The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1903-06-13


eyes, there was now little sociability be-
tween them.
As time passed on, Sybilla endeared
herself still more to all the household and
became more necessary each day to Mr..
Casselbury $ comfort The servants also
treated her with additional respect, as it
was evident to them that she had become
almost as daughter of the house. On
entering the reception room one day for a
book which she had left lying there, Sy-
billa found it occupied by two strangers
one of whom she recognized as the young
lady who had shown her such scant civility
on the day of her arrival in b. Greeting
the ladies courteously, Sybilla informed
them that Mr. Casselbury had ordered the
carriage Immediately after dinner, and
was still absent.
Mrs Maflowe has already explained
the matter to us, said Mrs. Harper,
haughtily; ''but we will await his return
| desire to speak to him on subject of
Importance, concerning pert mink whom
| hear he has taken into his house" Sy-
billa was 50 much embarrassed by this ad-
dress that Mrs. Harper's suspicious were
confirmed "Ah," she continued "l
thought so l thought you were the
creature the instant I saw your pert face. >
''Madam,'' said Sybilla, II do not
know what you mean, Mr.. Casselbury EN-
ployed me some time since as an attendant,
but"
''Oh, understand all that, said Mrs.
Harper, sneeringly. "Could not Mrs.
Marlowe have attended to him. or my
daughter here? She would willingly have
come to him for an hour or so each day;
but he has taken an mfounded prejudice
against her, and now I perceive the cause.
You are trying to ingratiate yourself into
his favor and inveigle him into leaving you
generous legacy"
''Such an idea was never entertained by
me" began poor Sybilla; but she was
again interrupted by the angry woman.
Don't dare to be impertinent to me,
missr' she exclaimed II was absent
from my home when you first intruded in
to this house, but SO soon as [ returned
commenced to investigate, and have dis
covered all about you. You ran away
from good home in the country, and
doubtless the money which brought you
here was stolen. Then
What does this mean p cried louC
voice at this moment, and turning towar(
the door, Mrs. Harper perceived Mr.. Gas
selbury, who had entered unobserved.
''Oh, my dear cousin,' she said in
honeyed tone, and advancing toward hin
with both hands extended. II hav
come to warn you about this viper, whor
you have so generously and unsuspectingl
received into your house. have discov
cred her antecedents, while you, poor man
have been kept in ignorance.
"You are much mistaken, Elizabeti
Harper said the old gentleman, vehe
mently. II know considerably more thai
you do about Sybilla Vernon, if it is sh
of whom you are speaking. Let me tel
vou, madam. that it would not be best TO
YOU to allude to her in that manner again
[ understand your motives perfectly, how
ever. and take pleasure in informing yo'
that neither yourself nor daughter vii
ever inherit penny of my fortune. No
need you blame Sybilla for such state o
affairs, since [ had resolved upon TIN
course before she came to my house
although it must be admitted that he
revelation of your daug ghter s selfshness Oh
the occasion of her arrival in this city
confirmed my resolution. " Then drawing
a roll of paper from his pocket he added
sarcastically: ''As you seem to be SO mucf
interested in my affairs, Elizabeth, vii
kindly inform you that this is the lega
instrument which my lawyer has just pre-
pared for the purpose of making Sybillf
Vernon my adopted daughter and heiress,
Overwhelmed by this announcement
Mrs. Harper and daughter precipately
left the house while Sybilla wept away
all rememberances of their unkindness il
her adopted father arms.
Nor did the young girl now that pros
perity smiled upon her, forget the humble
friend of adversely; for not long after thu
Hiram received a letter which he reat
with many CALCULATIONS of surprise. Ther
seeking Miss Jemima, whom he found IL
her spotless kitchen, vigorously scoldins
the poor little drudge who had taken Sy-
billas place as a maid of all work, he OBJ
served
"Well, Miss Jemima, I've come tt
give warnin, I'm about to leave you
''To leave me- repeated Miss Jemima
in dismay. "Why, what has caused this
dissatisfaction p
"Well now, miss, was Hiram's re-
sponse, 'supposin' you was me and rale
young Teddy was to write you letter
offerin' first-class situation, with big
wages and everything tip-top, wouldn
you go, now p
81 suppose so, admitted Miss Jemima,
with much reluctance. ''But don un-
derstand, Hiram, how this came about. y
ssOh, ma am, I was able to render her
a trihing service once, and she's kind