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; ;; POFOIiAR NOVELS.
*T MAT AGNES FLEMING.
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IV.
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XL
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XIII.
XlVi,
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■J ■ , . - * ■
' CONTENTS;- L
'•":^' U - \'. -.. • ^ f., ■■■■■" ^ - ^ ^^
amppeiis Isle. ..».,,*. ,.,..,,. _. ..^t 7
The Ma^c Mirror. 4 ....»- m* 'I4,
The Maniac's Curse so ^t^"
The Haunted Room ................>.. »^ 43 '^
The MidAight cry . w ...... ^ V. . . . 53^
"Off with the Old Love, and on with the
New.".,.... .,...,... 0a
The Heart's Struggle ... .... i ..'.....;., ^*, 7* 4^
The Triumph of Passion .... . , . * , . . 4 ; . .^ . -< 81 ^ !|
Thf Vision of the Isle... ^.,,.,...;^^.,;.. 94
One of Fortune's Smiles. .,«;.,> ■^^;\, 4 , , . 101 ^^'
The Storm—The Wreck.... I... :;.,.; 1.V m ^
Sibyl's Return t9 th^^Isle. . . .... ,..,.. .v. 121 ri
he Meeting' ;;;'i'»^.,.^;..i:v..,,.., ,.;.,. :.'!,,">». 131 '.^h
(lf-Torture...........>.v..^.......'... 151 ^
toodand Pocdt. ,.;..„.....,..,., 160 ,.s
■:Km^^U:.U
„\ ^. ALuUBcrorethoTempcat/w.v-t---.^* >^^
XVllI. The Fatal Note. , * .. . • • '* *- ••'•"• * " ' * *; . .11
. XIX, That Day /^....^. •••••;•/••***'*.*** ''*'ltj
^'' XX. What Caipe Next... --••^►••r''V.;*"***''^-^>^
.^ XXL That Night :^:f •'"'*'^^;!: «9
3ptII Next Morning. ...^••.••••••••••f'*' ,
XXIIL Mofliit.gi»l|l>»»4.>n.---" — *r '^3 ^
XXIV. GMrti«— ^-•-•*^"*r''^-;'C ' a67
XXV. The Maniac's Story.... **!^-' J
""^ XVI. Remorse ,..i....^..-.>*>^— *^
^' HXVII The Widowed Bridegroom...... -.r.r-i* ^*
xxvm »M>w^ii*M*oi»»wte..v"--^^^*'^-"^^^^^^
V :itxm Tli^I)e.oiionoii^n....rir.----^-.^
i^>: XXX. SibyFs Doom ,..,.......%^-»^^r. %
XXXJ. %e Bankrupt He*ir.*..i.w.^--^'--^va^^^^
. ^IL;4.»otherSt^Withi.««lVi^'^-'V^
'{ xxxm>eB««»^*^^ '^"":;;;;*' ^
^' XXXJV. fixpianalaons ♦ \]U
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THE OtJfeEN 01^ /THE:Us£E
A HASTY WOOIM
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No sound But oceaii's roar,
K &«• «ft«u« tbtftold. w»i»aw-hirtf malot te# tiieoieL
p Jl BOUTatat mil^ftom the mainland of BT ^wixh
£^ a» tocft-boun* coast washed by^t&e waters of U&-
broad Atlantfe, was an fsliet ]u(6wii fo tbe cbja of
whfefcr write as Ctenpbeirs Isle. \/^ / ^
The felai** was smari— about two miTca Fn Ibi^aiuf',.
the saaKf hi bnw-lth^ but feit3c aad lT«.urfou8. Ths^Ai
dease ^mevat forest, whfch as yet the destro^ing^ ax ha4i ^^'
scaw^ tottehed, reared itself hrg;h and <fiirk fn the north?
cn» f^ qT Che lislasxK A diaej^ usbrokeo sQbnce «»«r
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feigned here, savb when sdmo g«iy party from the dppo-
' lice coast visited the islaft^il to fish or shoot partridges.
, Sometimes during the. sunimer, pleasure parties were held
here, but in the winter all Wfts silent and dreary on th^
lonely, isolated little ,«pot;^>--'^ •->■ '\'--"' -r'^^'':'''^' ;;/-^kl
Thia^ island had been, from time immemorial, In tn^
possession of aT family named Campbell, handed dotrn
iiom father ti ^n. Thepcople of the surrounding cmn-
try had learned to look upon them as the rightful lords
of the^oil, " to the manner born." The means by wl^icb
it "had first come into their possession were selc^om
thought ol,oit if thought of, only Added to their reputa-
tion as a bold and daring race. The legend ran, ^hat
long before Calvert came over, a certain Sir Guy Catnp-
bell, a celebrated freebooter und scion of the noble Scot-
tish clan of that name, who for some reckless prime bad^
been outlawed and banished, ^A^M revenge*had hoisted.
^^ the black flag and become a roferon the high seas, had,
in his wanderings, discovered this solitary island, which .
he made the pl^ of his rendezvous. Here, with his
band of daredevils— all outlaws like himself— he held
i9any a jolly carousal that made the olH woods ring.
In-one of his adventures he had taken captive a young
Spanish girt, whose wondrous beauty at once conquered
a heart all! unused to the tender passion. He bore oflE his
prize in triumph, and without asking her consiBnt, made
her his wife at the first port be touched. Soon, however,
tiring of h^ company on slvpboard, he brought her to his
island homk and their left her to occupy his castle, while
he sailed merrily away. One year afterward, Sir Guy the
Fearless, as he was called, w|is conquered by an English
^^ dodp-of-way ; and, true to his daring character, he blew^
itp-^e ves»l, and, together with his crew and captDr^
HBrishod^n ihe explosion. /- r
H^ ^11 and succesaor, Gasper, bora on the i«lc,«reW
wp tall, bold, ami handsome, with all his father's dario« ^
^d undaunted courage, and his mbther's beauty, and to*
rid pasaionate nature. He, in the course of time, took to
hifljself k wifcfof the daughters of (he mainlatfd ; and, after
:M Short. Stormy life, passed|»way Jn his turn to render aii
..•eoount of his works, leavinig: to his eldest ipn, Hugh, tb«
bold spirit of his forefathers,! the possession 6f Campbell's
WY"**^ the family mansion known as Campbell's Lodge. "
, And so, from one generation to another, the Campbells
rirfed as lords of the isle, and became, in after years, as
poted fof^their poverty as their pride: A reckless, improri
ident race iftey were, caring only for to-day; abd lettini^
to-morrow care for itself; quifckihd fierce to resent
injury or msult, and implacable as ^death or doom in theii'
bate. ^ Woe to the man who would dar«^ point in scorn at
one of their name ! Like a sieut^^hound they- would dog
his steps night aadTday, *tid^ not until their vengeancl
Isle were known and dreaded for miles around. PrOm
sire to son the fiery blopd o^Sir Gu)^ the F<»rless passed
unadultemed, and throbbed in the veins of^ark Camp-
bell, the late master of the lodge, in a darkecjiercef
stream thaa ,n any that had gone before. A hea^Ibrowed
stern-hearted man he was, of whpse dark deeds wil»
rumors went whispeAng a^ut, for ho one dared breathe
them aloud, lest they should reach his vindictive ears, and^
rouse the slumbering ti^er in his breast. At his death,
which t<wk place some twA or three yeai^ previous to the
opemog of.our^tory, his si^n Guy, a true descendant of
h^s lilustnous namesake, became the lord and master of
the isle, and the hist of the Campbells.
Yom$ Guy showed ho disposition to pass Ms da^ |«.
'Hi
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TOun^ Guy, tjOtlng-with him his onlr sister, spent hiauow
■-h.
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,■ %.* >f'
"'id'
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w.boaftshq|d»4^9a. baptyift buatiiag^ old lltdnrUe »» teww
from mbrningr tiH night. \k wild young sisl^ •! liift
Tom's had run away with a'butdh fiddler, and^dying a few
years after, waasoon IbliowW to the gravej)y her hti^
band, who drank more than ^as good for him one night,
aqd was found dead iq.thft miaiSwu^ Master Carl Henley
was accordingly adopted by hii liVrngjcWtive aiid, astibak
good lady declared, bad been" the diytfh of her " ever sincft.
A young girl of sixteen, khowtt only as "Christie,*^
was the onljf QthcK member q1 Mra. TQni:$. Iwbily. Who
this girl wai, where she had comMi»niHa*»Awhat"wr8 her
fanuly name, Was a mystery , and }/itl Tom, when ques-
tiiBW*twtthciSubjeoti oofy ahtiT £|^ir ii|ipa^ s&ooft her
b«adtai3^«!ioua% ajHJk i^nUm wBSnnr & nmi^ Although
aha «aUcd'|ft*oliU hi%aui>t» iTwaa jmaml]yr||ri!n»red t^
sbitiMisc aamiati^;; IkutrasGhi^^ Waa: at ftnoifiie' witft 4
Uh whcit ittsiicNb thtk itiaofl} bhu nu^stsry ooosmnin^ h^ **
though it ,piquttd> tiiiftcimnsii^of Oweiirioiu^iitiiilieiftaay
Ktohf nonfttfealam. A.hia^N«ii«ftiuodliw<fii^ftn<|,ir-
disk^raeablft^ ohattefing* p^mt tompUettd: ^ ivldbat't
houaiUlkol^. »-,
Mr. Tom's business was fiotMtshinjp Sfcrigmi ^a^i^Mgfc
nlac mm ttaitfet weok tm W &«iM>4 whentt alt« diapos
of Mni init8» a^ bonrin^ fa» if^AsA th» inmiX -^— ^■f|_^
and brought bacii g»»<»rwsand!su«fetliri^wa» sbe need^A
Beaidea tliatt afa« kept a^rtj^ law«»in<i paac»«l^«fc£i««*
»6ttt foe^ftaftiildiaiaadfia^^
Vmda|p»irtw<^j««.^ishwid ;^aRdifoiraai^ftiba«i Hi^
^ lam) andisoH wafclaawnMOift famesof Mtti T«m»
Stt(d» wta QtmpfaeU'4 Wt, andi suob< w«^ %&. ammi^
And mtu^wtik. R>ft many ]!I$m«c nosr i» ha^'bttn. qpiki
•iu&i«^pM^.«Bi|^iig^ «Bt4. Oi* dttMtopoilcie: oft «>4drT
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■hr^p^^^y'-i^y^ ^X^^';
TEB MA&IO MIBBOK
af*
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Startling events that for long afterward were remenibel-ed
i^ the country around and electrified fot a time the wbole
immunity.
CHAPTER U
THE MAGIC MIRROR.
J
' I turned my eyes, and as I turned surveyed '
^n awful vision." .
m-
^?^1pHE sun was sinking in the far west as the littte
p^l schoono^ Evening Star went dancing over th«
"*• bright waves towards Campbell's Isle Captaia
Guy Campbell stood leaning negligently over the taffrail,
solacing himself with a cigar, and conversing at intervals
Iflth a slight, somewhat haughty-looking young man, who
''kL -«tood beside him, watching the waves flashing, as they
'Vf sped along. No two could be more opposite, as far as
looks went, than those two, yet both were handsome and
about the same age. •
Like all his race, young Campbell was vpry tall, and
dark as a Spaniard. His short, black, curling hair shad-
owed.- a forehead high, bold, and commanding. Dark,
, been, proud eyes flashecl from beneath jetty eye-brows,
and the firm, resolute motith. gave to his dark face a look
almost fierqe. His figure was exquisitely proportioned
-an d -t hete was a c e r ta in bold f ranknes^'min^f^jyithjL
reckless, devil-may care expression in his fine face, tfiit
atoned for his swarthy complexion and stern brows.-
V Hi« companion was a uU» elegant young omn, with alt^
fl '/■•
-tt"'
i^^
i
air of proud superiority about him, as though he were
f^somebody/'and knew it. His complexion was fair as a
lady's, and would have been effeminate but for the dark,
bold eyesand his dadfiing air generally. There was some-
thing particularly winning in h^^andsome,iace, espec-
ial^ when he smiled, that lit up^s whole 'countenance
with new beauty. Yet, with all, there was a certain faith-
less expression about the finely formed mouth that would
have led a close observer to hesitate before trusting him
too far. This, reader, was Mr. Willard Drummond, A
young ha^f-American, half.Parisian, and heir to one of
the fine§| estates in the Old Dominion. The last five
years he had passed io Paris, and when he was thinking
olreturning home he had encountered Campbell and his
sister. Fond *»f luxury and ease as. the young patrician
was, he gave up all, after that, for the "attraction he dis-
covered on board the schooner Evening Star. And Cap-
tain Campbell, pleased with his new friend, invited him
to cross the ocean with him, and spend a few weeks witk
him in his ancestral home, whither he was obliged to stop
while some repairs were being made in his vessel, which
invitation Willard Drummond, nothing loth, accepted, ^if'
"^ell, Campbell, how is that patient of yours tfiis^
eveain^ ?", inquired Drummond, after a pause.
"Don't know," replied Captain Campbell, carelessly;
"I haven't seen him since morning. Sibyl is with him
now/*,;*,.,.;-. -,,../-.;■■ -r-i ..;/./ .*.-,- :-■: ^c'- -f .. ..•■—:■; :>^ -
"By the way, where did you pick him' up ? He wap'
nol one of your crew, I understand."
• " No ; I met him in Liverpool. He^came to 'me o n e day^
and as^od me to take firmBome."~l replied that I had no
accommodations, and would much rather 6ot b^ troubl^
with passengers* However, he pleaded so hanl foi^me to
'm
AWt^
j»tlkPKHiQ^K)t qU «b4fe i»^(o» llt»t I )iad) QAi^ tlM. beavt tQ: raCufio;
4oof«riAl)r:«yi3)g QaibifemJUid, wd gtrJfealiwftyft knoni' \m^
" i(#i; i9». y^ I may j«dg«;by lU8 Ippka, ofehjMnbl*8tafi©%:
•«*\^; RicJwdQMm" V
^ ^ilHint! Weil^itwQuMb9:4^pleA»ix^aQha««!bito4^^^
^W^Mi^X now b0<tuiit9 qoar:tJjistMton4!lom« at jQiMi*,
<^ta*»iC^n9ipb!ell; I giiftw isapoti^nit t<j aeftifc"
'* We sha^l r«$kpj^ i|tiil)»Ukaioaf|]»Sft t»-ai«^i^
llQlicte a» ij. is nflw." .
** fia^^9ti mm L 4a)ti.dlo yiGiiLiiiteAd doing withi tbis
—Richard Grove, When you get there? Will you take
1)J^ intp yoiuj Robin»onsCj4isoft cfte^e aiid,nui»t hina: un-
til he gets well, as thM. enUKf^nMOgr QHiQit<buUdflK: <|JMb
•». -
^f,f>T,^*V^f<^
\
mm MA^m wnmf.
1*1
yours?" said l?winw.QM»^<?JM»«i mwmhmmMmim ^1
•' Yes ; old Mrs. Torn, a distant conn(toMA<| q£ ^it>$»|r
XQ^fe «»o5^ ti.i»a#. tjfe& old moiPftji*:'
^?n^mg>*^ai;€»«;ol4^fell7lqrtl»Mi^i94"aaid5h3^ .n
. '^X^ ^itfe, ^»uh^ 9 ri»»pi«ii|^, linJy-kifllp^ ap you, wr
doubt." ^ » -w.
*«l S^fti^ mk ^% 9m W^ m thftworU wof*h the j
troHbisQf 1PW|E^'^4 P^t«fflWcyi<tlQQ|yiie tfeOMg^ • ^
ii»jtft,i^il5a|ft5...| ,. . ' . ■ ■,:,:■■., ' ■ ■ ^ -
"Ah, what a^b^mgOB shQ iiiu8tihftiwj.l|«fi^ ' ifif^ I^^^
what quarter o|UiPglQl>^;l*»%tlKil|ftB!Cw qC qoi||l^9intf sq/
pef^ess^b^jf^uti?"
" 4 ilftwiv s^A^ft, wa^ n. l^eft»ty« mm mi- Suit oewf '
tomd that. When do you, ^^gsofe tfl, ^ i^^y fo^ 5«fc
" As sopD ^ i3lps5ilife|«,|i|,% ff n^i»fl!^^ periiaps^fou I ' f^-
fear that we'll all Wn get tired of t(a^ lft)M?l>«fif|s, o^tin^"^
''^^^f^^mm9^t9, \mypim:'l%
liness by this time."
"Is it possible ? I thouglit, you Gw^pbelljC were W *
as that" •
^^#«^i1|*»Wtt^Pitn^^ll^|^
ti
meiit for a wild, exciting lif(
posjUiwij^ \ (iMjaiJAi
w
ms MAGIO xmsojs.
wiW, impulsive sister, she would now as 90oa^ think of
> 'entering a convent as passing her liftf there.' ' " ^ ?
' . "Yet you sajid it was partly by her request you were
going there now ?"
^ ♦'Yes, she expressed a wish togil^ow you the place."
' 'a slight flush of pleasure colored the clear face of Drum-
mond. "I don't know what's got i^to Sibyllately," conr
tinned her brother. "I never saW a girl so changed.
- She used to be the craziest leap-6ver-the-moon madcap
that, ever existed ; now she is growing as tame as — as little
Christie." v ; ^,.
' . Drummond's fine eyes were fixfcd keenly on |jke frank,
open face of Captain Campbell ; byt nothing was to be r«id
there more than, his words contained. With a peculiar
smilelhe turned away, and said, cjarelessly :
And who is this little Christid to whom you refer ?"
" She's the protege of tjie old lady on '^he island — fair as
thedream of aq, opium-eater, enchantin^as a hotiri, and
wit®he voice of an sm angel." |
" Whew ! the bold Campbell, the daring descendant of
old Guy the Fearless, has lost bis heart at last !" laughed
Willard Drummond.
" Not'I," answered Gny, carelessly. " I never yet saw
* the woman who could touch my heart, jind, please Heaven,
• never will.**
"*Well, here's a wonder-^ young man of three-and-
twenty, and never in love ! Do you expect me to believe
•uch a fable, my good frien<| ?"
"Believe or not, as you Will, it is nevertheless true.**
^ What- -do you mea.n to say you have never felt a
i^hol the grande passi(m-4-ihe sVightcst symtom of that
Infectious disorder?" ' ' / ■'■■•-■- ' . -/ ■ , ■ - ■■-- V>^0p^^^-''
** Pooh I bdyish fancies g;o for nothing. I bftve inow
n
iiij^ffi&is.
T^''
TT'^-^JS
/«f
pssr xAOia iobsoiil
■cm
vndthen felt a queer sensation ajbout the r<^ioii of my
heart at the sight of sundry faces at different times, but as
for being fatally and incorrigibly in love, never, on my
honor!" .'
" Well, before you reach the age of thirty, you'll have
I aidiflferent story to tell, or I'm mistaken."
^* No ; there i^ no danger, I fancy, unless indeed," hC'
added, fixing his eyes quizzically dn Drummond's hand-'
I some face, "I should happen to meet this little enchant-
|ress you spoke of awhile aigo." ".'-X /
A cloud pissed over the brow of his companion ; but
lit cleared aiyay in a moment as a quick, light fpotstep was?
Ihcard approaching, and the next instant Sibyl Campbel^,-
Ithe haughty daughter of a haughty race, stocji bright, dais-
■zling, and smiling before them. ' (/ 7 ^
No one ever looked once in the face of Sibyl Ca«^p-
Ibell without turning to gaze agwn. Peerlessly beautiful
las she was, it was not her beauty that would startle /you,.
Ibut the look of wild power, of intense daring, of ierce
|pas§ioas, of unyielding energy, of a will pov^erful for love'
)r hafe, of a nature loving, passionate, fiery, impulsive, ^
and daring, yet gentle and winning. | / \
She might have been seventeen "yeaifs of age— cer-
ainly not more. In stature she was tall, and with a
Sform regally beautiful, splendidly developed, with »i
[haughty grace peculiarly her ,own. Her face ^as per-
fectly oval : her complexion, naturally olive, l^d been-
[tanned by sun and wind to a rich, clear, gipsyish dark-
[ness. Her hair, that hung in a profusion of lopg. curls, ,
[was of jetty blackness, sjBffe^^^^ t he su n f ell . o n jit, b ring- '
mg out red rings of fire. Her large Syrian ey(^, full of
[passion and power, were of the most intense blackness « .
h4ve now v'^Biew flashing with sparks of light,- and anon swiiomibg ia A
'-if
^
: ' '>s
^^
f..
h
i;.-
Ml JMOMT liiaMft
f 1
%|9i<l t« i4i f»cj i in> HAT Ikiyl^ Mdi lam wUgH kpr**
iME^Qi^e, % «»>wft---«ifflaii9)3P it 1^ lt« jwiclettnct
. ture in her fade, was small, witji full, ripe, red lips» vivaJi-^
iif0\n Moani |]|« 4e«!p «< imsiSHii ^ Inter cMtrl^ elwelia
Her dress was hk» bcfaeUh^oild, acul pkttHcat^^a^ ecu*
> >fcltiil|r «lmilifi!rt9}ciftfir bladr Mik, » bodies of erlmson,
Yf]iT«i, wiih 9^lt biUtQAs^ SIm hftid l« oont iutad a Maek '
if^b^ ImrM With » L««gi. MNreeptagr pknwi^ swtngti^^ i|,
fiJE^y^y by the strings as she aui» itOipaM thoia. | '
3li»iiwftn tHapge, wi!t^4ooJKtoy €>f e a i t» i i r «v altogttti»i^r;
i9fe#t vouMb ftrsk afeiilfe^wi «iigis«rv«Hr ivaft Imht quMoljr '
9l pside^ feMf li«lt]r ll^itteii^ her alinosi uamnAur^hlm
:-$jmi^m9i. Wwt kf» niilMwIiiig pfkloi^ «» well a» h»t «ww
uprising beaaty, the haughtjr little ktii}]rh«d cubtaimd^ ev««
In (!)KtldhoiQ4 t^e ttitle. ol " CftteeA ef the isle^'' And
qimsf^ sh«s k¥»lKed, witli he» Qjobiie bri^ir, her isshiagr^
^kM»oi»i^ eje«6» %!«« daiiQty;, cudrring lips^ her giaceful, stat^
FjiEMMqiiiie fona^ln, ^f^kfjf ssmos ot tim womA "'a quMsi «t
4.9/1:1 W^lai^d) I>«u,»i»iQ!9i4 pftflsioaatr admitef^eC fcMutyi^
as he was, what thoughl he^ol i!hi»das«liQg eveatmro?- lltii|
l«»«ed 9f^tigelil^ly^ still a^«i«stth»tafii!all, w^h his: eyes
%e!i <iiii ^ spairkliiag, su^abri^hfe facc^ noting every loole
«^d gfstuR^ «« «m# mij^bfi ga0» «m)i 9i(»a»» sfevan^e) Iwautiiadi'
dQ4^ haOil tn $mr, he^ in tfixm, kut: ^Ats»^ i» adiaixar^
X^h bfi^ ]«ved kw^ Off thiQliight h^ diil ;: and gmi^
n'v^ him osii tka Qctpoljit waves, whitn; the sol«aha. stars
st)tP9i» seironel}^ abio^ra; t^tk, h«; hadi toM her a^ and^ she hadi
bilJk;*^^ him. Aq4 9to% wtild^ imtut^iMred cJW «l Qi»«««af
^TT^r^ <tiwi w^ *;wgTWWpr ^|Jil.^■l|i^pil^ ipiP ■
gwgt^«ri( U lim Mb tog !<!»!» for Urn i^at fillisdi Imht tepii|i»
ymim}mm^
mi
Vti
\ mm M^m9 M^mm '
rrot, as to others, a mere part
Of her existence ; bu|^whQl»>n» '
TlnftvWJfWQrbif^t^^otJjerlinw^" ^
► ahft «d!v»fte9(^ Wiilayrd X]Ur(i«ioftc»!d started up^ au^
^ Weleorn^' bM»k^ li^ $ibyl I iWugiii tk» wal^lii
pnybureye^" , / i,
iHow^ yowi pi«i9iM!» Si^xjrl I? ai^d Captain. CwipBell^
Bowii compliments very tiresome soraetioMSk
'^1^^W]^ wors«^ I ^ng^ 9,toad»^' ihii SLasmt^di in « pecu-
^F^nMifiiGal voica <*I do. aiot ^hvBkk he will Uye lo, sq»
le narrow's sua. IBSi ra^^jog^ «re Itightfql to litear—
Eift{^f»U»teQ]?«Bda9em9>» \m weighing kvok <Ui>wa a»
^ Aft«»^ iJba JuioguA sokI i& an awful posa^Kioa foi
guilty man," sa^ C^pliaia Caiftpbell, tl>ou»hilwa.]^
• Thi^<»n, be soapethedt <wref <iU«¥>g life, but w^fupft one
'^n^esjt'O.dieBRr.'^
^^5lMg^ feel wlnafr iretcibuAive jiHtice. V9^ | sisf^Me^" ^aij(
>ruia«>aad, in, IMa castomauy careless t<^e ; « aaa apropos
|f tha^, somebody wilt sufie^ «effi;ibl.9 HQmQrs^^M^ tf^
Hie|sps*«,ligblty^ii6iftb%bal« iwlfl^: bwlfc SIM'%li0b
Ued i^wliM^^ai% as 9bie e3M>l»»itii#(i,:;
" Ai|i old astrologer, or enchanter, or w^aaicl ^t 4(INM>
Improbil^ble, so utterly absurd, in short, that I wmnx Ukmt
Saljbi«k»ekk> ^^
'-■Ik
1 a5
1 1
1
w
\Sr
i'Wp"
ttiB MAQIQ MiBBOk
i^ " You are not fool enough to believie such' nonseni|i^ I
hope," said Captain C^pbell. . / )> V";
, M "I dQn't know. as it is nonsense. *Thefe are more
things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in philos-^
ophy,' you knpw."
'*Y^ — I was sure you would quote that ; everyone
does that when he advances some absurd doctrine ; but |c&
all th^ gireatest stuff, nevertheless." | ' /..
, : "But'did he tell you teho you were to be— **
SilO'^l sti?pped shorts {even in jest sh^ could not jpfo^l
nounce the wordtw^^ ^' ; j
" Murdered t>y?" iw^d Willard, qui^ftly ^finishing t^e
sentence for her. ** No, he told me nothitig. aI saw it alll^'
*'Sawit! How? I do not understand-"
"Oh, the story R hardly vjrorth relating, and ouglit not
to be told in the pr^^qce of such a skeptic as Captain
Guy Campbell," s»id ^runaraond» running lM|finger*, I
lightly through his dark', glossy locks./ ^s "^^ :
' "Heaven forbid I should wait to pe inflicted by it!'|i
said Captain Campbell, starting up. "I will relieve yoij
of my presence, and allow you to ecitertain my supersti-l
tious sister here with your awful destiny, of which sU<f^
will doubtless believe every wprd.^' t
"I should be sorry to believe anything so dreadful,"
said Sibyl, gravely ; " but I do think there are someigiftpd
ones to whom the f utu re has been reyealed. I wish I coulC
meet them, and find out what it has in Store for me/' X\
"Let me be your prophet," said Druromond, softly.^
" Beautiful Sibyl, there can be nothing but bliss for in
angel .li ke you.'* ' ^ _ ' "
■ Her radiahTfacTfluWed wttirpfidCI^^
at his words. ■ ,t ■■ ■' ^,.,^'',:L ■'-,,.,■: ;■■■.<>:;.;■■./
" Do you believe in omsBiV**si«i saidigbKugbliigly.
,'-M
t;?,Sl^^^|*^|^
jP^ipS^ypTSy^''^" s*
fi
saw it all^-'
THB MAGKf MimOB.
■m
P' See how blij^hdjiand bdutifully fonder moon is Hsing t-
'*|6^y, il^itreaiihes the arch pf hcavea tinclduded) I shall
Blievc.ybur prediction." .-'•
Even as she spoke, a^" dense cloud passed athwart the
ky, and the inoon was obscured in darkness. ^"
Tlie dark/i|jright face of Sibyl paled at the dread omen,
^nvoluntarily her eyes sought Dru^mmond's who also hafl
en ga:;ing aiiithe sky.
"Hei^ci^#ejft the omen !'\she cried, with a shudder.
'Oh, Willaiind^^e unclouded ^moon grew dark even whiie
spoke." . '
"And now the cloud is past, and it sails on brighte^r
in ever," he said, with a smile. " See, fairest Sibyl, al
Is calm and peaceful once more. My prediction will
Verified, after ^lll"
She drew k deep breath, knd looked so intensely rel
b^ved that, he laughed. Sibyl blushed vividly, as sh(
■%id:' ■/'':'■:' I ■
*fl know yon must think me wa^k and childish ; but ll
superstitibuif by nature. Dreams, inspirations, and'
presentiment^, that no one else thinks of, are All vivid
ililies to me. But you promised to tell me the German
herd's prediction concerning your future^ sOj pray, gp
"Well, let me see," said Willard Drummond, leaning
is head on Jbls haidd. " It is now three years ago that a
ilebrated jBgypiian fortune-teller visited^ the town in
ermany where I resided. His fame soon spread far and
ide, and crowds of the incredulous came from every part
' visit hin). Hejcould not speak a word of any tan jj
fjKhrsdwnn&Mlhehadan^^
Iking n^cessaryi which was vei^Hlei, ■ ^
** I WM then fti a i^ebrated university ; and, iri^tiK»
^1"
.ii».'.»ai;ii4'j^v
It /' 1
I*™ not, ''ke yoa, bright Sibyl, BWurallTiltMWtA
»k.t«, gritetag skuih that we^ «aS •te^fiL^'?
•«» with Xa^^l^ «**'' *^ «• »<*w*
"' '^"■r -hut f urn .iT T^^*^" **.>^'*11^
«^*^^I8SS5^
i:i»*
it
gij»VTT
r^ .^'
i^.
^ «« ttakn^ii #r* ^•'^ w«t«»rti4K some **Jlr7" *°'*'^
»'ooffti„«!ri_frr*'"' people, Plo-,«Jf'""*^<>»
i^^STXv^!! ^'^^'y* then it feZlJ" ^onds
A
^C;v*£
^i-
ma MAQJO-MlIUtOJl
1
tfie faces of m wedded palr'tumed for an instant toWard
me, and in the bridegroom, Sibyl, I b<ilield myse^. tb©
yapor lifted and lifted, until all was gone, and nothing-
Was to be seen but the black walls of the room and the
glowing, fiery coals in the caldron. '
/ - « Again the Egyptian Ihrtwr the incense on the fire,
Mid again miimbled his unimelligiblc jargon. Again the
thick, bla<s£ smoke arose, ^ling the room ; and again
became stationary, iforming a shadowy' panorama before
ine. This time I«aw a pri8on-cen^^r|c, dismal, and noi-
some. A rough straw pallet stood on one side, and on the
; Qther a pitcher qf water. and aMr--orthodox. prison fare
from time immemorial. On the ground, chai^jeii to the
Ufall, groveled a woman, in shining bridal rbb^s, her long,
midnight tresses trailing on the foul floor. No words can
describe to 70U the ptter despair and mortal anguish
depicted in her crouching attitqde. f stood spell-bound
tp the spot, unable to move, in breathless injterest. Then
tM^scene began to fadeaway ; the prostrate! figure lifted
itr!iead,,and I beheld the face of her whoJn a moment
before seemed to stand beside n]{e at the ahar.
words of mine can describe to |||(u the mo£l
u;iutterable despair, in that haggard but hprnt i
Sibyl ^^Sibyl ! it will haunt me- to mji dyiog\ay. I puf
<>»^tr'Py 'W4f as il^to retain h^r, but in thai Instant iOl
^ ^"ard Drammond paused ; this titiie '^
^''^^IM^^^nd h|j8 eyes were "w^ild and excite^'
^^ ^Hfr l P ^"' **l&lf i** black, mystic eyes dilate<|
^^^"7 pW^lp^or fadll^Wom her face, leaving even h#
lips\as^j)file«>.'death. ■:•.,,.:■ V-
hc'tfairdrtime^
tr~wenf 'througfi"
1.
^•M^,>V,?.
^ i«i^ ^rprnqny ^before,:; contiiwe(!H«»| *^ wd, •• Ul ^^B^ WHy J
^v
■■V -».
3
&.
*J«iAu»ci«es, a ne,v,sceic appWred before me. NoU
Sr^^' ^ '""*"' «"™ °' lightning, and thunder
«idja».,„as rag,„g,a„d the trees creaked and tent il'
the fie^e ,v,nd On the^fpund lay thi dead ba^ df "
^ap weltering in blood. A darit, crin„on streaVflowed
frotn a great. frlgl„ful gasfe tn his head, fron, Zl^Z
We ««n,«l ,„« to have gon^. A, the ^hiee fa^e of tto
m„rdered.,an was upturned to tl.e light-cut. bl"dy and
/IS Heaven hears me, I saiv it as plainly as I see vonrf•.r^ *• J
P4le, /a.r moon ■,<>*.-, A white, ghost l/ form, ThedT^'f ^
woman <,r spirit I kno\„o,, seemed ho.erinfr nlr Irt '^
tag, af It were, in and ou\mid the trees. E,^*n T!'^
.UR^.Wj,;and:shad6wLn.U.U wasgot Z- .*^
"For the fourth and last ti^e.jhe E^ypiiaf rhr,- .
st«„ge incense on the Bre. and ' spoke, I^JCsof X*r-
and a new vision me. my horrMed gaze. I secmedTte-
hold im immense concourse of -people a vasi^^
i..g to and Uo in the wildest ei^l™,. A 1^^^
•!h!m 7^T*r ""'' ''^'' '""" ™''=d '<>«» object above
hem I looked up, too, and beheld a^gh» tliMsiZIS
fr«z,ngthe very blood in my veins. It%vis a ,iT^
■ rhU^w'^T '"■:'"' '"" ■s'o.niniou. hXr ro:5ti-
• "hite bcauirful neck, wiis rtc who had Mood beside m^ -'
the altar, whom I M seen chained ■il^rmW^i?
d,»med. to die by .the ha„d<rf the puWfe iLw^^w--
■ 3er beautiful hand, were W,eu:hS^ oS wlwrii!^'
■ngly. to the crowd below, who only hoo-Th-'rif
. agoay and de..n.i. t- -— ,.ti .n.riu U ^J'.^"
' t'^a
>^.....
%■
J
)r ^■
-v
U'
i^H?
"^fw*-
f
-V 'S^N- i
jpiTisr jf^oict MiHBbn.
kX ..
saw the interpreter beckoniog'tne from the door. How I'
reeled from the r90tfCV|th thrpbbing broiv and feverish
pulse, I know n^t. Everything seemed swimming around
me ; andj in a state of the wildest excitement, I was hur-
tled home by my companions.
** The next day the Egyptian left the city, and where
he went after, I never heard.
** Such was the glimpse of tJie future I beheld. It
was many mont lis after before I completely refeovercd
from the shock I received. How to account f<^r it I do
not know. Certain I am that I beheld it, truly, as I have
told it in every particular, for the impression it made
upon ^e at the time was so powerful tliat everything con-
nects with it is indelibly engraven on my mctnory? It
may seem strange, absurd, impossible; but that I have
nothing to do with ; I only know I saw it, incredible as it
seems. But, good heaven ! Sibyl, dearest, are you ill —
fointing!" . \._,---^
i I Pale, trembling, and ejjcited, the once fearless Sibyl
Cainpbell clung to hi^arm, white with vague, sickening
horror. Superstitious to an unusual degree, au awful
prosentimenl had clutched her heart ; and, for a moment
•be seemed dying in his arms, "
"Sibyl ! Sibyl 1 my dearest love !" he said, in alarm.
.•♦whaiis.it?" ^ :;■,-■•.;'■;'" -■;■;-■' >. \ '-■^\
•♦ Nothing— nothing, *' she answered, in a tremulous
voice ; "but, oh, Willard I do you believe the prediction ?"
" Strange, wild girl that yty are ! hag this idle talk
frightened you so?" ho said, smiling at her wild, dilated
eyes.' '; '■'■'■■'' '- ": r ^
--~^li it should prove inieT^she said, coveH^glier tniBt
wfth a shudder. " Willard, tell me^r^ you believe it Y*
^Hy dark^eyed darling, how cao^ 1 tiAi whether to
.^'A^ .x..:a:.^ [Vi
irt-l i",t' -,. .-1. 1 ■- ';■
"l^^ XAOW MIBROR
^^' Bu^ wm„d, aid any pf hi, other predietionj- proy,
uuc«ii procession, and himself " robeH f^r ^k-
lying in the coffin. Five weeks «ftlrK ? ^'^^
shot." '^ '^®^^'^s after, he was apcidentalljr
to war?nff ?^ ^'' """^ ^° * ^"^ ^>W «>« of way, as if '
TAu ""^^i^™^ approaching danger. ^* ^
x^vw«i|«^ 2^0yl ! 4 Campbell of the JqI- fr««»Ki-
thus ^ imaginarv dan^r »--thrii! , 1? "^®™**^^"«^
'- r r ' '™" " -- « ■'^o':^- -f,^ "^
ihe color came proudly back to her cheek at hi.u.^
tenng wort,. a„h, »ud. mo« co.dly anfr,!?! ''"»"•
tor my«l,. , could lewr tremWe ; buTfori-- '
bhepau^Hl and her beautiful lip quiverol
I had ne.rly?o»l,rn „,rh^r^"""^- W^X. S%1.
