Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-09-17

sixteen years; ever since my third
birthday"
A loud, lamentable blast tears
through the trees in the playground
Paulette listens a moment and then
goes on lightly:
But her letters, Sibyl, dear; she
writes you very regularly, I'm sure
you have her letters?"
SibyPs face did not soften in the
least.
Such as they are. Mamma certain
ly does not gush in them-she does not
bore me with sentiment. But, then,
she is a confirmed invalid; that may
explain ALL"
What can she mean by keeping you
here so long?" unused Paulette, in
deep sympathy with her friend. Can
she have forgotten your age? Does
she know how beautiful you are?
never supposed a mother could remain
parted voluntarily from a child for
sixteen years"
you now see that 1t is possible, re
joined Sibyl, dryly. Mamma confines
herself exclusively to paying my bills,
writing me a letter Of five or six lines
per month and sending me plenty Of
pin money! always have more Of
that than any other girl in the PEN
sionnat. Oh, Paulette, it is monstrous!
Why does she not come for me? Long
ago I learned all that can be taught
here. How tired I am Of the place!
How I hate 1t! How I long to be
gone!"
This with great passion, dashins her
slim white hands down upon the Win
dow sill. Paulette leaned quickly over
and kissed her. The two girls SEEM
ed very fond Of each other.
"Of course; certainly. Why should
you not? I long to go, too-though
how I have been petted here, to be
sure, and what a trial I have been to
everybody inside these four walls! I
long to see Maryland and Hazel Hall,
and the Hilda Burr of whom guardy
talks so much. And, oh! one always
has so much before one at eighteen.
1t is abominable to keep you shut up
here like a nun. Do not the teachers
know the true reason Of it?"
mo; 1 have asked them. Mamma
is very i'll. they answer-as If, in that
case, she could have no possible need
of a grown daughter. Hark! I am
quite sure I hear wheels at last"
They started. They listened. A faint
tinkle pealed through the corridor-it
was the ringing Of the bell.
"Guardy!" gasped Paulette, fiinging
herself into the others arms.
A moment after and a tall, gray
woman's figure appeared in the corri-
dor. She approached Paulette, with a
card in one hand and candle in the
other. It's light streamed full on the
two girls waiting in the window-on
the one with her yellow hair and gen.
eral creamlike loveliness; on the 9TH
er with her southern eyes and dark
SIldTlIle5 lOI WHlCu All
tony might forfeit world.
my dear child" called Miss Angus,
one of the under teachers, General
Guilte of Maryland, is here"
Come with me, Sibyl," said Pau
lette, drawing her companion after her
down the stairs. You must see my
dear old lion. We have only a mo-
ment longer, dear. Quick! before the
teachers and the other girls gather to
see me off,"
"Oh! you will forget me, Paulette-1
know it," sighed Sibyl, pensively.
You will write me a few letters at
frst-then you will forget; it is the
way of the world"
"The world" Paulette flashed
round quickly, as they were descend
ing the stair. What do you know Of
the world? You who have been shut
up all your life in ST. Catharines? AS
far as experience goes am twice your
age, you absurd child. Why, you are
mere baby, but have been in Van
ity Fair and have it by heart! No, I
shall never forget yOu-it is very un-
kind of you to say it. Guardy! guardy!
here l am, and here is my bosom
friend, Sibyl Arnault."
This last as she flew across the par
lor and flung her arms around the
generals neck. He stood awaiting her
entrance, an old lion, indeed, his tall,
cloaked figure erect and stalwart, his
white head uncovered, his fierce old
bronzed face tender and expectant.
Paulette dragged it down to her own
and kissed the leathery cheek.
Here am l." she repeated, land here
is my dear friend Sibyl Arnault."
| "And wonderful well you look, my
love-" said General Guilte. patting her
head as he would a child's "You
have grown, too; an inch or more, I
should say. And this is your friend ?
am glad to meet any friend Of yours,
my dear"