Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-11-12
CHAPTER XIII.
"The Squire's Darling Went To Her
Fate"

"The squire's Darling Went To Her
Fate"
The squire would have faced regi-
ment of foes with swords drawn rather
than have had to meet and oppose the
| girl who came shrinking and heSita-
ting into the room. He had prepared
sensible speeches for her; he had laid
out all his arguments ready for use;
he had intended to be sternly practi-
cal and severe, but Sybil waited for
nothing of the kind; as soon as her
eyes fell upon the face never yet turn
| ed in anger upon her, she rushed up to
him with great cry, and fell weeping
on his breast.
He could not put her from him; he
could only lay his trembling hands on
the golden head, and soothe her with
loving words.
Papa, she cried, what have you done
with him? You have not sent him
away?
Yes, my darling, said the squire.
have sent him away, and he must
never come back again, Sybil--
never more. You must learn to for
get him.
I shall learn to die first, she cried,
passionately. Oh, papa! you have
always been kind to me; you never re-
fused me one wish. | pray you do not
send him away.
1t is for your own sake, he said
quietly. If you loved a beggar, Sybil,
and he were a good man, you should
have him. Captain Ayrton is bad
man, and you must forget all about
him.
He is not bad, she cried. And if
he has not been quite good all his life,
he will be now that he loves me.
i should make him good. Oh, papa! do
not break my heart. 1 love him SO
dearly! Let him come back to me!
Her tender arms 1oosened their
hold, and before he could prevent it,
! she was kneeling at his feet, her love
F.. ly, childish face raised to his with
! such wistful entreaty, that the squire's
heart ached as he looked upon her.
He raised her quickly in his arms.
Sybil, do you love this man so very
much?
So much! she sobbed With my
whole heart! Better than all the
world beside!
| have nursed you and trained you,
said the squire. You have been my
sole thought for many years. Do you
love him better than me.
1t is different, she said, her face
flushing. When he is with me, all the
world seems bright; my heart is full
of quiet happiness. [ want nothing
else. If he were to say to me, Sybil,
come and die in my place, I should 60.
When he spoke my name, or came
near to me, it was as though my whole
soul rose to him. Was that real love,
papa?
Yes groaned the squire; Heaven
help us! that was real love. And you
would leave me for him, Sybil?
| should like best to keep you both,
she said; if not-Ah! papa, my mother
left all she loved for you!
1t can never be, my darling, he cried.
If you cannot love Sir Rupert, will
not urge it upon you; but I shall never
give you to this man, Sybil, never!
This I solemnly swear!
He bent his gray head as he spoke.
She sprung from him like a wounded
bird.
And | say, papa, she said slowly.
am his; I have promised to be his
wife, and I will either keep my word
or go unmarried to my grave.
i He will not ask you again, child, said
the squire, sadly; it is your money he
wants-not you. | have told him that
if he married you, not one farthing of
my money should eer go to you.
Not one penny. I have sworn to it,
and I mean to keep my word
Her proud face grew crimson.
You misunderstood him, papa, she
said. No one but yourself should dare
to utter such words to me!
They are most fatally true, he replied.
Now that he knows it, have no fear.
He will not modest you. He might
take your fortune without you; he will
never take you without your fortune.
1t was pitiful to see the hot anger
that famed in her face and brow.
She turned il her willful. imperious
way from the heart that loved her best
| on earth.