The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-11-13
VOL. XXXIII.--NO. 9.

Under these circumstances, Billy felt
that it was time to make demonstration
that, in fact, she must do so, or resign her
independence for ever This latter alter
native. as may be supposed, was far from
being her intention.
The short, bright winter afternoon was
wearing away, and the sunlight, which fell
slant-wise through the western windows,
lay in great patches on the parlor- floor,
when Miss Lane, who had been patiently
counting through page of Hunten's ex-
ercises, went out of the room. leaving her
pupil to practice the lesson. Half an hour
passed, but no note sounded from the piano
Billy still sat before the instrument; but
her aid -camp-a sharp -nosed black and
tan terrier-was upon her lap. This was
her council of war
''Consider it al ~ she exclaimed, dash
ing away something too much like tear
to be in her wickedly bright eyes "If it
WASH for Rolf L d let her alone; but he is
beginning to spend too many evenings in
the parlor-too many, entirely =
ssWell, Sin, it our nature to bark and
bite, and we can't help it, can we p
Thus hushing up whatever grave doubts or
questions of moral obligations had found
their way into her tricky brain, drawing
her face into queer little FUCKERS of puzzled
expression, she burst forth into one of her
old elfsh laughs, and seizins the dog fore
Al
the ivory keys.
That night Miss Lane was aroused from
her early slumbers by feeling the bed
slowly rising under her; higher and higher
it rose, then fell with sudden collapse
As the motion was repeated, and the idea
of nightmare, which was suggested at her
first waking, became untenable, Elsie grew
seriously alarmed. But too thorough a
lady to create confusion and too well ac-
customed in her lonely orphanhood to de
pending upon herself in emergencies, to
call for unnecessary assistance, her first i'm
pulse was to get light, and investigate
the cause of her disturbance.
Following this intention, she was just
stepping to the floor, when her delicate
white ankle was caught by hand extend
ed from under the bed, and held in grasp
like vice.
One shrill scream echoed through the
house, as the unfortunate girl fell back
upon the bed, fainting.
That terrified cry reached the ears of
Rolf, who having sat up late writing let
tiers, was just going to MS chamber.
Waving all ceremony, as the occasion GER
tainly justified him in doing, he was in
stantly in Elsie room, anxious to discover
the cause of her outcry, Or to render any
assistance in his power
One glance was sufficient to show him
the position of things, and his first act was
to raise the valance, and look under the
bed. There, rolled up in queer little
ball, and convulsed with laughter, was the
mischievous offender.
"Billy You incorrigible 7 exclaimed
her brother you've done a pretty
nights work this time Come out, this
instant, and call Mrs Slater r
With inner half -mirthful half-peni-
tent, b SGyed. But when Rolf, few
minutsiua fame up stairs, with a glass
of Wit. liy ODD Iand, he found her upon the
landing stifffr, t,ering, her bonnie dimples
quivering, and her bright eyes dancing
with suppressed fun.
Billy Annesley, you deserve sound
whipping. and if you, were boy, would
give it to you, said he, with unwonted
severity.
A fresh burst of uncomfortable merriment
greeted this reprimand.
II say, Rolf with a jerk of his conta-
tail that sent the crimson wine splashing
over the polished wainscot and rich old
Turkey carpet-"don t 60 making goose
of yourself. She'll be better presently.
It's ten to one she's shamming
That she was not shamming was pretty
evident the next morning, when, after a
succession of 'fainting fits, Doctor Burton
was summoned. He having examined the
patient with grave professional accuracy,
that physician informed Mrs. Slater that
there was every reason to fear brain-fever.
Coming down stairs, the doctor found Billy
in the hall, sad contrast to her usual self.
The merry light of her eyes was quenched
in tears, and her whole frame quivering
with nervous excitement.
80 doctorr' she cried, springing for
ward to meet him. ''She won't die, will
she? You won't let her die 7
The doctor, who was tried family
friend as well as physician, took the cold,
trembling little hands and drew her into
the library
Il am so glad, my dear, he said, ''to
see that you are so fond of your governess;
but, even for her sake, l cannot allow you
to make yourself ILL., -
''Oh, don speak to me SOL burst forth
the impetuous child ''You wouldn't if
you knew. It's all my fault, though | do
love her But if she dies | will have killed
her. And Rolf will hate me. And-oh,
dear!-I deserve it all I"
The rest of her incoherent exclamations
was checked by a fresh burst of grief.
Waiting few moments till the violence
of her anguish had abated, the doctor drew
her to low stool by his side, and passing
his hand gently over the bright waves of
hair, spoke gravely, yet kindly.
Suppose, Sybi,' he said, giving her
the name that even the servants, following
Rolf's example, had shortened into the
boyish cognomen so accordant with her
habits and pursuits, suppose that you tell
me all about this matter. May be | can
help you. At all events, 1 cannot bear
to see your bright little face so shadowed,
without making the effort.
Encouraged by his kindness and sym
pathy, Billy-her hands clasped upon her
knee-poured out her full confession, keep
ing back or extenuating nothing; for,
though the very incarnate spirit of mis-
chief, lying and equivocation were entirely
foreign to her nature. She literally knew
not how to tell an untruth.
Now, doctor, she said, in conclusion,
rising to her feet in her earnestness, ''if
you i only cure her, I'll give you any
thing on earth you ask for
"WeIl, my dear, he rejoined, smiling
hopefully, ''we will do our best; and re-
member, Sybil, when I say we, l mean
you, too. | shall expect great deal from
your help.