The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-07-29
CHAPTER XIII.
In Which the Luck Turns More Than
Once.


In Which the Luck Turns More Than
Once.
Perhaps, considering that Cam
pion's conduct still required ezpiana-
ton, Sybil may be charged with some
want of frmness in waving the past
as she did. But, setting aside the
fact that it is not easy for a generous
girl to be very eve upon a 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 vas really too overjoyed to
see Campion just then to give a
thought to her dignity.
1t was a 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 a certain effort, how sorry I
am I wrote you that horrid letter."
ut was all Nebelsen's blundering,"
said Campion. But you don't think
now I yer dreamed of asking YOU
you of all persons in the world-to
take back that idol?"
mot now. I didn't then, tilI-till
I was obliged to believe you were try
ing to brighten me into coming to you.
And I did come-oh, Ronald, l must
tell you'll came to the studio to take
it 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..
Perceyal at Wargraye, he told me.
But who was it,"
eff I we're 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 it! 1t was a laugh I heard
a 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"
II know, Sybil, I know it must
sound mad-but I firmly believe
there is something evil in that &C
cursed image. And 1 can't help sus-
pecting it must have some special
spite against you. I confess I'm
deeply thankful you were not in
duced to go in"
ut was as clever as Red Riding
Hoods WOLF" said Sybil; 1T drove
me away. But 1 can't bear for you
to have these horrible fancies about
1t. l wish-oh, how I wish / had
never bought it for you! I can't i'm
agine how 1 came to buy it," she
cried, remorsefully. "It seemed just
the right thing then. And now prom
Use me-promise you won't keep it
a day longer!"
Don't be uneasy, dearest, it is all
right at last, though you would
scarcely believe how hard l found it
to shake it off," And here Campion
gave her an account of his various
abortive attempts to part with it.
ut almost seems" said Sybil, "as
If the thing had taken some dreadful
liking to you"
IF it has," said Campion, with a
vindictive satisfaction, Il rather
fancy I've dropped its growing at
tachments this time. 1t must be ex-
ceptionally fond of me if it retains
any affection at the bottom of a canal,
inside a leather baylor that's where
it is just now, Sybil. And only see
how the luck turned directly. I come
straight here and meet you. Better
still, your father, who I expected
would be prejudiced against me, is as
jolly and friendly as possible!"
SYPHILIS eyes had a mischievous
sparkle in them. Eyes, but I've been
thinking" she said demurely, "that
perhaps poor dear papa didn't quite
gather who you were"
But he recognized mel"
Eyes, as Lionel Babcock. He was
to have met us here"
A cloud passed over Campion's
face. "Babcock!" he exclaimed
"Sybil, tell me, am I in time still?"
do you suppose 1 should let you
be here if you were not? But ali
Ronald, I don't like to think what
might have been driven to do in the
end if 1 had to give up all faith in
you. l nearly lost it several times
and I am sure Aunt Hilary hopes tc
get her own way even now"
''If it never goes worse than this!'
Campion was saying. and at that mo-
ment Mrs. Standard swept into tho
r~efreshment room with the manner
of a Queen Eleanor. followed by tho
colonel, looking as if he would very
much rather not have come, while
Campion felt that, after all, the wait
er's eye had its advantages.
Canpion rose and stood upon hi:
defense; Mrs. Standard drew II o
tn: light chairs up to the table AM