Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-02-24
CHAPTER v.-THE SECOND BLOW

They were, Paul" said Sibyl "All
the fine phrases in the world are nothing
compared with one good dee1. In the
finest phrases | have eyer beard IN this
house-whicn is the home of phrases-it
has always seemed to me that | detected
iBsiucerty. The men who talk are not
the men who act. 1t is better to act than
to eXhort. Your splendid talk about the
Ancient Wisdom, Paul, with which YOU
set Ctcely's heart Hgow, is it worth the
trntblul PLAN life OF Il simple mau who
works and does mis- duty ?"
Paul made no reply. Only week be
fore he would have been ready with an
answer based upon the wisdom learned OF
his unknown friends. Now he said moth
ing; but he knew very well what Sibyl
meant.
While they sat there, quiet and grave,
the door was suddenly opened, and Cice-
ly's brother, the terrible Sir Percival,
stood before them in his rough sailors
dress. His eyes cleaned with the light OF
fauaticism. lie stalked through the cir
Gle and laid his hand upon his sisters
arm.
"Cicely," he said, 81 am sent once more
to warn you. Fly from this house of witch
craft. Fly from those who converse with
evil spirits and make inquiry OF the Dew
Cicely shrank from him in terror.
Percy" said Tom, you are quite mis-.
taken. There are no more witcnes, and
we have left off making inquiries"
II know the house of old Cicely come
away from it. Leave the service of the
Devil"
I'VE have left that service. Percy"
Tom answered for her again. Exchang-
ed, you know, sotd out"
You Are a scoffer. Ccely, it is to you
i speak. Listen"
He delivered his soul. If he had been
addressing an lmpenltent Magdalen,
person stepped in crime from his youth up
he could not have used laugu age stronger
and more fervid. It's violence terrified
Cicely but left her otherwise unmoVed.
You may call II young lady sinner and
rem ambrauce of Certa n little sins may
fall upon her soul and convict her ana
make her feel small Hnd ashaned-whlch
is II Wholesome form OF peniteuce But to
speak TO a girl as If she had pranced gaily
through the whole of the Dtcelogue l. an
overstatement of the case, and therefore
weakeus it,"
Paul presently interrupted him.
Have you not spoken quite long
enough ?" he said. "fhst klud of tai
may do for your sailors. but what is the
good OF it for young ladies ? You may ter
rify your sister, but you will not persuade
her with Your buster"
IL remember you. | know you now"
said Sir Percival, with quite new light
in his eyes.
"Why do you come here ?" Paul went
on. not observing the change. You told
me you had neither brother nor sister.
Why DO you seek out your sister, then
She is happy shei Is lnnocent; she Is Iuil
OF the rellslon or love. AS Tor your renS-
ion OF terror, she does not want IL. Leave
her IN peace am very sorry that ask
ed You % see her" 1,,
u thought rememoered You Clcely,
one word more. Ii You VIII not listen 10
the voice o! religion, will you listen to the
voice 81 prudence !? =,
II VIII stem 10 anything, PerclVal, II
VIII GH-l~t itIln terrible Ian
guaGe.'
TINS house il the abode or llar-, nm
posters ana coinnoI ru4ueS. Come our OF
it. Come tn me ana Will hhd you
someNne'e nome among Christian peop.
Com, Cicely, TINS Is no mouse Tor 4.il
viii
Don't % + o far, Percivu, nd shy.
"rhere are limits to our patience even
with you. A. ior 7 ccIY, sue WI choose
whether she VIII S'a\ win het G friends,
or WHETHER she VIII 70 with you"
II shalt stay here with my iuend7,
sad CicriI.