The Bowbells tribune., 1900-05-04
CHAPTER NV.
A Girlish Confidence.

A Girlfsh Confidence.
Fannie went straight to SYPHILIS room
on her return home.
1t was midnight, and the old cham
ber Of Basil Give was flooded with the
light Of the midsummer moon; and, in
valid as she still was, Sybil sat dressed,
by one of the diamond-paned windows,
that looked out upon forest, river and
valley-the wide-reaching domain that
Robert Give called his own.
The sweet face that turned toward
Fannie on her entrance, seemed paler
and sadder than usual. Perhaps Sybil
had been weighing al! these proud pos
sessions against the woman's kingdom
in which she could never reign-the
kingdom Of the heart.
'Did you have a pleasant time,
dear:" she asked, as Fannie knelt be-
side. and twined her arms around her
waist. "What! surely''-Sybil took a
closer view Of the pretty countenance-
':why, Fannie, you have been crying!
What is the matter? Has anything
happened?" she said, nervously.
"Yes." answered Fannie, bursting In
to a fit Of childish tears, something
has happened; and-and l am so mis-.
cradle and wretched, Sybil, I don't
know what to do! Herbert is"
'What! something happened!' cried
Sybil started to her feet, ITO Hero
your brother? Oh, where is he? Let
me see him! Where is hep
"He is downstairs, suppose. don
mean anything has happened to him.
was only going to say-that-that he is
as mad as fire because-because-"
Fannie broke down again, sobbing,
too wretched to notice her friends mo-
mentsry betrayal of herself.
"What is the matter?" asked Sybil,
in a voice that tenderness could tone
into the softest music. GLOW have you
offended your brother, dear? Why is
he angry with you?'
"Because-because-I am sure
couldn't help it, and never dreamed OF
such thing. I never firted with him
a bit. He was so poky-so goou,
mean-and I'd as soon think Of marry
ing my grandfather" concluded Fan
ME. emphatically.
Marrying your grandfather? What
are you talking about, dear?" asked
Sybil. in natural bewilderment.
"Why, Laurence Grey, Of course,
answered Fannie petulantly. "He had
to 20 and fall in love with me-with
me" repeated Fannie, as If it were the
most surprising thing in the world:
And 1 feel so horrid and mean, and
wretched about it! and Herbert is cross
because I won't have him, and says
I'm a a little fool!"
'Is that all?" asked Sybil, smiling,
with long breath Of infinite relief. Il
thought that something far more serl-
GUS had caused the grief. You have
given Mr.. Grey his answer, and l
should think that would be the end OF
it-that is. if"-Sybils hand threaded
the beautiful hair caressingly-"if you
are quite sure of your heart"
"Sure of my own hearty repeated
Fannie. wonderingly.
Sybil smiled again.
IL mean. are you quite sure that you
do not care a little for Mr.. Grey!
thought him a very noble young man,
Fannie. He has so much dignity. so
much modesty, and so much talent.
II suppose he has," said Fannie, du-
biously, as if she had never reflected
much on these accessories before. HE
is real handsome, too, when he puts on
a decent hat and a turn-down collar;
and he sings-oh, Sybil, how beautiful
ly he can sing!'
"Yet you don't care for him, Fan.
nie?"
"Oh, yes I do-ever so much! We've
played together ever since I was that
high"--Fannie. measured Lillipu-
tian's height with her hand-"and he
always got me the prettiest flowers,
and the ripest strawberries, and the
rosiest apples. He trained my pony
for me; and you know Terry almost
talks. He brought me my mocking
bird. and would always go to the ends
of the earth for anything wanted. I
like him better-better-"
Better than any one you know?
asked Sybil, gently. care you quite
sure Of that, Fannie?'
EYES," answered Fanny, hiding her
blushing face on her friends breast.
II tbink-no. I am quite sure-I like
him better than any one, except those
I love: for liking is not loving, is it.
Sybil? like him ever so much. but I
could never, never love Laurence
Grey"
II hope you will never love one less
worthy, DEAR" answered Sybil, softly;
and then. shrinking, as light footstep
sounded in the hall without, she added:
"Mrs. Wyllis is still up. Had We not
better say good-night?'
"Oh. don't mind her!' answered the
young mistress Of the Towers, careless
ly. "Wyllis is a regular old cat. She
is always prowling around at untimely
hours. watching the servants, and
watching the lights, and watching ev'
erything. I don't believe she ever
sleeps at all. But perhaps you are
tired. darling. I am forgetting how
sick you have been. Why are you sit
ting up so late? And your dress is al
damp with dew! Surely, you have not
been out in the night air, Sybil?'
"OIly for little walk at sunset
was the low reply. was lonesome
and it was so beautiful out; but"
Sybil hesitated. How could she
frame the warning that rose to he,
lips? How could she tell this laugh