The Bowbells tribune., 1900-05-11

uncertain hand, she seemed to hear
without needing, Herbert's effort at
conversation; she answered absently
and at random.
Panied and mortified, Herbert him.
self grew moody and taciturn, and they
had gone on for some moments in ST.
lence. when Sybil suddenly seemed to
arouse herself by a painful effort, and
said, in grave and earnest tone:
II want to make request Of you, MIR.
Clive-a strange request; one that you
explain
ITO ask of me is to obtain, Miss
Sybil, as you know" was the somewhat
constrained reply.
'No: do not KNOW" she corrected.
''for am aware that my request will
seem an utterly unreasonable one.
want yOu'-she gave one Of her fright
ened glances around her a sshe spoke,
and lowered her voice almost to whls-
perl want YOU to leave home, Mr.
Give; to go abroad, if possible, for an
indefinite time"
"To leave home?" echoed Herbert, in
unconcealed surprise. Ito 60 abroad?
My dear Miss Wraye, you are incom-
prehensible"
II know it," she answered, in a de-
spairing tone. II told you I could not
explain. Yet, tits as FaEnie's friend l
speak; as-as'-her voice faltered, ''as
your friend. There is danger threaten
ing you here. Mr.. Clive-terrible dan
ger; and-and. until that danger is re-
moved, beg of you to leave home.'
Herbert's face flushed.
Danger threatening me here, in my
own home. and you would have me flee
f,,o,, sJ-0
Wraye, you must have but a poor opin,
ion Of my manhood, Of my courage"'
''There are perils against which man
hood. courage, all are vain," she an.
swered. in voice thrilling with pain.
There is a danger which no hand,
however strong, can combat-darE, un-
known dangers, from which flight is
the only safety; and-and'-her soft
eyes fixed themselves upon him, full of
terrible meaning, "Mr. Give, it is such
danger that threatens you. Oh, for
your own sake, for the sake Of all you
love. be warned in time! Fly, fly, be-
fore it is too late!'
But his, face only set itself sternly
into the likeness Of his father-into
stranger and more forbidding likeness
still. that Of his great-uncle, Basil Give.
you forget that you speak to a man,
Miss Wraye:" he answered, proudly
ito man in whom obedience to such
a warning would be both weak and
cowardly. To fly from any danger is
womanly but to fly from an unknown
danger would be the basest pusillani-
nifty"
''Then you will not hear me-you will
not heed me?" she cried in a tone
whose pathos went to. Herbert's heart.
'Surely, surely, the curse Of Cassandra
is miner
"Sybil, Sybilv' cried the young man.
throwing off the mask of formality and
speaking in moved voice, ''for Gods
sake have done with these mysteries!
What is this shadow under which you1
young life is whitening? What cloud is
it that hangs between you and the sun
shine of love and hope? For know
that no other love- no other tie, binds |
your heart. know, darling forgive
me if I hold the precious secret dropped |
from your unconscious lips-I know the
first pure love Of that maiden heart is
all my own!"
'You know that-that-''
Oh. the beautiful blush that stole like
a dawn over that pallid face, the light
that trembled in those downcast eyes, |
the culver Of those parted lips! For one
bright moment the spell was broken,
the statue lived, the woman breathed!
II know that you do care for me a
little. Sybil," was the happy answer.
'"Tell me. darling, is it not so? There Is
no other love binding your heart? Only
one little word. Sybil-one little word
will lift the weight of suspense from
my heart. Say that have no rival,
Sybil-your hand and heart are free.
Darling, I can wait patiently. I will
not harrass you with VOWS Of love if |
you will only tell me that have some
far-off hope of winning you at last
"Hope. hope? No, no, there is no
hope!" she answered, the life-light fad
ing from her face. "But it is neither
love nor lover that stands between us,
Mr.. Give. You mistook my words
strangely If you thought so. have no
thought Of other or other lover when I |
tell you the barrier between us is one
we ne'er can cross. But-but |
hesitated for q moment, and then she
went on. in clear, sweet and sorrow
full voice-"if it will make you believe
me. trust me, listen to me more willing.
ly, will speak to you as one dead
tell you that, but for the dark abyss |
that yawns between us, I-I-might
have loved you, might have listened to
you, might have found earth's sweetest |
happiness at your side. It can never
be now-never. never, never! But for
the sake of what might have been, In |
pity for the heart that you have wax
ened. only to make it suffer more keen
~, listen to me-fy and save yourself
from dangers that know, yet cannot |
avert!'
II cannot listen to you, Sybil," he an
swered ,gravely. II would brave death
willingly at your bidding, but cannot |
my manhood. If danger threat.
ems those dear to me. must stay and
share it. And for your other words.
Sybil, there is whispering hope in
them that 1 will hold through life and
death. AS long as no other tie, no 9TH
er love. stands between, you are mine,
mine! Mine, darling, despite your fears,
your tremors-despite your own little
timid self! Mine. though 1 wait for
years ere I can claim you. Mine, al