The Negro world., 1900-03-24
/ Into Deep Waters
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C0METHfNG struck the vicar in his
~ daughters appearance that day.
He was grim man, and generally he
remarked little that did not concern
his work. Her eyes sparkled and
she was fun of some mystery. He
was reminded Of her childish dnys.
when she used to prepare surprises"
and he thought ms he looked at her
that after all she was not much
changed by lengthenlng Of frocks and
twisting her hair up.
Then he retreated once more into
himself.
She had no remarkable beauty from
any classical point of view Her
features were not regular, and an
analysis OF her claim 10 even pretti-
ness would have shown u TO be slen-
der. Yetsibyl North waspretty, and she
had that nameless charm that IL more
potent than perfection. Her mouth
was good and 30 were her teeth, and
as she was always laughing you saw
them well and knew how white and
even they were. Her eyes were not
large, nor was their color any way
noticeable, but they danced with mis-
chief and merriment. Her hair was
brown and curly. II was long, too.
and she was very proud of II.
She had the happy temperament
that il not rufiied by the thousand
and one small worries of life. She
was not spared any of these, I sup
pose, but she rode buoyantly over
has fttfa I4.a6s
waves carry II safely aoove the rocks
against which heavier vessel would
bebroken. She was splendIdly healthy.
and this perhaps made II easy Co be
light-heartcd.
Mr. North was a widower with q
family Of six, of whom Sibyl was the
eldest. She kept house for him. and
she helped the goycrness with the
children'a lessons. She played cricket
with the boys in the field behind the
house on the holidays She mended
stockings, she patched youthful
knees, she knitted aud she read 10 her
father. She had always n lap or
bosom 10 be cried ON by the flve-year-
old boy or the aiS.year-old sister, and
she could comfort either and turn
their tears into smiles. She packed for
the brothers when they went 10
school. and she hid cake somewhere
among their clothes to cheer their
homesiekness.
Mr.. North was n silent man. who
had given himself up to books. He
was short In his manner, and his chill
dren regarded him with awe. Sibyi
was looked upon as mediator. but me-
diatlon was little necessary. since all
authority was vested In herself aud
the governeAs, To Sibyl only did he
show the warmer side OF his nature.
He liked 60 have her with him. He
put into her willing hands much that
was precious-and tedious, too--of his
work, and she copied for him and
made coplouS extracts. lie seldom
praised her In words. II was not his
way.
II should like n picture Of you" he
said one day suddenly,
Sibyl looked up In surprise
"a picture. father9'
He was silent for few moments.
well, a photograph" he said pres.
entity, and speaking slowly. "As a
family this has been neglected. Your
mother died. and l have no likeness
of her"
lie said nothing more and the sub
tect was dropped. Slbyl went on with
her work OF correcting proofs. A
smile curved the corners OF her mouth
and her eyes twinkled. Her thoughts
wandered.
From the study window she could
see the waves heating onthe shore.
Inc vieaFage stood ON the Cornish
coast. II was ON the outskirts OF a
fishing village and four miles from a
town. The smell OF the sea aud the
taste OF brine were In the air when
presently Sihyl put down her work
and went out.
William North opened the window
and looked after her. lie. too. noticed
the smell Of the sen. The air seemed
full OF spray, and the waves broke
themselves on the shore with insist.
ence. II was on the next day that
Sibyl wore an air Of mystery. Mr..
North'a birthday was approaching
and the children were getting up a
play. Instinetisely he connected with
this her sparkling eyes. that seemed
OF themselves 10 be chuckling over
something, and mysterious visit to
the town. He remembered after.
ward her look upon that day.
The play progressed William North
uabent somewhat aud quiRked the
children as 10 the surprise they were
getting up for him.
.'Ilut Slhyl's got a real surprise. =
said Mabey. the youngest girl. blurt.
ing out ia an eNceps Of afsrciionate
confidence part OF the secret Of her
sister.
-Hunh.. said Slbyl
''Y0u little blab. cried the boys, zone
cant tell you anything"
'.,Thc mysterious visit 10 the town.
said Mr. North.
BE quiet. father, you're not 20
know" said sihyl. ~Aahey. told you
not 70 say . word about IT,"