The representative., 1900-12-13


ters appearance that day. He was . grim
man. and generally he remarked little that
did pot concern his work Her eyes
Sparkled and che vas full Of some mystery.
He was reminded Of her childish days.
when she used to prepare surprises" and
he thought as he looked at her that after
all she was not much changed by length
ening of frocks and twisting her hair up.
Then he retreated once more into him
self.
She had no remarkable beauty from any
classical point Of view. Her features were
not regular, and an analysis of her claim
to even prettiness would have shown 1t to
be slender. Yet Sibyl North was pretty.
and she had that nameless charm that Is
more potent than perfection. Her mouth
was good and Sc were her teeth, and as
she was always laughing you saw them
we'll and knew how white and even they
were. Her eyes were not large nor was
their color any way noticeable. but they
danced with mischief and merriment: Her
hair was brown and curly. 1t was long,
too. and she was very proud of it.
She had the happy temperament that is
not ruffled by the thousand and one small
worries Of life. She was not spared any
OF these. / suppose, but she rode buoy
emily over them like q craft SO light that
the waves carry it safely above the rocks
against which a heavier vessel would be
broken. She was splendidly healthy, and
this perhaps made it easy to be light
hearted
Mr.. North was widower with a family
of six, of whom Sibyl was the eldest. Sac
kept house for him. and she helped the
governess with the childrens 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 and she read to her
father. She had always lap or bosom to
be tried on by the 5-year-old boy or the
6-year- little sister, and she could com
fort either and turn their tears into smiles
She packed for the brothers when they
went to school, and she hid a cake some
where among their clothes to cheer the
inconsistencies.
Mr.. North was a silent man who had
given himself up to books. He was short
in his manner, and his children regarded
him with awe. Sfbyl was looked upon as
mediator. but mediation was little neces-
sary since all authority was vested in her
self and the governess. To .Sityl only did
he show the warmer side Of his nature
He liked to have her with him. He put
into her willing hands much that was pre-
cious-and tedious, too-of his work, and
she copied for him and made copious ex-
tracts. He seldom praised her in words
II should like a picture OF you,' he said
one day suddenly.
Sibyl looked UP in surprise.
"A picture father?"
He was silent for few moments.
well, a photograph he said, presently
and speaking slowly. LAS family this has
been neglected. Your mother died, and
have no likeness of her"
He said nothing more AMI the subject was
dropped. Sibyl went on with her work OF
correcting proofs. smile curved the cor
ners of her mouth and her eyes twinkled.
Her thoughts wandered
From the study window she could see the
waves beating on the shore. The vicarage
stood on the Cornish coast. 1t was on the
outskirts Of a fishing village and four
miles from a town. The smell of the sea
and the taste of brine were in the air, when
presently Sibyl put down her work and went
out.
William North opened the window and
looked after her. He, too, noticed the smell
of the sea. The air seemed full OF spray.
and the waves broke themselves on the
shore with insistence. 1t was on the next
day that Sibyl wore an air of mystery. Mr..
Norths birthday was approaching, and the
children were getting up play. instinct
lively he connected with this her sparkling
eyes that seemed of themselves to be chuck
to the town. He remembered afterward her
look upon that day. a., * s.--.5.
The play progressed. william North un-
bent somewhat and quizzed the children as
to the surprise they were getting up for
him.
But S1Dyl . 8OJ ICoI SuA PA LOG, SoAu
Mabey, the youngest girl, hurting out in
excess of affectionate confidence part OF
the secret OF her sister
"Hush!" said Sibyl.
"You little blab" cried the boys; lone
can't tell you anything"
1.-THE mysterious visit to the town. SAID
Mr. North.
BE quiet, father. you are not to know"
said Sibyl. "Mabey. I told You not to
saw a word about it,
Eyes. Msbey shall have her tongue tied"
cried one of the boys.
"You little tell tale said the other,
and Mabey subsided into tears and Sibyls
Mr.. North watched her as she soothed
the little Shing's distress. How gentle she
was.
'Oh, my girl" he said to himself sud
denly. Her goodness seemed revealed to
him in that moment.
There's a spring tide tonight" said
Arthur. Jack and are going to Teth-
er's Point to see it. Old Tremlin says
it will be one of the highest ever known
and there is a splendid sea already"
The younger children clamored to be
allowed to so, too.
"No,' said Sibyl. ''you, Willie and Ma
bey, you must stay with me. Tether's
Point is too far for you to walk, besides
it will not be high tide before bedtime
Elsie, you can go with them il you like,
but you must put on your strong boots
and tell nurse to tie my woolen scarf
acres ss your chest"
Willie and Mabey began to protest.
Mr.. North returned to his severe man.
ner and silenced them.
"Sibyl says no, and that is enough he
said. mot another word.
Their mouths turned down.
Il think they might come down to the
beach, sir said Sibyl, seeing their disap-
pointment. 1T is only Tether's Point that
is too far. Mabey, be good and ask faith
Ell If you may come down with me for a
quarter of an hour before going to bed
Mabey shrank back behind her elder sis
ter's skirts.
But Sibyl meant to- go to Tethers Point
herself said Elsie, you know you did,
Sibyl You told me so. You wanted to
see the waves"
Il can see them just as well on the shore
why should you sacrifice yourself to
these children" said Mr.. North testify.
why can't their governess take them?"
'She is lying down with headache,
sir, and nurse has a cold, and l can
send one of the other servants out tonight.
Besides, like to go with the children
We'll, just as you like" said Mr.. North
GROSSLY. He went to his study.
The wind was roaring round the house
and the waves thundered on the shore
He settled himself to his work. He dipped
his pen in the ink and looked at the ruled
paper before him. He wrote sentence,
read it. over, altered a word, and finally
cancelled the whole with a line. Then he
began once more. The house shook in the
ferceness of the gale. draft came from
the Chimney Presently he heard the
boys and Elsie starting. He heard their
boots on the hall, and Elsie's strong pair
creaked Arthur ungallantiy told her that
they made his head ache. Mr. North smiled
dryly as he heard Elsie retOrt that thew