■* ^J^ ^. ' ; ' 4-fc ' • '^^t' " i i 'f. » * y ' ^*
1 "V?
V
n
•-T- , ■■;•"
^v)
B8
ri® MAOW MIRROR,
\\t
Promise me, now, you will never think of it more — much
less Bpeak of it." ' - ""
" Tell me one thing more, Willard, and I promise— only
one," said Sibyl, laying her hand on his shoulder, and ,
looking up in his face earnestly, while her voice trembled
in spite of all her eflforts.
«• Well," he said, anxiously.
" Did you recognize the face of the person whom you
saw beside you at (the altar, and who afterward died on
the scaffold ?"
He was silent, and looked with a troubled eyd out
over the shining waters. ^' '
" Willard, dearest Willard ! tell me, have you ever yet
seen her?"
' " Why will you question me thus, dearest Sibyl '"
' "Answer me truly, Willard, on your honor."
"Weil, then, dearest, I have."
Sibyl drew Iicr breath quick and short, and held his
j^; arm with a convulsive grasp. -
' ' '• Who is she i" she asked.
Willard turned, and looking steadily into her wild,
L searching eyes, replied, in a thrilling whisper:
\ •' «* You, S\hy\— your
**
( '
Ti/i? J/AAJACa CURSE.
^■^
4/
CHAPTER III.
THE maniac's curse.
■■ ^ 1^
,c-i
*• Her wretched brain gave way, '
j And she became a wreck at rand(»n driven.
Without one glimpse of reason or of heaven.^
^ LallA RqbKB.
THE schooner Evening Stair lay at anchpr in a little
(ock-bound inlet, on the northern svidC of the island
previously referred to. A boat had just put off from
her, containing Captain Guy Campbell, Mr. ivillard Drum-
mond, Sibyl Campbell, arid the sick pass^enger, Richard -,,i'i
Grove. He lay on a sort of mattress, half supported by Cap-
tain Campbell ; and in ihe pale, cold moonlight, looked yvait'
and emaciated to a fearful degree. The features, sharply
defined, were like those of a skeleton, and, in their ghasily
rigidity, si^nied like those of a corpse. But life, intensely
burning life, shone in the \Yild, truubleid eyes. Willard
Drummond ^nd Sibyl sat talking together, in low tones,
at tiie 6ther end of the boat, fearful of disturbing the
dying man. ' ,- A .
As the boat touched tlie shore, Drutpmond leaped out,
and extended his hand to Sibyl ; but the wild sea-nymph,
declining the needless aid, sprang lightly out, and stood
b'iside him. I
The figure of jt woman, who had/ been_standing on a,
rock, watching their approach, now came forward, ex-
claiming delightedly : . t / , ; \^^-
*' Laws'a-massy, MissSi%|l Who cVcr s'posed iye^d
^n^^iv-
\
y
lo
TBB MANIACS 0VB8E.
see >ou here a(gain? Where hev you been to this Ion?
time?" *^
, . "My dear Mrs. Tom !" said Sibyl, smilingly, holding
but her hand/; " I am delighted to see you. Where I have
b^nftB a trc^ublesome question to answer, seeing I have
been almost/ eyerywhere you could mention."'
*'Law^;iow! hev you? 'Spect you had nice times
sai'lin' rouhd, though it does seem odd how you could
stand all ^ s^sickness you must have come through.
'Tain' eWy young critter would do it. But then you alius
was different from most young folks. Jemimi ! how you^re
grow<Sd,Jftn' how handsome youVe got ! Jest as pooty as
fe jpicter i An* that, I s'pose, is young Master Guy !" con-
tinued the loquacious new-comer, eagerly, as the young
cftptaii^ leaped lightly ashore.
Sil^yl nodded, and blushed slightly, as she encountered
fheg^zeof Drummond, who stood watching Mrs. Ton\
with & half-smiJe of amusement on his fine face.
"/MswKtr Guy !" said the officious Mrs. Tom, bustling
forward ;' " you hain't forgotten your old aunty, I hope ?
My gracious ! you've got as tall as a hop-poU) Growed
out c* qiy knowledge altogfether !" /
. 7 " Why, Mrs. Tom, Is it po/sible r exclaimed Captain
(SfHy, catchihg her hand in hi^ hearty grasp. " Looking as
young and smart as ever, to6, and as fresh arid breezy sig
a May morning! 'Pon nVy word, I'm delighted to sec
you looking so well ! Hoftr is pretty Christie and Master
Carl'?** ■. ' ■ . ■ I , ' ' •-
*' Oh, Christie is well enough, and ^pootier than ever ;
ahd, what's more, she's as' good as sh**s handsome. i3ut
Carl —oh, Master Guy^l tftat^ ther e youn g limh'lljyrgft^ ^ y
heart yet ! I hain't the^htest doubt of it Gf «ll tilp
thrif 'less, good-for-Dotfai^g lazy-bQfm9^"
illisi
-Wi
/
^t
JiZV MANlAaa 00B8B.
-aPr
"Oh, well, Mrs. Tom, he'll outgrow that The best
thing you can do is to let me take him to sea with me the
next tim/l go, and that will cure him of his laziness, if
anything will. In the meantime, I have a patient for you
to take c ire o^ if you have no objection. He can't last
much loi ger, poor fellow, and you are a better atirse than
Sibyl. What do you say, Mrs. Tom? Shall I send him
up to your house ?" '
Mrs. Tom was a brown-faced, black-eyed, keen-lopk>
ing, wide-awake, gossiping little woman, of four feet
high, with a tongue thatiould, and did, say sharp things
sometimes ; bi^t with a hekrtso warm and large that it i»
a wonder boW' it ever found room in so* small a body.'
However, I haye been told, as a general thing, little peo-
ple are, by far, cleverer and warmer-hearted than their
tall neighbors— as if nature were anxious to atone for
their shortened stature by giving the^ a double allowance
of heart and brains.
Nursing Was Mrs. Tom's peculiar element. Nothing
delighted her more than to get possession of a patient,
whom she couid doctor back to health. But unfortu-
nately this desire of her heart was seldom gratified ; for
both Carl and Christie were iso distressingly healthy that
'•yarb tea" and "chicken broth " were oply thrown away>
upon them. Her frequent visits to the mainland, how-
ever, afforded her an opportunity of physicking indis-
criminately certain unfortunate little wretches, who were
always having influenza, and measles,* and hooping-coughv
and other little complaints too numerous to mention, and
which tied before Mi*s. Tom's approach and the power ot
her " yarb tea." Of late there had been a " p lenQtul «CTr- ^
citv
even of these escape-valves, so her eyes twinkled
°ow wifh their deligiit at the prospect ol this godsend.
m^
'm£im'
f!' I'
'IS! ■
n.^
^j- ^J TSBMANIACB CORSE. -■■"\.:
' « Se^d him uji ? Sartinly you viU, Master Gay. I'll
t^e care of h|m. This here's the best road^up to the side ,
Ot the rocks ; tain't so rough as it is here." ^
u**H'^*'""P'"^'* Captain Campbell to the sailors
bo had rowed them ashore. '• Gently, boys," he said, as
jhe sick- man groaned. "Don't hurt him. Follow Mrs
romtohercottage-^ttiafsthe way. I'll be down early
to-morrow to see him, Mrs. Tom. This way, Drummond ;
fallow me 1 11 ,bid you good-hight, Mrs. Tom. Remem-
ber mfc to Christie." " • :•;•-. j
And Captain Campbell sprang up the rodk^ folIoWed
^ bibyl and Drummond, in th^^irefction of Campbell>
%■^:)^rs. Tom, with a rapidity which the two sturdy sei-
mea found it difficult to follow, burdened as they were.
, walked toward her cottage. ■ ■ ■\
- The home cf Mrs. Tom was a low, one-stoiy house,
coiisi$ting of one large room and bed-room, with a loft
above, where all sorts <5f lumber and garden implements
were thrown, and where Master Carl sought his repose.
A garden in front, and a we|l-graveled path, led ^ to the
front door, and |nto the apartment which served as
kitchen, parlor, dininglroom, and sleeping.room for
Christie and Mrs. Tcjm. The furniture was of the plainest
description, and scanty at that, for Mrs. Tom was poo-
JO spue of all her industry; hut, as might be expected
from so thnft^ a housewife, everything was like wax-
worK. Thesmall, diamond-shaped panes in ihe windows
Hashed like jewels in the moonlight ; and thclloorsand
chairs were scrubbed as wlihe as human hands cou4d make
uomimVy cuItivated^T>y Carl.^ut really by Mr^ XW
^
*i
i ^JSCy MAjUlACa CVBSB. j
who preferred doing the wdrk iierself to watching het
lazy nephew. / ^ .
As the men entered Vith their burden, Mrs. Tom threw^
open the bed-room dooi-, and the sick man was deposited
on the bed. Lights w^re brought by Carl, a round-faced,
yellow-haired, sleepy-lijoking youth, of fifteen, Wh dull
unmeaning blue cye^, apd a slow, indolent , gait ; the
very opposijf 4» everV way of his brisk, bustling little aunt.
" Be-otf ^th yoWto bed !" said Mrs. Tom. " It's the
best place, for any bne so lazy as you are. Clear out,
now, for I'm going io sit up with this here sick man. and
want quiet." /
»* ^^*'^ ^''•^®°- y»"i"&"ess Carl shuffled off, leaving
Mrs. Tom alone with her patient.
The little won/an approached the bed, and looked at
his pinched, sallow features with an experienced eye. It
was evident to he/r he could not survive the night.
"I wonder :i/ he knows his end's so near at hand?"
''^It ^-J"^ T ^^'■'^'*- "^^ «"«'»' to know, anyhow,
111 tell him when he awakes, 'cause it's no use for ibe
tryijig to do*ankhiiig with him." * . .:.;
J Jfe man wsis hot asleep. As she spoke he opened his
large, wild-lojiking black eyes, and gazed around vacantly
"Mister," began Mrs. Tom.." I don't know your name. '
but raint no^dds. Dp you know how long you bavft.^Q.
"How-Ung?" said the man, looking at her with ^
gaze so wil<^ that, had Mrs. Tom been the least bit nerv-
ous, would/have terriUed her beyond measure.
" Not three hours," said Mrs. Tom gravely,
uiaif '^ A "'^^ ^^^'' Q^^f^P^g^ the f^ cft nf th>. ^y;nc
♦So i^ r eh, Heaveo, so soon I" he murmured, <* and
p*'
5 >
riii MAmAcrs vusim.
' withBll unconfcssed still. /PcaiTnot die with tills erhne
on my soul. I must reve4 'h® miserable secret that has
eaten away my very life."/
Mrs." Tom listened to diis unexpected outburst in won-
der and amasement. /
, "Liisten," said the ii^an, turning to Mrs Torn, and
8p^kii>g Tapidiy in his/excitement. " One night, about.
thirteen yeaips agfo, as/l was returning hottpb '^om mf
day's la'bor, I was overtaken by a violent stor&. I was a
considerable distnrice from home, and tfitere was no house
i««Mr «riidre I could remain ffer the night. It was intensely
dark, and I 8iaggered4)lindry along in the drenol^ii^ rata
jiptil, by aisuddeh fljish oflightning, I chanced to espylh^
ruins of an old housfc, that had long been <|eserted. Thanfci.
ful even for this refuge from the storm, 1 entered it, and,
retreating into a cbrheir, I sat on an empty box wajtthg
for tbe tem'plBSt toatftite. 7
*• Suddenly I heard the sound of voices in Wadjoining
room, talking iiy low whispers. There were, art the tiihe»
certain • suspicious characters prowling about, iiiid th^
''unexpected so^nd startled me. Still, I felt fhfey might be
onfy weather-bound wayfarers, like myself ; but, before
joining them,/l:thought it might be prudent to discovei^
Who thisy Were, and I cautiously drew near the wall to
"The partition dividing us was thin, ^d fn the lull Of
the storm I could catch here and th^e a fev words of
their, conversation. / .
-' " ' I tell you hfc kilted himseli^said otie. *I saw h{^
He,stabfeed him to the heart ^th his knife^^ '^y ; - .
; *• ♦ What does he intend doin^ wfth^ ?' Here a suddeit
'•^ 4 o/ wjgd ftodjiL^ Hie from be a ring vfimt t
'i-%
4 I J».
,~k\ W'
is^'v'r '*'y'^?^j
TBB MANiAoa ousas.
^
,V-4
.^
" * And serves the jade right, too,' were the next words
^ heaid. ■ ' She might have known what it was to rouse the
anger of that devil incarnate.'
" 'VVIiereare we to find this fellow he wants?' said
the second voice. '^ ^^■
" * At Minton, on the coast, half a mile from here. HijS -J
name's Dick Grove. I know him.' ^^ . '
" I started in alarm, as well I might, for the name waa
mine.
. " ' How do you know he'll agree ?' - m.
•"If he doesn't, said the first, with an okth;that madQ
my blood run chili, J'a little cold steel will settle the busi-
ness. But the terras are easier than that ; he's to be weljl
paid for holding his tongue, and "as he's a poor devil, he'll
40 anything for money. Oh, he'll agree ; there's notj-ou*
bie about that.' ♦
" The increasing noise of the storm now drowned thcix;
voices altogether. I stood for a moment rooted to did
gronud with terror. That some terrible crime had been,
or was to be perpetrated, in which, by sajtne moans, I >Ta3
to be implicated, I plainly saw ; and my only idea oov
was to escape. I started forward, but^as my unlucky 4ate
would have it, I stumbled in the darkness and le:U4)eavily
to the ground with a violence that shook the old house.
" I heard, as I-lay half stunned, an ejaculation of alarm
from the inner room and quick-^otstepffapproaclung
where I lay. AH was now up with me, so I scrambled to
my feet just as two men, wearing black crape masks over
their^faces, entered. Each carried pistols, and one held a
dark-lantern, the light of which flashed in my face,
" 'Wbo are you, sir?' fiercely exclaimed one; aad I
saw him draw a sword that gaadje my blood curdle^
:..^J#feF'-
^^f^w^i'Wi
fc^A jC^
TfliP MANIACS mrRSB.
*' I essayed to answer, but my teeth chattered so With
•terror that I cou|d nojr utter a word. /
*' • Ha V exclaimed the bther, who all this time ha^ becB
hpJd^^g the lantern close to my face. • This is the ve©|
were in search of. Your name is
fellow we
Grove?'
I* 'Yes,' I managed to say, quaking with mortal fear:' •
"•You are a mason by trade, and live in Mintonr
said, or rather affirmed, ray fierce questionor.
«t replied in the affirmative, for I saw there was no
use in attempting a lie.. ' ^"
*• 'AH right, Tom. You go for the carkfee ; I will
take care of our friend here until you returtf.' ." *
« The one with the knife left the h6use, and the other,
drawing a pistol, the disagreeable click of which made me
jump, sat ^own Before me, keeping his eyes immovably
rivited on my face. I did not dare to move. I scarcely
dared to breathe, a? 1 stood with my eyes fixed, as if fasci-
nated, on the deadly weapon. Nearly ten minutes passed
-|ha» in profound silence, when the sound of caryia're-
wheels was heard ; and the instant after,/the man calfed
TomVntcred, bis mask^ oflf, but his hat 'pilled so far down
over hi^ eyes,' and his coat-collar turneSso far up, that I^
coum see ^thing but a pair of dark, sinister eyes. I
"' The carriage is here,' he said. 1 .^
" 'Tlien go on ; and y^iu, my man, follow him—I will
walk behind.'
"I did not venture to utter a woitl, and was aboul
going out, when he called ftie back, cxckiming:
*MI came near forgetting a very ndcSsary precaution.
Here, my good fellow, let me l;ie this bandage over youn "
eyes.' : - - ■ ...,.■ f
^
li"^
'S.
, ,<
TBtt MANiAva ounaa.
8T
he very coolly proceeded to tie/^a handkerchief tightly ovcr^
mye^M. - / » .^ .^ .'■
" * That you had better not know. And hark ye, friend,
ask nc^questions. Least said soonest mended. Move on,
Tom/ ^^. , ---
"Holding my hand to prevent me from falling, my
guide 4e4 roe out. I felt myself assisted into a carriage
and placed in~Tseat. One of the men got in after me^
and closed the door ; the' other mounted the boXf and off
we drove. "
"\ am quite sure they took a Ippg, roundabout way
and went here and there, in various directions, and came
back to the same place ag^in, to make me believe tl» dis*^
tanc^ was much. longer than it really. was. For nearly^
an hour we drove thus, and then the coach stopped, and X
was helped out. I knew I was on the shore, for I could
hear the waves dashing inward, and foaming and break* «
ing over the rocks. Then they assisted me into a, boat, '
which was pushed off and rowed rapidly away. The boat
was large and strong, but it tossed and pitched drea^fully
in, the heaving sea, and 1 was forced to hold on watttihe-
grasp ordesperation to'the side. ; f
" I am sure we were fully two hours, tossing thus on
the surf, wher^ the hSat struck Ithe shore so suddenly, that
I was thrown forwa^'d on my fkcfe in the bottom.* With a
loud laugh of dprisij6i\, the men helped me up and assisted
me to land, and tl^en conducted me up a long, slipperyr'
beach until we reajbhed a hard road. We walk.ed rapidly
on for nearly a quarter, of an hour, and then I heard a
key turn in a rusty lock, and I was led into a house.
Taking first the tirecauiion of locking the door after him,
-joay guiclfcled me thrrtughia long hall, up-a. -longer wiftd*-
mg staircase, as^ through another hall, and up two other
,,_ •- 3 <s^^''
J<V.'
:w- ■
~ 5-T-**!r-r*7*V-\
.'^l
i^;
TB» if!41flAda OVBBB.
f-
flighcs or stair I. It seemed to me he would iicver stop
when, at'JAst, I heard him open a..daor, thrust me in and,
retreat again, locking the door after him. .
'• *'.My firsT-care was to tear oflf the bandage and look
A«ound i but the room was so intensely black I could see
npthmg. The darkness could be almost felt as J thrust
: out^my hand and essayed to wajk. I had not advanced a
dozen steps, when my foot slipped on some wet, slimy
s«bstancc, ftnd I.fpll,and,j5truck violently against som<i
thing lying on the floor. .Trembling with horror, I put\
out my band, and-merciful Heaven ! I shudder even now
to tliink 6f it-it fell on the cold, clammy face of a
corpse f" - ^ ■
_^ "Laws^i-mi^ssy!" ejapulated the horror-struck Mrs
Tom, as the dying man paused, every feature codVMlsed
at the recollection. \ 7
-^^•Uhink I fainted," he went on. after a>ause, t-fgr
■^ben I next recojlect anything, I was supported by my
,f»asked conductor, wh<s was sprinkling, or, rather, dash-
lug handfuls of water in my f&ce. and there was a lifi^Kt
bi^rmog in the room. I looked ground. There, on the
t\l^ '^^'^'"'^ ^""^^ ^'^'^ "**"• weltering in blood,
which flowed from a great, frightful gasii, in his side'"
^^ The siglit nearly drove me mat^foflsprancr with a
WiM cry to my feet. But my conductor laid his "hand on
my .shoulder and said, in a tone so fierce and stern that 1
q^uailed before him :
"Hark ye, sirrah, have d6ne with this ciward^ ^,01^
ory, or, by heaven, you shall share the same fate Af htm
yotf see before you ! Nomatter what you %ee to-nlirHt,
Jjeak not, nor ask any questions, under peril of insmnt
demfe. If y ou j>< i rfoim y o ur riuty faitbfut lj>y-t hfa-<to iH?g-
K
fmt ^fAMJACrs QUBBM.
As he spoke tie displayed a purse filled up with bright,
yelJow guineas.
"Before I could reply, a shrielc that seemed to cojne/
from below resounded tlirougli the room, a shrieic so full
o{ i^ild horror, ftnd ang;utsh, and despair, that ^ven my
companion gave a violent start, and stood as if listening
intenily. As for me, my very 1 i fe.blood seemed cu rd 1 ing
as the wild, piercing cries of agony came nearer and nearer.
A heavy footstep nscen$led the stairs, and I could hear the
sound of some body^ being dragged up, ^ • >
" Closer Bnd closer came those appalling screams, and "
a man entered, maskld. likewise, dragging ^ter hin^the
convulsed form of a ypung girl. -^ ^
^ " To this dfty I have never seen a more beautiful crea-
ture, fj|<^twitfifitandiBg her face was distorted with fear and
horror. As she entered, her eyes fell on the form of the
dead man on the floor. With supernatural strength she
broke from the man who held her, and bent for an insunt >
over Che lifeless body. It sufficed to tell her he was quite
dead; and then, throwing up her whUe arras, she fled
round the roonf,, shrieking as I never heard any living
being shriek befowj; Great Heaven! those awful cries
are ringing in my ears yet. .—
« The man wBo had led her in sprang forward and caught- «
her by both wrists. She struggled like one mad, but even "
the unnatural strength of frenzy failed to free her from"
his iron grasp. I could see her delicate wrists gfovv black
in the cruel grasp in which he held her. . '
" The man beside me said something to liim in a foreign
tongue— French, I think-to which the other nodded'
I!!^^!!! l^J"^--^^-^^"' "^^ ^!'^° wen^an d unlocked ^J
Vo
t -\J
V
■'' ■^,;^'l ■ 'r'
■• '1 „ ' ■
•-Ic.-.^-
'. ly
.w
I
.. ^ ^
5-^iftj^jr^vv
■h'
■Si"; ■<
W
4»
fws MANiAcra ounaE.
he drew forth a great heap of bricks and mortar, and all
the itnplemj^nts necessary for building a wall.
" A light began to dawn upon me. rhe body of t^a
murdered man was to be walled up here. ° j
i^ " My suspicion was correct. Making a sign for mi to
assist him, the man raised the head, and not daring' to
refuse, I took the body by the feet, and we carried it iLto
the inner room, which proved to be a small dark cl<|>set
without,a window, and with immensely thick walls. EVen
in ray terror for ipy own safety, I could not repress a
feeling of pity for this murdered youth— for he was dnly
tt^boy— and the handsomest I ever sawi
** AH this time the womap's wild shrieks were resound-
ing through the room, growing louder and Ipuder dach
moment, as ^he still struggled to free herst^lf from; his
hold. All in vain. He forced her into the inner roi>m,
but before he could close ^the door she had burst dut,
and, clasping his knees, screamed for mercy.
"He spurned her from him with i kick of his heivy
hopt, and then she sprang up and spat at him like 3ne
possessed of an evil spirit. Flying toUhe farthest , cor.
ner of the room, she raised her right hand to Heaven,
crying, in a voice that might have made the stoiitest
heart quail : ?^ f* -^ . ^
" ♦ I eurse you ! 1 curse you ! Living, may Heavfen's
wrath follow my curse— dead, may it hurl you into eternal
perdition! On your children and on youi' children's
Children, may- — * ,, . . , . _ >
"With a fierce oath, he sprang Upon her ere she could
finish the awful words that pealed through the room
Jlk e Jhe l ast tri i n^ p ^^ a ^ her bythe throat, huricd
her headlong into the dark inner room where the murdered
miMft'lay* Then, closing the m^88ivt oaken door, and
/.
■'•t-
V
TEB MAiriAcra cimsB.
4t*
locking it, he turned to me, and speaking for the first
#ime, commanded me, in a voice fairly convulsed with
passion, to wall up the door. ,
" I would have prayed for mercy, l^ut my tongue clove
to the roof of my mouth. The man beside me saw my
indecision, aijd, catching me by the aL-m, said, in ar stern
whisper: > *•>.
" Fool ! do you want to share theiJ fate ? Do as you
are told ! ' ' -
" I shrank from the crime, but life Was dear to me, and
I obeyed. As men work only for thdir lives, I worked
with those two mysterious masks looking on. All was '
still as the grave within that closet-dooii now. Once only
I heard a sound as of some one trying Jo rise, and then iJ^
heavy fall— and I worked on with redoubled eliergy.
"Not a word was spoken by anyV us in the deep
silence of the solemn midnight, in whict the awful crime
was perpetrated. -
" It was completed at, last ; where ijhe door had been -
was a wall of solid masonry, which :«^!death-cries could
never penetrate. j -^
" • It ip well !' said he who appeared io me the superior.
' Give him the reward I told you of.'
•' The otiier silently handed me the i^urse. 5
And now swear never to reveal w^hat you have this
night seen till your dying day r jx - '
''• I swear r said I, for I dared not /efuse. •
'"That will do. Take him away> said the speakef.
leavmg the room.
j :uide bHnd foldftd
«
My gu
jnfcji&.JLfaad be e n befof^ »p#-
led me out, locking the door on the awful secret. ■ v t
"As I had been brought up, I w^ led to the beach.
Tho boat was in waiting^ and I was taken away, landed.
*'^^
l.\
/•-
ras MAsuvs' ouasg.
»:.•.
?onv<^ .„,o <he carriage, which for upward of half,*
ho«r drove round «>me circuitous route. Thea /!»/'*
sisled out and left standing alone I tore th!. h ^
IrtlfraJnT,:; -eardordiscovered aught utorf^fThe'
morose and dreaded man. t1„ , t«;^;J" r'n^^T.^
Jand, but noth,n,f ever could banish from my «rs thlt
woman s dytag shrielts and despairing eyes. ^ ^
tocotald n' ''T "'• ' ''" ' *"" ""«' "d "anted
Wcomeand be buried in my natiVe land. Captain Camo-
Wl brought me i.,re. And noivtha, I havetXa^I I^n
up^Xe.:^d^-tot:i^?2^:^
With a scream almost as wild as his oirn UtTtL
sfarted up and looked. ^ ^ ' '^*' ^f"*
^^ A pale, wild, woeful face, shrou<|H i» wild tilacfc hair
was glued for a moment to the glas^and tl«,p was goae'"
^^^aralyzed w.th terror, Mrs. Tom turned to the sick '
from their sockets, and he was d^d. F,"truamg
"t
. "U • ■'>>. ,
^_£r"> '
'^^•h
^-i? ■
Sf^SJf HAUNTSD BOOHf
5 "^ ■ - ,.
CHAPTER IV.
tHE HAUNTEp ROOM. -^
. "'What form t« thai !f
^e ftony cleiicbing of thai bared teefh—
•Hie gory socket that the balls have burst frwn—
I seff them all, '
It moves— it p^}T9s— it rises— it comes on me."
/ Bertram.
UNDER the guidance of young Guy Campbell, Wi^-s
la?yl Drummond aod ^ibyl ascended the stee^
rocky path leading to Campbell Lodge. Cap-
tain Guy bounded over the rocks with the agility of a
deer, while his two companions more leisurely followed.
" Yonder is my island-home, old Campbell Castle,"
said Sibyl, as an abru^ tfirn in the rough road brought
tliem full in vlfew of thqf mansion-house, ^' \\ is nearly
three years now since I b^ve.seen it.'** j
Both paused as if invo^iintarily to pon^einplaie it. Years
and neglect had p^rf^rmed their usual Woi^ of destruc-
tion on the lodge. The windows were brbilten »« many *
plaees, and the great g^te before the house, h|j|ng useless
and fallen off it rusty hinges. The coarse, red sandstone
of which It had been oHginally built, was now black i^ith
age and the many st|G»rms that had beat against it. No
lights were to be s^n, no smoke issued from, the tall
chimneys, all looked black, gloomy and deserted. Tlie
swallows had built /their nests in the eaves and mined
gRBIes;~an^evcnTH¥ tall* dailc7 8^^
an avenue to t;he dijlapidated gate-way, had a forlordN and
dismal Iodic. In ijhe pale, briglit moonlight, the rdi
^2**' 2SB HAUIfTED ROOIL
'' ■ : " ■ ''. ''■■['
homestead of ihe Campbell^Jookect cold, Weak, and
uninviting. Even the long, gloomy shadows from the
Trees, as they lay on the ground, seemed to the supersti-
tious mind: of Sibyl, like unearthly-hands waving them
,a\vay. She shuddered with a chill feeling of dread, and
clung closec to tlie arm of Drum mond. - i
•■Quite a remarkable looking old place, thiis,'^said the
young man, gayly. "Really charming in its gloomy
grandeui-, and highly suggestive of ghosts apd rats, and
other vermin of a like nature," while he inwardly mut-
tered : "iVismal old hole; ev^ Sibyl's bright eyes can
'hardly recompense me for burying myself in such a rick-
ety dungeon." ^ \
•* It has not-a very hospitable lo6k, I must say^" said
it? ^ouogr mistress, with a smile ; " but in spite of its for-
. bidding aspect, I hope %e will be able>\by some means,
to /make your stay here endurable." \ • •
y - ** A desert would seem a paradise to me with you naur
I by," said Drummond, in his low, lover-like tdnes. "My
only regret is, that our stay hete is destined to be so
shbrt." • • ^
, The dark, bright face of the young island-girl $ashe<h
with pleasure ; but ere sfafB c^uld reply, the hall-door was
thrown open, and Captiiin Campbell stood, hat in hand,
before them, , -S . f
'♦Welppme„ to GampitMjlt Castle," he said, with ' gay
courtesy, stepping aside to let them enter.
•t Thank you," said Drummond, bowing gravely, while
he glanced with some curiosity aroUt^^d, to secjif the intcr-
loyLJooked^mora^iavi ting than tbe~cxt»gior, .
They stood in a; long, wide hall, high and spacious*
• Which the light of the flickering candle Captain Campbell
h«l(^ strove in vain to illuminate. At the further extreni'
*.
rjETET JJAUNTBD ROOX.
4B
tty a winding staircase ro^e up, until it was lost in the
gloom aboye. Two wide^ black doors flanked the hall on
either side, and Captain Campbell threw open that on the
right, saying : V
"This I have discovered, upon investigation to be at"
■ present the only habitable apartment in the hous^- Woe-
fulj«re the accounts I have received from worthy Aunt
MoU^ahd her son and heir, Lemuel, of the state of the
chimtieys. The swallows have built their neste in the
only one that ever did draw respectably, and all the rest
leak at such a rate ever/ time it rains that the fire is not
only completely es^tinguished, but the rooms filled with,
water." ' fV
" And what in the world tiv^ We to do, brother ?" asked
Sibyl, in djsmay at thiis unpromising picture. ^^
" Why, we must -make the best we can of a bad bar-
gain. I have sent Lem — much against his will, I must
. say, for the young man is dis^reeably afflicted with lazi-
ness — to take the swallows' nests out of the ciiimney and
make« fire there, while Aunt Moll does ull the other' et
ceteVas necessary for receiving as its inmate Her Majesty
the Queen of the Isle. ^ Then, as t^cre is but one other
habitable room in the house, Signor Drummond must
occupy it, although it has not the most pleasant reputatji$»4
in th^ world." i"^
^ " How is that ?" asked Drummond, drawing up-a chalp
and seating himself in front of the fire, that, thinks to i^
exertions of Captain Campbell, was ,alrea4y-bumitig
brightly ou the hearth. .
" Why, to tell the truth, Auntjdoll and her hopeful wii
"assert it to l^ hauSia^lTs^Tt most probably is lyf ttts.
If you are willing to trust yourself to the ghost's mercy,
lean f r^ly ji^romise yott safety from all atlur dmsfcrs.**
~^f
»fM
"^M
•s-
9W BACJUm^ BQOif.
|l > Haunt^'* By Jove, that's capital I I have been
'wbhingal^imy life to see a e^cnuine ghost» and io ! th€
time has c(]li)ie at Inst. But what manner of ghost is
■ saith the legend— fair or foul, old or young, handsome
hideous ?'f .',■'■
** On tfiat point I am distressingly sfaortof informati<
Lem's description is- rather vague. He describes it as be-
ing * higher than anything at all, with fire coming out/of
, its eyes, long hair reaching to the ground, and dressed in
white.' " '
' **Oli of course I" said Drunamond^^ "Who ever hbard
of a-ghftst that wasn't dressed in white ? 'Pon my hZn^r,
Iv4m quite enchanted at the opportunity of making the
acquaptance of its ghosiship." ,
Dijrin r this conversation Sibyl had left the rop^ " pn
h68piia|jle thoughts intent," aod now returned to announce
that $upp«r ^as already progressing rapidly—mtost \ife\-.
come ticxys to our hungry genti«mcn. ' /
Sibyl had taken off her hat, and now _ her raVen curls
fcU/Ui heavy tresses to her waist. In the shadtiiV, those
glittering ringlets looked intensely black ; but Vhere the
firelight fell upon tJiem, a sort of^red light shoiie through.
As she moved ihrbugh the hi.t'b, .|hadowy rZotns, with
the graqofwl, airy motion that loot a charm to the com-
monest action, Willard Dnimmottd, ^ollowii^ bet with
his eyes, felt a. secret ficnfse of e^tatipn, ^Mie thought
tlib !n.vjnificcnt crcattirc Was hi^a^ hi«/alode. this
brilfjliti impassioned sc4-nynn>lv? ^hi^ b<:ai/tifiil, radiant
duu^hicr ofanoblc;race; this royal^ tW^^doweriess
islan d queen, loved him above aill created bein g s . Had
1^ Tiiji tcrttrims m he ^ii^red^ in fierT^ ear his
p^s$ionatc words of love, that he was dearer to her "th»n
all fhe world besides ? Some dajr [be WQ|Ud m^ke her |li«
tBE BAUNTBD ROOM.
«r
wife, ft^d take iher with him to his princely home in Vir-
ginia, ; and he thought, with new exuitati6n, 6f the sensa-
tion tTtes-glprious planet would make among the lesser
star^ of his ipative State.
Sd thoji^t and argued Willargl Drummond ijuhe
first flush aa^ delirium of love.
He did not stop to think that he had loved with even
more intensity once before ; that he had raVed eVen in a
like manner tof another far less bright than this queenly
Sibyl. He did not stop to think that even so he might
love again.
No. Everything was forgotten but the intoxicating
girl before him, with her sparkling face, her glorious eyes
of jet, and her flashing, sun-bright hair.
From the rhapsody of passion — from the seventh heaven
of his day-dreams, he was at last recalled by the voice 6i
Sibyl herself summoning him to supper.
He -looked up with a start, half inclined to be provoked
at this sudden summons from his ideal world to the vol--
gar reality of a supper of hot-cakes, tea, and preserved -
But there sat Sibyl at the head of the table, bright and
smiling— ■beatuifyinl even the dull routine of the tea-table
with the charniL of her presenccf' And then, tpo — now
thai this airy yision was gone^Mr. Wiilard DrummAid
began to recollect that he. was very hungry, and that
"dreams and visions" were, after alC vfery unsubstantial
thingsi compared with the breaH and butter of eypry-day ^
life, degrading as the confession was. ' ''
Guy had already taken hi^ plAce, so Wiilard took th6
r^lSe^t^olhled dWtoTiitiifnnd^ Business
of the tea-table commeticed.;,v . ; - -v.* «i.
When the meal was ove^i Au^twoir c^red Ac table, 1
and the Uiree gathered i^ad Hift firs^^iv (hbf^-tbe
"•■"Mh.:-.
f1"
r •
;^''7^r''*-'='.1r^^%-- ,«^-
vi < -')'
«
TUB ff Any TED BOOM.
1 '
weather was waroii the grieat unaired room was chill]
enough to render the fire pleasant.
. By degrees, perhaps it was owing to the strange, drearjl
' loni^Iiness of the pl^tce^/the conversation turned uponl
deserted houses, bold robberies, murders, and by a naturaj]
consequence, upon ghosts.
Witlard and Captain ^anipbeli^ seemed striving to out-
vie each other in telling the, rnost frightful tales, the lat-
ter taxing hi|( imagination to invent them, when the orig-
inal failed to 'produce the necessary degree of horrtflr.
Every one knows what a strange fascination such ghost! j|
legends have, the hours passed almost unnoticed, and it]
was only when the fire burned low on the hearth, and thel
solitary candle guttered in the socket before going out,!
that "our party became aware of the lateness of tbel
hour.
" Well, we have been profitably spending the evening,!
I must say," remarked Captain Campbell, rising, with a j
laugti. "You should have been in bed ^n hour ago,
Sibyl./ Here* Aunt Moll," he crjed, going tb the doorl
',* bring us lights, and show Mr. Drammond to his room"!
He waited for a response, but none came, otlly the echo]
of his own voice sounded dolefully thr6ugh the hall.
