Courier Democrat., 1900-03-29

pride, and the younger people were
merrily discussing her fragrant bohea
and wafer biscuits.
Mrs. Wyllis had so long held the do
nestle reins in her fathers house that
II ,nnie had neither the ambition nor in
clinaton to dispute her sway, and con-
tented herself with her own enyiable
position as pet, beauty, and spoiled
darling of the household-a bright
winged butterfly, too gay and joyous to
ever sink into humble bee.
A general exclamation greeted their
entrance. into the cak-paneled dining
room.
where in the world have you been?'
said Fannie. Il thought Herbert had
run off with you in good earnest. Why,
child, you're as cold as ice, and every
bit of stiffness is out of that lovely
grenadine; and the dews are so heavy
here. and men never have bit of
sense! The idea of that boy dragging
you round to see views at this hour of
the night. without even scarf or 4
shawl! And-oh, dear, forgot to tell
you. Herbert! Papa will be home to-
night We got letter by the evening
mail, and the dear old darling is coming
by the next train. And-good gracious!
where did put it?-there was a letter
for you, too, Sybil. Such Il queer hand
writing. What did do with it? Oh,
here it is, under your plate. Did any
one ever see such q criss-cross Miss
Sybil Wraye? l do declare, the girl
has a regular ague! Why, you're trem
bling like leaf. Sybil, sit down, and
swallow this cup of hot tea right
away"
Il am little cold" said Sybil, sink
ing into the nearest chair, and crush.
ing the unread letter into her bosom.
"There is such a sudden change when-
when the sun goes down."
Herbert ought to have known that,
if you didn't" said Fan, mischievously,
delighted at having an opportunity to
retaliate upon her brother for his many
fraternal lectures. But men are so
Needless that they never take time to
think. l wouldn't be at all surprised il
you had contracted a chill tonight that
would lead to something serious.
These river mists are dreadfully dam
gerous. Take another cup Of tea. dear;
and Mrs. Wyllis, do have fire lighted
in SYPHILIS room. She must go right t.
bed.'
Sybil gladly accepted any excuse that
would lead to her retirement from that
merry group, mid which she felt so
sadly out of place.
Her room was in the west wing of the
Towers, and, with it's low ceiling and
dark wainscoting, would have seemed
gloomy but for the bright carpet and
the handsome curtains that screened
the deep-set windows and draped the
high, old-fashioned bed.
A cheerful wood fire already blaZed
and cracked on the broad hearth, and
there was a quaint air of comfort about
the room that the more modern and
stylish part of the Towers could not
rival.
1t was one. of SYPHILIS. preferences to
sleep alone. and Fannie, affectionately
mindful of this popularity, had not
claimed her companionship.
But this evening the young mistress
Of Give Towers had determined upon
seeing her charge safely to bed; so she
settled herself, meanwhile, for social
chat
AREN'T you dreadfuIly lonely in here,
Sybil?' she said, sinking into one of the
huge cushioned chairs by the fire, while
her friend brushed out her long hair be-
fore the old-fashioned mirror set in the
wall. Dear me, I wouldn't sleep alone
in this room for a million dollars!'
why not:" asked Sybil, with her
wan smile. cit seems to me exceeding
ly comfortable.'
"Oh. yes, it's comfortable enough -
answered Fan, with Shrug Of her
pretty shoulders; ''but this part Of the
house is as old as the hills, and-they
say it's haunted. An old great-uncle of
ours died here ages ago. That's his
picture hanging over the mantle. I'm
sure he looks cross and ugly enough to
haunt any one. Papa can't bear to
hear these nonsensical tales; but the
old country people round will talk, and
they say Uncle Basil perambulates the
house yet. He was regular buga-boo
to Herbert and myself when we were
children. Our nurse used to spin such
dreadful yarns, of which he was al
ways the hero, and Herbert got so des-
perate one day that he made an attack
upon the picture. and had nearly poked
out the old gentleman's left eye, when
papa entered and angrily forbade any
further ghost stories"
Sybil turned from the glass and cast
a swift glance at the dark portrait
over the mantle.
"That was your uncle Bisil, then''
she said, in a low voice. "He has a
hard face-a hard, pitiless face"
Gle was hard old fellow" said
Fannie, lightly. "He lived here in this
old hall for years and years, boarding
up thousands upon thousands. Nurse
used to tell us that people were actual
ly afraid to come by the house at night,
it was always so dark and gloomy.
But papa soon changed all that
''Your father was-his uncle's heir,
then?'' and the soft cloud of golden
hair yelled Sybil's face as she spoke.
"Then he had no children?'
"Oh, dear, goodness, gracious, no"
answered Fannie, emphatically. "He
was regular sour, surly old bachelor.
He hated women, and wouldn't even
have a housekeeper-only Mrs. Wyl1is.
Of course, wouldn't have you men