Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1900-11-15
CHAPTER XIV.
"SybiI Saw LISTER Ayrton Standing
Under The Tree"


least intention of tamely resigning the
richest prize fortune had ever placed
within his reach. He never for one
moment believed the kindly, indulgent
old squire would keep his word. Once
married. the mischief really done, he
would pardon his daughter, and the
gallant captain have nothing to do
save enjoy what he had so boldly won.
He laid his plans with great skill
and GOODNESS, resolving that, in order
to disarm all suspicion, he would not
| &c near Glynn for two months at least.
His long absence would also have
another advantage. The fair, passion
ate child, whose pure, loving heart he
| had so completely won, would have
! found out what his absence cost her,
She would have discovered what life
was without him, and he would be able
! then to mold her to his wishes. All
| this he knew and felt certain Of.
! When the two months were over he
did not go near Glynn or Ling, but
! took apartments in farmhouse near
| Woodale, where his retreat was safe,
and he would be hidden from all eyes.
One day after dinner the squire
asked her to sing, and she went to the
| piano. There with the first notes OF
her song, it came to her with a sudden
flush she was deceiying these deal
ones, who loved her so well; that she
must leave them if she wanted to be
happy; that her father, had he known
the truth, would have wept rather than
have laughed For the first time in
her life, she had "A secret, and, despite
still burned on her lips, she knew it
was a shameful secret.
In one rush of sorrow, all these
thoughts came to her. The ClCM
voice faltered, the lips grew white, .
sudden darkness came over her eyes.
She rose, and stretched out her hands
with great cry, then fell, as one
stricken with death, upon the ground
Loving hands raised her; and while
she lay unconscious, the three spoke
with bated breath, and wondered what
had made her ill.,
1--WE have deceived ourselves" said
Irene, quietly. She has never been
really better, papa. She tried to make
us think so, but the effort was too
great for her. We must take her
away from here. She is dying by
inches-my poor Sybil! Let us take
her abroad, papa. She may recover
then"
1--WE will start the day after to-mor-
row" cried the squire, who was dread
fully alarmed.
Then the violet eyes opened; and
the girl, looking up tried to smile.
But when her father bent over her,
and would have touched the lips where
Lyster Ayrton's kisses still burned,
she shrunk back. shuddering, rom
him, and hid her face in her hands.
Leave her to me-" said Irene; she
Is worn out and tired"
He babe her goodnight oh, dear
Heaven! had he known what the next
night would bring, He laid his hands
on her bowed head, and blessed her,
but the squire could not forget that
gesture. What had he done that his
darling should shrink away from him?
Before she left the room, he came
back to her.
DO you know what we are going to
do with you, Sybil?" he asked. Irene
proposes that we go abroad at once,
| and | think it will be the wisest thing
to do"
She almost sickened with terror
She must see him again; they should
not take her anywhere without that.
The squire had expected a pleased
smile, but the face she raised to his
had in it nothing but despair.
Abroad he repeated; do YOU
hear that, my darling? We will start
the day after tomorrow. Now cheer
| up; week in Paris cures everything.
Let me see one smile before you go"
She smiled, but he could better have
| borne her tears; then, with Irene, she
left the drawing-room, and went up to
| her own chamber
The squire detained Violet and Irene
J late that night;she was planning their
! journey, arranging where to stop.
what to see, what Sybil would like;
everything must give place to Sybil.
Long after midnight sounded, Irene
Jocelyn stood by the window of her
own room, thinking of her sister. She
| could not understand. 1t was certain.
ly happiness that frightened her face
when she came In from the park
Like the squire. Miss Jocelyn had
not the least fear of seeing Captain
Ayrton again. The idea of his being
near and of meeting him, never struck
| these honorable-minded people
Il will tell her all about It.. said
Miss Jocelyn; lit will help her to bear
| her sorrow"
She went to SYPHILIS room; 1t was
long past midnight-deep silence
reigned over the castle, yet she sat
! where Irene left her three hours ago