" Hallo ! Aunt Moll, I say — Lem, bring candles/' ohcel
mord called Captain Campbell. Again be waite4 for m
answer, and again none came. "Confound it !** bit inut«|
tered, turning away, "the sleepy-headed pair have doubt-
less been in bed for the last three hours, and are JEissoundl
as the Seven Sleepers by this time."
» "Never mind, Guy," said Sibyl, laughing at his ruefiil|
,with their extraordinary e:!:enions this evening, and
would be.a pitjr to wake tli«m*'* .
'fV<
-*»
-^
fEB HAXTNWD BOOM.
rffV
\
^eqWed the room as she^spoke, in the airection of
the kitchen, in search of lights.
And pre^sntly she reappeared, ^tid announcing that
lunt Moll tvas stretched out on her pallet, before the
kitchen^fire, asleep, sire took herlight, and bidding th^ta
* smJttnggood-iiigbt, le^ them tp seek her own root^ '
AndlC^ptairfC^fepbell, taking a candle, preceded iis
juest^,j(ic direc^n df the " haunted chamber."
Wilfard Drupibionjfl entered, and looked round, ft
Iwas a high, iv% spacious chamber, as Were all in the
■house, with floors, doors,- and easements of dark, polished
loafc, black now with time and Use. In the wide fire-place
lat one end, a fire k^d been burning all the evening, but
■«nly the red, sraoyldering embers remaitted now. At the
5tb€f»end of thejroora, opposite the fire, was his bed, and'
letween them, facing the door, was a deep dormer window.
IThe room looked cheerful and pleasant, and '^throwinir
Ihraself into a* <?asy, oW-fasbiooed afmsBhafr before thi
■nre, he exclaSmed :
«Well^i» spitefifall f IW gllosts awd hobgoblins that
rer walked at 'noon of Bight,' 1 shall sleep here as
Iseand as atop until morning. Your ghost will have to
Igjve m<ra iMrotlj^ vigorous sbaking hetntn I liwake^ wlie«
|^»*ee 1 eJoM! ray eyes;**
« Perhaps the ghost, if in the least timorous, Irill not
appear toso undaunted an individual as yourself. May
lyourdr^sbef undisturbed f Good^nightr And placl
Hi^, !»^ T '^* '****• ^P*^^° Campbellleft the room;
I Willa^d » fost cave was b lock Ac door secuwriy, ai^
eg cardugy ejcawMBe t he r^id. 11 mi» tcaa„ ju r dfltar
»ns dHiigSres* but the one by whtc^ hehad eote^i^
' 1
p-T\>- ^*T'Tn! ■^^wTT-"'^?'!
It * \
• 1 .^^^1 .1.1 *
^2a» HAVNTED ROOM.
■fxK^'^
, fc*.
<Jown. Qlcarly, thcrt.Jf ihc ghost entered at alHt jjpist
assurtc its ghostly prcl^aiivc of coming thr^ftgh 'the
kcyhvlo—fcr ilicrc was no other meins by vvliicli ir^st of
mortal could get in. \
SatisGcd u-ith this, Willard Diamond went to bed
but iM spile of ail his efforts ^Iccp would not con^e. Vain
wcrg all his attempts to woo the drowsy god; he could
only toss restlessly from side to side, with that f^ng of
irritation which w:^nt of sleep produces/ ^-^
The moonliglit streaniing in through the window fiired
the room- with silvery radiance. The silence of death
reigned around, unbroken even by the watch-dog's bark
Tlic dull, heavy roar of the waves, breaking on the shore
pJike far-off thunder, was the only sound to be hcarid. And
K ^ |^t^. with this eerie, ghostly lullaby, WiUardUDrum.
^\mond fell iiijto a feverish sleep. -.
y And sleeping, he dreamed. He was in a comfortably
f'^urnished home, and was recovering from a seriouJillness.
Just well enough to be up, he sat itt^ chair maJe com-
fortable for his back by pillows. He fiaU been feadin-,
and, as he saw Sibyl enter the room inaneat-fitth^white-
merino morning-robe, he let his book fall >© the floor
while she dropped on her knees beside him, and, with ipv'
tog anxiety beaming from her brilliant y6yes, glanced into
Then the scene abruptly changed, and lie seemed wan-
dcnng on the ver^e of a precipice, treading a path so nar-
row and precarioiis that a single false step would hurl hita
to certain destruction down the unfathomable gulf below.
Where that path was to end he knew not, but a white
*nd lips, went before him and Ittred him on. An inward
f«i^,^ecmcd-wlii8pcri|)g him to b«ware» that tbe^xNUixiit
'♦T,^
{ ^^BAUirTED ROOM.
m
t^a. trading must end in death ; but the smiling eyes of
he goldcn-haired tempter were beaming upon hfm ani
the voice whispered in vain. Above eVetv Tr^L '
he passed, the wild black eyes orsYbvl s^emeH^ ."^^' ^'
with deadly hatred and fierce malign'^ I^HTT^
those dark, warning eyes could nofte^Xbatrfrom
the road be was treading. Suddenly the siren vanUed
h(? sprang after her, dbd fell rfnn,n\i '^» vanistied ;
awful gulf beloxv. ^ ^own^ down, down into the
" A wild laugh rang out on the air, and Sibyl was bend
ing above him. holding a glittering dagger to h^h^t
w Inle her great blaek eyes burn.d^ike'^TJo Lm^s H^
held out his hands for mt-rhv k.^ u , "*""®s. He
with her deridTcr M T^' ^ ^^^ ^""^^ °»<^*^ed hid
witn ner deridng black eyes, and raised the knife tn
plunge It into his heart. ^^^^ me Kniie tp
With^ cry of terror he awoke to find it not all a dream ' '
An icy cold- hand lay on his face. ^'
He sprang up in bed With a thrill of horror to b«hoM -
a white, wild face, with vacant unearthlv J^ J^ **
streaminghairb<i„dingoverhim '^**'^">^^^^'^<^i^^^^^^^
Paralyzed py the suddeti aooarition h* »«. V. -
move or speak, and ere rclw f^ ^L^^ '^^
the ghostly visitant was gpne^ ' °''^ h.s senses
He sprang out of bed and *eized th^ A ,
locked as ho had left i,. arid, wUh Lu tlood c:^dlL7:
stood rooted to the ground. • . "'""*''°S.-''S.,
^ but U^r^S'^tin^"-" »™-n".ood w« brivif^
f,i
"^erohpriwa, lathing the placid rivrt i» J(, «,, t^ _
■'^
n ^ ' • ' 7
rs-
If
^» mori^»8r star shone brighl and serene fn the cloudless
Wue •kjr ? W gwitt^^^^ e«I» beauty without, the
.gK>»ma^!i^„W ceased % feverish throbbin^s, and he
vft«gm> stnying^to account % this ghostjy visit bv natural
IBMUIS. \
Bu* ho atroW in vain. ^The door was firmJy locked
»»4 %h0rte<ml^ be .o secrel passage tb)rt>ugh those strong
^«i» waiU T^o hearc^, 4nd careluUy searclied ^ery
crevice m the rooU that could^by any possil^lity be made
^. *tw<Ji'^plac«oi\3tiUi^^^ Iherao«^containedno
ttving thing but hioAselt
Mom'mg was noW growing nW f» iW'east, and, ex. I
bau3ted wuliwatehiBgi he threw him^f o^ the bed, and
teJIiataad«ep.d!reamleas steep, ft^ which he did not'''
, <^ake until i|ie sun was high in the ^eave^
H^ spmo^ hastily.out of bed, Und pro^«fed ta dress
himself. And now a new difficulty aro«e. He felt he
WQ«^ beqi»«stioned abfiut the supernat,irai visitors of the
Mualed chartiber, and he was at a lostflW to answer. If
- Z! Tt ^*^*^^^°' of th*aight.hedi^dea the ridiculeof
^nbehevittg Ciptaia Campbell; who would assuredly
^SP^^^"^ '"' being conquered in spite of his boasting •
jrtTto be Jaughed ht in the presence of Sibyl was «ot!o
^fwH Ki. :.''" '^^ ^'^^ ^"^^ *^* ^^ °«t »«»^he
J^ t» obUged to continue the opcupant^f thfe haunted
chamber wl^ile he remained on lh« island^ thii^r he had
«©* tlMslighteat wish to da 7 ^^^^'J^:^^^^^
; Wiateaei wasfiniahed befoi* he could eoiietdai^coa.
^ • Tt!^ f '*^'*"» ^ ^^^ ^scn^Z
s^^ndtat^ iha •^ting^oo* ^hey had occupied the
'#
'^'f:U'^Y^'-^~ 7 'ai^
f^\ v\*
'm^
• \ ■■ . / '
MtJMfwm corx;
CHAPTER V.
THE MIDNIGHT CRY.
" And when the midnight4;iour is come,
A found is heard in y'onder hall-
tt rises hoarsely through the sky, ' -
And vibrates o'er the knoldering wall."
^
"%i
IN a former chapter, we left Mrs. Tmn in rather ani
appalling sitiiation.
Accustomed to the quiet unexciti^ life of the lonely,
sea-girt island, the events of the night hadihomentarily t6r« "* '
rifled her, «14>eit her nerves were none olOie weakest. T;tt«
mysterious revelation of the dying/man ; his^le of
night, and storm, and cmhe ; the will, ghostly face/at |l#
window ; »|td, lastly, his sudden death, were quite ekoagti^'
to thrill for an instant with terror evln a stronger bean
than that x>f the sotitary old^idow. {
For some moments Mrs. Tom sa t still, gazing iltor'
nately at the window and on the ghas ly face of tlie dead
man before her, with a chill of horror creeping ©ver litr.
The sudden striking of the clock, as it chimed the b&m ^
of eleven, aroused her at last from her trance Of terror. I
It was a sound of life, and it reassure4 her.
Risingy^ she gathered coar^^ to:i{>proach the wiAt
cautiously, and looked out. Nothing was to be svea _
the bright moonlight, bathtttg rock and river in its ^Ivg;
light, beyond, she ^ur<dr siee the huge> black pil«~Jr
Campbell's Castle, cftsting its long, gloomy shadow ov^
the gnmmL LIfliits irsre still ttrluyiag i« «hsi^tt4DW»4«
^,t*-*^
^'\
\
♦ l
'k
'-it'
'H
4i
$^ mBMkBT est.
wink, though I dos-pose ,ta?S IL f u'"^'' *
Then Mrs. Xmi shook him lustilv T .. i . '
BOthin' else won "do iT/^K ''"" «°' *•"'•""'• ^'
AM MrTl~?h«°" r ""■''''''" '■■
•« «l.i»g i« .he worid Mttfa- 4 ioM i^.hT" ■^°"'-
waked you up." • ' ~ "p mwone with a corpse^ so I
«o get „p *i. ti«e of „igh, „ I ^J, ^°:„i:^Vrt7*
•*o
;-r- ^-
T3B mAmOHT OBT.
f »..s
'^k'-'
^:m
And Carl lay dovvn,''and qomposed himself for another '||
nap.
But Mrs. Tern was resolved not to be disobeyed ; so,
dro'ppinpjthe pacific tone she had first iadopted, slie very
summarily snatched away sheets and quilts, pulled the
mattress from under liim^ and overset poor Carl oxiAhe
floor, from which she soon made him spring up with &
sound box on the ear. . ^ '
"Now then," said the indignant old lady; "tell OMr
ag'in you won't, will ye? Now, look here, ef you »ii^'t
dressed and down stairs in five mi^nutes, I'll come ba<ik.
and this ain't no circumstance to what you'll get. Tell.
me you won't, indeed ! There's no tellin' what the imp!-,
dencc of these scape-goats of boys 'ill come to, ef they
ain't minded in time," muttered the old la4j to herself, as
she descended the ladderv ^ ^*^ •
Carl's toxiet, thus unpleasantly hastened, was soon
complete, and he descended to the lower room with a
very sulky face, and grumbling inwardly atMusJiard fate
inbeing governed by so tyrannical a task-mistress.
"I don't «ee why the old feller couldn't have dl$4
somewhere else," inWardly muttered the. ill-treated Mr,
Henley; "a coming here and giying bother, keeping 4.
feller from his sleep of nights. It's flown right mean !",
Taking posSessh>n of Mrs. Tom's rocking-chair, vvhile"
the old lady bustled about, laying out the corpse as best
she could under the circumstances, Carl was once mor^
soon sound asleep. Then, when all she could do. was
done, Mrs, Tom lay down on the hard wooden sofa, or
" settee," as she called it, and, in spite of the presence of
death^followcd her worthy nephew to the land of dreams.
^ Morning was far advanced before either awoke. Mrs,
ICoiii's first care wi^ io send Carl up to the lodge to iik^
¥■,
■j*l ' ,
-r^, si „
rk
form i^ Spates of thte death of her gqest, and desire
Captain Campbell's ^mediate presencCiV^.
Immediately after ^reakfast the young captain hastened
* to the cottage, while Sibyl and Drummond went out for a
sbroll round the island^
Mrs. Tom had been anxiously revolving in her mind
the singular story told her the night before, and resolved
to reveal it to Captain Campbell and learn his opinion
about it.
Accordingly, wheri he entered, Mrs. Tom— having first
taken the precaution of turning Carl out of doors^related
the story in substance as it had been told to her.
Captain Campbell listened in asionishmeni and in
jcmedulity.
"Now, Master Guy, what do you think of that ?" ex
claimed Mrs. Tom, when she had finished.
' "My dfear madam," replied the young man, gravely,
"the man, excited, half crazed, delirious as he was, must
have >roagined all this. No such horrible thing could
have ever occurred m a Christian land."
" But he wasn't crazy," asserted Ikfrs. Tom, almost
angry kt having the truth of the story doubted. He was
just as sensible, all through, as you or I. He wasn't foltr
UfUssL mite."
"Now, Mrs. Tom, it's not possible that, with ad r%- zr
good sense, yoi^n credit such an incredible tale.? ^
"But, Master Guy, the man told it on his death-bed
link o' that."
\ "And doubtless believed it, too'i but that docs not
make it any more probable. I have heard of such cases '
D ftfOffe it i s Q^t^ ^p^ '""^ tQ ihft imnt ri« * '**i -- wv%,m .1 ■ , » ** t i
^^** ^* * '**^r^'^ ^'*''* ** — "* ^^yT'»*aaa %^y T»*»w'''ytajKtif itttttTiyfTi "^ y Fl ff rmf I HQ V
He had fancied this story, and thought about it j|6 2oo£:
^,|tat b9 at iMt Mieved it hinnBelf." yn '. .
tBX MlMflQHT CRT.
"Well, { doii't know oothiii' 'bout ih^ 'ka^B^kiatioa,
thank fny heavenly Master," ^id Mr& Tom> i(n a tort of
sullen unbelief ; *' but I do knoWj ef you waii to ta^k till
this tifne to-morrow, you couldn't make me believe differ^
ently, T shouldn't wonder How ef you tried to make me
think the face I seecyituck at the winder was. all '^tiagin-
ation, too."
" I was juflHpt to say 59," said Guy, repressing ft
sraile. " It couTa be nothing else, you know. The hour
of night> the thrilling tale, and the man's dying cry that
he saw her there^ would have made you imagine anything ;
therefore^——'"
But Mrs. Tom s wrath was rising. She had been in-
wardly priding herself on the sensation her story would
c^eai^B, and this fall to her hopes was more than she could
patiently endure. . . "' ' 'm
"It'snosich thing,", she cried, in a vx>tCe louder and
sharper than she was in the hiibit of using to any one but
the unfortunate Carl. " I seen it all with my two bleissed
eyes <^i^d nobody's goin' to make me believe it was my
'magination. 'Magination, indeed I" continued the old
lady, in a tone of profound contempt. " Thank my divine
Master, I never was troubled with 'magination since the
day I was born, and 'tain't likely I'd begin now in tny
old age o' life. I allers hid a great respect for you, Mas-
ter Guy ; but I'm a poor, lone 'ooman, and can't stand td
be onsulted by nobody. I hain't no doubt you mean wellt
but i lik^to hev people b'lieve me when I do teU the
:ruth. Scat, you hussy ! afore I twist your neck for you*"
The latter part of this o<Tfttioa was addressed to Trot, "l
die «iottl<^ cat, and was accottipaaied by a kick^ wld^ii^^
ejected that unofieoding flsember orsbciety out of doom
much fiiittker iI»mi-,wm e^ ell iig^reeftbl*. ^ Ci^^«i%<i3«Bipi^i
j^«
¥P-
.>
IS
tenldl"!!! "«i?»-^P»^Wfor this bum, of cli>quen<«, lis-
In^v Mr T '"'-''"i f '^ *** first ojipo;Snii^,;hea
^ "I h^inZ^""' '^Kf'^ld the young captain. humbl3r;
W.^ "« the remotest int,srition of oflfendin,? you, and
brhfSf^?^''"''^''"^^"^^*^^ ' h^-« ^-»e" into a
storv^n ^ Jf '"' ^ • ^°"^^°« everything ; and really this
rn?H f^"""^ '^ in^probable, that I think I may be par-
doned for not yielding it full credit on the ^po^ Come
now my dear mad&m/' he continued, seeing thex?oud
s Mg..^ on Mri Tom's honest face, "let V be friend^
titi 1 .and J promise for the future to believe everythiuir
you choose to tell me. no matter what it is." '^'- '"f
tonfn? M^"* '^;;'*^'^«* »»^ proof against the insinuating
toneof ^Master Guy, who had always been her favorite^
«6 the cloud disappeared, and heroL cheery sm^o^^^^^
more beamed fottl^ - W' 1 «»»""c once
Havihg arranged that Lcm should come down and ore-
pare a g,av. during the morning. Captain Campbell ^eft
the cotiftge, and went^ in search of L. Drummond «nd
bis sister to tell them what he had heard *
hiJh^vTv^'^ '*°'^" °" '^^ ^^«''«- Sibyl stood on a
high cUS, h^r dress fluttering in the morning breeze her
hrnd'hlr it '" t"^' '^""*^"'^^' ^'''y tresses'^wavfug t:
h^nd her hke a banner. The wincj that came sweeping
ch^s and Upland, ew a living Hght into her glorious
;Willardgrummond stood^neath> gg^jng jaher^^
^
^nIf?J '';^'*' **^*"^ realization of his most
beautifui dreams. Chptain Campbell shrugged his shonfc
iier«cxpr^^v«lyaai,es,w his LpassionS^c; :^^
^ ' - -^ "-V V'\ ' ''\< '■' A. -l^'Kl^i
''4^
TBB MWm&ST ORY.
thought inw^fdljr of the corifession he had once made to '
him of there being but' oiie vromaa in the world worth
lovinjg^.
" Well, Sibyl, one would think )'ou were attitudinizioj
for the stage," said Captain Campbell, drylj, as ^ ap-^'
pro^ched.
Sibyl laughed gayly, as she sprang down oa'the wbitf^
level sands between hex" brother and lover.
"I was only looking out lor a sail, which I failed tclyl
discover," she replied
"Well, Campbell," said Drummond, "had your o|d"J
lady down t^elo'w any important revelsttions to make, tbtf( ^
she sent for you in such haste this moroling ?"
" Not very'iib'portant in mly ^yes, though' they ar^ i^
hers," replied the young captain.' She wished ^to "-reveal'
the dying deposition of our passerfgdr, Richard Grove." >
** And what had , he to tell ? Was. t right in saying
ren^orse folr some crime preyed oh him more than mere
illness?*' - ' ■ I ' ' ■ ' ' .■'■'■''■
** Faith, Sibyl, tujcbrding to worthy Mfs. Tool^ I believe
you were* He succjeeded in frightening that good, but
slightly creduloi$ old lady.Oiit of her witSw" " ' ,v
^ Weir r said Sibyl, inquiringly.
Captain Campbell, condensing the story, gaVe Xh
the outline and principal facts in a few words. ^^iioth.4ls> ' '^
tened with deep interest ; but when l^e spoke of the i^le^
haggard face, with its dark, waving hairj glkring at, theni
through the window, Millard Drummond started violently,
and turned pale. Sibyl's eagle eyes were fixed on his face^
-and shcjiloncabscrvcd4t7
"And what does Mrs. Tom take tHishocturnal visitor .
to be?" inquired Sibyl. "A mortal like hertelf^ or.ftw^i
•plrit disembodied r . > . ^
WJm0ST OBT.
/
nunt, perhaps q| Ums womgn walled up ia perish in flm
^ roo« with ihe i^rdered man: Ugh! SeSc^^^S
f^^^ «»<>*fe^ «iy* one the nighimareZ aS^
f^tycmhave^^edalVI beDeverUgoand/send Lem
down to inter the body." ^ ^ / ^
P'H>t4«l CfcpWJ s»itntei»d a*«^
alone. . ■ »- v ., 7
inqni^:Mr^^^ ■ ^ think of lWssta|y.WiIl^^^
H !w "^"r^ ^ Yesterday I wouldl ^ joined/your
brother in/laygbing lit it; but. taday-.*^' / '
■.Hepaiiswi ■ '■- -^-H "■■' 'I''- ""'^
ut^.^^^'^'^^^'^^y ^' *>««"Wessly inqoifed4byh -^*
nWhrJ. • / "*** ^^^ «c«dlessiral»rrn y^, but last
n^ht 4s If to punish my presumption. I e/perlenced
sometitiAg iftry like a supernatural Vi«iL" / r
"GoodHeavens^WilJArdl Then the stoi4 told by the
n^rbes is true ?" {
Tit certainly seems like it H«] aiiy oni^ ehie told me
wy I|^perienqed,I should think they were humbug.
gi^m* ; bu| I cannot discredit what I sawi with my omi
*^«- .; ••,. -■■••■ ■'■-:., ' 'r .. -i- . *'
"Ejkactly like the description Mrs. Toi^ gives of the
facptl^at upl^eared at her window-white ks that of the
dead, with 4^, streaming h^ir, and wild, vacant, dark *
cjyes. 'I
"0^^ WUMI fein it bi» that^ irt. no ; hi,
»np< ^$miffc:^ Atwi ^ thQurdid^hiaapparitb »uuwr "
B^wceu onf a»i| two, 4§ neariitj cw^iiiitei,'*
■ '■ ■ ■ ' ■.. ~ ■."' • - > _■(( »?r*T'"*rsJR':
«<
H,
" Strauge ! Strange ! I, too, heard somettiing dreatdfal
"Listen ! Abdut midnight I was awakened by some^
thing that sounded like a heavy fall right oat«ide n^
door, followed by a groan so deep, so horrible, that the; J
very bloodi seemed freezing in my Veins. Trembling with j
terror, I half rose to listen ; "but all for a time was stilk^ '
Trying to persi|ade myself I was only, dreaming, I was''
about to lie down again, when a shridk the most appal-/
ling broke upon the air, and died away in an agonized
moan. I dared not move ; I could not sleep ; and I laj
cowering in superstitious horror until morning. Wifh;
the bright sunshine came renewed courage, and I feai-ed J
to mention what I had heard to my brother or you, lest'!
I ^ould be laughed at— even as you feared the s^tiie.
Millard, there must be some horrible mystery^ -hjere t
Some foul c^ime, I fear, has at some time been perj^tra-
ted within those walls. What- if-i—^"
She paused.
"*Well, Sibyl ?" he saj4, inquiringly. v . > r
"Oh, Willard ! what if this house has been the scei
of that mystery the dying man spoke of! 1 thought p^l
it from the first." ; . % / *^^
"Nonsense, Sibyl! What an idea!" And jret *'"
looked disturbed himself, as he spoke. v
" How otherwise are we to account for thojJMJ.ghoa
visiting*, those midnight apparitions, mid^ |ii
shrieks?" ■ - -^r '-^-.iV, / ■V,::^,,;s^>, | /
" And yet nothing could induce yJotir brother to
"youTbeiref. He wblld mttgh at oor credultty^
to tell him what we have seen and heard."
" Yes ; iH»d, ijwrh^ia I hiwl bjBttor nol teU Win, Wil
■ . . ■ . " ■- .. .-.>,■
■^.,i
ia
''^^f^m 3m^ 0^
'hi'
I will- hove yioiJr room chaneed anJ ««.. «. ... .
Even if tfiey are les«. r-o^f 1 u?^ .^^ °^''° likewise.
fuming, the, waiked togeth.;^^e^o^ ^1/. And
J 1
(I
CHAPTER Vt •
So soon forsa&Pfi 3 V °*® *'^°«*rt ■
feinland on aVisit North,^.K i i' "*' away to the
|l«membcred Christie 's 5 '* '''"^ Willard; but
iE time. doub.Ie« 72a ovI^XaL^i^'-'T'" "'
d apgerous-society. , . f J' """^ <>'">« world into
Towar
.T> '"t.S.''
^ajm tor wite the jnaw,"
'A 4
m
advancitig toward them. ; Sibyl raised her telescope to
survey the new-comers. ' n «
, "Rev., Mr. Mark Brant well and wife," she exclaimed,
in tones of surprise and pleasure. "Guy has doubtless
caOed upon them, and told them I was here." ,.>^
"Friends of yours ?" asljed" Willard. * *
*• Yes, the Episcopal^jei^rgy man of N , whom I havt
known since my^^arfliest childhood. But here they are."
The boat at^^s moment touched the shore, and Sibyl,
disengaging her arm, ran down to meet them. Willard
ipo^e leisurely followed, .just in time to see his lady-love
folded in the arms of a gentleman who sprang from, the
boat. ^ >
The stranger was of middle age, married, and a clergy-
man ; yet, in spite of all, Mr. D/ummond felt a sudden
twinge of jealousy and anger at beholding the embrace.
But the next moment jealousy, angfer, every feeling Was
swallowed up in intense astonishment, not unmingled
with superstitious horror. For as the clergynfan turned
round, and Willard obtained a fuU view of his face, he
recognized: the countenance /of him he had seen years
before in that mystic vision at the Egyptian's. • "
, For a moment he stood regfarding him, pale with wdn-
der ; and he only awoke from his trance of surprise, when
he heard the clear, ringing voice of Captain Campbell, as
he approached him, saying, with a hearty slap oil the
shoulder 'fi?; '1^''^:': -—--j: ^;^ / ■ ■ v - _.^ - ■ • , ' ;•:'- -; -I, h ' , ■ • ■
" Why, Drummond, roan alive> what ails yoii ? You are
as pale as a ghost !" w ' -
-j.'^i
'^ Are you
. -, — —Jiyir anxiously, W §ho^
apprcjlnched, leaning on the arm of Mrs. Brantwell.
: "^ slight headache>«^othing more," said Willard^
re<;o^eFing himself by an effort ; " aothio|; worth bein^ '
''\«"-.4^r.''
*\^ wgta mm em wm
alai-Hied .bonV' *« .dded, seeing Sibyl'. atiU *„,iou,
' ^^* ,; ■.'.:*■--:-■,.- "\ ' ■ ' .".■\\. -:■:■:■ ;m■■v.^^,
"Why, Sfeyl, have you grown nwvo*^^
exclmmed Mr. Bmntwell-" you, who used to be «. l^ld
apd danng a. g^mouauin eaglet. But perhaps," he a<kled,
gla«ci„g.„eaningly ^t ^llard, «-it U only where some
very particular friend i^ concefed |hat your fears are
thus.easily aroused.;'' * «» -re
/ Willard smiled |;li^htly, while Sil^yl's dirk face grew
crimson as she hur^iecTon with increased rapidity, draw-
ls h^ companion with hei^a;^ leaving the gentlemen
/ When they re/^ed the lodge Sibyl left her brother to
entertain their guests, Kwhile sh<j sot about preparinff
luncheon, Whe^ the meal was over Mrs. Brantwell sai'd
, And now. ^iss Sibyl, I have come to ctirry you off
Itisthreeyearj'sincel have had the ple«.u« of^ibg
jou, and I shal^ certainly take you with me now. Com^
ao excuses-I irill not hear one of them:"
"But, my ^> Mrs. Braqjtwetl " began Sibyl.
But, my dear ^iss Campbell, you ;«./ comedo you
hear that ? W:brother can certainly do without you f 6r
^ "JCfis, ao^ glad to be rid of her, too," said the gallant
Captain Car^pbell. , > r »*"*"•=
Sibyl st^le a glance toward Drummond from under
h^j^Jong e:|^elashes. He was sitting, looking out of the
W^'mTV" ^^^^^^^^''^b- dissatisfied f^^vn on his
tT' .^£ ^r^"'^'^*^ Pe'^eived the glance, and biWke
QUt^ain ivith her usual bluntness : ' . J
J^djifor that other jg ei ^ youar ^ lookii^>L
)iirl lata sure h« will h«»««^ •-_•., . 9^ "•»
^M»^«^ wrehe wm begen«rou8 woiigh to^l^ol
\^
i' ~ „ «
.jrfl
JUSD W winf ms urswr
few days, as he will, ia all probability, have enough
^bi| before long:"
Agaii) Sibyl crimsoned and glanced reproachfully at
iier plain-spoken friend, and again Mr. Drummond was
forced to sinil^ in spite of his ill^buniory at the good
lady'sibrusqu^ bluntness. - "^
" Ypu will ha^e to cpme, you see, Miss Sibyl," «iid Itr*
Brantwell, laughing.
"Of course, she willT^ added hisffank spouse ; *^ancl
upon in/' word I think! am doing her a favor in taking
her from this louesomer island, and letting her see a little
of civilized life at pur hands ; though, from Sibyl's looks,
I should say she doesn't feel at all grateful for it."
v«* Indeed, Mrs. Brantwell, I do, but— " 4^
^ There, there ! I won't listen to another word." And
Mrs. Brantwell, a tall, good-humored looking lady, dap*
ped her hands over her ears. " Guy, make this ungrateful/
sister of yours hold her tongue, and do as she is told."
*/ Come, Sibyl, there is no help for it, you sec," Said*
Guy. "|Pruromond and I will get along swimmingly
4uring your absence. He can keep his hand in, in mak-
iiig love t6 Aunt Moll, while I try my powers of persua-
sion over Mrs. Tom."
Sibyl laughed, and paused for a moment in thought. "|
She would infinitely have preferred remaining on the ^
island with Willard, but it^would never do to allow thero
to tU-'nk that was'^her reason ; and after all; a week would
soon pass. Had Christie been home, no persuasions could
have induced her to go ; but in her absence thire was
nothing to fear. Then, too, Willard, so long accustomed'
' ^ ^ v k pr c a cnce^ would" miss bernsor much WfietT^cwgr
gone ttmt doubtless his love would be inenmsed itudier
thi& diminished.
'V,
^
^# 1^ tttf alfl"ie>i^
^ Involuntarily, while thinlcing of him, her eyes K«n.
Br^w!l7 r ^^''!^*'• Again t|,e,.harp.sightcd Mrs
Brar^ll observed it, and again she brolse out Impa.
^ - Lord Wess «e ! Mr. Dnimmond. jiist trirn i^d,
W ^°?:**^**'"Sibyr she may go. Nothing earthly wU
Induce her to come till you give permission. I'm 3ure i>
ypu were her father she cbulda't be more afraid of dis-
pleasing your lordship.'" • -
X^' Miss Campbell ne^^s no permission of mine: I am
on> too hap^y to thin^ she will have an opportunity of
^"'^^^n^T^^ '^ ^ellV'said WiUard, with a grave liw.
Now, perhaps, you will come, Sibyl," said the plain-
^ken old lady, "and as for you, sir, I shall expect to
^^y^u"^.. .* P*'"^°°^8:« «very day with Masief Guy," >»
_ I shalll^ most happy,"^d Willard. his face bright-
^ a l.«le, while Sibyl>^^§es sparkled with antic^:
M^^"^^^^ «"-*-«^^
H^n*«I-.r'^''^*PP*^'^' Pressed f^r her jourrti^r^ASd"
then,^a^ the afternoon was-far advanced, the whole^party
descendedjo .he beach. The adieus ;.ere spoke^^
^at pushed off, leaving the two young men^alone on the
^^ M must go ovei- to Westbrook dock^yard'this aftei^
ndon said Guy. " ^vhere the Evening Star is now lying;
Whatdoyou^y to coming with me?" '
^^« f prefer remaininghere." said WiUard, Who had not
yet recovered h.s good humoxy after ^hat he was nie^j
t^^]€«byi?aTicserttoiir
..■ -f"
I#£)
our WITB TEB NBWp
.'•^•'
r-v.
V
m
';'P'
"Da not
he still, and
you altogtfCheir
" Wsll» theoj I'll remain with you," said Guy, whd w)^
the soOl of frankness and good teov] *"
M By no means !" said Drum
stay on my .account. I have a
will retire to my room."
" But it seems hardly courteous
alone."
•* Nonsense, my dear fellow. ll insist upon it. I hopd
you do not thinjc of standing on cpremony with me?"
"So be it, then," said Captain ICgrnpbcll, gayly, as he
sprang into his bqat, pushed off, ^nd shot like anarroW
out into the water.
Drawing a cigar from his poctket, Willard Drummond
lit it and prucee'ded to stroll up: and down the beach, itt
no very amiable frame of mind. / He felt angry, in spite
of all, at Sibyl's leaving him ; ai/d with this feeling would,
now and then mingle another4-profound amazement at
the exact resemblance this Mr. Brantwell bore to the face
he had seen in that singular virion. Wkis the fell
tion about to be verified ?
Lost in such thoughts as these, he was suddenly star*
tled~by"a:iiibice singing a wild, sweet song oif the sea, \tt
tlie clearest and^Bost delightful tones he had ever heard.
Surprised at the une:tpectcd sound, he sprang up the
rocks in the direction whence it came,, and beheld a sight
that transfixed him with amazement ' -
-ilk young girl, beautiful as an ang«4^ stood on an over-
hanging crag, with one round, white arm resting lightlyi
^ on tjie rocks, singing to herself as She gazed on the
sparkling waters. Her hai^, of the palest golden hue,
rose and fell in the breeze/and flash ed in thft stinljght-
that ^sted likeagl^ry an her bright young head. Her
<U>mplexion was diizzlingly fair, with ros^^tinted c'leoklk^
'"^«
■'^i^^a&t.Z^^
^-
'I
/
•*«>y Fiwr iw» 0i;i> iopar.
and full, red lips— like wet cqUl— and eyes large and
bright, and blue a^ the summer sky above her. Her fig^
^ wre was slight, but round aad vojuptuous ; aad there was
passion, and fervor, and wild enfhusiasm in her look, as
^ she stood like a stray seraph, dropped from some stray
cloud, on that lonely island.
Willarfi Drummond stood immovable, drinking in, to
kitoxicati^n^ the bewildering draught of her beauty. She
was in e^ry respect so very different from Sibyl, that
«be seemed to him the mbre charming from forte of con-
trast. Transfixed he stood— everything forgotten but this
lovely creature before him— when suddenly, like an inspi-
latton, came th6 remembrance of his singular dream, and
©f the fatal siifen with the golden hair. Strange that it
should have come back to him so vividly and Daiafullv
• tfeen!- j . ' *^ . f
The youBg^ girl's song ceased, and turning, she leaped*
ligbtly as a j^oung deer from her fairy perch, without
perceiving him who stood so intently r^arding hen
Leaping from rock to rock with % fleetness that awoke the
surprise of Willard) slie reached the road Uad disappeared
within sh^ cQtt&ge of Mrs. Tdm* . /
Everything was forg;otten now b^t the'xra^s intense
desire of knowing wh^ this radwrit sea-nymph was^
Turning, thercforej into the path she had ju^t f&ken, he*
approached the cottage and encountered Caf^l at the door.
^* Well, Master Henley, how are you ?'V said Wfllard,
iE»refcssly. / .
"Sticking together," was Master Herily's concise and,
de sgriptiye answer ' ._ ^ J,,. ^
ISWj
A i
"Glad tolear it," said Willard^ rf^ressing a strong ,
:|K;IiQati<Mi to l«ugh. " Is Mrs. Tom Within ?"
j,:m^
y
/ -
Jum oar twt^t rat» vsm*
-She w«s when I left tHe bouse/' said Cart, t^a
seemed determined not to conimit himself
"Anyone with her?" again inquired the young gentle, .a
man, looking as indiflFerent as possible.
"No, nobody," was the tinexpected answer >
" What !" exclaimed Willard, surprised. " I thoo^fat t^
saw a young lady enter'a rooroeut ago I" ^ I
Hirl'ly *"' '^^"'''^'''^ ' Bobody," J'aid t'l>e gallant Mr. ;.
«€hristie-^Mrs. Tom's niec^I thought she wa»
away «J exclaimed Willard. ,.
he fefrhtLT-^"' ^k"^*""^"' '*"'■ '^''' "^""""'^S ; couldn't
he bothered ^domg her work and my own both any
lojfjger/' said Carl. ■'
, > "i'^PP^f ' "ay SO in ?" said Willard, feeling a sud-
den thrUl of pleas.ure at the knowledge that this radiant
girl was an inhabitant of the island. „..-•: *
, " Yes, I suppose you may, if you like,'* said Carl, ia a
tone of the utmost unconcern.
