The Holly chieftain., 1901-04-12
CHAPTER x.-(continued.)


CHAPTER X.-(Continued)
Better send the young people to
bed, 1t is now daylight almost" sug-
geeted the elders, and thag carefully
avoided looking ut each other.
That some terrible calamity had
happened even Lady Jane, whose hrst
fear had been that the bride had run
away. was fully convinced.
But, Leila, you will stay by me?"
quavered the mistress OF the house.
suddenly transformed into q broken
down old woman.
81 will dear aunty." gravely said
Leila. Il shah see little syb safe in
bed. then shall return to you."
Leila Desmond. slenderly graceful.
soft and caressing. womanly to the
1gger-tips. was yet one Of those loyal.
= .srong natures we turn to lean upon
in the day Of trouble"
Geryis gave her one look of rever-
ence, then he placed his arm round
that mother for wnom he and this
perfect woman, nobly planned" had
Aacrificed themselves so fatally.
Every hour was bringing home to
him the terrible blunder he had made
in his life. Love between man and
woman was God-given. to be priced
as sacred; but under the specious pre-
text OF sacrificing himself for the good
OF his house, he had torn love from
his heart, and then sold that empty
shell for gold. That 1t had been Bit
ter, sinful bargain he now knew.
Perhaps this impending calamity
which he. was helplessly waiting for
the new day to discover might be
heavens punishment for what he had
done.
1t was still and quiet In the old
house. There was lull Of expectancy
until the daylight should come to al
low action to be resumed.
In Leila's room 1t was silent as the
grave. Beside the white-draperied bed
knelt Leila herself. She was praying.
with frightened tears now no one was
by to see them-praying earnestly for
the hapless girl who had shadowed her
life.
That something dire had happened
Leila instinctively knew; but all she
pthld do was to pray for help from
4hove. ~
Leila! sIs!" A hoarse, shrill
voice made her spring to her feet.
Close at her side stood Syb. shiver-
ing IN her little blue dressing-gown,
her face working convulsively.
~ II can't keep 1t from you any long
N! I dare not, though do hate her
-" the deformed girl was saying. her
teeth chattering as much from terror
as from cold.
Speak, Syb!"
Leila gripped the thin wrist, her
breath coming thick and fast. Syb
knew, then!
II heard cry, a smothered scream
from the old oak chest, as walked
round the gallery; but hated her SO
that would not speak before! And
when ! saw you, through the open door
between our rooms. praying with sobs.
l knew 1t must be for her. So must
tell, and you'd better be quick!"
Syb slipped to the door In swoon.
But Leila. was already gone. With
flying feet she was rushing downstairs
from the third hoor. where her bed
room and Syb's were
"Gervis! Gervis! Come, and come
quickly! Bring Barnes!" When she
had reached the gallery she shrieked
loudly. Her voice. sharp with fear.
rang through the old house and made
Gervis leap to his feet.
i!t's Leila! She has found out some
4g! Mother dear, stay here. l pray
you!"
He pressed Lady Jane back on her
seat.
mo one knows what we have got
to fsce!"
4 Bring Barnes! Oh. be quick!" Le-
fks voice cried again in an agony Of
haste.
Barnes. the white-haired old butler.
was stih and rheumatic. 1t seemed
- though he would never reach the
top Of the wide. crimson-covered STAIR
case, and yet the old man was doing
his best, though Geryis would fain
have dragged him up two steps at a
time.
'where are you, Leila." he hoarsely
shouted.
"Here! here! Quick!"
Round the curve Of the gallery they
found Leila, tearing frantically the