding. You were so kind as
to release him from his engagement to
you, it appears. / never saw man so
relieved. He is like another person.
think he would have lost his reason had
you persisted in holding him to his
promise"
No response. Poor Sylvia felt as
though cold wind were blowing over
her.
At length Isabel spoke again, with a
light. hooking laugh.
"Wish me happiness. We are to be
married six weeks from to-day"
1t was then that Sylvia turned, with
flash of sudden spirit:
''Be good enough to leave the room.
i wished you would never enter it
again.
30, indeed!'' curling her naughty lip.
II am quite willing to oblige YOU"
The next time Sylvia saw Mr.. Castle
ton she fancied he looked more worn
and haggard than ever. There was no
to which Isabel had referred. He
Stunned every body, spending much of
his time locked into the library. where
he could be heard walking the floor in
cessantly.
One morning he was summoned UNI
eXpectedly from home. 1t was late in
the afternoon when he returned. Isa-
bel, Sylvia and Mrs. Dalton were all III
the drawing-room when he entered with
a staggering step, and sank heavily into
a chair.
81 am a ruined manl' he groaned.
Isabel rose, her face very pale, and
crossed to his side.
Ruined, Markp" she repeated.
What do you mean?"
II have been specializing rashly, and
lost ALL"
ut can't be. You are jesting."
A bitter smile crossed his haggard
do look like it2 The mines in
which l had staked my fortune have
proved an utter failure"
Isabel drew a deep breath.
us every thing gone-home, fortune,
II fear So"
There was a silence. Isabel stood
musing, her brows knit, shadow on
her face
"What misforutuel" she exclaimed,
presently, and left the room without
another word.
Sylvia was shocked. Scarcely know
ing what she was doing, she clasped
Mr.. Castleton's hand between both her
own.
81 am very sorry," she murmured.
at is dreadful blow for you. II"
The sweet voice faltered. Suddenly
bursting into tears, she rushed from
the room.
She went down to breakfast the next
morning later than usual. Mr.. Castle
ton and Mrs. Dalton were both present
only Isabel's place was vacant. After
brief delay, one of the servants was
sent to summon her. The girl came
back frightened.
miss Grier is not in her ROOM" she
announced. 81 am sure she has left
the house. This note was lying on the
dressing-case. 1t is addressed to you,