Thus kiftdly permitted, Willard advanced and rapped
at the door. It was opened by Mrs. Tom, whose surprise
was only equaled by her delight at being honored by thia
unexpected visit. -,
Near the window that overlooked the lodge, stood the
goldfen-haired vision of the beach. She turned rcmnd
with a quick, shy glance, and blushed mo«r enchantinirlT
beneath the deep, dark eyes of the stranger
^ " My.niece, Christie, Mr. Drummond," S4id Mrs. Tom,
directing his attention to her with a wave of her hand
:.::me got faack this. mornin4^-^-tt« <a- ar fi n d-
' r
it"lJOWgrfuF
looAS^me here without Christie."
« I him^ no doubt of it," said Mr. Drummond, seating
"'MA^'
If * "'i'
r y-
f0'^
«
««
O^Fy Wt^ THB CW LOVB,
«-^
m'
himself. " But I have had the pleasure of seeing Misa
Christie before." •
" Whcre^,,. asked Christie, opening her Mue eyes in
wonder.
** Down on the beach, a few moments ago."
"Oh, yes."
And again Christie blushed vividly, as she^recoUected
how she had been caught singing.
"Where's Miss Sibyl and Master Guy ?" inquired Mrs,
Tom. ^ „ " _ ;
"Miss\Sibyl has gone to N with the clergyman's
.family, an<i^ will not return for a week; and Captain
Campbell has gone to Westbrook, where his vcs&ipi .is
undergoing repairs. So I am left all alone, and cam«^ to
pay my respects to you."
"Then you'll stay and spend the evfenin'?" said Mrs.
Tom, smiling complacently.
Mr. Drummond professed his willingness ; and the
little widow, deUghted at the condescension^ set about
preparing tea instantly, assisted by Christie, whose wild,
shy glances were bent on his face whenever she fancied
herself unobserved. Half pleased, half afraid of him at
frst,she was reserved and timid; but as this wore off,
e drew her into conversation, and, to his surprise, found
her intelligent and well-educated. This M^s. Tom ac-
counted for, by saying she had gone to tcliool for the
last five years at Westbrook, residing there with the friend
she had now been visiting. ^
The evening passed aivay with the r&pidity of magic.
Christie, after much solicitation, consented to sing for
cdTo Tairly enchan t Tiim,
him"x~BnjJtf anyiiilnff was n<
that sweet, clear vuipe would have dooe it. Then, too,
*jCarl added to the ge^ral hilarity, by drawinj^ out a rusty
/<*'->i*,%i
°^ asd on with tbb nrw:*
0:
Jew's-harp, arid playrag a favorite tuDe of his own ccto- 'I
position. Not once during the ««vening did he think of
Sibyl ; her dark, resplendant f ice, and wild fierce, black
eyes, were forgotten for the ipfolden locks and sweet, fait
face of blue-eyed Christie— this dainty island Peri. - :,;
The lioiir f<^ leaving came all tpo soon. As he^luc-
tahtly rose to go, he pressed. «^t»e Iiand Christie eiitended,
to bis lips, with such passionate ardor that the blood
flushed to her very temples, but not with pleasure;^ Ere
he left, Mrs. Tom cordially invftfed him to visit her house
while he remained on the island— aSl'invitation he Was not
loth in accepting. - - , j.^\
Christie stood at the window, watching his tall, ele-
gant form as he walked toward the castle in the bright
clear moonlight. ,, *
VI like him. Cousin Christie ; don't you ?" said Carl
when he had gone. " *
But Cousin Christie turned away witfiout reply, long- j
ing to lay her burning cheek on the piUowteand muse Sj
ovei the neW and delidous joy that was tf rilling her ^?
whole heart, and in her slumber to li» dreaming " Love's
young dream." ■• ' '^ ,
And VVillard Drummond, forgetting ftis vows, forget-
ting Sibyl, forgetting honor, forgetting all but this lovely
islmd-maidcn, sought his couch with but one name on
his heart and lips-— '
"Christie, Christie I"
• «
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V.
!■;
CHAPtEie VII
THE HEARTS STRUGGLE. W
• ■
' ** She loves, but knows not whom she Iovel»
"~ • Nor what his race, nor whence ho came :
'^ dbike one who nteets tn Indian groves
^ Some beauteous bird without a name, '
Brought by |he last ambrosial breeze '*
To show Dis plumage for \i day - ^
To w<uideriageyes» then wing away." '^
Lalla Rooiui.
PALE, feytrtsh, and unrefreshed, after a night of rest-
kip dreams, Will4rd Drummood arose from a vtstoa
of Christie to hail a new day.
Passion and principle were at war already. Bound by
every pledge of lave, by every vow, to Sibyl, his whole
foiil was steeped fn this new, all-absorbing passion that
^ad taken possesston of him. He had fancied he loved
her, until' he beheld radiant, dazzling, bewildering Christie
and from that moment he could have yielded heaven for
her. Every feeling of his inmost heart and soul was up,
iii arms. Every feeling of honor bade him fly front this
tetoxicattng siren, whose power he felt growing stronger
taot^ Htmment over him ; but the ruitire of passtoix cried :
" Remain ! love her, if you will ! What rigfet has Sibyl
\qi stand between yoi(| and the heave© of yo«f dreams?"
And, like all who allow the struggl<i^ between right and
wrong to wage its warfare in their bpsom, Willard Drum-
«oad^;r.^i tas^' Ipst. Eory ^ with his Jiot»
nature, worldly Considerations, former vows, reason, prin>
ciple, Justice, even honor, were' sw<(pt 'away, liife a wail
ol toioke, before tbe fierc« iropetuosit|^ of ipMioa. ^ ^ '^
, ./XHLn^iie* i-M'&il'. !. .. .!
'^W^'^
■-^t
*.
With a head-throbbing, and pulse quick and feverish
wfth the inward tonflict, Wiliard descended to breakfasts'
f Captain Campbell stood in the, sitting-room, awaiting
his coming. With a courteous "good morning," he
advanced to meet him ; but started back in surprise at
beholding bis extreme, pallor, -
" My dear fellow," he exclaimed, in a tone bf^splici--
tude; " you arp ill— very ill, I am afraid. Wh^t in the
world is the matter ?" ' # * _ - '\1
"Nothing. 1 had bad drehms, and did not sleep well/*
said Druramorid, with a forced smile. "A cup of Auut
Moll's excellent coffee will set me all j-ight again."
••I don't know about that," said Captain Campbell, with
his eyes fixed anxiously on his face. " You are looking
terribly feverish, and you were complaining of a head-
ache yesterday. 1 hop0 you sfre not going to be ill/* ..^ .
"I assure you it is nothing,"- said Wiliard, in a tone of
slight impatieqce. " You are needlessly alairming your
self. A tad night's rest is the cause of alL"
" Well, if it is not^ I will ^e to call up Mrs. Tom to'
nurse you till Sibyf corties. M^nd, by the way, I rcgrc^
exceedingly that I shall be obliged Jo leave you solit^fy
and alone for some days, Importaiit^siness, that csia-
not be postponed, demands my imme^^e atiention.*lj. '
Willardls heart suddenly bounded— hje would sc^jjl^
have acknowledged to Wtp self the reasonrr^ the woras.
" It seem? h(*rdly courteous oj-irospitabieT^ tea,ye you
thijs," cpntihued the young captain ;"but I know you
will excuse me, my deai; fellow, when I tell you it cannot
possibly bcJ ielped."
Ui
*6h, certainly, certainly!" ii^terruptej^ Drummoad,;
^firdially, *• Go/ By all means.' xW^Il get ftlong well
fBougb in yottir absence. When do sum l^v« r
r break fa8(* K is in,
t, 1 will not have tim
pu wiijt, probably be f
^f haps yoti wiH G#^#
Millard, with- affected carel
,«, (course of the day," . t?|.
JutiWF?^*i^^i tale%e boat.*' .
" Ph/W||JT Carl^JIeniy. He has one, I belfeve." |
f\ % " WeU^iiit yo^tseWi'' And now I'm off. Take'^rc
|h^w yourse^ myboy ; and au revoir !"
■^ ' '^^ood-ly^" said Willard, accompanying hin^i to (^
llJb'r.' *' Auni Moll and I will keep bachelor's hall till
' |,co|;ne back." . " ' r.
ipUin Guy laughed»; arid harried down to the
>Seaii;h>i And when he- was ^on#, Willard arranged his
sligllCly disordered dre$s and' disheveled lock ^ and saun-
^<fterihg out, almost mechanically took the road to the cot-
^ag6./.- , -v- \ -.. ' '
It canje' i"q ^leht at last — this fittle, quaint,' 6ld hou^tfi
tlwrt»Jt>?l<i all ^^ ^^siven to him now. /
f 'iShall I enter-Xshall 1 thrust myself into temptation ?'•
[as his thought. "If I look again on this fairy sylph I
lost!" . •' - .
, He thought of Sibyl, and her 'dark, bright, metiJ
c;^ess arose before him, as if to warn him bafck.^
" For your honor's,M^£ — for your life's sake-
sours sake— -go not l^y^ said the thre|iten!|
,j(Coascience. -,' '' . ■ ^'^j^^ - -
„-^lApd hay j^l W t a t ight XQ Am
should Ijg^ffcr violence to myself in leaving
enchantrMs, for that dark, wild Amazpn ? Go, go,
happy," said passion. '^. . <*'
JF «u.,i» > 'Wg-av.t *.,<», ^^^^^^
■U . '-I
4 &.-.
;v
^■J ".'?
'^;'
^^
If.
Tm^HBABra smvoGLB.
;■
1 1
%
] e'"^f.
im«t°'!;f"r^'?•*'^^?'''^ ^^^ **'' «°°*^ resolution, th»-
h^l)ehcld ^ first, in the bright flush of the fadingsun^ J
hg^^rospSefoi^ him, and once again pas.ir4i
He approachjfed and entered the cottage ^ /^
f^l K W'^^?l« «y«^ wandered around in s4r^ <rf
another ; but bright Christie was not to be^seen. T^
The widow arose, smiling, to welcome her guwTand
placed, a chair for him near herself. And still Tted's
eyes went wandering round the room.^# vv.uiards
ii,!'^*'^ .'^'". ^PPe»^ Presently," he thought, not rtt'
liking to inquire for her. ' ^"^ ^^
Tom ^1;? ^.r^erable-looking affair your wheel is, Mrs.
^^i^rlX^r' '' ^^'^?'^ '-' PoH^l^ed wo^S
"Yes, it's as old-^s ^e hilTs," said Mrs. Tom resum-
ing her wofk ; "and has been in our family sinceTheS
saJwnaJ*^ '' •*^'"*^»''-''^ M"- Tom."
bu « U true, for all t^ Many k tr^eforflkS^f;
<'-';
ro un d. -^-*'IhcF»-aitt?tmt
»a sew, wadi^rsii|«k«, «,*. „d roaj^itftw^JheT
9ii
y
thir^gs, too numerous tq rnqniion, bejii<|e^. -CatX], if. I go
out there I'll put an end to your lazin', yipu idje, gool^
for-nothin* vagabone, you!" she add(^c|, br(^al(injg^ o^' in
sudden wrath, as she espied Carl, leaning on thjB Sgade
with which he should have been digging int the garden.
" You should make Carl do these things, Mrs: Tom,"
said Willard, s^iUimpatitently watching th(^dppr and Wpn-
^ring why Christie did not come.
"' \ ' "Carl ?" said Mrs. Tom, with a short ^ygl), " Ij-pr'-s^r
missy ! he ain't wort^, his salt ; that there's the Iciest,
most worthlessest youngscatpc*goat eyier any living 'oman
was plagued with. I hain't a minute'^ pea^c^ with him
nightnorday ; and if scolding was a mite of gQpd, the
Lord knows he might have been a saint by thij; time, for
he g;ets enough of,it."
f^v* ; Willard laughed. And in such conversation the miim-
'^'^ ing slipped awayT^^ry rapidly tQ Mjrs. Tow, but ^1
moment an age to our impatipnt lover. For Chri'stie was
absent still ; a«id a strange reluctance, fojr which he
could. not account, still prevented Willard frorn a^ing.for
her. It was a^ inwardi sense of guiljt that troubled kirn ;
•for, f«pling toward lier as he diiid, he f^lt.h^, h^ np righl;
even to mehtion her ijam^ • ' ^ ' . * \
At last, in despair, he arosetogo. Mrs. Tom relievtik
his mind by saying : _ \
** Christie will be disappointed at not seeing you," sa^
the old lady, f olloj?«^ni| him out " §1^^ yir^i\fi 9ut Ijierryi n^
1^ the woods this morning, and hain't got ^oqjij^ TOt." V
Willartl started ^t th^ informatioi|L ; ai^di inwardly
cursing the folly that had detained hii;!^ so many hpvxi
^•lfcing|^ to^ a fo o li sh old: wotfta^ a, Ite c la^f tt a ^ psi witirsf
rapidity that quite amagcdA^r^Top^jj t^ 4^^,90 0^
4i6pio6wood& , *^ *. ;
•^-^^
7
Mi'^Anrs ^ItMt^&i^iM.
i.
"^Jjl^^t a confounded fooll have l)een," he ekclaitbec
saVageiy, " to stay^ there listening to the way to maXe btitr
ter, an^ flaniiel, and 'yarb tea,' as if the old beldame
thoiiigbt I was. going to be soriiebody's housekeeper, or in
ferttalc doctress ; and all the/time this enchanting /little ^
bliic-eyed witch was wanderiiig alone by Herself* What
an opportunity I have lost ! and now I supposiTI maj-
seaitch for an hour and not find her." ' . a '
He| turned an abrupt angle in the winding path, and'
stifled a sudden exclamation of surprise' an^ delight;
for there before him, reclining oh the grass, with half-
vailed eyes, and soft, musing smite, sat the object of all
his thoughts, wishes, and desires.
, \^ He paused for a moment to contemplate ^he pittufe
^ tjifefore him, for, if if Christie had seemed beautiful whea
he first beheld lier, oh, doubly lovely did she appear now
in her attitude oi unstudied grace.
' Her dress was a loose, light muslin robe, fitting to
perfection her roundeid waist and swelling bust. Her
straw hat lay on the ground beside her, and her golden,
suafshiny hair floated,/ with all its wealth of rippling ring-
' lets, rbiitid her ivory |hroat. How dazzlingly fair looked
that siiiooih, snowy brow, contrasted with the full crinv
son lips and delicately flushed ciieeks — hpw enchariting
. the long- curved lashes, falling over the deep-blue eyes —
how beautiful that/faultless form, that soft, gentle, happy
smi|]^>f guileless girl hoo(ji.
Wiliard Di^gpiond's breath came and went, quick
and short, asi^M^azed, and hisdark eyes -filled with a
, *|iibdued fire.v^ >
teifdvariccd toward her. - His shadow, fatiing^onrEhe ^
grass at her faet, was the first token slie had of his com-
iti^. ,Viril:ha«ick, startled cry, she sprang to her feet
"» t - ■ f §t%
n
i?fi\
!6aiABrs /srsmoug.
y;
/
I*..
In terror ; but when she saw Vho ifiggMiltood bef/ra
hen sh. stj^pped short, while theiSrS'g^S
to her rouij^ed cheeks. Her first impression W: He
. '^f.W^ ^"^^'^ »« my face, and knows I wai Uimk-
'- "^W <J»sturbed you, bright Christie ^ie asked
Cominjp|i|e^rer. ^^' ; ' '
«(p no r" she answered, blushingly. "l was only
waitingf^to rest a Iittl? while before going home;" •
"VVnd dream%, I perceive," said WiUard, "May I
ask,of what— o^j whom r, > . '
"I wasn't dreaming," said Christie, innocently. "I #
was wide awake all the time." ^
smilr^^^^i ^^"' ' ^^^'■"«»™ond, with a
, ,'Do you i«t)w, fairest Christie, I have been at
your coitage all the momniir, waiting to see you V'
n^see me ?" said Qhristie^^ another quick, ^lad
'^^ I hav#coroe in& search of
blusfi,
" And not finding
you," he continued, '^r'
"And found me, V she said, laughing
''.*^
:#
"u J m
^^
Iftnown vou were comA^[^ould,hav^taid^t b^e."
P#hapa It is b^^F^ it is;:brig^nty ^or^ ha^
found you alone. It |Sj very pleasant togl^e ■ founc^ 1o
rair., companion on this lonely i;jW' ,^SJfF^ *^- 7 "/'
«, '\%; ;\^ ^l°°«ly pi^cw^" Jy^istii^si^iyf
"and yet % li|e it better th^n ^&j|k, or iiny ^he^
placet^j^yer bfeen i^. ^nly^3 Hk. al^^s^
hap^fnend withinetotalk to;W that, you Khow; j'
ca|Sot ^aye her^ ! Aum Tom is always too busVto ea
ou^>^ndvCarl don't care about tl^e trouble of {alkinlr
gJ gM^^ walking;, soj ai waysJtave to go aloo< ■
>
"And if he would go, I fancjr H^ter' Carlji hudlf
IW
SBASTB BTSU00J»
tbe kind of companion Miss Christie would' Select," said
Willard.' ^-'■'' '' -' y - ■'^■- / ■; ,.■'■' ' :: ^'■'■-■- .
"Not if I could firid aiiy better," said Cliristie, Wiih
laiigh ; " but I have grown so aj^ustomed to being alone
now that I do not mind i^at alj, as I used to."
"And so you are perfectly hdlppy here^ fairest Christie,
reijjming queen of this fairy isle ?"^ ' " i^'-'^
■ ^h, no I bcautifurMiss Sibyl is queen of tfic^lslc J
am only her most loyal subject," said phristie, gayly;
"you ought to Itnow that, having piud her your allegi«
pe.» <
li'Whatif I should say that the subject is more Iqv^ly .
the queen?" said Willatd, in a low voice, and in a^J
tone^lbat brought the hotblOod flushing^ to ChristicTfr ,
face Jfl^
"TTsfeou^Lsay i^ou were laughing at me, as of course
you would ■■ CertainlxJBO ^iO^e would ever think of me
while Miss^sSytiTas near. Oh ! how^wish she would
always stay liere, and then I would have a companion."
" Ah, brigfht one \ if I were in her place, what wOuld I *
not surrender for such a privilege !"
"Would you ?" said Christie, looking at him in iti
feigned sifiprise ;> " then why not stay ? I am suro^
should be glad to have you here alVays."
Hcr innocent words, her enticing beauty, her Child-
like candoi^^were a strong temptation. For one moment
he was about )^o fall before her, to clasp her in his arms,
to hold her there forever, w,hile he breathed forth his mad,
passionate love, and told her nothing on ^arth should ever
part ithem now. But ag^in rose before him the dark|
warning face of' Sibyl to allay the fever in his blood, li
"wenied to hlBiF BBlOTittt^ee^ h«arbiacirrfarce-cyc5 gteR
r*-3
^ff-VVM
iSifd
I
■y.^
Ittg on thcin through the trees -he could almost hear her
vclce shouting «* Traitor !" "
,^ ,All unconscious of the struggle raging in his breast,
^Cfeirlstiei^od leaning against a tree, her curved crimson
, lips half parte4-^her blue eyes fixed oh a cloud dri^iig
* jfdowly oVer the sky, little dreaming of the far darker
clouds gathering rapidly, iow, over the horizon of her
.life. . ; ' ; • • - N •-•
And still in Willard's heart went on thei struggle. He
'dared not look at her as she Stobd befortt him — bright,
radiant, bewildering— llest thjs last lingering remains of
fidelity and honor should be swept away by the fierce
impetuosity of passion in his unstable heart.
But his good angel was in the ascendant still, for at
. that moment the voice of Carl was beard calling loudly ;
"Christie! Christie!" : '
" Here, Carl ! Jlere I am,*' she answered j and In aii-
other instant honest Carl stood before them.
' " Aunt Tom sent me looking for you," said the younr||
gentleman, rather sulkily; "and I've been tramping through
the woods this half-hour, while you Were taking it easy
here," §aid Carl, wiping the perspiration from his brow.
♦' It was all my fault, my good Carl," said Willard, M .
Christie hastily snatched up -her hat and basket and :ged,
having a just terror of Mrs. Tom's shf rp tongue. " McUse
my cxctioes to your good aunt, and here is something foi
yourself." * " ,.,- / ■ ■ _. ■.-'■/.-
; 'C.iH's dull fnce brightened wdnderfully as Willard
drew a gold piece from his pocket $nd pressed it into his
hand, and then turned his steps slowly in the direction <if
Catnpbell Castle, thinking all earthly happiness lay ceii-
tereilriQ thi B ^?ppositedif«et*t)n. . H
Mica. Tom's reproaches fell unheeded, for the firs^ tiou;^
s«f<
Jf
m mtfMi^s w m^i».
.^
>'
^ Christie's dri- jfhat day. She heatA nbt a ^6)iA bf (Iris,
long lecture delivcfed with more thati tlie gpobd irVdovr's
usual eloquence, for ishc was th'mkitfg bt Another voice,
#bosc lowest tone had power already to thrill to the hiuer-
most recesses of her heart. She loVed without knowings
it, ivilhout wishing to define the hew, delidoiid fueling'
filling her breist, ottly conscious she had hevidr \^en Sb
h^ppy before ih her life, and longing fblr the tt^e %lien
she should see hinr again. Ah, well Nid it been for ber
hiftd tKey never met tbore. , ^ ,,,,
- "4'
■■.^^
*13
4.
CHAPtER VIII.
^
<c
THE TRIUMPH OF PASSION*
"All Other passions have their hour of thihkhiflr> '
And hear the voice of reason. This alone
Sweeps the soul in tempests."'
WELL," $aid Aunt Moll, to her sbii ftftd ^r,
Lem, as he entered the long, high kitchen of
■ • "" CatnpbeH's Lod^e, "IvvoCild lilce ter know
what dat fer Master Drutnmin's tip ter ? I doesiit Uhdcr-
stan' deseycr, new-fangled ^Gjing men 'tall. Fiist hl^
comes a courtin* of our M^a^Ml, iahd Jes' as soon as her
baclc's turned ^-^ --^-^ -i^/i ^rt* -«» i«i,«e «« •^aa a^* a-
MtsiS Chrissy.'
iJ'«'Ttiint no business yoiir'n, olie Vp-oinaBl/* saH JUeitt,
gruffly. I 'spec's as how Marse Drummini' kttows what
hfe'siboiif
H .
baclc's turned he goes ri&.^'^an' lakes up wid dat ftr
•ni
«»<>•
"Yes^
jlit|t.'J)Cftrs to ac^
S5^-q
8a '
TBB wmUMPB OP PAsaioir, " " V
1-
■\
Sibyl 'bout it. Ef he is her beau, he oughtn't to be takia\
up wid dat ar Miss Chrissy." v^
"Better let Miss Sibyl look arter her own beaii," '''
replied her dutiful son. " How does ye know he's a i-
courtin' Miss Chrissy ?" . rr
- , ^ ".'Gause I seed dem, chile—yes I did— las' night, down
on de shore. De moon was shinin' jes* as bri^ht.ast new
.pin, an' I took dat ar litter o' kittens down to de shore to
drown 'em, when I seed Marse Drummin** walkin' along
wid Miss Chrissy, and he.had'his head stooped do^yn jes'*
so,"— and Aunt Moll du^iked her woolly head to illustrate
. k— "an' was whisperin' soft stuff, jes' as folks do when
dey're in love."
" Well, what den ?" asked Lem, growing interested.
*^ Well d^noome up an' seed me, in course, an'. Lor*.
Lor' ! i^^jes' wish you seed de look Marse Drummin' give
me. *Peared as ef- he'd a liked to knocked my ole head
off. But I warn't afeared, 'deed I warn't, chile ; so I jes'
stood still an'drapped a courtesy, ^n' Miss Chrissy, she
got red rite up to de roots ob her hair. ' G^od-evenin', •
marse and young miss, sez I ; 'don't Jje^g^eertd; I onlV
wants to droi^^ese little kittens,' sez I. for I thought a?
I might be pertite jest as well as not. ^ -^^
; ' " '^h, how does yer do, Anji^Moll ?' sez Miss Chrissy,
a laughin' an'.blushin' ; 'hbw^^em and yer rheumatiz'
tlese times ?' - - ^ • *
" * T'ank you, honey,' sez I, 'dey's pretty ^eU, bbf '^oli i
dera;' • ^ '
|;nVAii' den l^arse. Drummin' he, pulled her arm Hghf
iroo his'n, anjl marched her oif wid him ; an' den I pitched
de kittens right in de water an' come h6me." '^ .'...
"Well, dat ar warn't much," said the Skeptical te<|, '
"D|^ might be walkin' on de bejfcbj but that ain<t'i^ffi' ;
'^wt?! is^9m
*.-?S(^?WBW3^KK
s ^
i-
■» ■' . '
— "^
»wa
)~
lew
J to
*
ate .
'»<
w
<
ive
iad '
as'
she
.
n', •
ily
as
^
t-' f^
-i*^ T^ ^it^wy*
'^'^r^^p
l!fl» TBIUMPB OF PASSION,
j • i .
means courtin'. Marse EJfeumtnin' walk wid her, 'cause
Miss Sibyl's gone, an' he ain't^jgot nobody else /to talk to."
"'Cisely so, chile ; but dat ain't all," says /Aunt Moll.
\ f'Dis berry raornin; as I Was passin' troo/de hall, de
sittin'-room door was open, and I heered voices a lalkin*
(iere ; so I listened and peeketl^ in, an' dalr was M^fse
Drummin', rampin' up and down, a talking/to his^elf."
"Well, dat ain't nothin', eider," said, thte stiff contrar
dictory Lem. " I've hearn dat ar Carl talk /to hisself whea
..Miss Tom sent him out to work ; an' he ain't in love wid
no one."
" But lisftin, honey, and don't you be puitiu' me out
So, 'cause Hain't 'spectful — 'deed it ain't," said Aunt Moll,
^^ €^ getting, slightly indignant, " As I was sayin,' I clapt rtiy
e£|^tade;0ooi;^an''%4i(eered him sayia? jes' as plain as
^ iiothin"tiill ; ^. ^^^^ .
TVr*^;... ** 'Oh, discha,Titing,onw?i'dering Chrissy ! ef I had neb-
rn^tyou, I might yet be happy!' i:)2|r, what he say
*^' ef Jhe warn't in lub, ?" " ' . ' '
_..Ts last was a settler. Lem felt that his nfother had
/the best ofthe argument, and unwilling to seem defeated^*
he went^out, leaving the old lady to enjoj^lier triu«iph;
Three days had passed sipce the depiarture of Sibyl,
and certainly Willard's conduct seemed to justify Adnt
Moll's suspicions. Unable to break th4 thrall which
bound feij^, wishing, yet unable to fly, from the spell (>|
^ 'the ^nchanftfess^ he lingered still by her side. ThetO'
were shame, dishonor, sin, rn remaining, Jbut oh! ther^
were death, misery, and desolation in g^ing^ All world-
ly considerations, her unicnuwn birth^^l^r obscure con-
■ nectious, her lowly rank, .were swept away Uka ^ails of
cobwfib Defdre xhe fierce t<(rreat Q£|Cassi3n that*«ver?'
^
?
.-.f -y
t>iij.'V'*?«i»v>''
'*'
■^Mt
11 "*'
i 1 '
CS2^
Uli
r:*^ t^^Mps of PAssiok
whelmed^ conquered every other feeling in its impetuous
tid« ■
Aod she loved him, this angel of beauty, this fjiiry
princess of the isle ; he could see it in the quick flush of
'joy at his approach, the quick, burning glances shot
from. her beax^tiful eyes, more quickly averted when they
. met his— her low, impassioped tones, her bright, beautiful
blushes. There was joy, tliere was rapture iqthe thought ;
and yet,, unless he forgot honor; vows, ail that should
Iiavfe been sjacred, what did this love avail ?
And so, like a tempesft-tossed bark on a tempest-tossed
sea, he strove with passion and honor, love and remorse,
right and wrong.
^ Once only, fearing lest her suspicions might be aroused
,by his absence, he had visited Sibyl, whose rapturous
greeting and'confiding love made him feel far more of a
villain than ever.* He looked forward with dread to the
period of her return, fearjrjg for the discovery of liis
falsity ; but, more than all, fearing for the effects of her
fierce wrath oir Cliristie, knowing well what must be the
Strength of Sibyl's passion when unchained.
And so, when Mrs. Brantwell proposed that Sibyl
fhoukl remain Avith her another week, instead of return-
ing to t^e dreary isle, instead of feeling irritated now, he
backed the proposal, saying that perhaps it would be bet-
*tcr {at her to do so, more especially during her brother's
absence. / • ,
And Sibyl, in her deep love and woman's trust, silsv
^piecting nothing, fearing nothing, consented, to the inward
Joy and sincere relief of hek false lover. ^
Resolving to visit her frequently, and so allaj ^ny
suspicions that his absence might give ri^^ to, Wi^iard
DruBimond returned to the island and to — Christie, ^ield*
t.«-'^£fe'
*» ..TjK.
■Sf^^Sftfe'
jm TRiirMm oi' PABBiok '*t^
mg himself witbout further e^ort to the witching spell olf
her love. ' * j Jt.
Urs Tom suspected nothing of the contraband court-
' inff carried on unde/ber very eyes. It was the most nat-
ural thing in the v/orld, she thought, that, in the absence
of Sibyl and her brother, the young man should spend
whole days with them, for it was not pleasant having up •
0;he to talk to but a couple of negroes, as she veigr well
knew Then, it was not to be wondered at, that he pre-
ferred talkihg and walking with Christie to any of the
/rest for slie was " book-rarned" like himself, which
/ neither she nor Carl was. She did wonder a little some-
times, and said as much ta Christie, why he should. Stay
on the island at all, in the absence of the other. |
"« Bxii I suppose," was always her conclusion, It t
becaus Jit's Miss Sibyl's home, and, for h^^^ke, he stays^
there utitil she comes." J / *!. ., /
adt Christie, though she only blushed an* was silent,
was of a different opinion— one that she woiiid scarcely
own /to her oxvn heart. As to his being in^love With
Chr4ie .Mrs. Tom would have scouted 6h« ideft with
sco/n and unbelief, had she heard it. Every ciccum|^ance
wa^ against such a conclusion. He,was rich, highly con-
nected, and proud as a prince 6f the blood ; she wis poor,
. uiiknown, and, comf)ared with him, uneducat^. Besides,
iii the good widow's opinion, she was a child in feeling,
as she certainly was in years, scarcely knowing the -»-*«-
ing pf the word love.
Ah ' she had been till he came ; and his fervid, impas-
sioned words, his burning glances, his thrilling touch, >
had swept away the glamour of childhood and pmphcity,
and revealed to her the passionate woman's heirt wtthm '
her. His words, hia looks, his tones, were ftU nfcw rcV<aa»-
f f
j^s
-I"
ft<^
'- ♦ „"«
n
t M
;-!•*"(,(«,
rjZ» TBIUMPB OF PASaiOS
^"1^
pc ^
M* ^
ions fo the artl^s..,sland maiden, changing her, as if by
majic, from a child to a woman. She revered him as the
embodiment of,,alI- that was brave, generous, and noble;
l^rshipped him a^ a god. anjj^ loved him , with ail the
. affection of her fresh, young heart, with all the ardor of
a first, deep lave. ^ .
As yet, she knew ntTt whether that love was returned •
for unfaithful as he was in thought to Sibyl, passion had
not yet so totally conquered his reason as to make him
sin m words. He had never said, " (^hristie, I love you ■"
but, ah, hovv oftfen had his eyes said this, and muchiore •
and how long would.this slight barrier stand before the
fiery impetuosity of unstable yoiiih ?
And so that day passed, and the next, and thenext.and
the next, and with every passing hour thfe temptation
grew stronger and harden.^ be resisted. Matters must^"
cojn'e to a crisis now, or never. Sibyl, in a day or two
would be home, and this wild frenzy of his could be hid' ■
den no longer. If she should come, as matters stood
no\t, all would be lost. / .
^rid tlius tcl-n.between conflicting emotions. Willard
sought Christie, on the day before Sibyl was expected
home,^wUh the determination:6; bringin,^ this struggle to
ao, end, then and thew. Vh., \ ^h'^'w
•1 ^-T1 !^''"°"' ^"^"'' afternoon, the ishuui W(Trc
Its bright dr<iss of green, and nesded in .the blue sliirun ^
river like an emerald set in sapphire. The fi.xf. in ,',^
? J""!^^'''''' ''-^ filling the air with rhcir mclodV '
and^the odbr of the wild roses came floating softly on tfie ^
summer breeze. , ^\ / . ii*c
.^ut Willard Drumrhond was in 'no mood to admire
the beauties of Nature. The mofning had |?cen spent in *
pacing up an4 down his rooin,.hesita^ng, resolving.
.. *
• '^vAti-rf ^.
"* b^^P?S.
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THE TRIUJSPB OP pABBiOK ;rfl^ . ;::
dQ^btipg, wishing, yet undecided still. For, when auty
, and principle would appear for a moment victorious, the
waving golden hair, the beautiful bltie eyes, the gentle,
loving fiice of Christie would arise before him, scattering
all his good, resolutions to^ie winds. And, mingled with
this, there was a sort of superstitious foreboding of evil
to corpe. He thoupjht of his dream, and of the yellow-
haired siren luring him on to destruction ; and of Sibyli
, fiery daughter of a fiery, race, fierce^ vindictive and'^pi-
plgcable in her wrongs. . , . -
"Oh, that I had never met this dark, passionate girl !"
he murmured, distractedly, " who now stands between me
And the heaven of ^y dreams ; or would that I had seen
this beautiful, enchanting Christie first! Oh, ffot that
apgel as my wife ! And but for those fatal vows once
'made to Sibyl, she might be iT^ine. I was mad, cra;;ed, to
mistake my fancy for that d'^^rk, wild-eyed girl for love !
And now, for that one mislake. am I to be wretched for
life? Shall I give up this beautiful, radiant crlature,
who loves me, for one I care for nXr lor^er?- No; ,the
struggle is past. Chlistie shall be my bride, and I will,
brave the worst that may follow !" ■> ^ .' , •
He set his teeth hard ; and, as if fea,ring second reflec-
tion might majce him change his mi%d, he left the ihousd.
and hurried out to meet Christie. > *■* . il
Down on the shore„undertl^e shade of an Averhang-
ing willow, he knew Chrisiie had a tavorite seat, where,
on pleasant days, slie used totake Kcr work. llere he
was sure of findipg her, and in tfiis (^ircction he bent bis
^teps^ ',."■ / ^ ■/"■■^-':''
She sat, sewiiig, under the shade of the drodping wil-
low, bilging softly to herself, and looking Uke ^omd vA-
V ■"•«
v.
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f^mifiipjs b» hisstt^.
>,
-^is^^**1 ^^® 6lFa%lvan scene,; dl^ sortie befiuiiful sea-
nfthpih, just risen from her grotto of coral and chrystal,
fj\ Radiant and bewildering was the smile and blush with
whiqh she welcomed ^im—a smile and bliish tl|at mfght
^havejbeen found too strong even for more potent princi-
ples than his. ."
He seated himself beside her, with a look of moSy
^ abst^rtion, all unusual with him, watching iber covertly
gi- ^ from under his eyelashes, as she bent smiliri^ and happy
^^ ; over her worjcv ^ %.
: For a time, GhristieT chatted gay^ on various common-
, place matters ; but, at last, catching her tone from his,
, She, too, grew silent and thoughtful. She bent Jower
dver her work, Wondering if she had offended him, and
itivoluntanly sighed.
^, He heard it, and said :
. ^'And wherefore that sigh, Christie! Are you \iti
^i-hjappyr^'.
'' No not unhappy ; but troubled."
" And why should you be troubled, bright one ? What
can there be to grieve one so fair ?" ■
;* I— I— feared I had offended you," she aiisWered,
timidly., "You appear out of spirits."
" You offend me, gentle one— you who never offended
' uny one in your life ? No, no ; it is not that." /
"Then you ace unhappy," she said, shyly. /
' •• Yes, I am miserable— wretched !" he cri4d, y^ei
«ntly. ♦' I wish to Heaven I had ijever b^en bjbrn/'
** Oh, Mr. Drummond ! what has happenecjf !"ihe crie^,
; laying her hand on his,- and looking up wilfully in Lis
" ^^^- - •■ .*••-■' ■ I ■■' / ■
He^ touch, hfer tone, her*loo!i sv^^ptl away fe4ry
»^inaining tiace o< fidelity. He forgot evcrytliini he
* 1.
/
laZff ^JUUMPS OF PASBJtm.
.r-
irr-
r
/.
