Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-19
FHE BiRFR R'MhRk
By Eta w. PIERCE.

were tickle. She added, also, tina
through it all, your heart ever remain
ed true to her."
"She said that? Amiable Lucy! Sh'
never occupied so much as che remot
est corner Of my heart, as she wei
knows. Sibyl, Sibyl! do not you hold
me to a troth that was never anything
but a mockery and a shadow!"
Her bosom heaved.
"And Miss Varneck-how do yol
know she does not love you?
Lucy was never in her life guilty
of loving anything but herself" he an
swered.
Then, why does she refuse to re-
lease you! I have no right to come
between her and her future-no righ
to listen to a man whose promise an.
other woman holds, and which, for some
good reason, no doubt, she will not give
up"
He looked desperate-furious.
Miss Varneck will not release me,
he answered, because she hates yor
as only a Jealous woman can hate
Do you, then distrust me utterly? Coco
heaven! and that night at Beechwood
thought could have sworn-yor
loved mel"
She did not answer. He drew hel
suddenly down to the trunk Of the fal-
len tree. Under the touch Of his hand
under the gaze of his angry, yet ador-
ing, eyes, she was powerless.
"Sibyl!" his voice sank to the ten
der, Turing tone that lovers love. Hii
arm was thrown across the tree, yet II
did not touch her; his face leaned sc
low that the breath Of his lips stirred
her hair, but it approached no nearer
He was hedging her about with him
self, yet carefully, that she might
take no alarm, "Sibyl, have I been sc
thoroughly deceived, then, and by q
girl whom thought without art?"
The conscious color flushed over her
face.
Speak to mel" he entreated, his
pleading mouth dropping nearer and
nearer her own-"speak, Sibyl, to me
your lover! Do you love me?"
You are not my lover!" she flash
ed, but Miss varneck's. I will not
hear you-why do you ask me, when
you know-oh, you know already"
Silence, eloquent, breathless.
And you fed from Beechwood with
out a word" he murmured. Had
you mo faith in me? How you must
have hated me in your heart! Are
you happy here with your mother?
For two successive days have knock
ed at your gate in vain. Tonight
took boat to make a reconnaissance,
and in doing so espied a weak place
in the wall. Tell me all that has be-
fallen you since we parted, Sibyl."
She obeyed. He seemed to listen
with disapprobation.
"And are you to live on indefinitely,
shut up with a half-mad mother who
cares nothing for you? Sibyl, since
Miss Varneck will not free me, I must
free myself There is way by which
1t can be done at once-it Is marriage
with you."
She shook her head proudly.
'Tmpossible!"
Hush! 1 have a boat lying a rod
or two beyond the wall. The town is
but a mile distant; short pull, and
we are there, and then-then farewell
to all the world"
She would have drawn back from
him, but his arm encircled her swiftly
and held her fast.
Leave me now," she murmured.
"No!" answered Serle Varneck:
never again. You cannot conceive
how I have missed you-you cannot
know how utterly desolate and empty
my life now Is without you! I can
not bear 1t. II you care for your own
happiness-if you care in the least for
mine, come, darling-come!"
The tears gathered slowly in her big
proud eyes.
How cruel you are!" she said;
how cruel to tempt me like this!
No-oh, MOI"
He regarded her with a desperate,
reproachful face.
your pride, then, Is stronger than
your love? Between 1t and Lucy's
malice I foresee that shall lose you.
Lose you! No! could not, and live!"
Before she was aware, he had
snatched her from the fallen tree, and
was drawing her blindly. irresistibly
toward the foot Of the garden.
You must-you shall comet" he
cried, fiercely. you are mine-you
have acknowledged it. Do not look
back. There is so much before-so
little behind"
But she broke from that imperative
arm with a cry.
mo, Serle-no! I will not go with
you! Leave me-in pity leave mel"
PITY! what pity have you for me,
that you drive me to a strait like this
SlDyl, SlDyl. IL you ioNe HiS III ihS
least, come!"
He snatched at her dress as she
darted back, pale, wild, imploring. Then
step came hurrying down the walk
a hand parted the branches-Rebecca
Hardin looked through at the girl
standing there in breathless agitation
at the tall, fair lover by her side.
There was silence for a moment, then,
in a dry, hard voice, Rebecca spoke
aloud:
Miss Sibyl, the dew is falling-it
Is time to come in"
"Go!" murmured Sibyl, hurriedly;
ut Is my mothers nurse"
Varneck's face was eloquent with
pain and despair.
Good night" she said, giving him
her hand.
He took it, wrung it in his own, car
ried 1t to his lips.
"And when shall see you again.
he groaned.
How can I tell?" she answered
with grieved, quiverins lips. Before
Rebecca's very eyes he leaned and laid
his mouth on hers, then she broke