Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-10-22
IS
THE SQUIRE'S DARLING.
rs
BY BERTHA vi. CLAY.

room was crowded WIN SueeCo' olu
the squire sat among them, Sir Ruper'
Dacre, in trying to arrange the cur
tain so as to fall more gracefully
missed his footing, fell from the lad
der, and sprained his left arm. Ii
was very painful, but not dangerous;
instead Of appearing on the stage, ne
was obliged to rest, with his arm IN
sling. And this happened only hall
an hour before the time for commenc-
ing.
'What shall we do?" cried Lady
Marche. ''There never was anything
so unfortunate. Amy Robsart would
have been one of the prettiest pictures
we have. Now we must give it up,
suppose"
1There is no need" said Captain
Ayrton, quietly, eff you will allow me
to be a substitute. I am not so good
looking as Sir Rupert, but | will do
my best"
"You are very kind said Lady
Marche, gratefully; 'but there will be
no time for a rehearsal with Miss
Jocelyn.''
'And no need" he replied, with
quiet smile; s'she knows her part"
Sybil was standing alone in the lit
tie ante-room. She had been talking
to the squire, and did not know Of Sir
Ruperts accident, when Lyster Ayrton
went to her, and told her of the pro-
posed change. She was dressed as
mic
have been pardoned any sin, if the
original Amy had been only one half
as lovely.
ct cannot" said Sybil, shrinking
from him. ''I cannot, Captain Lyster.
l could not go on the stage with you!"
"You would have gone on with Sir
Rupert" he said, reproachfully, al
though his heart was beating high
with triumph.
THAT is different" she said, hur-
riedly "He-he does not look at me
as you do
'sHe does not love you one half so
dearly!" was the passionate whisper.
''Do not refuse; shall think you hate
me if you do
When the curtain drew up on that
picture there was murmur of admir-
alton and surprise. People declared
they had never seen anything one half
so beautiful as the tender, rapt express
sion of Amy's face. Her whole soul
YVES in her eyes; love passing words
seemed to tremble round her parted
lips" The audience seemed never tired
of gazing. Then the curtain fell, and
as it fell Lyster Ayrton whispered to
her:
81 would be content to die if my last
look might fall upon your face"
The evening was one long triumph,
and Lady Marche was delighted; the
guests were charmed all the tableaus
were excellent. but Amy Robsart was
the favorite; and Lady Marche in
sisted upon SYPHILIS going to supper in
Amy's dress.
She looked so lovely in the pictur-
esQue costume of rich white satin and
blue velvet, her fair face flushed with
such beauty, that people never
wearied of looking at her. Many of
those who saw her that night never
forgot her, but kept that picture of
her in their minds.
1t was an evening of unalloyed hap
piness-of brilliant successes; the
first and the last of the kind that
Sybil Jocelyn ever passed. She had
no time to analyze her own sensa-
lions; no time to think of the whis-
dc hot hoI "a haT
sweet-its sweetness was almost pain.
She laid them aside in her heart, to
think over them alone.
That night, when Lady Marches
guests had left her, and those remain
ing in the house were all assembled in
the drawing-room, Captain Ayrton
went over to Sybil She sat in the
lighted recess of a large window, look
ing over some exquisite engravings of
Laughs.
miss Joce1yn," he said, gently
"Sybil, I must speak to you, and must
tell you what is in my heart. When
will you give me an opportunity?
She looked up at him with startled
eyes,
He saw that she tried to speak, but
could not.
"You will hear me, Sybil," he said.
''Your hands are very small and white
and dainty. I am going to place my
life in them. You will not destroy it?'
When he left her she looked down
at her hands; they were slender and
beautiful, with a rose-leaf flush in the
palm, with soft, dainty fingers, covered
with richly jeweled rings.
"His life in her hands" all that
was romance. That was something
1 like poetry. He tall, strong, hand
some soldier-she only girl-yet his
life was in her hands.
She did not own even to herself al
that it meant. She dare not. The
| golden light, she believed straight
from heaven, had fallen over her
dazzled and blinded. She was as one
who has discovered a priceless treas
ure, yet hides it for time.
For Lyster Ayrton had quite made
up his mind. The girls fresh, brilliant