.IliQuId havte retnembered — his vows, his honor, his truth=-
/aawdt saw nothing but the bright, radiant;: bewildering
vision before him. In an instant he was on his.icpees at
her feet, exclaiming, with impassi9ned vehemedce :
.*f Christie! Christie! my life,. my drea'm, my hop«x;I
' love ypu. / See, I am at your feet, where my heart, my
name, my fortune," long have been. With n»y whole
heart, and soul, and life, I love you with a love sMTbrigfer
than death or the grave. All the devotion and hopes at
my life I ofEer you, if you can only say you love me." .'-
He was pale and panting; his eyes were fierce^ an&
burning ; his tones low, thrilling, ajid passionate. \ ^
Tremblrag, shrinking, blushing, yet, with^ a deep,
intense, fervent joy thrilling through her heart and being^.
Christie listened. The bloodswept in torrents to her face,
neck, and bosom, which^yose^aud fell with her rapid
> breathing. She dare not look up to meet his ardent
I burning, gaze. '
"C|hristie, Christie ! my love, my life !' Jook up';
speak—answer me — tell me that you love me ! '>> -*
Still no -reply, only those downcast eyes, deepest
blushes, and quick, hurried breathing. - '|*^
"Speak ! speak! py beautiful love! only one word
from those sweet lips ; but one touch of your dear hand V
to tell me I may liv/e," he cried, growing more wild and -^y^^
impassioned. ^ •*#
Wiih/a low, gl4d cry of /intense joy, she buried hiefi*"
blusjiin^ face on his sliouldc^r. \
" Thanks ! m^ heart's thanks for ihis sweetest, loyeli-:
est Christie !" he cried, with exultant joy, pressing her
yielding form to his bounding heart. " My life, with all
its hopes, energies, and ambitions, shall be devoted to but
one purpose liow — that of rewarding you for your {»ico>
'less love" '/ ,<? '-; ^■-•,: ' ^' ,"/ .
\u»'.>jri«tfei
^fl^p;.
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"tt^l
fiO
rfl2?* miujifpii OF pAsaiosr.
f »
miZT. A ^'^"°^™ond now, sweetest Christie. I am
»^»//ar// to y6u, now and forever Let'm^o- \.
that name in musi^c from your 1 ins LT ?l' ^'^'
higher boon in store for me.7 P'' ^"^ ""^"^ ^^^ "^
nnJf" °- • ''f" ^°" ^°^^ "^« thus-me,a noor little
nameless, uncultured girl, while vo,. ^« R^or, little,
guished, an.d highly Jnn^ct^S d^. Wi Ld .Wm"'"'
not, some" dav renpnf thi^ u • "'•"arcl, will you
^ver perjure the words I have ^r.ni,«« ^ , ^ ' ^
be my soul, when it is falst lo Tee " hTrrL^^' T''''
sionate vehemence. ^ ' ''"^^' "^^'^ P^^-
Hey^'T^^H^'"^'^^"''^'' I do not dc^bt you-
f^rrr: !::'''• ^ ^^^-^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^--^^^ you c^^
bea:^^!-:,;!^!!:-^:::-;^^^
to make me the happiest of men "'^ ^^ '' ''^""^'"^' ^
inquf^/'r ''' '""""' ''" ""' ^ ^r^ o^ --est
j "Ghrikvone little word from you^,,«fi7I ere the sua
I .e on a new day, my joy will be comVcre-my cup o^
'- .^nhly hnpp.ness will he filled tdthe brim - ^
^ Still the same earnest, anxiou] ga2^
'* Dearest love, you will not refuse? It will be hut «
.small -matter to you. and win r«.i; *
/blessed." >ou, and^will make me supremely
"And that?" she inquiredfwonderiogl/ - • v-
1
vj
t*fy^, *;; ■t* 5 ■fjj
fM'
.^'
THE TBIVMI^ OF PAI^ON.
a
, " Brightest Christie, l^ my bride — my wife !" he cried,
folding her closer in his arms, and speaking in a thrilling
tlrhisper.
Again the eloquent blood swept over her stainless
neck and bosom,*'bi/t she did not reply.
'* You will not refuse me, my own Christie, this last,
greatest favor? Comply now — to-day v for if the present
opportunity passes, it may never occuf again." '^
"But how— ^<?a; can we be Wdded here?" ?he said,
shyly, lifting her eyes to his impassioned ones, and drop-
ping them in brightest blushes. «, >
"Christie, yonder lies a boat ; lit is three hours to sunr
set ; long be.fore that time we jcan reach Westport ; there
we can find a clergyman, and there you can become my
own for life !" / * , ;
,^«^ut it\is so soon — so sudden," she faltered ; "an'S
AunrTom—sVie will never consent." -^b-^
"She would not consent any way, fairest <|Shristie.
She would s^y you were, too young — too fsfr in social "
pbsition beneath rae. Sbe would not believe my intentions .
honorable. In short, dearest, she would raise a thousand '
objections, and the end would be, tliat we would be partedv
forever " ' , '
" Oh, Willard ! it would not be,s6 bad as thit ; if yoii
ex^plained it all to her, I think she would consls'nt. Aunt
ToiH is good and kind, and loves me, and,would dot' any*
thing\o make me happy." / \M, ' ,''*
" Imx. may be, brightest Christie ; but that very Jove
she has foXyou, and her wish to make you happy, wou^ld
crftJ^c her lo^csiiaie. For she would repeat the old. sense-
less saying, 'Marry in haste and repent at leisure,', and , •
think the best way to n^akc n Imiii hiyj./ilii mould be td ■
po^pone our marriage for years."
".<*1
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iV*CL 4t»^.
SSTS
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stmtrkja'M or i^ABi^ON.
A,
" But thfs secret raarriige, it seems wrong— sinful.
Oh, Willardy my soul revolts from It J If I could onlv tell
Aunt Tom ptrie'd Christie, imploringly.
" when'tfie proper time comes, deisirest love, she shall
know, and the -world shall belfold, my beautiful bride.
But until then, you must have confidence in me, and
wait;"., - ) ^
" But, oh i I have such a presentiment bf wiiat mty
follow, Wtllard^irsuch a cloud seems to enshroud this
secret iparriage, that my very soul shrinks from it in fear."
'•, "^^"s'^®''!^P said, drawing back, and speaking ink
deeply offen^M^e, "you do not love me !"
' ^^^ ^^dB^ ^'S^t, beautiful eyes, so full of love
:and ^^^^'^^^HP^^l not soeak. No ^words could have
told siich a W^f perfect, intense love,' as did that quick,
,' eloquent glance!
*' You do not love me," he went on, in the same deepli
hurt tone; *'you have nq confidence in me, no tru*l^^
^faith. I have given you my reasons, good and valid to
- an,y.xiiig e|sej^^but of no avail with yoti. If you caredsior
me, you would be content to wait, with perfect trust in
iny love ; but I see you- will nqt trust me. Be it so ; there
remains nothing for me but, to leave you forever."
_ "Oh, Willard !" was all she could say, as her voice was
choked in tears. \
" I thouglit I had found an artless, loving, trusting
girl," he went oh, with increased bitterness ; "but I have
found one who* will not yield in the slightest iota, lest she
should compromise herself in the eyes of the world, who
fears what it will say of her more than she loves me !
Farevyell, Christie ! we nsive met for the last time, ^ince
you care for your aunt more than for me, I leave you to
her^** ^
'•"I^'
fR|JKiM^ ^ MAmow.
He ajfose, coldly and haughtily, to go.
"Oh, Willard ! do not ledve me!" was her
' '^t.
iyH>aate
t^roly do
..^.
cry. " I will do anything^ be anything you aslfPlnly do
not leave me in anger !**
"Will you be my Wife?"
: -"Yes." / ■ • ■ ■ ■■. '
- *'To.hight?"K - • . ^> ,
^ *' Oh, yes ! to-night and forever 1"'
" My own gentle love !" he whispered, prctssing hey
fotdly in his arms, " will you go and get ready, and retuf a / -f.
to me heri^in a^quartcr of an hour ?" / / '] x^
" But|what shall I say to Aunt Tona--ihow account for /
royabstJnce?" " ■ " ■ ' *' : :/ . _ ». /
"/Leave that to me, dearest. In a |bw minutes J will/ .
foll6w you to the cottage, and asfe her to let you take a,' Tij
sailrwith mc on the river„ by moonlight ; she iv;iU ^0|t i^
tuse me." ->. ' , '
" As you will," s^id Christie, turning toward her honjie. ,7^
While Willard, triujmphant^ exulting, and ' dijEzy with jby^ ; \-- '
■^t
desc^^ided to the beach to prepare the boat
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TSS naiON OF TEB 18LB
j«i>.
-'^.. '^ CHAPTER IX.
' / THE VISION OF THE ISLE.
' . riP^rn f ^- • u**'°l'' ' '°' ^J^^e «t comes airain f
I II cross It though it blast me. Stay, iuSi
Ifthou hast any sound, or use a^o£;°'
Speak to me I" .
r ) ' Hamlet.
FICKLE fortune, that often favor^ the wrong and
erring, certainly smiled on the lovers that dav F«^
«l>en I uin't go. a c.p „• tea for my bTe"k tt • , J^""'
no use .ryin' tp make ,ha. there good'^r lot ,in" C ^ '
~o .... »X-:s":.^rL;r;ot\r;^T'a^
JVirs. lom crave the pn» n.b-.-^i, u- ■ •'^ ' ■'*"Ci
"' « Mr" Drum J"'/""^ ' """ ''^'' ^°" S°-' '<> l» ?"
mr. Urummond is e-oin&- nvr^r »^ m *
evening, and he wanted me Tfo with h m '^'^^ • '"^^
turning away to hide a risLg blusl J' r^^^'^.f '^"^^^^
there." • ^^ . *• * **" ®*sily get it
^i'-
fi i-f i7-'m
TBB VISION OF IBB 18LS.
98
« So you can," said Mrs. Tom, considering ; " but will
Mr. Drummond return early?"
"Yes,".saidt;hristie; "he has some slight busituss to ^
transact, and then te is coming immediately home. The
sail will be pleasant by moonlight, antj. I'd like to go." ^
"Well, go, then ; and don't be gon^any longer than
you can help. Get two poun's of hyson at Mr. Ginger's."
"Yes ma'am," said Christie; taking the money, and
putting on he^ hat and shawl, in a trembling, agisted
way, that at any other time Mrs. Tom must have noticed.
She hurried out, and on her way met Willard coming
up to the house. ^ ■>«.
"Well, has Mrs. Tom given you permission?" he
asked, in pleased surprise.
Christie related her errand. -
"The gods favor us !" he cried, gayly. "See, Christie !
the sun is approaching the west, and before it dies out',pf
the sky, you will be what Heaven has destined you for—
my wife !"
" And to be that for one hour, is bliss enough td^f^pay
for a whole life of misery," she said, with j^Hfelt
earnestness,
" With my own Christie ! Will I ever be able to repay
you for this grace, this greatest earthly blessing that
Heaven could bestow upon me ?" he said, fervently.
" The knowledge of your love more than repays m^ ^*
for I have' made no sacrifice," she said, in a low tone.
They had now reached the boat. He handed her ta^
pushed oflf the .boat, took the oars, and rowed away. ,,>^
But other ey«s they dreamed not of Were upon them.
From one of the windows of the high chambero^f Camp,
bell's Lodge, Aunt Mq^I and her son, Lem w«« takinr
observationa. ' '
• y'i
■.^'M
tiiJtlaMiSmuiWa
^.
5* "^V
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^4
5
"Dar dey go!— oflf a sailioV Wh^t will Miss Sibyl
say to dat ?" observed the indignant Aunt Moll.
" Goin* out sailin' doesn't signify nothin'. De young
|^9ib1um wants somebody to talk to as he rows."
f*'Tai6't right," said Aunt Moll, with an oracular
shake of the head; "dar's sumfin wrong, somewhere.
Pon't b'lieve Miss Sibyl would 'prove of it, nohow ; dese
JfC'' young inen ain't to be trusted nowadays."
r " It's nat'ral Marse Drummin would get tired o' one
|j:al— mos' young men do— and take up wid anoder, for a
• change. I'd do it myself," concluded Lem, in a pompous
frtone. , ,;■
" You woj^ild ?" said his mother, in high dudgeon .; " as-
if any gal 'd look- at you, you brack fool, Marse Drum-
min will get hisself inter a hornet's nest, if he trifles wid
4e 'fections ?ob Miss Sibyl. I's come^^e disclusion to
conform Miss Sibyl ob his goings^gl^Kn as ebber she
arrives. Dar !" "i^^
And having thus settled the ma^r to her own entire
satisfaction, Aunt Moll descended to the kitchen, and
^ooft forg^all sublunary tjjiihgs in^ the celestial b|iss of
smoking' sffhort, dirty pipe, as black and stuijrpy^s her-
M^lt"»f the erring young, pair were swiftly skim-
rtiing "over tfie bright paters in the dir^tion of VVestport.
•'^^^ l^^*^ °^^*^^''?K Pf«J^¥^^ ^h^ ppssibiUty of conver-
^'^^'^f *"4 Wh wer^ sil^ent and thouglitfui; Urg€?d on
J?/ h^f intense desire <>f coraipletingj what lie had so suc-
cessful ly begun— urged on, perhaps, by Fate— the boat
aeeiQed fairly tq fly over the sparkling, sun-bright waves.
Ere the last ray of sunlight had faded from the sky
^ftlWl ^WMi '^« opp^sHc s^orp ; «m,<l drawing (^Ijris-
-^ «„
r i-
' K'tms
mi^nmir OP tm MM.
tie'iS arin within his own, Willard iiet oft i^dly in the
direction of the towa of Westport.
And having reached it, he led Christie in the direction
of a little obscure Methodist chhpel, while he left her to
seek for a license and the clergyman.
In a short time he returned with both, and without
asking any unnecessary inquiries, ht hastened throogh
the marriage ceremony ; and in a few moments the pas,"
sion-blinded young couple wefe man and wife. Thetl
hastily paying the clergyman, his fee, Willard led hift
bride from the church.
'* My bride ! my wife ! my own forever, n<xtf !" h«
cried, With passionate exultation, folding her to his heart.
But just then, ^th a fiharp, piercing xry of thrilling
horror, Christie sprang back, frighttuHy pale— with dilat-
ing eyes and choking fot-datit, gaping, istiflih|;^, ivAo^
eating. ' . ,
" In the name of Heav^ ! Wiiat is the matter^ my oWll
Christie ?" he cried,' in wx>nder and alarm. ' ' ,
But, pk-essing her hafids oter her heart, she sank diz-
zily on the church steps, ^le, gashing, trembling, hOrror-
stticken still.
'* Ciiristie ! Christie ! dearest loil« ! What is it ?" hesaill}
anjtiously, encircling her with his arm.
" Oh ! the doom — the doom !" she said, shudderinglf •
hiding her face in his arm.
" What doom ? Of what are you shaking, sweet \frife T*
hd in(|{tired, in increasing anxiety.
She rose now, and passed her hand over het brow, a4
if to cllt^r away a qiist. Then, seeii^ his pale) tltimtbled
faci^, ^le ttieoverisd Hirsielf and fprewtd % veaxit. > ,
"D<^e8l Christie, what was itfU macmAf
-■ "-V --.Sr&^
K. -.vl'
-"«? /
rc^,
\
W -^ *a»' TlSiOJUr OF THE ISLB, .\ ^
" Oh, Willard ! ydd will laugh at me, but I felt it all, I
ta,V9 it all so plainly," she said, in a weeping voice.
"Saw wfifit— felt wliat ? I do not understand," he saW,
puzzled by her look and words.
" Those eyes ! those eyes ! ivnd that fierce grasp on my
throat, and the keen knife ! Al^, Heaven ! I feel it yet."
. And she shuddered convulsively.X
"4'*® y^^ raving, Christie ! ik Heaven's name, what
eyes, what knife, are you speaking of?" he said, beginning
to think she had lost her reason, \ .
, " Oh, Willard ! Willard ! just as you folded me in your
arms, and called me your wife, Sibyl Campbell's fierce,
wild, black eyes rose before me, glaring on me like burn-
ing coals, and then I felt two strong hands clutch my
throat, and a knife plunged into my breast! Oh, saints
\in lic^ven ! it rises before me yet." *
"Christie, you aremad !" he said». vehemently ; but the
asben paleness that overspread his face told the sudden
the name of Sibyl had given him.
In all the* terror, horror, and momentary frenzy of that
ibstant, che fair of his displeasure conquered every other,,
feelingXin her breast. Shaking off, with an effort, the
dreepingyread that was palsy iqg every nerVe, she clung
to his arn^with renewed confidence, and said, with a deep
breath of relief :
"I believe I was,vfor the moment, Willard ; but that
has pasr^ed now. You are not angry with me, dearest
Willard ?' she said, anxiously, observing the cloud that
;' «lil I overspread his fine f;ice.
"Angry ? not at all V* he said, gravely. " Only sorry
ond surprised tp tlxink you should giv<e way to such
extraordinary delusions." . v
^Ob, WilUyd fit wai not a delusion. I saw it*all, as
shock
^Ml-'l
'.J-'-*-
;>^sw|si«fc
A
TB^ VISION OF THE ISUH.
tt
plainly as I see you now. Oh, those dreadful, dreadful
eyes ! they will haunt me to my dying day !"
"Do not think of it again, my own Jove, and do not
looK so wild," he said, soothingly. "Come, let us be
going; the moon will soon rise, and it will be late before
we reach the isle.'V *
" And Aunt Tom will beanxious," said Christie.^ ^ And
that reminds me of her commission, which I had nearly
forgotten. When we reach the store, you can wait out-
side. I will join you in a moment."
The moon was just rising wlien they set sail for the
isle, Vhich Christie had left a child, and was returning a
wife. Ah! where was their better angel in that dark
moment of madness and tempt.ition ?.
The soft, bright moonlight was lighting up the isle
'with its calm, pale rays when they reached it. The qry
of the whip-poor-will and katy-did, from the neighboring
forest,, mingled with the soft, dreamy murmur of thcj .
waves on the shore, was the sweetest music ever heard; \
Tempted by, the beauty of the night, our lovers pro-
longed iheir stroll over the beach. At length, as it be^iAi
to grow late, Christie, fearing ^rs. Tom or Carl might
come out to watch for her coming, persuaded Willard to
lee her return. , ^
They walked up the rocky, romantic path, whispering
those low and often foolish ihings'so sweet to lovers' eara
when coming from the lips of the loved one. A light
.still [winkled itkihc widow's cottage, casting a long, thin
line of yellow, light far over the lonely road. But no
other sign of life waS visible. Christie's blue eyes were
bent on. the ground, and Will.Trd's statdly head was bent
above her, when, suddenly looking up, he beheld a siglit
which froze the blood ki his veins. *
! 'II
K',
*.
t..
>>
Fwtti die ^ark, mystic pine woods, « ^hice-mbed fimre
^me floating tow«iti them. Ooe gUnoe sufficed to teli
r~ **.T" ?*»* ^''^"Sfe Tisioii |hat Had bent t>wjr fclm a
iBW lu^ts before. There wens the same holioiv, rayTeM
«9r«s» tSie same wild, streaming bhick hair, tbc same ghastly
corpse-like face, with its fixed look of imottcrabte woe
It WW earning rteadiJj toward the»|, tbis awful phau-
iwn. WiUard stood fixed, rooted to the gromid, garfng
«» If feiscinated o» the appailiog specter. His next
thought was for Chj-istie. He glanced toward ber to see
h«r face Wancbed to the hue of defctb. her ejres dilatine
'*":^**"^ **'' f «wn, a«aWe to speak a ^onf, one hand
i^. *n(|.6rie^k«iag finger panting to the dre^
.being approjphit%t
iJ^ ^ "**^ "**"■ "P***^ ^"» t^ phantom
Seated on untihit stood before them, face to f^e. For
jn tns»,t it paused, with its hollow eyes glaring upon
them ; then wuh an awf al cry of « mardered f murdered l'*
that peeled through the dim old woods, it (Hbw up both
^arms, and with a shrill, piercing, agonizing shriek,
tfcd away and was hid among the beetling rocks
; the hand that grasped Willard's arm was gm wins
weaker and weaker, there was a low moan, and he turned
in lime to catch the senseless form of his child- wife in
lua arms.
Ai-^*'.''"^* unearthly scream had startled Mr$..Tom
A#a^ed and wondering, she cautiously opened the door
a^ vi^t out And there she saw Willard Drummond
Urith (be senseless form of Christie in his arms. *
m
3 1
''4;*.-*^¥«^',
'8 SMlEaOk
rc<
Fortune is merry.
And in this mood will give us anytliing."
JULIVS C>MAS. \
CAPTAIN GUY CaUpbELL sa^ in tho parlor <A
I the Westport HoUc, as the flHmii^ gilt sign-
board announced, his heeU elevated on the wlw
dow-^ill, his chair tipped bick, a cigar in^ hia moath^'and
a newspapei; in his hand. I^any .people were passing in
and out, sotae of whom be greeted ^lith a nod, others
with a briet salutation, while, he still went on with his
reading aiyd smoking. Thire seemed to be nothing. very
exciting Jn 4he paper, judging "by- Captain Caifly 1%
suppressed yawns j and he Was about to throw it asi£ atf
worthless, when a paragrapji caught his eye, that brought
him to his feet, as suddentty" as though those members
rings.
were furni^hcHl with steel s[
The paragraph was briefl and ran thus ;
"If Mark Campbell, Es<3., of Campbell's Isle^ bo stilt
alive, he is earnestly requested to call immediately at tti».
office of C. Ringdon, Attorn ey-at- Law, No 16 — — street,
Westport. In case of his dlpath^ his heirs should appty.^
C RiNGXH>n.**
r4
" Now, what in the name
court can tiiis mca«?" Qji
Campbell.
rf Neptune and all hi$ scaljr^
lulated the amaeed
^^.
3-3?*^-'.---
k":^
H ?
OiTff OFJFOBtAb'B 8M1
^^^"^^^ »»«PPy to inform you," said a voice behind
hi^, «o,ly I don't hLppen to know whatLu're talking
^i^^^I^^ '"™*^^ round, and U a fashion-
^d.^d young man. who had just enfered, standing
h«nH^*??*^**''*' ^"""^ """^ y°"^' ^« «aid.Lxtending his
hand; " happy to see you. What in the torld brought
you here ?-the v^ry la« pc«on I ever expLed to see in
this quarter of the gtibe." f •
f • ^'MTell/' said StaflFord, leisurely-seatinfe Wm,elf "I
^me down here, nomfealjy. to tinsact Le buies
's7arhad^'"L°''' 5"! ''^^ '^^' ^^' ' ^^^^^e Evening
Star had arrived, and I wanted to pay mvf '
S?^^^?' '^^^ ^"^^° °^ t^e Isle. How i
^ "Very Wll, and at present on a visit tdthe Rev Mr
Brantweiri But look at this advertisemJt herf Tn fhe
Westport hraU What the deuce do youtke offt ^
thef^er ^°°^ '^^ P'^P^'- -°4 carelessly glanced over
^th. r don't kngw. Somebody's left you a legacy,
" Pooh 1 What a notion! Who under thj; sftn is there
L^i:i:^:ru!s;^'°"^"^^^^^"'p^'^-HHasp:::
nJ'J^f ' i n^*"^'' -''°"'' ""^'^^""'^ relationLthe Eyres,
worih mo!: H T T^'^ ^^^'^ •^•'*"'^"' '•!- millionaire
l^^'r'^:''^' ^"^'- ?'- ^ -Id under:
deyoirs to her
pretty Ladv
take to count. 'He might have died anc
money." ' ^
"And leave his oven family without ? A
^••Id Captain Campbell. ^
left you his
likely s^iy;"
a.
iippi??^! i?^"^!^?:^
•f>x^
'^T-^^^
^ ;^1^*"-
.1-1
ONE OF FORTUNE'S^ BM1LE8. ' i" IQt S
' ' f* My dear fcllaw, he had no family, except a wife, and
,sh6 has bfccii dead for many^ycafs. You may bo certain
b« has left. you iiis heir." »
"By Jove ! if it sliouhl prove to be true, thit wiuid b
r..;^ streak of good luck. But it cannot be. Dame Fortune
Would never besiow on a Campbell any such JricticJiy
smile. They always were an impoverished race, and
always will be, I believe.*^-!;
" Don't be loo cunfident.. Strange things liappen some-
times. For instance, I saw something strange a night or
two ago." -,
'•Yes? What is it ?" ' . '
"Well, you see, about dark I was wandering about the
shore, enjoying a cigar and the beauty of the evening,
and rumina'ting whether it wouldn't be advisable to take
a boat uiid ga over to see her adorable majesty, Queen
Sibyl. Most likely my cogitation would have ended in
my going, only, unfortunately, there vyas no boat to be
seen. I was about to turn away in despair, when I sud-
denly espied a boat c^ppitling two persgns land at some-
distance below where 1 Itocid. One was a young fellow,
.tall and good lookin'g, with a certain air of aristocratic
hauteur about him that told me he was not to be inter-'
fered with. But his companion — olyi ye gods and littie
fishes ! what a perfect little sylph she/ was ! Such a mirac-
ulous combination of blue eyes, yellow guxlsr^nowy com-
plexioii) pink cheeks, and red, kissable lips, it neve^ was
my good fort|^ne t<r^ncounter before. But what struck'
me most forcibly, wa;s her resemblance to some one I had
seen before and after puzzling myself for a long time, I'
at length discovered shb was the very image of pretty
little Christie, of the isle." ^
■• its
4^
■ ,-,■'■
j^' ! ,, ' V
\
•^\sM,'*J>k%
IjmX'S
V Tie VLi '^visM
muLrn
m: ' •♦Ghjri.tie I oh, ppoh 'f it douldn't hare been «he/' «ii(l
dptoin Campbell, Willi an Uneasy start.
•• Of course, it coiildn'i, fij^Ve been shc,^ with so dainty^a
knight a» that, but it wlas mo n confouiidedly like her, or
whfi she was whea i sjiw her Rt^t— four^^years ago;
though I dare say she has grtatly changed since then."
*• Well, what was there so
.t* :*•.,,
strange about a handsome
fellow and a piwity girllanding on the beach, to' interest
the nonchfilant WiJl ^tafford r asked Captain Campbell.
"Ligten~I hfaven*t got to the strange part of my story
3ret. They walked up the beabh to the road,. and I could
see the girl was terrified and excited, while he tried to
t^the and quiet her. My cliriosity was aroused ; for,
•ppn my sopl, Campbell, I kever saw a lovlier little'
creature; and with a sort of idea they were up to somd
> mischief, 1 followed them. It ^as ijcarly^ dark, and they
l|Qr«ied on so fast they did not Uoiice rae, and I tracked
them into ope of the most obsjcure streets of tttfe town,
aiid saw th^ni^enter a little, seclidod, Methodist meeting.
/^
•*Wclir«aid his auditor.
"^ "JWjU, sir, the fellofcr left herl there ^nd went off. I
crept'fioftly in, an^ in the obscArity hid%behind a posf,
^terlnined to see the end. Dark as it was, I- could see
shetrem^ed with ia\Ya|d emotiiii, and croucl^d down
in her seat» with h^r faf:^ hidden in her hands, as if terror,
,i«morsQ, sorrow, or $oini^ ptb^r feelipg, was weighing
^wn her Heart/' ' \
*♦ Wonder the gay Will Sta^ord did not approach find
offer h|r«^SQl;I^iQn,"5aifi the young captain, dryly.^
\j.. "By Jove f I fpU like doing it," said Mr^ Stafford, in
r*il sincerity >»hutj wanted to s<}e wha^ was^p^for I
Icnew now air ftpuld' not be quite right Breaedtly, tlw
mr o^ Mokrfrsms BMiLjuk
Alt WAS
foiing n>ft« cim» biack. and *ith -hiitt a miniBter.
clear as karSr atbpooaday, now^-this was a luoaWay
md«ch»j^^lande«,i^'Wmage — aomctlwag which ia alwaya
interesting to fast^upg toen Uico tnyself. The iMff^
pair stood up belure the clergyman, apd tU« twain were
soon ntade ono'-flesh. . ^ -^^
'**My ears would have ran themsi^l|res into point*. in
order to hear, the better, but I listened flfc^yadn. The mm*>
istcr mumbled over the ccreinpny so cdftl^uadedly low
that I cottld not hear a single v/ord— not evi^a the nap»«*:
of the parlies, which I waisi particularly anxtbus to, fines'
out. 1 suppose U waa all right, however, foi\ I saw the
clergyman pocket the fee, and the young ms^, tucking
little blue-eyea und^r his ar^i walked off; a»^ faitb,
I'd given a trifle td hav« s^ood ip his place. I foH^wed,
not being ambitious to be locked^ up all ijight, ev«i^i» |*
Ifoly a place aj a chiirch. Just as I went out, I hearc^, a»
aw(ul shfi^k, and there the bride stood like one suddenly
turned to stone^ whil© the bridegroom was trying 4o gq%
sole her. What scared, her I .don't know, but certainly I
uever saw a moretenri^ed look on any face than was o^.;
^ers. Not wishing to b| seen, I drew badt, and.in a^few
minutes thij^y started olc I foliowe<kih,«(«ft as before^ and
saw the girl Stop for » moment in a grocery store, sprhU^
he. waited outsideJ Then ttey went do^fn to the b«ach,
heiianded hef into the boat, pushed off, ai>d they w<?c^
gone__leaving me to rub nijr ejfes and wondfer whether I-
was sleeping op waging. Now, wlwit do you think of thia
wading o» the ily^ without frielads, or witnesaea, <nf;
anytb^^ng in the usual line?" "^ .^
> ** Well, really, I cannot asqr, such things dd not interest
iMMW deefi^jf M UiejF d<i ip^tt. Perhapg U'a 0^ F«#i
port faslttii^t" ,. , - *
M
KM
OJTB OF FORTUNE? B StllLm.
« r«nt ' '^ ' something wrong. He was evidently of
a rank superior to the girl. I could tell that, both by
- oTe/^^r.rK '"''•^"^^"''"'^'"PP^^^^^^^^ I W^ like
to get at the botjom of this mystery."
r^SJ^T 7^^"°'.^« the. minister who married them,
. and find out from him ?" *
s.J^f^A ^?' '""^^ ••«^«°"s. First. I didn't see hrs face,
k t^, rf ^^'^ ^r '^ ' ^^""^^^^^ °^«'- W«?. Second
them and play.ng the' spy, that I should be ashamed td
tell any one of it, but so old a friend a^ou "
mnl^^"'i^J^"' "^''" ""'"^ '^'^ mysterious couple any
more, said Captain Campbell, impatiently; "but tell me
what I had better do about this advertisem^ent." '
Why go and see thisC. Ringdon, attorney-at-law at
•• But if it should prove to be a humbug ?" said Caotain
Campbell, as he sallied forth, arm-in-arm\ith StaffTd
inch of his 11^'" C /ingclon. attorney-at-law, ^ithin an
mchof his life, said his pacific friend. "It's the only
Dalm for a wounded mind I kno^V of "
tnrn^T*'" ^.^'"''^" ^^"Sfhed ; and the conversation
turned on wious raattersas they walked on
~a dingy-look.ng. old house, with his ndme over the
door, in exceedingly dingy letters.
fl^e in his office, when they entered. He pushed up his
.yg g5'^%^:H''v e yelt h em kecmfc^
AU riJ.>P'^'""**' "''' ^^^ ^"- Ring<lon. mentioned in
^u advertisement?" said Captain Campbell, handing
him the paper, and pointing to the advertisement \ ^
"■■""■#:'
;
^m
no
m.
!. M
/
1'
/
■]^m
ba
i^^^B
..«
1
W5
fl
Cf
^^ •'^^f^'ff^^'^^-^ ,p^
. .."%
ONE OF FOttTUNtPa 8M1LE8.
im
" I am sir, Cati you giVe me any information concern-
ing the parties in question ?"
"Faith, he ought tdf being the principal party in ques*
tion himself^ interposed Stafford.
"How, sir, — are you a relative of these Campbells of
the Isle?" asked the attorn ^^ . --'
"Yes ; the son df the Mark Canrpbell mentioned their.*'
" Ah ! ^Are their any more of you ? Is your father
iving ?
No ; he hj^s been dead these four years ; and there are
no more of us, as you are pleased to term it, but one sister.
May I ask what all this affair is about ?"
** CertainlVj, Mr. Campbell You are aware, perhaps,
-you had an unele in New York — Mr. Riciiard Eyre, (he
banker ?"
" I knew it ! Wasn't I just sqying the old gentleman
was at the bottom of it ?" said Stafford, giving Captain
Campbell a dig in the ribs.
" I am aware df that fact, sir ; he was my mother'a
only brother."
"Exactly. Well, he is dead." '
" Jndeed !" said the young man, gravely.
" Yes, sir ; and, having no heirs -of his own, he has left
his whole fortune to be divided equally between his sis-
ter's children. The sum is enormous ; and I beg leave (o
congratulate you on your good fortune. I do not knew
the exact amount, and for further particulars it will be
necessary for you to visit New York, where the lawyer
who drew up the will resides. Here is his address. All
you hare to do, 4s to^ prove your idcntiTy,"scrtie^ir fenr
preliminaries, and take immediate possession of your for-
tune Excuse me, gentlemen, I am very busy, and, wi|}>
your permission, will bid you good-morning." ^ *" Ty
-' ■ ' j'
An4 tfic little attprncy bftwed them pplitely o^t^
" yell, this is a streak of good lack .'"exclaimed Staf-
fonj. "Up^ my, wqrd, Campbell, you must have betia
born with a silver spool! ip your mouth. 1 suppose vciu
WilUt^ipstantlyforNevYoFk?" ^'
*^r -I instantly, my dear Stafford. I muaj go and in^
fornli Si^yl of our §oq<* fp|t«ne. Dear, noble girl, for\
l^^ls^M I am truly thankfql foV this."
* Of course you ought to be ; not many men are blessed
W 9|th S5M:h a sister a^ th^i r^^i^nt, glorious Sibyl. Hav<$^
you any objectioqs to my accompanying you ?" ^^
. "Delighted to l^ve you, my dear fellow. Suppose ^
^Pl at^rt H9W ; we wi|l be at Brantw^ll's before dark."
« JMSt a& you please, my dear sir. 1 suj^pose it will be
fht for sair een * to see her dazzling majesty, the Queen
t^« me, agaip."
A carri^^ wj^sopii ii^ readiness, and our two friends
farted to impart this sudden glimpse of fortune's sua-
M^e to Sibyl, 1
! It was dark when they leached the parsonage—a hand-
Some and rather iroposinjg-lQol^ing mansioi^— and were
^sher«d into th;^ drawipg-fpom by a neat looking little
^"l^s- Si^yl*l><J Mrs, BiajitwcU were seated alone, Mr.
ktw^i IV»vipg gfppe to ^^ a. sick parishioner,
^ibyl joyfully hailed hejf bro^h^r^ and smilingly greeted
his fipmpap^n^ who was, an old friend and secret admirer.
,^oar Will &affwd I The impressions the child Sibyl had
loyn^e^ly ii^ai^ (W» h^yart, time had nearly obliterated ;
l^ll th^t |fWiiant8m|l«v those glpjrioMS eyes and bewitch^
mm
Cloi^Mfs, Rr^twell welcomed her ^ests in her us,-
-- «J '3.-1
r?;'r ' ,
■ ■\
.- ' 4.,. J. S*'
'- <i'^
-^ >
y}
0^ QF FOBTUmtA SUtl08.
she heard of the unexpected good fortune of Sibyl ai|tf,
her brother, her rapturous delight knew no bounds
"Just to think of it !" she exclaimed, "my handsome
Sibyl an heiress. Oh, won't she create an excitensenl
now ? Young, rich, and beautiful ! Sibyl ! Sibyl ! what
an enviable fate is yours I" --^
Sibyl's cheek flushed, and her eyes brightened, as sli»i^
thdught of Willard. For his sake she rejoiced over her_
new-found fortune. Of ten and , bitterly had she secretly
regretted, an^ her pride revolted at the idea of beconting
the bride of one so far superior in wealth and fortune
But now she was his equal ! there Was triumph^ joy,
exultation in the thought. His aristocratic friends coul4
not look down on her^now — could not despise her for U?r
poverty. Look down on her— a Campbell of the Isle I IH
other days, who would have dared to do so and live?,,
But times had changed since those days ; and peopW'^^
looked more now to dollars and dimes than to blood f0t-^
noble ancestry. Now she had both ; she was his equal Iw
wealth, as she was infinitely his superior in every nobla
quality, and the triumphant thought sent the blood rush*
ing to her crimson cheeks, her red, glowing lips, and thf^
dark. Southern eyes of jet, lit up magnificently wi|||
pride, love» and exultation. This fortune of her? she
would cast at his feet, with her passionate devotioo^ «•>
she had a4rea>dy cast heart, and life, and being, and SQuk,
"What are you thinking of Sibyl?" said Captai%
Campbell, after watching her a few moments,^ with %
smile. " Your cheeks and eyes are hlazipg, yo«Mr nfbolo
facfriHumiiMrtedi tt» it wey»> wt t b^Br ww«y4 Ugb tr
and triumph. Surely you do not care aSriati^ a#- this k^r
wealth?" ^K
" ^QSk^ iiwnlPat it's all about/' bn^ it^Mm^
o^*fca*»A ai^iJ^
;-♦/.
