Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1906-04-12
SYBILLA LONG,
KNIGHT ERRANT
By INA WRIGHT HANSON
Copyright. 1906. bB Rubp Douglas

ing here | got tangled up III minstrel
show going over and coming back got
mixed into funeral. ! didn't know
exactly where she lived, and had nll
Boston Ravine ont looking for her. I'm
sure the folks down there haven't been
so stirred up for years.
The voice beyond the bowlder broke
most pleasantly into Fenton's moody
thoughts, He sat up promptly, but eau
tiousy.
That's the first decent voice I've
heard in this accursed place." he OBJ
served silently.
1t didn't seem 10 be an accused
place. Fragrant with pine needles,
vocal with the humming of bees in late
manzanta blooms and the laughter Of
n watercress laden stream: beautiful
with brick red soil, varied greens in
foliage and glimpscs of heavens own
blue--it seemed like a charming spot
the only discord the pale faced. hollow
eyed man himself.
II didn't find the girl after all. the
musical tones went on, but ! found
| the house she used to live in"
Fenton listened impatiently while the
other voice said things, queruous
things burdened with the aches and
pains of the speaker "A typical SAM
| tarium voice" thought Fenton peevish-
". Then he frightened as the first
| speaker remarked;
You think YOU will go back. do you?
Oh. no. the walk hasn't hurt YOU Ex-
| ercise and fresh air do wonders for
body often. No. am going to stay and
| read till luncheon"
In silence Fenton wondered If she
would read aloud, but instead she be
gan to sing He fairly held his breath
Notes soft rs Il wood doves; a voice
exquisite by nature and unspoiled by
| training She was singing lifting
| lyric of love, sand Fenton thought of
swinging gate, scurrying clouds and
his first sweetheart's first kiss years
| and years forgotten. Then, without
| any perceptblc hesitancy, the melody
| changed to n lullaby, tender as moth
| er's prayer, and the weary look left
| the mans eyes. the hard lines around
| his mouth relaxed and he drew a long,
| almost sobbing, breath. The melody
| ceased. and Fenton felt as if he had
| never had desire in his life but to
hear her sing He arose and went to
| the other side of the bowlder.
| Pardon sick man. he began, but
| his tongue seemed paralyzcd. His only
| conscious thought was that he was
| glad the girl in her nurses uniform
| was so fair. Her eyes gazing curious
ly up ut him had never hint Of fear
In their amber depths. He gathered
| his senses together.
| Il haven't slept naturally for
| week. he said bluntly. "Will you sing
| for me?'
| When Fenton awoke the sun was
shining no longer. He sat up quickly
| and found that Il great shawl was
| keeping the evenings chilliness from
| him; then his eyes discovered the nurse
leaning against tree, regarding him
| gravely.
"You have stayed here all day-you
| have had no lunch," he exclaimed
! She smiled ooh. no; when ! was
sure you would stay asleep | went
| back to the santarum, and then /
| came again.
They arose Fenton folded the shawl
and laid it over his arm.
How am | ever going to thank youH
he began.
| Don't try" she answered simply.
| preceding him down the narrow path
Il worked too hard and collapsed"
he explained 'Shan't he so foolish
when | get well again. l am going to
get well now that | can sleep. Maybe
you have heard of John Fenton, car
pet manufacturer. am the IDIOT"
OH exclaimed the girl, then added
hastily: "A pebble rolled under my
foot | am Sybilla Long. nurse"
He wondered at the deep flush which
overspread her face-they were at the
foot of the hill and walking side by
| side
cant syndicate your services"
he inquired gravely DO you suppose
| The doctors are averse to graft?"
He thought her low laughter was
| pleasantcr even than her song or hor
speech. That night he slept as he had
not for year. \
A new life was beginning for John
F'nton. The sanitarlums grim walls
no longer spelled to him hopelessness.
Inc doctors were complacent over 50
satisfactory a convalescent, but Fen
Ton laughed in his sleeve Mt them. 1t
was not pills ana potions which had
made man of him again. but the ton
ic Of sweet voice and gracious pres
| euce
She seemed, this fair Sybilla, to be
| oVefYoung for a nurse. Perhaps for
| mat reason the grave doctors INDUCED
! hNr beyond the Others ST any rate.
she always had time for Fenton, and
| daily she fascinated him more. He
iad not been man of many loves.
Inc first little sweetheart dead years
before. ana the woman his mcther
wanted him to marry. but whom he
had peryersely refused even to meet
{ the first had set his heartstrincs a-ouiv-
err; the last, his mother affirmed. stood
ready TO DO so. So all the loves which
Fenton might have nurtured and had
. not came flying around this amber