Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-11-15
CHAPTER XIII.
THE Squlre's Darling Went To Her
Fate"

flN Sibli . De' l'''B "t''N ~ ''S'
Fate"
The squire would have faced n regi-
ment of foes with swords drawn rather
than have had to meet and oppose the
girl who came shrinking and hesta-
ting into the room. He had prepared
sensible speeches for her; he had laid
out all his arguments ready for use,
he had intended to be sternly practi
cal and severe, but Sybi waited for
nothing of the kind; as soon as her
eyes fell upon the face never yet turn
ed in anger upon her, she rushed up to
him with n great cry and fell weeping
on his breast
He could not put her from him; he
could only lay his trembling hands on
the golden head, and soothe her with
loving words.
Papa, sha cried, what have you done
with him? You have not sent him
away?
Yes, my darling, said the squire. ]
| have sent him away, and he must
never come back again, Sybil--
mover more. You must learn to for
get him.
| shall learn to die first, she cried,
passionately Oh, papa! you have
always been kind to mo; you never re-
fused mo ono wish pray you do not
send him away.
1t IL tor your own sake, he said
quietly. If you loved n beggar, Sybil.
and he were II good man. you should
have him. Captain Ayrton is bad
man, and you must forget all about
him
He is not bad, she cried. And If
he has not boon quito good all his life,
| he will be now that he loves me.
should make him good, Oh, papa! do
not break my heart. love him so
dearly Let him come back to me!
Her tender arms loosoncd their
| hold, and before he could prevent 1t,
she was knoeIing Mt his feet, her love
| ly. childish face raised to his with
such wstful cntrcaty, that the squire's
heart uchcd rs he looked upon her.
He raised her quickly in his arms.
Sybil, do you love this man SO worry
much?
So much! she sobbod with my
whole heart! Better than all the
world beside,
have nursod you and trained you,
| said tho squire. You have been my
sole thought for many years. DO you
love him better than me.
1t is different, she said, her face
| flushing. Whom he is with me, all the
world seems bright; my heart Is full
OF quiet happiness. | want nothing
else, If he were to say to me, Sybil,
como and die in my place, should go.
| When he spoke my name, or came
near to me. it was MS though my whole
soul rose to him. Was that real love,
papa?
Yes groancd the squire; Heaven
help us! that was real love And you
would lCavo mo for him, Sybil?
should like best to keep YOU both,
she said; If not--Ah! papa, my mother
left all she loved for you
1t can never be, my darling he cried.
| II you cannot love Sir Rupert, win
not urge It upon you; but shall never
give YOU to this man, Syhil, never!
! This | solcmnly swear,
He bent his gray head as he spoke.
She sprung from him like wounded
! bird.
And | say, papa, she said slowly, |
am his; have promised to be his
wife, and will either keep my word
or 30 unmarried to my grave.
He will not ask YOU again, child, said
the squire, sadly 1t is your money he
wants-not you, have told him that
IL he married you. not one farthing of
my money should Ger so to you.
| Not one penny. | have sworn to II.
and | mean to keep my word!
Her proud face grew crimson.
Nou misunderstood him, papa, she
| said, No one but yourself should dare
| to utter such words to me!
| They are most fatally true, he replied.
| Now that he knows II, have no fear
| lie will not modest you. He might
| take your fortune without you: he will
never take you without your fortune,
| 1t was pitiful to see the hot anger
that famed in her face and brow.
She turned in her willful. imporious
way from the heart that loved her best
on earth.
Try to be reconciled, continued the