110
OSB Op FOBTUITB-S BMllBB.
•^rhe'r^"' , '." ""f '""""""^ mae.er-of.fac. manier.
Shesthmking .ha. good-looking Mr. Druramond will
^::.^^;:^. "-'" "^ ''='-^'-'' '-• '-•■ •"- -!
■ fi^^^""^', ""'f^ '""" ■""■ '^'"'"«' ^"d blushed deeply at
fi«d™g her thoughts .bus in.erpre.ed. S.-afl,rd .urned
^-tle as he ,va.d,oU her glowing face ; and the conviaion
can e home .o l„u,. for .he nrst time, that Sibyl Camp?
in?'! "^""'^ ""^ apprecialcd by o.her eyes Ihan his.
«.m Campb'er' '" "-^™«>"'°"<' "e-r asked Cnp.
^- " Daj- before yesterday-wasn't it Sibyl ? i He doesn't
^flashing eyes of yours, my lady. I m not a youn.r pentTe!
t«a.L thank goodness! and am proof against ev^n'^thos"
bnght, angry glances. To be sure the young ml rn^v
have tome plausible excuse ; bu, it seems to m'eTn were
-in h,s place I'd stick to you like a chesnut-burr, for tor
yo^nght snp through my fingers. Poor, d«r Mr
and I never had any beauty worth mentioning," saW Mrl
Brantwell, with her usual jolly laugh K. sa-a Mrs.
.r.viv """ir^""' *''°"' "'"■"•'' "<=" l»<iy,"said Guy,
Inll^: r'l ' """•'^'"8 ■"«"' '■<' '"O"" bend my
knees to you than half the young girls I know. Only IVe
wnat 1 might be tempted to do."
hny^'H^^^ too confident. Master Guy," said the good-
humo red lady^ «« r wor '-<"'- «- •• s""^
tioo .'.r't'/ yo-S^^Tii^y^Jor^nycs^iZ^
w. I r^M r "" '""' °^ '"'""' """"""y «■'<' good
««te, I should hope yoa wouldo't fUU In lovewitk ma'
;--\-
,.-*,i
f'X
B*«^ T-ff^V*?^? '^*J^j|*^M
■^^1
^^^1
• '>: /;
r^J^H
'
ONE OV FORTUima SMILES.
in
And here comes Mr. Brantwell himself, who wouldii't;
appiove of it, by any means." /
At this moment the good clergyman entered, and
warmly greeted his gy^ests. '
In a few words his wife told him of this astonishing
good fortune; Mr. Brantwell always took matters very
coolly, a circumstance which sometimes provoked his
more excitable lady, as on the present occasion— he
merely elevated his eyebrows slightly in token olf sur-
prise,and said : ;
" Indeed !" / '
*"Yes,'indeed !" responded his wife, irreverently mim-
icking his tone, ''and one would think fortunes were in
the habit of pouring into people's hands as they walked,
by the way you take it."
" Well, vvhcr^ is the use of flying off at a tangent at
everything," retorted her spouse, " as you do. I suppose, ,
captain, you will start for New York immediately ?"
" Yes, to-mprrovv morning." : ,
" And as Sibyl may be wanted, you had better take
her, too," said Mr. Brantwell.
" Very trvje ; I never thought of it before. Can you
be ready, Sibyl ?"
Sibyl thought of Drummond, and asked, rather hesita«^
tingly, " HoW long' will you be gone ?"
" About a week — or two or three, at the farthest."
*' Now, Sibyl," broke in Mrs. Brantwell, who seemed
to possess, the faculty pf reading people's thougbxs» ".^
" never mind Mr. Drummond j I'll break the news of
your-abs^nce to him—tn—the getttleaMnantiCf-posstb]
Your fortune is of more importance just now than bi»«
lordship,/ who, no doubt, will follow you to Nevr Yorlr
when he/ heurs you are there." > * >^v
A
C ' ■
\ '-m
'$■/<' jt
^-WW'?^>f i^^^-^^'^qf ^
'U$
«»• ^»t«l6-.m» IWMSZSt
ui J?*? "^^J? ? "«^«^^>'»8 angnr with theg«iod.hiiinor«d
Wd lady, so Sibyl smiled, and mmU^ i^rmdy betimes
And early the following day th^ brother and sister »fit
\
\,
|!T^,W« tat, »
r u
I
CHAPTER XI. ' i
THE STORM— THE WRECK.
•"n»«r«8 of ItoiHls is in the battling^ clouds, '
The glare of hell is, in these sulphurous ligfatniags t
Tm '* na eafthly Horn . " Bbktiuil
"rwaMFQ days after the departure of Sibyl ere Wil-
lard Drummond visited the parsonage again.
, And then he h«^rd of her departure with real sur-
pnsc and aflfeeted concern ; hut he did n^ follow her to
I<ew York, as Mrs. BrantwcU had prophesied. *
h«rfT?^'''°" for Christie was yet too ,>ew-^the mv^ty
his dwn indisputable property, had uot yet atoned, a, it
wou d do some day, as it must do ; for such quick, fierce.
, completely, as it hj} conw» so must it di* ; for he wm not
me^ those whx,, iu ipvi^ oice l«ve for,a life^i^e.
^^^ ^/^^J^'''^^^'^'^ in <>afih ttott l o^
-r;v-''5Wli^leC^;^lQuirpOTwnCS^
^i.^ • u-M?"!*^ ***''^ '^*'*''*^ ^'^'^ *»*»^s» drooped. l<lMli4
««idperh*4iedof * brok«J,^,|«tt.aib,lC^
^/:
>;« '
apEQT sTOB^fT-fas wimei^
■V
m
m
majestic with the strength of her wrongs, and hurl to °
destritict^n all those who had acted a part in her down*
fall. Soipething of all this would at times flit through
Willard Drummond's mind ; and once came the ungenerr
ous thought that perhaps after^l it would have been bet^
ter had he never seen Campbell's Isle. But on^ smile
from Christie, one fond caress from her gentle arms,
and all this was forgotten, and all the world ^as agaii|.
bounded for him by its wave-dashed shore.
So the days of Sibyl's absence were wearing away, and
Willard still lingered a willing captive. Even Mrs. Tom's
eyes were beginning to be opened to the fact that there
must be sdmething more than met the eye in these long
solitary rambles— those moonlight; walks and sails the
young couple were so fond of. 4*^t Moll had long been
throwing out sundry mysterious hints which Mrs. Tom--* -
who' disliked gossiping— paid no attention to ; but now
she began to think thatf, after all, it might be more pru-
dent to keep this g^y young man of pleasure a little
oftener from Christie. So Qne day she surprised Christie
by a sound scolding on hei'."goin' prowlin' through the
woods at all hours, whei^ she ought to be at home doing
her work," and positively forbidding her going out again
for a week.
Christie listened in dutiful silence, but promis/sdF'
nothing; an* in spite of all Mrs Tom's watching, met-
Willard a^. often as ever. For that young gentlmaafi
would visit the cottage each day ; and the little widow --
was altogether too hospitable to hint that he came oftener
?as exactly desirable. Ji^d so th^e waa notbiot
do but tol^ope tlmt Miss Sibyl would soon return to the
isle, a«d Ipok i|fi<r hffr lover h^rj^W, for Jdrs. Tom wM
growio^ %i§p^ Qf % ^^4e%.Bbe r<mlly lik^ tbt jioulil.
■■■< !^
U^.
t^Mt*'
•^IBf'^
•xr^fTT^!^
kr
TBB jmmM-TSB WREOK,
X.
'^!^^^^^''T^ '^^^^ *^«"^^' »^^°^ - paragon of
A^^u'. °°'^ '''°"^^ '^^ ^«^« «"entive to Christie
And Christie, the sW little rhiM . j/ '^"^""S"e.
v-^^^S.nce their bridal-night, the mysterious phantom had
never b<jgn seen ; and "both were begin ninnohoDe^
had beenonly an illusion of a heated imaai^tron^Mr
Drum-nond had acc<H.nted for the terWyrng'hriek a.d
Christie's fainting fit in some-ingenious way of "is own
that quite satisfied the old ladv knd \^Za\ '
suspicions she might have conpe'ived ''"' '°^
_ One evening, as Willard set cyu* to keeo aft nn««- .'
ment with Christie, he observed ^L J::Z:^, o7Zt
sitting perched up ona limb of a giant pine tree IhrH?*
thatSi:L^j^;:^:!;--^-^'^--ntioni.
^^ Well, and what of that ?" said Mr. Drummond "A
saiUs^not such an unusual sight here, is it-
•sne.;!''' '^'■''' ^T"" ^'^''''''> ^"' '^ ^« Lord ain't took
"A storm, you blockhead!' exclaimed n,
•'There i« n«» /^i j- , "* exclaimed Drummond,
xnere is not a cloud in the sky."-
^ "Jes'lookober dar, massa, and see dat black dlond
•bout de size o' your hand " '
"Well?" said Willard." /
_JAP^ett^sooa dat 4wil^aa.t>berthe skyyant deiOvcTT^
liaS a taring squall. De trees tell de wind's risin'al^IV
a^Tou needn't be s'prised ef toWorrrai^yo^^
M^ d^ r^m. o' dat wessel spread all over the shc^a" -
-«>'
THB 6T0BM—TBB WRECK.
ta
And Letn, with » dolef ut shake of his head, descended
from his perch and sought the house.
Ere the hour had passed, Lem's prognostications
Droved true. The heavens rapidly darkened, as dens^
|Pblackj threatening clouds rolled over it ; the sea.|)ecame
of an inky hue, crested with white, ghastly-looking foam, -
as it heaved and groaned like a "strong heart in strong'
agony," The wind rose and crashed with terrific foroe'
through the woods, bending strong trees like leedf before
its might. \ '
" Lor* sakea, horn #' blows !" said Mrs. Tom, as sbe '
blustered in and out. " I'clare to man, it 'most took me'
right off my feet. I ain't heerd sich a wind these five year
come Chrismas, and them two ships were wrecked right *
out from the shore, .and every soul perished. Dear, dear I
what a sight it was next day, when all the drownedT^
corpses was washed ashore. It was the most awfulest
sight I ever seed. Carl, don't sit layin* there in the cor-
ner all night, toastin' your shins like a singed cat. Get
up and pick the pen-feathers out of that fowl.'*
" I h^ajrd Lem saying there was a ship in view about aa
hour ag(i," said DruHimond, rising. * r-
"Lord a' massy upon them, then !" said Mrs. Tom;^'
" for, if they touch the shore, they'H every one go to the
bottom."
" Oh, dreadful !" said Christie, turning pale with pity
and horror. - , . '^"
"It's goin'to bean awful night-1 Just listen to the \
wind roarin' through the trees, and that rain ! I never *
heafdlTie waves boomin' oh the Jbeach as tficy^reldoTn' ~
now, that a wreck didn't fuller, li'd a blessin* Captain "^
Guy and Mi$s Sibyl ain't oijttbe s«a this di^xiful night. '
eRo think of tflbi i
•>»*•)
^*'-
* *'
>.;''
Whea they were ^way, I useoTto think
m every
JH
"l^.-'^aVJ^'
mx MTom^jsm wmm.
«>♦
storm. X<or^ preserve ua ! look at that" A»rl «i*fc
roof a^uuSk'LT' •'*"*""« 'o b'»gd«w, ,ho
. .h. fl-^ *'^' • * 'empestuous dash of min u if
Li-. ^ "•" '""" "Shtnioff, as though uTwh^ni: -
mament was one sheet of flairo • a cni^ of .1. j .
Mm Tr.«, * ■ "^ '" spean or move. v
.bm^, ■ '"'K^'-S I*'" first, iavfaluntary aja™,
A.T#«Tarr^ t r s^eH '^"^ ^
.«onn tad aAsT^uttonJd up lis Z ''•'' "'"'"'• ""
^1 r^^ *^^ notgo^~<Jo oot We US'" cri«d rh-:«»-
Spring Off forward anrf r^^i m^ ^^ Christjc^
' he whiTl '■ "" ■"" '"""'« «• : *«" « no danger."
«tth WsTr- '-^"""^'-K'^. ---"»« her slight w»k
i.g'tm Tn'rirsi:;^'^'^^^^^^^^^^^^^ »■«' ^»-'"'-
shocked and indignant ^" °' ''°'' B^-'S ™
aownl'^dlro^f. 'r:;,!'- f '"• ^" ,"—■«'. k-eel
ofcjourself ,«^ ■'^^'^ !" ''^''" °"8ht to be ashamed
'blS to ' '^".""L" " ""»8- Mr. Drummond. I'd b.
R..» L J^^ '' ''''8'>"«"-. respeetable." .
But here, Mrs.Xon.-s words we„ abruptly cut .ho«i
/^
■■^mm''^-^'''^'^^''-
• ,. . . ■■-'>;
IW «l^ll^f!B» irjiMQK;
i!¥
and •hiieking: of the «torn», p«aled a mhiote-^ti of a ^\p
in distress, Jike an agonized cry for help. •"" /
" H«av«n bft merdf uI I Usten to tliat T exetabned
Mrs. Tom, tuhaing pale.
Another fierce, tempestnous burst of wiftd andralu
another biinrding g*are of sulphtrrous lifs^htntng ; ^notftct
appalling peal of d«a^«jM«^ thundejl' rent tlmi air. And
then agaiji boomed the tt)intite<^n over the sea.
" Something must be done ; something shall be dottef
cried Willard^ excited beyond' endurance, at the thought
of so many perishing almost within a daxen rods of, wher*
he istuod. V Carl, my boy, come with me j and, with tIrtL
assistance o) Lem, we may be able to sav« some of tho^
perishing, w^retehes." ^ H
" It's too T«f/ 1" said a terrified voice, frotti^he cortttf/
as its owner crouched into a still smaller ball.
But Mrs. Tom— who never forgot the practical xm
matter what her alarm might be — went over, and^king
tlie unfortunate youth by both earss, lifted him, 5»ith K
jerk, to his feet. > \
With a how:Vof pain,. Carl extricated^iimself f rbm hw
hands/ aod clapped both his own palms Over the injured
members. ^ ' - <^';
" Now, go this minute, and get your hat and ovcrcoat,\^*ir
and g6\6vt with Mr. Drummond, and do Whatever yott
can. An<f H he goes laying around, just give hini( a blow',
'long side-^f the head, and make him know hc'i got ^o
mind^bft. Come, be quick !" - | .
Carl, whose dread of the- storm Was far inferibf td hfs
dread of Mrs> T.om> don n ed his coat and hat witj
■*n
al.ncnty'<->h^vtn^ tied the former under his cbFa^ wHh a
red harifdkerchie'f, to keep it on— stood reftdy to depaV^
tha
MtJif,
^F"
few
,::*S^
4 Iff' »''*" ' ■'«'■•''''? "Iff j
m
- f
TBB BTOBM—TBB WSBOK.
Wiping the tears from his eyes, first with the cuff of ode
sleeve, and tljiien With the other.
^vU^^» ^Willard cast one look nt Christie, who haa sunkon the
floor, her face hidden in horXap ; and then turned to deLi
followed by the unwilling Garf. The blinding gust or
wind and rain that met them in thefac6 nearly drove ihem
l»ck ; but, bending to the storm, they resolut^ly.plunged
Qn.,; and it required all the strength of Mi-s. Toto to close
Jwe door after them.
^ .. The~ storm scemad inordasing in fury. The wind
howled, xaged and shrieked ; the waves thundered with
terrific force over the rocks ; the thunder roared, peal upon
peal, shaking the ve™||^r.ind to its center; the lightning
alone lit np f6r an f^tant, witii its blue, livid glare, the
pitchy darkness ; and tlien the cra^h of the strong trees in
the neighboring forest, as they vvierc violently torn up by
, the roots, all mingled together in awful discord.
But, above all, the minute-gun-rdcame wailing once
more over the sea.'
. The two, plunging so blindly through the storm, has-
tened on as if winged at the saddest of sounds. And
after tumbling, slipping, falling, rising, a^ J^urrying on
again, they readied th^ld lodge at l-ist5»^^^^ ■ . '
A light was burnilf in the kitchcii|^3|^H|hed in''^
there-wet, dripping, .ind half-bliadlF^T^ storm
Aunt Mol^ was on her knees in tlie middle of the floor
rOckThgba^k and forward, and praying alqud in an a-ony
^r«'" «"^ apprehension ; and Lcm was ^valking up
'*— groaning and praying, at intervals, with his
'^^goodij l^^^ I-s b^^e n a d refful siuneiy -r j..; htft if '
II
do
|Poiily spare me jes' aUi^le while longer, I tends to
letter. Oh, do spare me 1 I ain't rea4y.to go 'deed i^^
'^^■'A -'-'
^ife
^ '
,£■ •"
oath^
i^'
>ust oC^
'
; ihem
unged
) close
wind
1 with
upon
umng
c, the
ecs in
up by
:^,^ V
SBil BTORMr-TBB WBBOKi
mW^'
r
*flp
4<'
)L 'Slfl*I ain't. Please do, good Lor', an' I'll nebber do
W notinn' sinful again. Oh, what a streak o' lightnin' dat
i^ 'ar was ! O, Lemuel, kneel down, or yer ole ihammy'lt "
be took away i'n a flash o\ lignrnin' like 'Lijah was "
^ And in an agony oFT&r Lem tramped up and down /
" the long kitchen, quaking at every fresh clap of tl^oder.
" Come, cease that caterwauling !" said Drummon<if as
he burst fn upon tbem, dripping like a , sea-god ; "and
yoCi, Lem, get your coat, and come with us down to the
bench, and see if we. cannot save some poor unfortunates
!rom death and destruction." r 5
fc " 'Deed, Master Drummin', honey, I dassent, I's 'feared ,
to go-out," said Lem, his teeth chattering like a pair ql
castanets. ^ , .
"You black villain, if you are not ready in ten min-
utes, I'll thrash you till you are not able to stir!" ex-
claimed Willard, ca'^king and shaking him furioiisl^.
Too terrified by the young man's fierce tone to resist,
Lem drew on his hat and coat, and, shaking lik6 one to
an ague-fit, followed them out into the° night, and dark-
ness, and storm. ' -T
Once more over the tempest-tossed waves rolled th»V
* mournful voice of the minute-gun, like a dying cry.
"Oh, Heaven, this is maddening!" exclaimed Willard,
rushinpr to the beach like one demented^ " to think thcjr
should periih thus, within reach pf us almost, while w^
arc here in safety. Carl, where is your boat? Iwill ven-t
lure out, and sec if I cannot save some One, at least."
"bh, Marsc Drummin. ! for de dear Loril's ssrfce, doii't
risk it !" cried Lem, 'in>n agony of terror. ""No. beat
could live two tninutes Lndcm waveiL" — ^ — — .___>-_„i_,j_„_.
•* You couldn't launch the boat in these brea4erq^'^Mp:.>'tj
Carl^'^BiiiGlilessimU, ifjouwcreintoher." ,
%^ a
X%j
^;
''Attd they must ^rish before our very eyes ! tsL
fteayens, Ais is awful I" ' ^ ^^
AgAtn he listened for thd gun, but it c^me no more
Its voice was silenced in stor'fe and deatli.
" They have gone down ^^said Carl ; " th6 signal gun
WHlfire no more." ^
- •Heaven have mercy on their souls J" said VVillard
«aemnly, lifting his hat. \ '
" Amen !" said Lem, whose f^rs seemed swallowed
tip m awe. ) ^ \
*' We may soon Idbk out for\the bodies," said Car'
slraining his eyps over the black, teething waves. '
Even as he spoke, by the blinding light of a g1|fg of
lightning they beheld two bodies, lathed to a spar, ttiW» *L,
violently 6n the sands near them. \ All s%rigjfferw4^, H
and drew them up beyond the reach W the Waves. ♦( ^,' A^
"Unfasten this rope," said Carl, ^ and we 4tfp^rini.
them up to the house. Perhaps they iiay notffe'drowheT^
y*'-" / ■ ' \ - ''1 , ' I ■
^^^ "One's a woman," said Lem, as hte ^the lashing.
" Lean carry her, I reckon, while you two tote the man
long.**
"^ " Go on, th^in," said Willard, " up i6^rs. tom's. Be
quiek f"
Bearing, with the utntosf difficulty, theiV wet andappar-
ently lifeleiss burdens in their arms, they ^ached the cot-
tage of the widow, and deposited the Wsel^s f.;rms
iMfore the fire. Then, leaving them to her clxi^ge and that
of Christie, they descended once more to thci beach to rcs-
^„»M other Urtfprtut ^te^ mM i ai ght-pr»feM e ntiaUy b o
washed ashore.
toWaM ittldiilght the Stordi Abfttid, 6ttd the king of
^^*»p«»t wu«aif iMg&ii t<f aiii di mi aaitg. the mM
i. ,T?'-' "'.(J i^' . '.i«"f^!
■'il^^?..
• .- - f %•*.
■^ 2^
g^^i^|/i^>; r.JJ^^^ -,*-v^:t'V?^ ^^^,^5 ^^^^
y ^i. * * »
msrZ'S RBTUBN TO XS9 'liSliA
m
^ H^ck clouds slowly rolled back, the lightning ceased to
flash, and the thunder only growled in the distance. The
wind abated^ and the t»in fell more slowly ; but, though
tjiey waited until morning dawned, no moj^e bodies were
wafted to tl^eir feet. >
The next day's light showed a scene of ruin andjckath.
The beach was strewn in every direction with fragments
c of the broken ship, and some half-do^n dead bodies lay
scatteredpn the sands. All were cold and dead; and sad
aod^disappointed, our tired and drenched watchers tu^rned
away. \
Befor^ going to the lodge Willard visited the cottage,
s^ and leariiled that th^^scued ones were both alive, and
I Dhight recover. And, grateful to have been th? mea;i^ o|
saving even two of the unfortunates, h^ sdught; his own
f<f, couch, to dream of wrecks %nd drowned m,en tUl iioiQn-
day.
\
r
' CHAPTER 3tII.
SIBYl/s RETURN TO THE ISLS.
I
<-" There i$ a shadow in h«r e3r«|, / .
A languor in her frame ;
Yet rouse her spirit and shell glow
With passion's &erce)^ flame."— T. W. q.
T was late in the afternoon of the following day wheti
Willard Drummond left the lodge for Mrs. Tom's
cottage. Curiosity to see the rescued ones premp«\
"tedffievrMtasmuchasanjrothM^
along rapkiiy, viewing thte scene "of d^solatioa wjuck ^
preceding nighf« tempest h^d left. " ^ T '' '
The oottafl^ door was opon to a^nit tiif ^kmim^^^
' \
\ \^
i9 ^ BirnVS BMTVRN TO THE IStS.
shine, and Willard paused for a moment to view the scene
before he entered.
Mrs. Tom went bustling about the room in her usual
breezy, chirruping way, talking incessantly, but in a sub-
dued tone, as though afriiid of disturbing^ some one.
Christie sat near the win(|ow, bending over her sewi.n^^
looking pale still, after the terror and excitement of tl»^
previous nighi. But WTilard's eyes did not lin^et-^:^
moment on her; they were fixed, as if fascinated, ofi
another, who lay bafck in Mrs. Tom's arm-chair, propped
up with pillows.
It was the woman, or rather the girl, he had saved.
What was there in that pale young face to make him
surt so vei)emenily, while the blood rushed in a crimson
torrent to his very temples ? He only saw a small, slight
figure*; short, crisp, golden curls clustering over a rotind,
whitP, polibhed forehead ; bright, saucy gray eyes, half
vailed now under the long, silken eyelashes, resting on the
pearly check ; a little rosebud mouth, and a nose deci-
dedly tetrousse. It was not a wonderfully pretty face;
but there was something bright, piquant, original, and
charming about it— something daring, defiant, and high-
'/ spirited, as you could see even in its pallor and languor.
' She might have been sixteen, though she scarcely looked
" so old as that.
She lay back now with her I'ttle white hands folded
listlessly on her lap, her vailed eyes fixed upon them with
a dreamy, abstracted look, as of one whose thoughts are
far away— replying low and languidly to Mrs. Tom's
c easeless ques t ioni n g, And Willard Drum mo nd, pale
and excited, leaned against the door-post, gazing upon
l^er like one who cannot believe his senses.
Suddenly Christie raised her eyes from her work, and
%m^u
•ffx
ttarvs RBTxatN to tee isle.
m
uttered an ejaculation as she espied him. He could
linger no longer, andjike one who walks in his sleep, he
passed in.
the clear, dark eyes of the little lady in the chair mere
raised as he enter|d, and fixed with a look of complete
amazement on his l^ce. Her dark eyes dilated— her lips
parted in surprises, is she made an effort to rise from her
chair,|and then ^nk back-^^xhau^ted.
"Willard Drummond !" broke in surprise from her
lips-
'•-j/ "Laura!" he exclaimed.
Aad he was by her side in an instant, holding her
hands in his, and gazing in her eyes with a look that
would have aroused Sibyl's jealousy, had she been pres-
. ent, but which only puzzled Christie, who, with Mrs.
Tom, looked on in astonishment. \
" Who in the world would have expected to meet you
here!" said the lady, recovering first from a moment's
embarrassed silence ;«' certainly the last spot on earthy
should ever look for the gay, pleasure-loving Willard
Drummond. So, sir, I presume you have been 'taking
the world easy,' here in this Enchanted Isle, while your
pool", deluded friends were laboring under the conviction
you were inaproving your mind— which needed improv-
ing, goodnejss knows— by foreign travel ? Pretty con-
duct, Mr. Difummond, I must say !"
"Oh, Laura! Laura! how little did I dream, last
night, you were in that fatal ship !" he exclaimed, passion-,
ately.
^"yghljresx w a sn't it a wful ?" said, the youag^
with a shudder, "I'll never get the horrid sight "and
sounds of that dreadful night ojit of my mind wh;le Iv
live Oh I to have heard the scream*^ and cn«a,'Oiid.^
'f\
'h^-<r
iM ' tt
mBTZ'8; ns'j
TO: am -KSSft
pfti9!«^« and blospliemies of the drowning crewj mingling
ititlit tbfr teoxflul storoi, was appallingvllbly saints, ^ I
lijear them yet !"
Wiidi a Cf»ivul!siv.tt.s}ii«ddep, she l»d b^'fftco in her
" Xhan^ Beavea your- lif* was saved*, at least," said
Xhrumniond, widi tptvot. <.
" Yes, our escape was little les» than. nW^iaculous. I
eenetaber sooie one- making me fast tp a flo^itiBg spar, as
the ship struck ; then the waves swept furiously oyer me,
and I remember no more, until I awofc© and found kind
iriends chafing my hands and temples. Was it you who
saved me, Willard ?!'
'♦^Not exactly. The waves washed you ashore, and
nty part of it was merely to have you conveyed up here.
But how little did I dream then, that Laura Britton was
90. near!"
** Laura Go»»rtney, if you please, Mr. Drummond," she
said, quietly. " I have had the honor of changing my
tta'Be since I saw you last."
- ** And you /utvt married Edgar Courtney ! Oh, Laura,
Laura?" be said, reproachfully.
Her eyes flashed as she faced suddenly round, and
^ «aiid, sharply :
* "Y(?;s, I have nnarried him; and, Mr. Drummond,
"don't you dare to speak of him in that toRe'^^ain. I will
.nq^endure it. No, not if you hid saved my life a dozen
times.." ,
The angry blood flushed to her pale cheek, and she
her hand angrily away from his grasp.
-IfiricfidL
WiiUrd bit bis Up till it bled, to keep down ^s rising
anger ; while Christie &\^d Mrs, Tom still sat staring in
jJMnraiiny aawwcawsat. , ■ - . '}
over me.
• ^iA'
Inhere was a long, 4t^agree^ble j pause, ibroken at last
by Mrs. Courtney fs0fy'mg, in hef usual quick, vibtupt
way: /
"There ! you need- not getmdd, now, Willard.; have
you forgotten that no one used ever to get angry at any-
thing said by 'Madcap Laura ?' Come, don't &pea4c so of
Mr. Courtney again, and I'll forgive you ; there's pg^'^ad •
on it. I ^^nnot forget that we are old friends."
A shadow ^ro^ed -Willaj-d's face, «s he bent over 4be
little hand she extended.
" Has your — has Mr. Courtney bsen savsd?" he- asked,
in a subdued tone.
"Yes, the waves washedusa^ore together, but some-
thing struclchim on the<hend, and he>i^ unable to rise. I
suppose you are puzzling your braius^ow to know what . ^
brought us to this quarter of i ih* globd ? 'f *
" I confess I Imve some curiosity a« thatpoittt." -
"Well, you see," said' little Mrs. Courtney, adjusting
herself more eottifortably in her ^haii^, "we weflt<on a '
bridal-tour to New York, and on our way home Edgar
thought he would iBali at^eitpoft,'where<he Iiatd; business
of some'kind. All thewtty we h^d>fine weather^ntil the
journey Wb;s at its end, and then the storm arose in which
we nearly perisbNi. ^But, Willard, what under the sun
can ImVe driven you here ?" > ^'
Willard colored as he met het-kee)i,^bright^lanee.
" Well, I came with a friend of mine, a certain Captain
Campbell, Who owns aresidence here, and ?! am ifor the ■
present his gu^t, though un^ipected business, lorttititne^
called him away. Anything for a change, you ktiow,"<l>e
iiddccr,TlBBgfiiig,^*^ha iMslil
aeitiMd oT
attraction."
**% «o iiti^aiM," itaid -Urs. Cmmatsy, ;|^a&«ta(g %9-
i.'m/
ist
» BlSTL'a RETUSir TO TBE I8LB:
I
niurely at Christie. " I certainly admire your good taste
in saying^so. Once here, with such a divinity as tbis, I
cab easily account for the attraction that bijids you, most
fickle 6f men, here," she added,'in a lower tone.
"Pshaw, Laura 1" he said, striving to hide by a laugh
the guilty iush that lingered still on his face, " you surely
do not think I have forgotten j»'<!'« so Soon ?"
" If it were any one else I woulAuat, but you— oh, you
never would be true to any one fonder than a month.
Talk about woman's fickleness ! I'm sure the wind never
was half so changeable as you.'' '
I "Yes,' you gave me grieat encouragement to be true to
you" he answered, with some bitterness.
" Did I," said MrsL Coih-tney, with «i yawn. " Well, I
know I was a horrid little simpleton ohce, but I've grown
dd ind wise now. And, if it's all the same to you, Mr.
Drutnmond, I'll leave you now. I feel tired and half sick
►> yet, jxfter last night.".
d\}e rose and went into the room with a weary, tired
air. 'v- i V ' ' i ' ^
iv' " So, you know her?" said Mrs. Tom. " Who'd ever
thought it?'So that tall, dark-looking (ellow, with all thg
whiskers and mustaches, is her husband? I declare if it
ain't scandalous the way gals wt'U get married afore
they're ou^ o' short frocks. I jist wish I had a darter— no,
I mean if I /uxda. darter— I'd like to see her tryin' to get
married at such an unchristian age !"
Christie turned scarlet, and bent lower over her work.
Willard stood leaning with one arm ton the mantel-
piece^ gazing t h oughtfully into tlie Jfire.
'•What did you say her name was^?"" inquired TSfirs.
Tom, sitting down, arid beginning to reel off yarn.
' " Mrs. Ec^ar Courtney, now ; she was Laura Brltf^n
#)
K
*TSIV>
i>iv*
l^rrs BETURN TO TEE JBLR
when I last met lier," he said, as if half speaking to him-
self. , / -
♦• S'pose you've kno*n her a long time ?" coiitinued
Mrs. Tom.
" Yes, we were children together," he, replied, in the
same dreamy tone.
^"And lier husband — known hira long?" pursue^^Mr^
Tom.
••Yes, I know him for a cruel, jealous, passionate
tyrant!" said-.JVVillard, starting up so suddenly and
fiercely that Mrs. To™ dropped the bail she was winding,
and sprang back.
•' Well, you needn't make such a fuss about it !" she
exclaimed, recovering lierself, and indignantly resuming
her work. " Scaring a body out o* iheir wits for nothiQ'. ,
I s'pose she knowed all that afore she took him."
"Pray, pardon my vehemence, Mrs. Tom," said Wil-
lard, recovering himself by-an effort, as he saw Christie's
troubled gaze fixed on his face; "I forgot myself for %
moment. But this patient of yours, this Mr. Courtq^y,.
may need a doctor. I am going over to VVestport to- "^
night, and if you wish, I will bring one to-morrow." ' - ,
" It would be better," said Mrs. Tom, thoughtfully.
" He's got a temenjouscut right in his head. I did what
I could for him ; but, of course, a body would feel more
satified if they had a reu'lar doctor."
" If I were ill, Mrs. Tom, I should trust to you ii. prist-
ereiice to any doctor ever warranted to kill or cure," said
Willard, as he took his hat to go. ,v
Mrs. Tom smiled benignly at the compliment, q^i^$ ^i?^
elijrhtedatrtlits tacit iieknv^whjdfrmeiJt of her sUiW^i'
'^,V»' t3
And an hour aftgr, Willard and Lem were, on their
way to WfotRQit.
it.
ir'-" *.
'V^i
■^4^
'' '' ^Whrit WeVe Willatd Prammond's thoughts, as, sitting
•Uently in the stern of the boat, he watched the dancing
waves flash and sparMe in the stinlight ? Very different
-froitf those he had indufged not long since, when, on one
eventful night, he and Christie had crossed it together.
This Laura Courtney, with her pretty, piquant face, and
pert, sau<^ manners, had first woi> his >oy ish heart. He
bad raved, and vowed, and implored at hpr feet, but she
only laughed at him and his passion, and now she had no
*ttl6i« power over his heart than if s^e never existed.
Might it not be the same with those he ihad loved since ?
Was not hi* passion for Christie beginning to grow cold
already? Would it not grow bolder every day. And in
the bt«; ardor of his love he had made this little obscure,
iin^nbated, shy child, his wife. Why, oh, why, had he
not waited? Arid now ihiit;ibe deed was inseparable,
where was 5his to end ?
They reaehed Westport before dark ; and Lem, having
landea him, set off for the island again, prqmising to
^Mstiirt^ior him in the morning. The moon ^vas just rising
ibove the pine trees when he reached home; and, on
entering the house, the first object he beheld was his
young mistress, in close conversation with his mother.
"Lor* sakes, Miss Sibyl ! ydu here !" was Lem's first
ejaculation.
♦• Yes, Lem ; and glad tobehpme again," she answered,
gayly. "Aunt Moll tells me y^u have just been tliking
Mr. Druttimond over to We/tport." .
"So 1 hev ; but I'm to^go- for him early to-morrow-
^orttin.' /Spect, ef^he^ know you was a comin,' bed
« Htimt^h !" sitttd Auttt Moll, dubioiKly.
■,.'>!
f
-'(f*.
HDid'lie seenw lowely during mjfw^uring wrrmbteaco I"
VP- V "Lonesome ? 'Deed he didn't, honey y fee was tn • fo«t
rate spirits all the time." r „;
" Ah !" said Sibyl, a shadow falling oyer her laceV****»^^^
spent his tin*e to fisliing awd ihootlng,' I «uppos^; and »
soarittg birds?"
" Snarin birds? Yes ; an' caught'one, too,"^id A*wit
M6U, iwa tone that sjDolcc volumes.. i
"6i^g!it ottet 'What do you mean, 'Au»t Moll \?^ 4,
don't wsderwaad,^' said ^ibyl, anxiously. \ '
"Miss Sibyl; do»*t listen to her. She?s allers^c some
nonscosei to tell,"^ Interrupted' Lena, oastiogam angry axA
warning glance toward his mother. .' ':* ;' ^
But now that the oj^portunity she had so long iwaittd
for had come, the old woman's tongue was not to be
stoppred.
♦< It^sall fur yer^od, child, ^Mced ifcis ;i*n' I -sidcfsit
iny<*«ty tfo warn you, toon$y, (dat MassaiDran*0(i«iBd',aiBJ|,
tobe 'pended -on. Dar !'*
"Aunt Moil, nrhat do y«m* mean? Speak, -and tell iwe
what you are hinting at. What : has Mr. > Dntmmoiii^^
done?'* askeid Sibyl, growing very palfe.
