Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-11-19

ACHooO1A ILL., SSSoOAAAONS 1900 =
strong.
The kindly, earnest face was sub
lime in its rapt expression of trust and
endurance.
"What became of him-your lover?"
asked Sybil, suddenly.
II have never heard his name for six
years." she replied 'His mother
died in my arms, and the Grange has
been closed ever since. Alan was
very angry with me, Sybil He could
not forgive my refusal. He never
wrote to me or sent me any message.
We have been strangers all these
years. Sybil tonight, all night
through, remember my words Do
not let my sacrifice be in vain"
And as the door closed behind that
noble sister, Sybil knelt in the moon
light and prayed.
Knowing the fate that hung over
her, angels might have wept as the
golden head was bent in supplication.
1t was a child-lilke prayer, and the
innocent face grew peaceful when it
was ended. Her resolve was taken.
She would tell Lyster that she could
never deceive her father; he must so
away again, and leave it to time.
Then she would tell her father how
they had met, and so found peace.
Irene's sacrifice should not be in vain.
She fell asleep with prayers on her
lips-the last happy sleep she was to
know
She did not quite remember how the
next day passed. She was weak and
worn with the long struggle-the VI
bration between brightest JOY and
deepest sorrow. She firmly believed
that the resolve to do her duty lay
deep in her heart, yet she must see
him once more, tell him to wait pa
tiently, and bid him good-by.
They were very gentle to her on
this the last day she spent in her
fathers house. The squire went out to
dine, and Irene sat by her sofa, read
ing and talking the greater part of toe
afternoon.
AS the evening came on she grew
strangely restless; her face flushed,
then turned deadly pale. She hat
ed the deception, yet said to herself
it was for the last time; it was to end
ALL The golden flush of the setting
sun faded out of the sky, the flowers
closed their dewy eyes, the birds with
folded wings called the wanderers
home to their nests, the south wind
died away in sweet murmurs, when
the unhappy girl went out to her doom.
She kissed the sister who had watch
going out for short time. and should
go straight to her room when she re-
turned.
"Say goodnight to papa for me, ;"
she said; "and, Irene, mind you come
and see me the last thing. I shall not
sleep without"
AS Irene saw her then, she rem.
embered her for vars afterward
Her dress of dark-blue silk, with it's
pretty trimmings of white lace-the
golden chain around her slender
throat-the golden bracelets on her
rounded arms-the tender smile en-
her beautiful fee.
"Put on cloak if you are going
into the gardens" said Irene; "the
evening air will be damp
Then the door closed-and long
years passed before the sisters looked
upon each other again.
Sy5il went hastily up into her own
room, and took from the wardrobe a
bonnet and purple cloak. AS she
was going downstairs she met one of
the servants, who noticed her dress,
but made no comment upon it.
The south wind came whispering to
her; the dew lay thick upon the grass
and flowers as she walked with rapid
steps through the gardens, across the
park, and into Glynn Woods.
Was there no warning in the solemn
night skies, in the murmur of the
trees? The giant arms might have
been fugers upraised to warn her;
to say good-by to Lyster, and then
return.
He who reads all hearts knows she
had no other intention. She went
down the broad glades, trampling
the dew-laden grass and flowers under
foot, until she saw him.
He came forward to meet her with
a glad cry. She stayed him with her
uplifted hand.
"Lyster," she said, II am come to
tell you it cannot be. I must not leave
my father and Irene SO we must
part again; and, in time, in faith and
hope, it will all come right"
He gave a little sigh, thinking to
himself that he had all the weary way
of persuasion to go over again, swear
ing that she should not escape him.
He knew his own power over her
He feigned submission; looked broken
hearted for few minutes; then spoke
Of bidding her farewell. Any one but
child must have seen through his
artifice. He kissed her and caressed
her with all the passion he knew so
we'll how to feign. He called her by
overv endoarinU name He ucod c11ch