The Ravalli Republican., 1898-04-13
INTO DEEP WATERS.


daughter S appearance that day He
was a grim man, and generally he
remarked little that did not concern
his work. Her eyes sparkled and she
was full Of some mystery. Ho was
reminded Of her childish days when
she used to prepare surprises, and
he thought as lie looked ut her that
afte: all she WAS not much changed
BY lang tnening Of frocks and twist
ing her hair up.
Then he retrcatcd once more into
himself.
She had no remarkable beaut%
from any classical point Of view,
Her features were not regular, and
an analysis of her claim to even pret-
tiness would have shown !. to he
slender. Vet Sibyl North was pret-
ty, and she had that name1ess charm
that is more potent than perfection,
Her mouth was good and 50 were
her teeth, and as she was always
laughing you saw them we'll and
knew how white and even they were.
Her eyes were not large nor w"s
their color any way noticeable, but
they danced with mischief and mer-
riment. Her hair was brown and
curly. It was long, too, and she
was very proud OF it.
She had the happy temperament
that is not nuffled by the thousand
and one small worries of life. She
was not spared any Of these, ! sup
pose, but she rode buoyuntly over
them like craft 50 light that the
waves carry it safely above the rocks;
against which q heavier r@'Sse' would
be broken. She was splendidly
healthy, and this perhaps made it
easy to be light hearted.
Mr.. North WAS a vidover with q
family of six, Of whom Sibyl was
the eldest. She kept house for him,
hnd she helped the govcrncss with
the childrcn's lessons. She played
cricket with the boys IN the field be
hind the house on the holidays. She
mended stockings, she patched
youthful knees, she knitted and she
read to her father. She had always
lap or bosom to be tried on by the
5-year- boy or the G-year- lit
tie sister, and she could comfort ei
tlier and turn their tears into smiles
She packed for the brothers Whel
they went to school, and she hid !;
cake somewhere among their clothes
to cheer their homesickncss.
Mr. North was a silent man who
had given himself mp to books. He
was short in his manner, and his
children regarded him with awe
Sibyi was looked upon as mediator
but mediation was little necessary
since all authority vas vested in her
self and the governess To Slby
only did he show the warmer side O
his nature He liked to have he:
with him. He put into her willing
hands much that was precious-ant
tedious, too-of his work, and sh
copied for him and made copious eX
tracts. He seldom praised her i:
words. 1t was not his way.
II should like u picture Of you,
he said one day suddenly.
siby] looked up in surprise.
"A picture, fathcr:"
He was silent for q Few ,nonlent:
"Well, q photograph, . he sal
presently, and speaking slowly. A
a family this has been neglected
Your mother died, and | have /
likeness Of hcr.'
He said nothing more and the su
ject was dropped. Esibyl went {
with her work Of correcting proof
A smile curved the corners of II
mouth and her eyes twinkled. Ii
thoughts wandered.
From the study window she coU
see the waves 1eating on he shol
The vicarage stood on tho Cornl
coast. It was on the outskirts Of
fishing village and fou, miles &c
a.town. The smell! of tho sea 4
the taste Of brine We're III the ;
when presently Sibyl put down Il
work and went out.
William North opened the wind
and looked after her. He, too, !
ticed the smell Of the sea. The
seemed full Of spray, and the Wa'
broke themselves Oh the shore W
insistence. 1t was on the next q
that Sibyl wore an air of myste7
Mr.. North's birthday was approa'
ing and the childlaan were get
UP play. Instinctively he come
Ell with this her sparkling eyes, t.
seemed of themselves to be ch
king over Something, and 4 myst'
Gus visit to t4le town. He RENE
bered afterWard her look upon t
day.
The play progressed. Will
Nnrth l.nhent snmewhat and n''i,