"Well, chile, 'stead o'stayin,' here, aadtMakittgdb
you, as he'd orter, "he's been prowlin', all hotirs >o' j^e
night, round de island, wid dat 'ar Miss Chrissy-^mafcing
lub to her, I'll be bound." \'^^
" IVAai t" cried ^yl, 4n a tode that mode the old
.voman leap to4ifcr feet, ay she sprang forward, and caught
her by the arm. '^ Dare you insinuate such a thing? 1
*eL you *te-coui'd not, and hei^ouklaiot—- hedareMot ptwwa
ie.'l^iire'n' " -- ,— - - -^ -_..... ^j.,„.=i^
** Mis&45ibyl,iioi»sy li^r de^JLotcifs take, doitftlMky^
^i-*
tA,*
viJUi'SW'-j ■■ ' ,~-^ --."^ '. . iff* ■
^'
H90
BIBTVB RETUm TO TBB 18LB,
^ \
t.
me wid such wild eyes. I ^spec's she's .witched him. I
can't 'count for it no other way," said Aunt Moll, trem-
bling be|(^re the awful wrath of those blazing eyes. " T
H)n'y says what I knows. He's all the time talkin' 'bout
, her t6 hisself, when he's 'lone.'' ^ „ *
"It cannot be true ; be dare not deceive me^| almost
shrieked Sibyl. " What proof have you of thi|l^>«3peak !
speak !' .«'
"Miss Sibyl, honey ! you may 'sassinate me efyou's a
mind to ; but I's tellin' de trufe. Sence eber you. left,
dey ain't a minute apfart. Dey've sailed in de riber after
night, an' gone ir^mpin' in.de woods in de day time ; an'
I's heered him callin' her his 'de^atfjChrissy,' when he's
'lonfc. I knows, chile, 'taint pleasa^'flor likewise 'gree-
able for you to hear dis : but I talks fof your good, honey
/-iMeed I does."
But now the first fierce gust of passion was over, and
pale and tottering, Sibyl leaned against the chimney-
piece — her arm on the mantel, her head bowed upon it,
shuddering, sinking, collapsed. All liis neglect, that had
puzzled her &o long, was accounted for now. She was
lorgotten^— deserted, for this island girl !
So long Ihe remained in that fixed, rigid attitude, that
Audt Moll began to grow alarmed ; and she was o^ the
point of commencing a consoling speech, beginning with :
" Miss Sibyl, honey," when the young girl lifted her head,
and, asked in a hollow voice : j > ^^j.
\ " Is this -this girl on the island sftill ?"
" Yes, chile, ob course she is — down to MissrTom,s."
For a moment longer Sibyl stood, gazing steadily
before her, with those wild, fierce, burning eyes •, her face
^ptitbUly ^I6rifess7save ihartwordarfeipurple spots blazed
in juad out upon it like burning co^ls ; her teeth sJi^V^r
^iSl^^^W','*'^-'-*'''*^ -^f-J ''•7';
7!B27 MEBTlSa. ,
>(o
hands clenched. All the humiliation, the shame, the
agony of being deserted, rushed, like a burning torrent,
through her mind. And with it came a fierce, demoniacal,
hatred 6f: her idol, and a deadly wish to b^ revenged.^
Starting suddenly up, she fled up tne stairs, thi^ough
the long, unlighted hall, out of the front door, and took
.-Jthe path leading to Mrs. Tom's.
The bright moonlight lit all around wit5 ajpis^6, ra4i->
ant glory. And, standing near a rock, commanding
an^Xfehsive view of the sea, Christie stood, ep joying the
beauty of the night, when suddenly a fierc^ grasp was
laid" on her shoulder, and ^le looked up. ' Her visiop waA
realized. Sibyl Campt>ell stood glaring ape n her, witfat
her fierce, wild, blacic eyes, her long hair stirea ming.dowQ
her back, like an aroused tigress preparing to spring.^' :"
- ^1
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MEETING.
"Thou mayest hold a serpent by the toagu s,
A chafed lion by the mortal paw,
A fasting tiger safer by the tooth.
Than cross this love of mine." |
1
TREMBLING, paralyzed, shrinking with\ terror and
superstitious awe, as she recollected ner vision, ^
Christie stood quailing before that dark; passion-^
ate glance.
And, glaring upon her with a hatred and jealousy that
her with a momehtarjt'llNi^i^) Sibyl ^ood, transfixii^hef
>-.^^l
-K ^'
H4y
vti».
»V'
■->,
>
p:<^--.
with thbsc wilili fictcc ey^s. With bne gtsktoie sfcpBtddk
!n all her rivarswctracirdinary beauty/ far surpassing even
wlllit she f ettr«d ; and the sight, to her passionate beart,
^wifji' like oil poured upon 'flafitte. ''^'
, i *J So," she hissed, at jeogth, through her closed ttm»t
^i,« pretty Miss Christie has found a lover during ray
*" absence. Girl, take care ! You have begun a dangerous
gani«; but the end has/not come !"
Her words broke the spell of terror that held Christie
dumb. And now, noticing her disordered attire, and wild,
^^ibcvcled hair, she^ said, in surprise and entreaty :
;||f> " iiiss Sibyl, wbat ha^ happened ? What have I done ?
1 did not know you were bn the island." -
'No ; |. am awate of that," sa^d Sibyl, with a hard, bit-
ter hiuj^. "Oh, it isR wondroufepity I should' hdivd come
80 s6on to ,spoil the sport ! Y6u and your dainty lover
thought yourselves secure — thou;jht Sibyl Campbell far
away. But again I say to you, beware ! for 'twere better
lorypu to tamper with a lioness robbed ot her young
,than with the passions of this beating, throbbing heslrt !"
V She locked like some priestess of doom denouncing
f41 mankind, as she, stood there, with her long, black,
^ti«a|ning hair, her wild, burning, passionate eyes, her
|ace white, rigid, asnd ghastly, sstve wher^e«the two purple
spots still blazed in &nd odt on either caieek.
"Oh, Miss Sibyl— dear Miss Sibyl ! what have I done ?
<^\l{\ never, '««w- tneant to offend you, or stand in yoiir
p^h ; as Hcaren hears tat, I did not ! Tell tne, only tell\
|he in what I hat^e pff^ded, atad I will never do it ajgain,"
^id Christie, clamping her hands in increasingj^rror and
c hildiike -sitatpiiciity. /
^,
"Sirt"
n.-:
?-> *-
-.v,-(^~
' ^^'s^'lS^it^'^'^^^^h^\: \^
?*■:>■:
:----i^\
TBB 'SaiETIl!r&.
Its
-1
" Miss Sibyl, I do n6t know^indeed, indeed, I do not
know !" exclaimed Christie, earnestiy.
In all the storm of anger and jealousy; that' raged in Mr
soul, a look of superb) fcorn curled the lips of SiByl.
^ " You do not know KOh, wondrous innocence ! angelic
simplicity ! Must I despise as *weU as hdte you ? 'Listen,
then, since I m ust speak xnf- sham^, and answer me tniljr,
as you hope for salvation. Promise.' .-^^
"I proraise!"
"Swear to answer me truly, by all you hold dear Mi
earth I by your hopes of ^eaven !" ,
"I swe^r! Oh, Sibyl, speak !" cried^Christie, wr6Ught
up to ftnr agony of terror ^and excitement by her wild
words.
" Then, and may Heaven's heaviest curse fall upon ht«i
if I conjecture truly — has Wilhird DrummSnd dared -^llc^'
speak of love to you ?" ^
Pale, trembling, te^ror-st^icken,^Christie,'s tongue clove
to the roof of her mouth ; had her life depended on iu nt>
sound could have escaped her quivering lips.
"Speak, and tell me! Speak, for I must know — I
have a right i^ know ?" cried Sibyl, grasping her arm, andl
getting her teeth hard to keep down the teiApest of paV
sion that was svyeeping through her soul.
" Oh, spar^vme — spare mc !" waileid Christie, liftitt^.
up her pleading hands. t-
"Death, girl ! Must I tear the truth from yonr lil^
heart ! Tell me, truly, has he dared to speak . of Ibve,
and have you dared to listen to him ? Heavens I ^IH
you speak before I am tempted to murdei-youl"
" Oh, do not ask me-r-do not tisk me !" cHed Chrhfde;
iaa-dpag voic e , a»tf eaabilpg»l8tatt^, she wdk ftt ^Hte
feet of her terrible foe.
K*
%s
H.
-^iiS
'■^U'l
K^ , ^..
O*'
184
THE MBETINQ,
With her hands clenched until the nails sank into the
quiyerirtg flesh, her teeth set hard, her deep, labored
br-e^*hing, her passion-tonvulsed face, she looked more
like an enraged pythoness than a frail girl learning for
the first time her lovpr's infidelity. '.
' She required no further proof now. He whom she
w«uld have trusted with her soul's salvation was false.
And, oh ! what Is there more terrible in this world than
to learn that one whom we love and trust has^ proven
untrue ?
^ Sibyl had loved as she had done everything else—
madly ; had trusted blindly ; had worshipped idolatrously,'
adoring man instead of God ; and now this awakening
was doubly terrible. Had Christie been in her place, she
would have wept and sobbed in the utter ab^indon of sor-
row ; l?ut her grief would have been nothing compared-
with the dry, burning despair in those wild black eyes.
Now that Sibyl had learned the worst, her fiery, tem-
- pestuous fierceness passed away, and there fell a great
calm— a calm all the more terrific after her late storm of
passion.
I -'^ And so I am forsaken," she said, in a deep, hollow
voice, •* and for her— this pretty, blue-eyed baby. I, whom
he promised to love through life and beyond death.
Saints in heaven 1 shall he do this and live ?"
" You ?" s^id Christie, lifting her pale, terrified face
" And did he promise to love you, too ?"•
" Yes, learn it, and let it whelm your soul in shame.
Before he saw you, before he knew you, he loved me;
and I was to be his wife. Yes, weep, and wail, and sob ;
tears shall not »hOB dry. You have caused him ta
forget his vows, his honor, his plighted faith, his piom-
i««4 lote to me, and you must pay the penalty/^
j-^ if.
'^^^^*^^^
*
TEB MBETINQ.
"Oh, I never knew it— I never knew it I" waile
Christie, wringing her hands.
" And; as he has been false to me, so', likewise^ will h
be false you. Ypu are the cause of his treachery, of hi^
broken vows, his perjured soul ; you are the cause of all
and, think you such Ipve can be blessed ?"
"Forgive me I Oh, Sibyl, forifive me !" still waile
Christie. T ^'
"^ay Heaven never forgive mkii I do !" cried Sibyl,'
with impassioned vehemence. "[Think you, girl; I am
one to be won by tears and protestations? Faugh ! ydu
should have thought of all this Jwhen you listened to
his unlawful love."
"Oh, I did not know ! As Heaven hears me, 1 did
n$t know. I would have died sooner than haae listened
to him, had I known !" . Kl "'
*' Prove it," said Sibyl, with a sudden gleam in he?
dark eyes. <,
"How— how? Only say how I shall redeem fl»«?^|
error! Let me know how I may atone !" . '"
" Atone !— you .>" said Sibyl, with a withering sneer.
"1 tell you, girl, if your 'life could be prolonged for a
thousand years, and every second of that time spent in
torture, ybu could not atone for the wrong you have don©>
me. But make such expiationvias you can — prove at
least tliat there is some truth in your words."
"Oh, Sibyl, I would willingly die if I could redeem
my fault." ,*_
"Your death would not redeem it. What is your*^
paltry life to me ? Neither do I require it— the sacrifice
iir
"Oh! unything but that ! Sibyl, that Is worse than
r4eath !" said the sfricken child-bride, io a faiatiog voicff
JkaJImM.fej-LLlJ-' '
tM
^*
' -^ ,- "^ 1 . * .' . '- - , '• »-■ **•■- • -
KB'"; -
give him ..p-it is my right, «»d I <1«««'^^": ..^'^!',;
^ "Ol., I cattnot MI cannot !" m«»«l ChnsUe, Annie
inir down, as thoo#i»he would never rise agam.
5.. Ala this tsTO"r repentanc^-ttais, toW<«o«emen.
for what you havedoneT said S«)tl. Weppteg te^."^
XTrding her with saperb scorn. "This,.th«., .s tke end
rflll your fine promises. Girl, I tell you, you dafe not ;
U Is it your ^ril you * him aiore. ^y ^'1^
loteyJrs. I waim, I insist, I demand y»u tof « h,m
llOsmy tight, and you shall do it. Wl.»|,|««=yo«,
HL«ptile, Itot you should^ ^t«d It. the p*th of Sibyl
-'''-f^m lis^ifel" arose to the lips »f Ch^stie. |l>at
little sentence she well-k,.«w w«ild l^« «'fcf«ff ^l;^'!
claim forever, but she remembered herproJJse » t.me,
trad was silftnt. , „ . , cjhvl
" Rise, girL don't cower there at my feet, saidS»b)l,
'^cppingLack in- bUtfer contempt. - It Is your place, it
t true f but his love ha. ainoM«dyy^^^ifieeit4.as raised
^tothe-..nk .f myriv.1. Am I to Understated you
.promise ;your Intitnaty with him is at an^nd ?
.« Miss Sibyl, I caunot. I love him !" A«d pale and
. tad, Ghristie rose and stood 1>ef6re hftr.
iheblarc, the dark, 8C0tdung,^filulrig 'glance from
those eyes of fire might haVe killed her.
:: « And you dare utter this to rte T sHe «M«d,^0r rither
Miissed, through her tightly clenched teeth. " A^^J^"
girl, do ymi toot fear that I will .ttnlre ymi dw«d ^here
.terHfii^^f^inti-g. she cWn^ to a ,^k 101^
^4
*■ ^'■^^1^
J»» MBETIim.
■m'
her lion-heart aroused, the fierce, dark girl bfeforc her
looked desperate enough for anything.
" Promise !" she said, in a hollow voice, coming nearer,
and raising her arm threateningly, /
"I cannot! Oh, Miss Sibyl, I canubt !" faltered tbe
almost faititing Ciiristie. ^-^
"Promise !" again cried Sibyl, glaring upon bir'witlt.
her wild, dark eyes.
"I cannot !" still wailed Christie, pressing her ha^
over lier heart. '
"Promise, or die !" exclaimed the mad girl, gni^pin^
her by the arm in a vise-like grip.
"I cannot— I wocrid sooner die!" said Christie, as,
unable to stand, she again sank at the feet of her viftdic-
tive foe. S
For a mbmeut it seemed as though the threat would
be accomplished, as Sibyl stood over her like one turned
to stone. B«t the next instant releasing her hold, sh«^
hurl90 her from her; and, as if fleeing from tempttttlon,
fled doWn the rocks, over the rough path toward tb«
lodge, aud sank fainting and exhausted on the sitlinc-
room floor. , - '
An hour later Aunt Moll entered, and behold iag Sibyl
with her srreaming hair, lying prone on the floor, grew
alarmed, and coming over, she shook lier genily, sayiug •
•' Miss Sibyl, is yer sick ? Come, gii up now. like te
ifood chile, 'fore you catch your def o' cold, a lyin^on d«
bare floor^ 'Deed, honey, 'taint right for young peck)re to
heave derselves into de draft, dis way."
Bttt^^twtM^>lt^etrt -through alt-tfae-yh agtfs ' <if 1^
potential mood— "com mandit»g, exhorting"— in *,«u„.
Her young miistreis neithed moved lior«ti»ed. :i; ; •
*1Ndw, Miff Sibyl, do get up— please do. fit 4ni|
.^5,i^
^■r
^tM^t^i
j*A\^^fc.y
■■^,
188
'.A'"
TEE MBBTINO.
L*. 'p
inows I's 'fraid you'll cotcli de rheumatiz in yer .bones.
Most oncomfortablest thing as ever was ; "specially fore a
rain sttorm, when ebery j'int feels as if dere was forty hun-
dred cross-cut saws a going t'rough it. Come, clijle-^
come, git up, an' let yer ole mammy ondress you, an' put
yer, to "bed." ' ,
And Aunt Holl shook the supposed sleeper gently.
Sibyl lifted her head, and half rose, discl6sing a face
so pale and haggarjd, a form so sunken and collapsed, that
Aunt Moll started back in terror.'
" What on airth'de matter in you, Miss Sibyl ? I 'clare
to man, if yer ain't almost skeered me out o' my wits, sure
'au|f I Is you sick, chile."
"¥es, #Ck at heart !— sick at heart I" said Sibyl, in a ,
( ■* f\' • *
des(^iring voice. f
« 1 knowed sumEn' was de master wid yer. Well, git J
up like a good chiie, and let me git some catnip tea for (
you, it's ihe best cure in the world for sich complaihts." j-
" Oh, Aunt Moll, leave me. My illness is beyond yourj
art ' Not poppy nor mandragoja can ever medicine m^
to- that sweet slifeep ' I on>:e slept beneath this roof.".^ f
' •« Now, chilfc, don't say so," said Aunt Moll, touched
by her hopeless tone. " Folks ain't tuk so sudden as all
^at, ypu khow. I ain't got no poppy nor man dragooi^ ;
but catnip tea is jes' as good, cordin' lo my way o' ihiofk-
in*. An' when you take a good night's res', you'll beiill
well in dc mornin' — please dc Lor'." ( .
/ . "Rest ! Rest 1 When shall I rest again ? Aunt »|oll,
leave me. I want to be alone." f
~^- "T)6eJ, Miss Sibyi,-^da^se n l do it~^w,w^-4o to
le?ib you here in dc draf, all alontff Let me help y<iu to
bed, an' make de catnip tea, au' you'll be^ better to mot-'
torn, sure." > . ' ' .- ' ' ir
I y
;* ^1^
'%^^tidM
THE tfEBTlirG.
m
'^ Oh, this heart— this heart !"
"Yes chile, I knows; I 'spects it's de cramps you'se
got an I v,ses of you to get up. Come, honey, come."
And Aunt Moll put her arm coaxingly round her youn/?
lady s neck, and attempted to lift her up. " , '
,,r/'^^''"^""' Moll! if you ouly knew my affl«<^ion »
What matters it whether I die oi- not, since I have noth^
ing more to live for ? I might as well die now as live-
for the living death of a loveless life." '
" You^nustn't talk so, . Miss Sibyl; 'taint right, nor
hkeu ,se ^pectful to de Lord, who sends us cramps, as
well as h^alf, someticbes. 'Tis r'ally 'stonishin', de way
you takes on 'bout it" '
. " AiiJt Moll, I am not boc^ily ill-only wronged, suf-
fering, despairing, deceived, broken-hearted almost "said
Sibyl, locking stntight beforejher, with a fixed anguished
look. I I ■ ' . i
I is'-^T ^^""'^ ^ '^''° ' ^*^^ "^ '° ''^''"' ''• ''' '^^^ ^""^^ "^'^
And good Aunt Moll passed her hand gently and
caressin/gly. over the glossy, dark locks of the younir
girl. ^ ^
" Oh ! there is nothing but falsehood and treachery it»
thii world! I, who loved and trusted sq much, to be
now deceived I I would have staked my life, toy soul
my hdjjes of heaven on his fidelity! And n<^ this
awakenini? from my blissful, delusive dream is 4orse
than death. Qli, Aunt Moll !. my dear old friend, is there
any one who really loves me in this world but you ?"
-—-.Ajuii whoUy^^v«*tiom^ Sibyt^s stroDg^espai? givewly"
to a pi^ssionatq burst of tears.
; Since Sibyl bad been achild, Aunt MoU never .emem-
ftcred.to have teen her woep before; and now, io her ^
;il
m
ttmi 'us^f^.^
ouaint: tender manner, she strove to «oothe ^^
. It^' ^lUHe y.«r»g girl wept .nd sobbed With w,ld ..he-
meooe, until nature was relieved ; and she looked up,
caltner dnd far less despairing than before. _
S " Aunt Moll," she said, suddenly. •• what tiraedoes Lem
"'^ over td Westport to-morrow r
K; *• Before noon, honey." w.f„r/.
^^ - then tell him to be ready to take me to N-— b<^re
he goes fbr Ami , And now, Aunt Moll, I will follow
■frotfr advtifee, and retire." ,
?^-Bi,twb6tt you teethe catnip tea. chile ?" persisted
the bid womaft, who had 'some vague idea of the all-
powerful virtues of the herb. . „
" No. no, thank you, I do not need it. ,
:. But it'H^you^ood, chile ; you'U feel more comfort-
^^domflrt I cSmfort ! Can anything ever restore com-
mtU^r And she^truckter breast with her l»and.
fl*a^ •«!> the long ^»irc«., -nd ai»pp««d » «1«
gloom beyond.
^[y- '" "' ■.■■■..
t "i ' '.1
s*e
V
-v?*
mi£amm
OHAPTER XIV.
^^i/-**
.«K
■ ' '-^J^t4
.*•
7-:*' Trifles, light a»alr.
Are to th9 jealous confirmation stronir
As proofs of holy writ."
Othello
THE^next mormng, Sibyl made her app^aoc* ia^
the sittiag-room, pale, wao, and- haggard, a^
though she had spent a sleepless night. But sh«
appeared ealm. Whatever course she had determined to
pursue, seemed. fttUy settled, a,nd now she was calm ;. but
It was like the cftlmiHJSs of a steeping volcano, from whic^'
fire and ftame, hurf^llng^ destructioir on all. might at aftv
momeftt burst forth. o ^
Aaswering g?ravely all Aunt Moll's anxious inquirfesi
after hey health, she seated herself at the breakfast-table,
but touched nothing, save a cup of hot coffee, Aad, after
this slight refFcshment, she put on her hat and raantlft
^ descended to the beach, where Lem, with the boat,
was already awaiting^ hei^ comings
«eatingi hefsetf, she^ wrapped her mantle closely
abound her^ and fixing her eyes steadily om thedaacm*^
waves, the journey was performed in stem silence. Two
hourji brought them to. N-.^, aud* leaving her there, Lem
861 out for Weslport to me^t Drummond. Arrived there,
he found that yoimggfcotleman,ac6ompaoted by Captaw
Campb^l and a <torid, bjild»headed. old man, yh^ pmwM*
"^ be tV iui^^eojiK . . , 4. ■ ^
On their way, Wlllard Explained to them how the
^^
•m » "
^<-w&m\
\^ ' V'
■ ■-) ' JBALQffBT.
-reck And when they reached the island, Captain
cI^Dbell unconscious that his sister was gone, hastened
foThe tolige, while Wlllard accompanied the surgeon to
*'rry en^-d^'ctutie, who in spite of her hidden
griel ^ts'butiiy eWioyed as usnai. looked i^suly up,
•nd turned, if possibie, a shade paler than before
Mr» Courtney sat listlessly turning over the leaves of
. "vel, with a boled look on her pretty face; whUe
oD^Iue her, supported by pillows, on Mrs. Toms
woodersofa, lay her wounded husband, whose eyes never
lor a moment„wandered from her face
■'He was a man of thirty, at least, and would have been
handsome but for l,is ghastly ?="'- -"^ -»^*;" ^^
ouerulous, suspicious expression his face wore. Hts
Sexi-n, nlrally dark, had '"-ded to a sickly yellow
looking almost while in contrast with his black hair and
tWck black whiskers and mustacl^e. But it was the
exwession of his face that was particularly unprej>ossess.
tn^in°e thin, compressed lips, and "a"'.'"'. -»-g
g=-«v« Tou could read suspicion, distrust,.and doubt Two
^ SgrwouTd Aave struck you instantly, had you seen
hm sitting there-ohe, was his passionate love lor his
ti7e- theUer, a slumbering are of jealou^. that -he
faintUt breath might h,ye fanned into a never-dying
■^ They formed a striking contrast a. ^^'r^^^^
Ae so pretty, careless, saucy, and "><liS««>.t . he «.
^i^d with illness, and with "■" '"""'^'•, "^ °f :
'iSk on his face. And yet, tt tadbeo-^Move-maUh^^
he loved her to idolatry, and she, rejecting perhaps
V^Z suitor,, at the age of sixteen had - -^j^. ,.
Khaol aod eloped with Edgar Courtney, WiUard l>r»o,
■ ■ ''■■:■■.■■■: _ w
V
jjBAzausr.
\
-> ' «■-
' ^h\
-if-
ftoSd had been ambng the rejected ones. Before the
honeymoon was over, the wild girl had found she bad
raarriedaiealous,exactin2f tyrant, Who hated every man
on whom she smiled, and would have kept her locked up^
where no eye hut his own could ever rest upon her had/
he dared. . " - J
At first little Laura submitted to his caprices, because
she loved him, or thought she did ; but as he grew more
and more exaqiing, this love died wholly away, and the
little bride awoke one morniffg in disUiay to find she had
made a life-long mistake. Still, she was too good and
generous to strive to lay the blaipe on him for taking
advantage of her youth and romantic impulse to fly with
him, and would have laughed and danced on as^crrfly '
as ever with him through life, without letting him know ''
it, had not his own conduct brought on the denouement.
He continued to be tyrannical. Laura naturally
proud and high-spirited, grew at length very tired of his
,absurd fancies and wishes, and vowed she would no
longer be a " meek, ^submissive wife." But, though-^ -1
inwardly c^spising him herself, she would allow no one '
else to speak slightingly of him, as her first interview
wuh Willard Drummond proved. And all the previous
night she had hovered over his bedside, anticipating his
every want with the most tender and vigilant care ; and
it was only when, the next morning^he found himself
able to get up, that she had resumed her accustomed air
of careless indiflference to himself and his wishes. Had
he been more generous and less suspicious— had he had
Mlh i j b 's joHPg - w^ sh e^ would 4iave loved^^Hw^aad
been hfs aloiie ; but had ha-really wished to make her^
hate him, he could not have taken a surer plan to bring
|boutsuch a result than the^Qnehe did. "^
V
\
Ktame may not be thrown upon the shoulders oJ the poor
Sr^g^Abride (or her reckless conduct a.d.the awful
•^^^Wmlrd^he doctor entered. ChrUtie. who
"tad at^iousl, waited for <»- opportunity see.^ Mrs.
^ Tom busily eogaged. touched her husljand on the arm,
11l »hi.i>erinB " Follow roe," left the house.
•"*He uXesiriliAgly obeyed, and o'e-o^ h-,e.r 'ho
. end of tl.e garden, where, pale and troubled, she stood.
■ """'w^ercWstirwhat is it?" he asked, in surprise.
.. wtliard;- sh« said, lifting her reproachful eyes to h„
' Jace, "Sibyl Caiapbell was here last night .
V Well '" he said; starting and coloring deeply.
- -•: *^ WilUrd ! slU told me all-how you 1-d d««'f
; . .fc„; "„d deceived .ne- Oh, Willard ! how could you do
':' " HDeceivedherJ-deoeivedyou? 1 do no. understand.
.4. ^*tr , yi you deceivedher, ^^;'^-^
': Well, a moment ago, y«n said 1 *«»ved you
"^.^r^ me your wife while pledg^o another j;;
.* WUcK doubtless, causes you a great deal o sorrow
k, »W «ne of slight pi,ue ; for 'h«»gh^» P^ °,^
to^istiew as d^iug ™»y. he c ould «.. endure the
"^11^7 as vet. of hetToigetttnjs hiiB, .u._~..
Ml l^ine«on««h ftw»«! ^" ".^S'S.^ ul
t^^ms^^sm^L
^^^iP
JBALOVBY.
<»uld have died for very shame to think I had been the
cause of her misery !" ' *°*
f Jfl'"ushlf ° '" "*■" •'^^P-'-S- ■ he said, whUe hi.
.«l?kIm„';LT." '""""• """■• '""""^"^ ^^
.he'k°il a!Z^"° •' ' "^ ■"" '="°'' '«"' »"« ''«'«1 " i bat
"VVhat! our marriage, and all?" he cried starting
"'•' No^'^he ;^ '" " r^ "-^' ««'<'» Christie tanCf
No ; she did not know that. Bat "
eniogT;." ^'^ ''^^ ^"•'' '" '^" ^^' '" *»« said, almost threat-
WiiL?^/ 7!;^7*" ^°" 'P*^'' '^ »"« »» 'hat tone^ dearert
W. ard ? I d,d not mean to reproach you."
^ It IS very like it. however," he said bitterly.
But may I not tell her, Willard ? She wanted me to
i^a such another ilTe'rvfe': ^iT^^ TT^^
|««MUj^e would desi,.. Oh. WiUar^. d«,e.. I ^
W-K ""^r-or may I Bot tell her ^■
I Wot for the world-not for ten thousand woild. I
^ you ruin me, Christie r h. exclain,:^ ]^^
"Riiin you Willard rd«. said, faintly. ■'
Im^ll'^ T P'? r "^ I ° »*°- My-^h. it» thin ,
A«l W.11 keep.«h^ p^ wfc, U„ p^^7^,
f
■jr ^ ^<
- M
M
-TT'
JEALOUSY.
446
Z^ ::p?n« a.ng tea. a„..uove;^ sa. .„
:« calm voice : ^ i„„„? Willard, tWs secrecy is
: , "Waitl Bui, for how '°»8 ' J'"" ;^„ like lead !'
a^dful! tbis deception we.sh on my^^ ^^^^ ,
,., do not k"°" •.."=""""' „h„, may safely avow
«.id. when .he/«/.r Unu co-e ; w^.^" ^ » J .elfish^yo"
U.MI shall be revealed Chr,st,e ^^^^^^ ,, ,
have no C""""*'"^""" ."' p! Jobell you should be «he
loved you better than M.ss Campbeuy _^^^^
W one to -P-««'', "^X'uh thit love altogether."
,ucb scenes as th.s d° ?"' '"^"'^ \^^ ^„idness of death to
His deeply of "^^^ "^ t:llA not meant to anger
rrsr rerTbrf^e" th her Hands and wept
alo'i'^- \ .. , -_ tears. All the 6ld ten-
orrieved and in the wrong. Look up^ ^ , : -
fho'liae eyes and say you for^ve - ^^ ^^
Brfnre she could ■^eP^/,^°°^ "P '^„„ ,hin, onr l.K>k o<j
.. ^S^^:^ - -- ^" ^^
came jn view.
JSAL0U8T,
n«H3t'\°?°'"^°f ^j ""^^ '^^* ''^^ ^°^'<>' ^bout your
patient ?" he demanded, as he came up; ,
^ "I have not seen him since he went in. But here ho'
c<^mes, to answer for himsejf."
/At this moment the doctor made Jns appearance, and
Wfllard propotmded the inquiry. ^ '
"Oh, it's nothing serious, sir! He'\ be better in »
toytWp"'"'' *'r'°^'°'- "Meaitime, howam l'
"My servant is down on the shore, waiting to take you
pver," said Captain Campbeli t^^eyou
" J''* '-^^'^d yo" down doctor," said Willard, taking
the old gentleman's arm. **|»
«,iii'lf ""^ r ' ?**" ^^^' undisputed, here, I supposed
ject, said Captain Campbell, approaching the cottage
On entering, he was presented by Mrs. Ton, to her
guests. . . * ,
Equally surprised and pleased to find so pretty and
piquant a little lady in Uri Courtney, the young clUin
^ ^"'Jrf' ^^'■' "°' «-'-ed. fgrthJith, fnt^n'
yer^tion. Mr. Courtney scowled at the handsome young
^aZ T n "' ""'' •''*"'' "y"^^°^^' b"' said nothing^
And Mrs. Courtney, mutually delighted by the agret
able and gentlemanly newcomer, flung aside her novel
forgot her .«««,, and laughed and chatted with a volubiK
ity that amazed and delighted herdbmpanron, who imme^
dirin' TH'V'^^^'^ "^ wit, words, aid rep^^
during which the time sped rapidly away.
Mrs^
o m was
thc-oal y^
1 rapi(
uuciit
:-t^
' %M
'4.1
,^l''l
:or, however, wr»o seamed"
•n ♦!,» 1 .^ . — -^ ""■""*» ""'•ever, wno seemed
«.lt T r 7°^ 1*"" ™"' »^"«»' "»* "«"P. wit"
retoris ; for (^arl, vader the unfailing eye of his aunt wm
poanipg la spirit „ h, «,t p,^,y„= ^ »«''«^,
#
..It'.
• I \^i^*hMk broutfht ereal drops of per«plfa»!on to
*Baei|««yt1wk «>«>"«"* er* i^ ventured' to look up, a
his brow, hearing, iivery time he J^***^"'^ ^^
Ueine. and assist, in every way I can, to make
mar stay pass as pleasantly as possible.
'^ if Courtney's midnight brows grew black a. . ton-
deS! and blacker, if possible, as h.s w.£. gayly
"•''.iTteBk you. sir. Nothing could give me more pleas-
„„ ;^S^^m'or;ow. I shall, with your permiss.on, take an
ia»«nwry'of your onchautiog isle. k „^ h*.tween
" Shall you, madam ?" muttered her husband, between
fak teetlJ, " We shall see about that 4
'^J:?! rest o. the -nin^^f^^tTrrwS"
to'te inLr room which Mrs-Jom had va«t^ to tbe.r
„,! b« took be» to task in the {ollow.n« manner
'^« P„y. madam, may I ask what business you had. g.v
fng (fiat fellow any such P"""^ " J:;"" '^., „«„„dles.
y
Ih
■ Now Mrs. Courtaey ^^ ^^'^ .°" "fT^ ' , ^^^cc^iivf
It, too. aii4 wouder at it. Therof ore, l«eiw>« J«w> -^ '^
^-^c^ .
lA
ri4
^"iS!*ff
f BeeanSft, rff, ft #aw my goo4 pl«ascir6 ta ^b ^ ^
"Indeed!" and the dark brow foreboded ft itofiifc
"itideed, Mrs. Coartney ! And is it yow iotcniiott to e&
roaming w«h this fellow, alone, through the ishm4 tV
morrow ?" ,
"Most assuredly, Mr. Courtney, Hot«r ast^ishinelv
clever yoa arc at guessing T' '
"Madam, yoiii shall not go."
'%, I shall go!" said the lady, imitati»g his ton J
exactly, o
" Have you no respect for yourself, madam— none for
tae, your husband }" .,
" Not the least, sir."
"It will beat yoar. peril if yon go."
" No, it «7on't— it'll be at my pleasure."
" Silence, madam !" he thundered, grinding fais teeth"
with rage. •« Do not^re to he iiapertineiit, or yoa wilj
repent it. ^
"Mr. Courtney, allow me to observe, th* inmates e*
this bouse are trying to feleep. How they will succeed, tf
you go on in that manner, is a question easily answered***
said Mrs. Courtiteyi sitting down, with a most pro^okiint
coolness, and beginning: to unbutton h«r boots.
"Mrs. Courtney, I comvnand you not to go witb this
man, to^n|oitoiir." . "^
" Mr. Coartney, you may comtnand tin yo*^a« blnek
in thfrface; but I've promised, mm! I'll go I" said hife
rebellious tpoussi
He hail st^ng np fi-ote the bed in #Iiioh Ik was Mm:
eyes fcUrly scinUlJ-*- ' ' - ^ l^^L
'A.
X
4%
^r^S^
'Would you dare disgrace m* in dus wmyf" h^mi^
in a v^ce hoar$e with passion. , ^
"Disgracdyou? .Oi^nwcfc a fiWJesticlO^^i yoa
40»
JSALOVSt.
Il^sttig allUhe little sense you ever had, Mr. Courtney r ,
?iaid his wife, now really indignant. ,. v.
^J^ ^ ** Are jJou really smitten with— do you love this man ?
iihe asked, L a hoarse, fierce whisper, keeping his gleam-
ine. black fcyes still tod on her face.
For a itiomfent i flash of intense anger shot f rom^ the
eyes of Mk Couifney ; then, as if the absurdity of the
question dvercanie fevery other feeling, she thre-v hersel
back in ipr chair, and broke out in a hearty peal of
j
i-^*"m'aciion might have dispelled his absurd doubts^
>*ut, as nothing can convince jealous souls, he even looked
upon this,L another proof of her guilt, and, raising him-
self upinjhis bed, he grasped her arm, while again, he
hissed: j
" JDo you love him ?" ;
'- "Mr (fcourtney, don't bother me!" said his polite
spouse, indignantly shaking off his hand; and don't
make a greater simpleton of yourself than nature made
voti Lovie him indeed I I've had enough of love for
one while,! I can tell you. I found it dose enough the
last time i was fool enough to try it, and now that Ive
cot nicely' over it, nobody'll catch me at it again.
S^ This was a most unfortunate speech, for Courtney s
^ar, day ind night, was, lest his wife should ff^^oloxe
bim. Hcjclpsed his teeth with a snap, and fell bask on
his-pUlowi with a sepulchral moan.
There! was a pause, during which Mrs. Courtney lei-
BU^ly cobbed out her curls, and Mn Courtney lay wuh
• ^^ t ^ji o iiH deep la bored brfiatpi ng^ "t iePSSHf„ ''!L.
turned o\^r, and said huskily :
*Lauilar H
4
'^WW^^W^^^
WS'^PH
i^^*^^^^i^'F?r'^^^'^'I^^'?^j"T*5'*^**"'"^
■^Mir^ y ■' ■^^'^ji^'V^I
"Well?" said Laura, going on with her combing an*
brushing.. < • \.
