The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-08-25
CHAPTER XIII.
In Which the Luck Turns More Than
Once.

CHAPTER XIII.
In Which the Luck Turns More Than
Once.
Perhaps, considering that Cam
pion's conduct still required explana-
ton, Sybil may be charged with some
want of firmness in waving the past
as she did. But, setting aside the
fact that it is not easy for generous
girl to be very severe upon man,
who-whatever his offenses may have
been-has just saved her from i'm
minent danger at the risk of his own
life, Sybil was really too overjoyed to
see Campion just then to give a
thought to her dignity.
1t was relief, after all she had
heard, to find him SO little changed;
she could not look at him and believe
that he had allowed any troubles,
real or imaginary, to degrade him;
she could not doubt that he loved her
still as devotedly as ever.
Il want to tell you," she began,
with certain effort, "how sorry l
am wrote you that horrid letter"
1t was all Nebelsen's laundering, ("
said Campion. "But you don't think
now ever dreamed of asking you
you of all persons in the world-to
take back that idol?"
Not now. I didn't then, till-till
| was obliged to believe you were try
ing to brighten me into coming to you.
And I did come-oh, Ronald, I must
tell you-I came to the studio to take
1t back" And she described her
visit; when she came to the strange
laugh Canton grew pale.
Il know you were not there" she
added hastily. "You were with Mr..
Perceval at Wargrave, he told me.
But who was it?"
If l were to tell you what I be-
lieve, you would think me mad" he
said. But, thank Heaven, you didn't
go in!"
Ronald, you don't mean that you
believe my idol had anything to do
with 1t! 1t was laugh l heard
laugh like yours would be if you
had grown wild and bad
II know" he said gravely. For
all l can say it may have had some
| object in making you think you heard
me. Confound its impudence! it's
capable of anything"
But, dear Ronald. do think what
you are saying; an idol"
Il know, Sybil, I know it must
sound mad-but 1 firmly believe
there is something evil in that ac-
cursed image. And can't help sus-
pecting it must have some special
spite against you. / confess I'm
deeply thankful you were not in
duced to go in"
1T was as clever as Red Riding
Hoods wolf" said Sybil; ''it drove
me away. But 1 can't bear for you
to have these horrible fancies about
| 1t. wish-oh, how l wish / had
never bought 1t for you! can't i'm
agine how came to buy it," she
cried, remorsefully. ut seemed Just
the right thing then. And now prom
Use me-promise you won't keep ii
day longeri"
| Don't be uneasy, dearest, IL is all
right at last, though you would
scarcely believe how hard I found il
to shake it off," And here Campion
gave her an account of his various
abortive attempts to part with it.
1T almost seems" said SybiI, "as
II the thing had taken some dreadful
liking to you"
If it has" said Campion, with s
vindictive satisfaction, "I rattle,
fancy I've dropped its growing at
tachments this time. 1t must be ex
ceptionally fond of me if it retain,
any affection at the bottom of canal
inside leather bag-for that's wher,
it is just now, Sybil. And only SCI
how the luck turned directly. com
straight here and meet you. Bette
still, your father, who / expecte,
would be prejudiced against me, is a
jolly and friendly as possible!"
SYPHILIS eyes had a mischievou
sparkle in them. YES, but I've bee
thinking" she said demurely, "tha
perhaps poor dear papa didn't quit
gather who you were"
"But he recognized mel"
eyes, as Lionel Babcock. He wa
to have met us here"
A cloud passed over Campion'
face. "Babcock!" he exclaimed
"Sybil, tell me, am / in time still?"
do you suppose / should let 20
be here If you were not? But al
Ronald, l don't like to think what
might have been driven to do in tn
end if had to give up all faith i
you. nearly lost it several times
and am sure Aunt Hilary hopes t
get her own way even now
IF 1t never goes worse than this!
Campion was saying, and at that me
ment Mrs. Standard swept into tn
refreshment room with the name
of Queen Eleanor, followed by tn
colonel, looking as If he would yer
much rather not have come. Will
Campion felt that, after all, the wall
er's eye had its advantages.
Campion rose and stood upon hi
! defense; Mrs. Standard drew one Q
the light chairs up to the table an