Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-11-05
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
THE SQUIRE'S DARLING.
3EzI|
BY BERTHA NJ. CLAY.

sob.
want to speak to you, continued
the sweet, girlish voice; and you must
promise me not to be angry.
No need for the promise, he said
quietly; could not be angry with you.
They were standing together in
the midst of narrow path that d1v1-
ded the two beds of lilies, she so near
him that her blue dress touched him,
and the south wind blew her lace
shawl half over him.
He wondered why she did not
speak; it was some little trouble, no
doubt-some girlish request-some IA
vor, for which he must tease the
squire. He looked at her and saw that
she had grown pale. and there was
strange shadow of trouble in her eyes.
What is it, my darling? he asked,
gently drawing the little hands in his
own.
Hush! she said; you must not call
me that again. l want to tell you, Sir
Rupert. I have tried-and I cannot.
Cannot what? he asked. without the
least idea of what she meant.
I cannot love you, she continued.
tried, Rupert did, indeed, but it was
all in vain.
The shock was so great that it
would have killed weaker man. He
never flinched. he never lost his clasp
of the trembling hands. Even in that
hour of supreme agony his first
thought was for her. Oh! blind and
foolish, would the world ever again
give her love like this?
He grew white, even to his lips, and
bit them, lest his pain should force a
cry.
Oh, Rupert! she said, you are always
kind and I am so grieved! Indeed, ],
hate to give you pain; but could not
love you.
You shall not even try, he replied,
gently, if it gives you pain; but love is
generous, seeking only the happiness
of the one loved, not self. Do you
know Sybil, that if by dying here at
your feet I could secure your happi
ness, I would die with smile on my
lips?
[ believe it, she said simply.
The time came when the generosity
and might of his love struck her, and
she realized what she had lost; and
another glamour was upon her.
Then you must not be troubled, he
said. Perhaps, in years to come
All! yes, she interrupted; that is
what I want to tell you, and | do
not know how You are very good to
me, and I shall always love you; but
then not in that way, Rupert, because
+
She stopped short then; she could
not look in his face and tell him what
he asked for in vain, she had given to
another.
Because you what? he said. gently.
Have no fear, Sybil; tell me all.
Because love some one else. she
whispered, oh! so dearly, Rupert! All
my life has gone into my love; it has
made earth heaven to me!
He trembled like man whose heart
is pierced; for one half moment earth
and sky seemed to meet, but the
trembling of the little hand he held
restored him. When he was not
strong for her?
The fair passionate child-for she
was little else-raised her lovely face
to his. All, Heaven! that women are
so cruel to men who love them.
You must bless me, Rupert, said she.
Promise to stand my friend if papa
should not be willing.
The numb despair that had first
seized him was passing away, and a
mortal terror took it's place-a terror
that chilled his heart. and made him
draw the golden head down as if to
shield it from harm
will help you, he said; but tell me
one thing, Sybil-who is it you love?
Captain Ayrton, she said, proudly.
And he dropped her hands with a
low, despairing cry. Great Heaven!
he said; so fair a child, so young, so
Sybil, he added, bending over her pity
ingly, is it true-do you really love
this man?
really do love him. Do you not
understand, Rupert, loving him has
changed earth into heaven? I am
happy as the angels. I do not we at
to pain you, but you make me speak.
Listen. love him so that I could
die looking upon his face-that if
lay dead and buried under the green
turf, and he called me, I should hear
him and wake.
Hush, child! he said, for her slender
figure trembled with the passion of her
words. Remember he is but mortal;
higher Power alone raises the dead.
Is it too late for advice, for interfer-
ence, for remonstrance?
It is too late for everything, Rupert,
she replied.
Then pray God to have mercy on
you, he said, solemnly; and the deep
sorrow in his voice startled her.
Why? she asked. her fair face turn
ed in wonder to his.
Because you are drawing down a
terrible fate upon your own head.