, " You won't go out to-morfow ?" , '■ .
" Won't I ? That's all you know about it, then."
' yt's my Wish you should stay." .^^
^AjiJlt's my wish to go." /
J^Hk) you wUl go ?" 1^
^■Cst decidedly. And now, Mr. Courtney, hoWyour
tongue, for I'm going to sleep. "-
• He clenched his teeth with impotent rage, and hi»
jealous soul shone forth hideously from his glittering
eyes. And, angry and indignant, Mrs. Courtney went to
sleep, muttering :
"L vow to Cupid, you shall have some cause for jeal-
ousy, my wise lord and master. Pity to have you jealous
for nothing ; so, handsome Captain ~
for I mean to flirt like fury !"
- J.'
Campbell, look oul^<
'"sF
CHAPTER XV.
SELF-TORTURE. -, '"''
\ Doth work like madness on the brain."
COLEIUDGB.
THAT night of deepest woe to the passionate heart
of Sibyl had been spent in pacing up and down
-tnrtnfrnearprium who had deceived her, and on 'this
,puny girl for whose sake she had been thrown aside-
then in breathing wild, passioaato vows of vengeance for
:; \
: -^WM
the w^nfc tb€ deep humiliation that had/teen done^fer,
and anon, throwing herself upon, the floo^ in a convulsive
fit of weeping. Then another mood would come, wheh. ,
8he wotild forget all but the blissful d^s of the past, and i I \
\X\ her despised lov^ an^ tenderness v^ould flood back to
her soul, and her very heart would cry out to be with him
again And then would come the thought that this could
acveri never be again, and she would spring up with blaz-
ing eyes, her very tears seemingly turned to sparks of
-'■fire. - . \
And, mingled with all these stormy passions was an
^nnderiurrent of deepest shame, of bitter humiliation, of^
' wouncUd self-love and humble4 pride. That she, the
descendant of a haugjity Highland clan, the daughter of
a princely race, should be forgotten for one so far
. beneath her in every way, was a disgrace that sent the
P blood tingling to her pale cheeks, and made her clench
her hands in impotent despair. --
So passed the night.
With morning camea calmer mood. The necessity of
adopting some li«e of conduct that would bring matters
to a speedy denouement soothed for the time her frenzied
brain, l^o one must know as-yet of her desertion. She
fclt-as though she could die sooner than survive the shame
of such a discovery. Neither could she stay on the island.
Her time for meeting hor betrayer had not come ; but it
was at hand, and then *
■ The flame that leaped like forked lightning from her
black eyes, the deep smile that curled her lips, bettei than
words* spoke the rfest. . , , . *i
Leaning her head on her hand, she thought intently.
Sh e w tmld rgllir" t o the parsonage, and remain th ere
^^1 \M Itt^ire «>«»»« w*» ^id«d upon. She «o»iI«
f^
f»My ^g* «,*, plM^Ut pretext far leavjw tte JidM.d
jmd good Mrs B«„t„n .^ k.«„, ^^^^^^ J^,"^ ,
faappr ^ Iwye her. «>• "«-;wk to»,;
And, in pursudnce of this resolution, sbe Jm. t^
the following tnorfting |»elc to N-^ "^ «« "•« e»rly
Mrs. Bmntwell, « Sibyl ..tidp,t«l, met her ,riai .' f
joyfrf w*pO^ .„<, „„^„„^ h^res;i«ionTf ^nt "I
^ny a few evenings .fter in her welcome. Sib^ \T^$
jraen state «r mind, would ha™ shmnk from aSi^tiS^
In public ; but » she could not do so with^t o^^
and .„n«n,ing her hostess, and perhaj*, a^uTng^^tS'
ptcions, she made no reastance to<h« pwi ""« T^ »^
-come out. Next winter you.muat go 4 New ¥i.rk *nd
n«.dtl,e.g.y «««>,. ther-, .o,, of ^^^Tu^r^'iS
CO young to think of l«ibg man-ied^Tdo not Sllw^
twenty. So,ioydeBr,justpplitelyinfirftiMr Drummi-J
that he must wait your Iadyship-/«J™^;^:*??^
rf he rebels, as of course he wil^ girlhi^l^^^^^
as you please. Men need to be pat iown, vwi kn,™! r^
tb^. Aed M^ B«.tweU ,^^(^t«r jolly Bu^ '
.f ^C":*^""' '"*^«°<=i^ «he..*M.,.p.a^ .
« a li^jr ud iSlemeo who wi»™T<rf tom^^'Swt
*
i ♦!<
' BBLF'fOSTVBB.
Sjind we stopping at that cottage, and I ^sh to invite them
|4»re to-ma^Towr So go and get ready." ^ ^
t > Mrs. Brantwell, excuse me, I would rather not go,
^said Si^yl, still keeping her face averted.
" Not- go I What now, Mistress Sibyl ? This is ccr- ^
tatnly sdtoething new," said the astonished old lady. ^^
« I have a— headache, and would prefer lying down,
said Sibyl, without turning round. , ,, ^1
« Oh, in that case I suppose I must go alone. I'll send
Betty up with some vihegar to bathe your head before I
go," said the unsuspecting lady of the ms^n?ion, as she left
the room to dress for her journey. 't
Captain Campbell, who was waiting fpr her on the
shore, accompanied her to Mrs. Ttoto?s and jsresented her
to pretty little Mrs. Courtney, wh^^^ook captive, almost
instantly, the good lady's heart as s"he did t^t of most
Other people, and promptly Accepted the invitation, to the
manifest annoyance of her husband. * "
Mr. Courtney, though still quite weak and ailing,
resolved also upon going, to watch his wife, under the
conviqtion that her sole intent and purpose in going was
to meet Captain Cartpbell.
And WillArd prummond, who was present, likewise
received aiid accepted her invitation.. What his motive
< in going could be, knowing Sibyl would be there, it
, %puld be liaid to divine. ^
. The evening foT the party came ; and at an earty hour
I' the drawing-roota of the parsonage was all ablaze with
' lights. Cafriage after carriage rolled up to the door, and
. bevy ;fter bevy of fair ladies, elegantly dressed, flocked
lik* oright-plumaged birds, through the brilliant rooms,
f^4 CTrriffrf O P ffl^ y flirtatioaa with their friends in broad-
ir ^ .. . ^
. JS{^W.
SBLF^TOBTJ^RBi
^*^'*
inr
Mrs. Bmntwell, ma^hiflcent in black velvlt. stood near
the door to receive her guests. But eyery eye was fixeJ
wondermgly, admiringly on Sibyl, who mo/ed ^h tht
step of an impress through the throng. / V ij
Surpassingly beautiful she looked, with her cri^T
shmingcurls of jet. shading, on either side the^niS" ,
crimson cheeks^her splendid Syrian eyes emitiinffT^M^^
streaming light, the rich dark robe of^heeney'sfti^tr '
H^ v.. K, ^^^ ^^^ '^^ '^""^ «^ fever-the gJow on W
fe^ktheblazeof excitement, forthehourshfhrdwait^
/ for was com^, and Willard Drummond wpuld^^l
arraigned before her that night. • ^^^ -
• .h.T'' ^°"^°«y' ^"S^ht' piquant, bewitching; divided^
the honors and admiration of the evening wi h SttS^ '
fering th^ tortures of a mind deceased, moved like a
' specter, silent, gloomy, and watchful, tlifough the merr^
throng And Captain Campbell, elated, hf^^e/^
courteous, was there too. the recipient of man/^ewitoh
ing glance from the bright eyes pre^nt. * ''«^"<^h-
k \,. Tlic company were all assembled, chattimr laurfiino^
^ntmg, aliln^t oni. Sifiyl stood, in the Si of ^*
^ group, the <' bright p.rtic'ul.r star "V ^ ^^t ng 1^:1
^ ing on a spirited conversation, but ever a^d anon h«
ey^s would wander to the door with filr^ • f ^
Why did he not come ? ^"""^ ^mp^dence .
remiia with him ; and t^r^ C^""! Tf^"^
ui, ana ^'"^^^r oe refused, thinking^
SJBI^-TOSTUIUS.
\
^^ ■ /' , -,, . •»,-
with Strang^ self-torture^ some evil design lay beneath.
He would come— iie wpuld watch hef ; and Mrs. Court-
ney's high spirit arose, a^d she proudly and angrily
resolved to act just as she pleased, and flirt just as desper-
ately as she could. She had told him she did not love
him— she had gone in defiance of his express command,
in company with Captain Campbell, walking tlirough the
island; and from this slight foundation, Mr. Courtney
fudged his wife had fallen in love with Captain Camp-
bell. Where his wif^ was concerned the man was a
Monomaniac.
And now%e saw them before him, she leaning on his
%xta; her head bent, as with downcast eyes and smiling
lips she listened to his low words. He gnashed his teeth, i
^nd glared upon them like a madman. At that moment
his face was like that of a demon.
There was no dancing. Mr. Brantwell was a clergy-
man, and did not approve^ it ; but there was music, and
^ if to e?ccite his jealous'soul to madness, Captain Camp-
bell led Laura to the Jjiano, and hung over her, wliile she
glancted slyly at him from under her long laslies, and sang
"Oh, had we some bright little isle of our oVn," as
" iiioUkh eVfery wbrd Was meant for him alone.
Loud and long was the applause which followed.
And the^ Captain Campbell led her to a seat, and took
ahother beside her, and this low conversation was '
Full wi^h jealous rage, the self-tortured Courtney
watched th6m, until, at the end of an hour or so, he saw
CaptJiin Campbell rise and leave her aloneJfor a moment,
tthferi, g6ing over, and seeing all were too much engage^
t)V tome Che who was singing, to notice him, he grasped
^T^SSSS^ftift^ "^» sagrih Jr«mr4ioarfio whisi>ot4
<'-\
m^.'
'-'f.l
':Ut'0tH'IM'i^
[f^-
5
"Madam, do you mean to dnve me mud ?"
« No need ; you're tbkt already/' said Mrs Gourtn^ '
Startled out of a reverie she had ^llen intrbuttataS
remembering to be |>ro^okmg "i instantly
Hush-sh ! You mustn't speak so loud, my dear." *
r M"- Courtney, will you tell me what yo^ ,^^ ^^
ing his t©eth4<rkeep down his passion. *
^^ippf ! I'm suiprised al your want of tAst^ M-r
Corn^y. He's as handsome as Apollo" ""' "^"^ ^^-^
'^" Ah-h I" " ' *^
It was like a groan from a sepiilcher, that deen. h^i^!
re^U^ion from h^ labored S, HetltlT.^^,: }
pitiable object, as he sat the,^, white, ghastly, ^nT2iA K
It touched with remorse his wMhekr,and?Ct^ '^
., hand on his aru?, she said, mo^e seriously • ^ * ^
ousa!?Turf"l''fr'- **«"'-«^y X- are as jeaL
ous as a Turk. I wish, to goodness you would'nt makft
yourself ridiculous this way." wuma nt maw
" Laura, come away .»" ^ ^ % '"~'
"Come away! Where?'
" Out of this-any lilace-to the island again "
'Nonsense, Mr. Courtney !. what an idjT I haven't
"Lord! I am miserable in it."
"That's because, like little Jack Horner »6n '.i» i.
IrT;!' "'*'';'.■"'"«"'■« *'''' '■> "™' "" ^
,^^I shall be, U j^ ^„„ au »e.4u«t
t|
A.- A
i^ml
v»
_ \
BBLF-TOnTUSfL
^
•&
No one .could look in his pale, haggard facefind dotifet
the truth of his wbrds. But Mrs. Courtney lost all
^'•^What.inthenameof all the saints, have I don??"
she burst out, angrily. " My own husband sits up like a
living automaton in a dark corner, aod pays me no more
attention than if there wasn't such a pretty little person
as Mrs. Courtney in existence ; and because another gen-,
tlemun, who has better tasJte, and doesn't wish to see me
pining to death in solUudi pays me a few trifling atten-
tions here, you come majiing as much fuss as if I were
going to elope with him/to-morrow. I declare I will too,
if you don't let me alon4" ' ' -
:. "You will r '.'"'■
And the hollow eyes glared like those of a maniac.
Even the taunting little wife quailed before it.
« Ugh ' * Angels and ministers of grace defend us !
What a look that was. Really, Mr. Courtney, you are a
ghoul, a vampire-a Vandal, a Goth ! You'll scare the
life out of me some day, if you don't lake care. I wish to
mercy you could be a little more ^;pasonable, and not
make such a goose of yourself !" said Mrs. Courtney,
Icdging away from him. ,
"Take care, madam ; it is not safe to trifle mth me !
^^« WeH whojn the name of mercy, « trifling>ith you?
lot i, I'iii sure. And now, I^r. Courtney, here comes
Cantain Campbell ; and do, for goodness sake ! drop this
subject, and don't make a laughing-stock of yourself and
me, too. What under the sun would the man Unnk if he
beard you ?" ' . .
"Do not fear, Mrs. Courtney; I will not interrupt
your /^/^-/^/If with the gallant captain," said her husband,
ri«pg, with a gtiaitl y smi le. " I lo y^ yo u to h it car e .
i^
> I
•/'ji.«-.
■•.^•*-,.
fiBLF-TORTOBB.
satlsfijJd you will make the best possible use of your
time. - <■ . ■■■ ' ■*
"That I will !" said his irritated spouse, turning her^
back indignantly on him. and gating Captain Campbell
with a smile. . '^
Thus, in that scene of gayety, there were at least two
tempest-tossed, jaalous, passionate hearts— Edgar ^ourt-
n^ and Sibyl Campbell. '
All the evening she had watched the dojar with burn-
ing, feverish^impatience. Why, oh ! why, did he not
come. / \ *
Her heai^ wasVelling, throbbing, as if it would
escape from its frail tenement. She was growing wild
mad, with impatience and excitement. And yet, in spite^
of all her watching, he hdd entered unobserved by her. "
At last, wrought up to an uncontrollable pitch of
excitment, that was beginning to betray itself in every
feverish action, she fled from the crowd that surround4 '
her, only anxioiis to be alone, feeling half crazed with her
throbbmg head and brow. A conservator)-, cool shady -
and deserted, was near. Hithqr she went; and pushing
open the door, entered. .
A^an stood revealed under the light of thechande-
Irer. „ ..< ,^^
With a suppressed cry of mingled surprise and fierce
joy, she stepped back, and Sibyl and her false lover stood
face to face.
fALBae0O9 AM» itEOmT.
CHAPTER XVI.
rAtSEHOpD AM© isiicwt.
'If-^'-^-ii^'-
K'
*1 ■ r.
HKt^^;
[ir. 1
■ _■
^^HBfj'
ik
p^
'
mk'\ -
ft ^
"Ah 1 what a tangled i#6b^.'«**^»^
. m«iimw« practice to d««v. ««=°^ ,. p
i4-HERE was a moment's profound ^lence, wttU
1 thPV stood there confitpntteg each other.
i WUh 17ate P<=riecay whU«, with bUzing ey« «.d
""-n'Thri^Kokiarrn.'u.S.; white in
t^r:f h r« tr^: iiUe ^^.e t™«io ,u«. in he.
(e«tal robes. _ ,„achenr and deceit-«ll her
°*Lr-n?barnVnB torrent through her mind, filling her
r;^ nd:;ur:Sreconsun.i„glo«gi«gf-en^^^^^^
until *e seemed to tower above h.m, regal
woman's scorn and hate. , ..„ ,„ that she knew
AndM kfwinglHsgml^ «'^^ °^ f^^^
'«. '--"'tUfbiffor alme,t an^ thenaU hi. ,elt.
upon h.m. I^^r'^'"" °^\ „j „;„„er returned, mingled
trrf::irg of ^tte admiration for the darUly beaut.-
'"' tl^ZT^ her before, save i. her odd. gyp^
id. toT^ but now, in her rich, elegant robes, she ook^
'1','f:
"^•4 ^.••-..*
H'AieBBOOB JSm
ifwm^r.
■■•/■%M
Underlying all his short-lived passion for Christie wiis
still the old aflf6ction for this queenly Sibyl. He had
idc, but now she stood before
fortune, equal to his owoi
ious. He knew ihis beauty
^ fdf now by the bes^meh of
Toud triumph it Would be to
wooed her as a dowe^
him the heiress!^ to
WHIard Drumn>on
and heiress would
the day," and he felt' W
bear her off from.ali.
"Yes," he ^aid, inwardly, "tfos beautiful Sibyl, thii
regal Queen of the Isle, shall be mine. I have cotd*
menced a desperate game, but the icnd is not yet."
And all this had passed thrdugh the mitads of boA in, I
far less time than it has talcen to describe it. /'
Drummond was the first to break the silence, whteh
was growing embarrassing.
" My own Sibyl," he said, advancing, and attempting
t^take her hand, " I began to fear we were destined never
to meet more. Has this new freak of Dame Fortune
made you forget all your old friends V'^^>^
« Back, sir I" she thundered, in a te^pl voice. " Do
you dare speak to me lik€ this ! Oh, mattTfalse and per-
jured, does not your craven soul shrink to the dust before
the woman you have wronged ?" . \v '-
i^ibyl, you are mad !" he cried, ihipetuously.
*• Mad I Oh, would to Heaven I were ! Then, pei--
haps, thi^aching heart would not suffer the tortures thH
it doea Mad? ft would be well for you if I wtfrc; but
1 am sane enough, to liv^for vengeance on you."
"Sibyl! Sibyl! you rave! In Heaven's Hm
have I done.
** Done ? Oh, falsest of the false ! have you t^e bni^
effrontery, to stend before me, and ask such a qiiestkm i«
that ? Don e y<1uA, w h i^ m mt-^ ^m^ mm wwm m^ m,
n^mef ^vtat
1691
FALSmOOD AND DEOMT.
\ '
May Heaven's worst curses light on you, for what you
"^^He almost shrank before that white, terrible face, that
Wrnigated brow, those lightning eyes, those white, cold
lips, that mingled look of hatred and utter desolation,
her beautiful countenance wore. -•
He had expected passionate reproaches, vehement
accusations, but nothing like this. Yet, he knew he elt
he deserved it all. N^ver, had his crime appeared before
him, in such glaring colors before. But, outwardly, he
,8tiU showed no sign of guilt, only ^rave surpns^ and
:.i:*^^"Mlts^ctmpbell," he said, folding his arms, coldly,
^-«you are crazed. When you recover your senses, per-
%Ls you will deign an explanation of your conduct. At
:^present, you will excuse me, if- 1 put an end to this inter-
view ; it is too painful to be prolonged.' .
Re turned, as if to leave her ; but she sprang forward
and intercepted him. . >,, , i.vr«„«r
; , « Dare to leave,roe !" «he cried, passiotfetely. Never
shall yoii quit this room, until you hear the vengeance a
Campbell can take for a foul wrong, and deadly insult.
Crazed, am I ? Oh, you will find out, to'your cost, there
is method in my madness, before this interview epds.
Yoll find it painful, do you ? Ha-! ha ! t^e care, you do
not find it more so. before we part." , , ^ . . . ^
ghe pushed the thick, clustering, black hair back off
her brow, and laughed a wild, bitter laugh.
"Good heavens ! she looks as though she really were
^ ■»»d;^Aught Wi llanl v with^a jhu<»er^^^^^^^^
* unearthly laugh. " I always knew her to Be a wild, fiery,
pasWonatc girl, but I never dreamed of anyth.ag like thi8^
What, in her frenzy, may she not dare to do^ fo«,.¥onlj4
-• ~4«
^■^rfhr'"
FAL8BH0OD AND DBOEIT.
Ittt
she comes of a daring ra^e. Oh, Chrifte ! Christie !
what a storm of passion haye I not raised for your sake I'"
" So I can make you I ^rt and shrink already !"
exclaimed Sibyl, with fier4 exultation. " Oh, you will
find what it is to drive Sibyl Campbell to desperation.
So you thought you could make me your playtjMUg for
an hour, and then throw me aside for the first new face
you encountered. Oh, potem. wise and far-seeing Wil-
lard Drummoi^d, what a judge of fcharacter thou art !"
Her bitter mockery was worse than her first, fierce
outburst of passion, and there was a terrible menace lurk-
ing, yet, in her gjleaming, black eyes.
But Willard-stooid looking on, still unmoved, only
ama2«d, as he stood, with one hand resting lightly on the
table, looking her straight in the eye with cold hauteur.
That steady, concentrated gaze had on her the eflfect i
of mesmerism. Her mood changed, and she broke forth
in a strain of passionate solemnity : . •
" Oh, my soul ! was it for this I poured out such price-
less treasures of love at this man's feet ? Was it for this ^
I forgot Cod to worship him f Was it for this that I
would have given my soul to perdition that his might be
^^ saved ? Was it for this I would have devoted my life^
with all its high hopes and aspirations, all that I was, all
thatj might become, to make him happy? Was it for
this that I thought of hith day and night, sleeping and^
waking ? Was it for a return like (his that I would havft
gi^en my very life-blood to free him from all p^in ? Oh
this heart-this heart ! Oh, my lost faith ! my blasted
hopes ! my rv.ined life ! Wealth, and youth, and beauty.
given to me, but what are they worth, when all is
desolation here ?" •
^ I Sb# lUruck her breast with her clenched hand,
-c
1* «
f\f.
f'^r
\
f
j^yi28g^o90 Aim'smmm,
■Xl"bi%irit o* .h. tempest p.»«. for a mom«K. .^
breaks forth In redouWed fury, j^ ^
tee^st, as though d» would tear Ir^i^ m^^^Mo
gnawing of her agony, but no reply.
;~'Ita:a foMing .er in hi. arn. bent o.er
^king in a tone of piercing angmsh, " why d.d you
^?s!;;.!s;:.andteU»ewh«youn,«,. As^^^^^^^^
iKAw me I have not deceived you. I love you
^-^^rr rh':"rrno-'r^she 0^^^^^^
U a/d -einS her^U fro™ h.,^^p ^« »Ja.^--_^
false as your ovm false nean « J- ' ^. .^. ,»
Wight yL -vhere To„_«and. „^f„°'J^ X'i. though
nwtjati
a g^e ye s were g la t-ing upon
V-
fl^s.*
"Christie, the'^island-girl— what of herr he askftd.
quietly. ^ -aikcu,
^* Wh^ erf her ? Wan, i»a|^ .» you will drive me mad I
©9^yowootloyehefr f^/ -
"Wber-^that Uttle, uncuUu^ child? Sibyl vott
hftve im your rea^oq," he said, ia a tone of well^fei^acd
surprise and ladignatioo. What drove *ueh an absurd"
thQ«8fht into yo«f liead ?"
" Oh, she told me so--she told me at^ I" wailed Sibyl,
prespiog Iier hands #> her throbbing temples. !
" ^«»POSsible ! Yoi^^ust havs dreamed it, Sibvl Sb* "
never could have told you anything like that."
"She did ; and I could have slain her where she stood
for the words ; but she said them. And, Willard Drui^
mond, do not deny it— *r w ^rftg. " ^ .,
" It is not true !" he boldly answered, though, for th# ^'1
first time during the interview his dark cheek grew crim. ^
son With shame. i> * ^
"It is true-it mmibe. Shei«puldnot have said ii
dse. Oh, there was truth in her ^e as she spoke, and
there IS j^uilt^n yours now. Willard Drummond. tak«
^re ! am despe^te, arfd it is at j^ur peril that jm
dare to trifle with me now." ^ . '
R. ^^"'q'k r^^^'^'"'' '^'' island-mrl rather than me.
3e It o. Sibyl ; if you have no moi faith in me than
this, it IS better that we never see each other more," ho
said, in a deeply oflfended tone. ^
"And do you tell me, really and truly. -that you never
wavered m your allegjanceto me-never for a mome^'
thought of any one else-never for one second W
=aðer=ih^
Would have oocudMvmT
never was false to your vows, to your honor, to mi'
"^^^^^^a^&i
J&.>»%fla3
''" i^i Sf liiiiiivj' ;^ . ^ ■
-J.
> 1 \
\
TMsBBHOaD AND DEOSlT.
"Swear it !'^ . . . ^ ...
;f* I swear! , . ,. , ou Willard il vou are
•<dh which am I^to beheve? Oh, Wiliara. yu
T» un, wnjcii du u^own'fi worst vengeance fall
deceiving tne now, may "^^^^ ^J^^^^^^^^ ^are to speak
But vour own actions are all against you. w y j
But your uw R^ietv while on the island ? How
1^ my nature. Vou would no have P „^ ^^^
"^S;^it;Ud and interested- -a- ^^^^^^^
ir!:::t:ra;:r:'^nL^/rLt.s.ou.a
rfrs>:^rB::t:H;rvrnot see^ ,«> j ».
.ot fa. distant from y-;. » «"°\K' °' ' yl ;very
would have been more than delighted to, s?e you ev
•^^y-' ' *^oc-if Sibvl I was somewhat
"Well if I must confess nt, aioyi, 1 «»
ili,ipoW4 to give me c^it for. - ^ - - -
*^iMi
\
y^
rf^.'*'
FALSEHOOD Am) DEOBIT.
_^ But, when alone, why were you ever talking of
Chnstie? If she had not been continually ih .your
thoughts, her name would not have been so frequently on
your,lips." / . . ^ ' •
"Still jealous ! Oh, Sibyl ! hard to be convinced^ I did
not talk of her." '
■'\ " You did ; for Aunt Moll heas^ you J' ' ^
*' Saints and angels ! was ever ttian in the same dilem-
, ma lam in ? Even an old, half-deaf negress is believed
sooner than I ! Sibyl, I never talk to myself. Aunt Moll
has seen me with this island girl— whom I wish to^eaven
I ha^ never met^and has fancied, perhaps, I spoke of her.
Oh, Sibyl ! Sibyl 1 by your dark, doubting look, I see you
are unbelieving still. What shall I do, or say, to con-
vincfe you ?" - > ,
" Oh, I do not krlow— I do not know I Heaven direct
,me I" said Sibyl, pacing up and down. I want to believe
\ you, but I cannot gef rid of those doubts. Willard, once
our faith in those we love and trust is shaken, hjs very
hard tp be renewed. There wepe truth and eanimess in
that girl's ^yeswhe^Sfee spoke-more, there waHl^ve foF-
you. • Wheihei- pr not you love, or have loved hbr, one
thing IS certain— you havft^taught her to love^-^^." '
"J have not taught her, ^^yl, nor am I to blame for
her childish fancies. Even Ifshe does car^ me, which
IS doubtful, it is a sisterly atfection— nothiJflP'more." ' •
" I am noti:,Iind, Willard. It wVno sisterly affection
I read in those soft, pleading eyes ; it was strong, unchanir*!
ing, undying love. Oh, Willard I what if you are deceirC
lag us both ?"i r 1
^-^ loo much ! I wiU-iroTneh^fc-lhoSe -
doubts. You do not Jove tne as you say you do, or yoU '■'-'
would liave more faith in me. If you believe I could k^
^ f «# 1*1'
^-m
<'ni
n
.. TS
SIS 6hiW, tbe» it were^
BiM£k&atoop to th< mean, low gg^wu« j v <
liOf tad to* »»* Prit i^ ^"^o^
^m^iiym had but die^med of thM^««« ba#,|ttle
rm7he^rt all the while, you wo«W haye fell ^ J
^use you could have had for ^o^W^ ' --
fraction or a secpnd did ^,^^
.U}5;etlil?iO W»«r ,
/^forev^r ! Oh, Wi
j^^^^iU jiexi^ dg
i
.j, tot tidi one^
^nte^t doubt of
^whea will you
iMBf^c
lUSt bcUe^il*^^ do
^ore !" itaUi Sil^l ,
3fd for il^ for
- ""< ^^'■f"^??^5'.'-5^'-'*n*/- V-- %? ^1
FALSEHOOD AND DECEIT.
169
for your sake. Oh, Willard, with your coor nature and
calmly pulsating heart, you can never form any idea of
the passionate heart throbbing here — of the fiery blood
th«t has descended to me from a fiery race, Oh, Willard,
for all hiy unjust doubts, and suspicions, and accusa,tions,
can you ever forgive me !" • " -^" , ^
He had borne, her frenzied outbursts of passion, her
bitter, withering sarcasm, her utter woe and desolation,
calmly enough"^, but now her renewed hopes, and trust,
and confidence, pierced to his very hhftrt. He felt the
blood rush to his very temples, but her head was bent
on his shoulder, and she did ncjtobserve it. How intensely
in that moment did he despfte himself, and this necessity'
of lying, which his own fault had c.eated ! Without
thinking, of the guilt, as a gentlemen he felt himself^
degraded by a falsehood — something Which he had nevel:
hitherto stained his lips with. Arid yet, in the last hour
how lowf^he ,^ad siyjk I Verily, in that moment he felt
"the way of the transgressor is hard."
But Sibyl Campbell, loving and hating alike with utter
abandon — going from one extreme to the other, without
knowing what a medium meant — knew nothing of the
thoughts that set t|ie heart she prized even above her hopa
of ^^^1^^ l^^^tJilifiP*^, tumultuously against her own;
^ Ca^jp|fj|Mfaoifbt^ tl^V \voul(i not
belilve him guU^^^e'Mclicious joy of knowing aqd
^elieviftg sfce^-was still beloved filled her heart ^Apd so
Tor the present she gave JielieK wholly upf = to this- neW-
happiness? Qft how long, was this Itelicious joy destined <
to last ? -^ ^
8
% "!
^
■J t'^ ■*
#2
ib'^
41?r*^^t>-i '
170
*, ' -" s
\^
— S4 lULL BEFOBJt
CHAPTER XVII.
A- LULL BEFORE. THE TEMPEST.
•• We hold our greyhound in our hand,
Our falcdn on our glove ;
But where shall we find leash or band
"'^Mae that loves to rove ?
—Scott.
^
V. ;
"XT OW, my dear Mrs. Courtney, you really °^"St ";>\
N- think of going back to the island, any moi-e.
your, lively ;it / r (;, j^ey you will just
Courtney, on going to mke Ibave oi her hostess, h»d l.s.
■*"irMfro:S"he began, ra-her^hesUatingly
«He wm not ot^«t, my dlr'!" broke, in Mrs. Bnmt-
,ell whlwas comfortably relsio^U a lA^S*"-"-*"^:;
:^S»gt,ja.e titeir leL, and -ake^etr^^.
il«Coortn«y. if» tiot posMWe-you do not ll-iuts.
.-•r -
.Ml£_..
gs^^4j>JB
" "f »
TSB TEMPEST. ^
What eart;ily attraction can their be' for you in that
dreary, litde isle?" 'o^ you, in that
delilJ^f^'/!'"'' Brantwell ! it's not that ; indeed, I shall be
dehghled to accept your kind offer; but, Mr. Courtney '
fe sometimes so queer, and has such strange notions about
intrudhig on peof/le, that I do not know-—"-
-T'^r'^^K ' Nonsense!" interrupted Mrs. Brantwell J
«. T /"''r7f "^''^^^ '" '^'' J^^*-^^' ^^ ^°"d of society
if \r' ,i tr^^ ^^"^^ '^^ ^°"'^ ^"^' °f y«"°g people
r^"W There now, run away, like a good, Jle
wo^an and tell your husband that I positively w llrot
he^r of his going. Come, be ot; here is Mr!^ Stafford
itmg to bid me good-by, and, I never c^ye to keep J
^ung gent^man waiting^speci^lly such a good-lodk-
ing one ; th(ASgh, I don't know what Mr. Brantwell would
say about thaf!" \ ^lutweii would
And Mrs. Brantwell gave Laura aJacetious poke in
the ribs, and went off into one of her mellow laughs
Inwardly delighted at Mrs. Brantwell's invitation
wh,ch gave^ promise of much pleasure, Laura went in
search of her husband, fully determined to acce
whether that unreasonable individual liked it or n<^t ^pp^
She found him waiting for her, in th? ante-room, all
ready for starting. (,
.. T h^'^H"^^ "^^'^^'1 ^°" '° ^°°S^ ^" ^« ^^^^> sharply.
I have been waiting here this half hour. I have sent one
ot tl^rvants to hire a cab to take Us over to Westport-
.?Ji&!'' r^'^'^K'nTV?" '°S^*8^« *°*^gi"^«' i'^tead of
tet^g to Campbell's Isle-a place I never want to see
agawr. Come, make haste and g et ready .''
-a
™^ere Sna occasion, for I'm not going to leave."
pe(^, still more sharply.
0*
Ml
I'^Wftl
■■'^^■f- i^U-r,
.^v;
1^-^
•' t . i.
♦ \-
m
dll '-«
Wh^tlsay. Are you feliUryc|azy<hi6ug11, Mr. Court-
*"|i|v, to think I would undertake a two-hours' ride over to
. «^^Vestppri, after being up all night 2 Catch me at it I I
^ maye too much regard for my good looks to undertake
^Xny such journey."
♦* Ah 1 you wish to retu^rn to theisland ?" he said,^
ting hi5 teeth hard. " Captain Campbell, of course, will
If
accompany you ?" - •
"flow provoking I Every word I say is converted
I ,vn into lood for jealousy.' l|b» I don't want to goback to
'"^^'-^ibc island. I'm going to spend a w^eek herejiph Mrs.
iBranuvell."
♦♦Y<?!ji shall not stay here. You shall come with me to
Westpo^t?'
. "Shnll ^4«deed? They'll have sharp eyes that will
see me in Weft)ort^^r another week, at least, ^ome,
Edgar^have sense, an&ay here-^r a few days."
" WiHg^ptfi%GampbeH be he^ ?"
« Cap^S C^pbell Again. Oh, grant me/ patience !
How do IJcoow whether he will b? here or..a0t ? I'm sure
I hope he i^Bif it's.onlylo driyej^ crazy ; for, of all
the absurd, j«*lo«s old ty^ts thft dfer lived you're the
worst. ldeciave,Mr. Coum^yi>»^ pri#t)ke^ Saint;
and I do wish-SlLLaupifii^ve me— ths^ou were
safely in heaven. '^Mj^ now !"i -
, >. " Take ^irc. roadi|r' % said, hoarsely ; " your good
V"* wishes arc prfematuif Old tyrant as I am, I may live
loogemM^b. ta makd you repent this lao^uage."
<' Take care of what? I'm not afraid of you, Edgar
Courtney !" she said, with flashing eyes. Don't threaten,
^Tt^driv^ m e to sa y th i ngs I shou ld be sorry for
afterward." ;
« Once for all, will you come wl^h nae.^ Westportr
I'JTt'-
/ "(►«-- '
^s* '■*":
%\
/I
f%.'-'"7^i^
2'BJE TEMPEBT.
%■
ITS
.." Once for all, no!"
"MadafiDj,.! command you !
" Command awa)r, then ; 1 slia'n't Dudge a step."
" Mrs. Courtney, do you dare to brave my authority?"
" Your aikftiority ^ It isn't the first time 1 have braved
it." ' ^
. -^
"Tike ckre- that it is not the last!" he hissed, with
gleaming ey<!s.
" Ugh I Don't look at me that way^" said Laura, shud-
dering involuntarily at bis unearthly look and tone « I
,, declare^ if ydu're not enough to scare a person into the
fever and ague I What a scowl I Edgar Court ney^jou'w
WQrse than Nero, Heliogabalus, Mohammed, s^^ all the
other nasty old fellowS, melted into one. Now I'fe made
«ny mind to stay here with Mrs. Brantwell, whether
like It or not ; and you may do as you please, for all
r«^ Allow me to wish you good-night, and a pleasant
jpurney to Westport."
And turning abruptly around, the indignant little lady
qi^Uted the room, leaving her spouse to his ovm not, very
pleasant reflections. ^"'
The company, by tWs time, had nearly all departed
Drummond, hat in hand, stood near the window, talkinr
c" i'^ TT^ '° ^'^y'' whose f^-was ftow bright, radiant.
uiielouded. 1* ■ ^
%.and Mrs. Brant^^cll were st'lj holding a parting
conversation with some of their friends, among whom
stood young Stafford, Aiatching Mr. Drummond, with Mt
lerocioua glance,
tain.
Capta i n C am pbell stood by himselA-e v lJently waitinr
for his friend to accompany him to the isle.
A'
■'■'1 ■
u
f
I .
m
A LULL BEFOKS
t0.
Ak Mrs. Courtney entered, he approached her, spying,
with a smile :
" Well, Mrs. Gpurtney, are you not going to return
with us lo the Island ?"
♦' No, I think not," said Laura. " I have accepted our
kind hostess' invitation, to remain with her a week."
"Well, I have no doubt you will„fi«>d it pleasanter
than our lonesome isle, though,, we poor unfortunates^
left behind will find it doubly dreary, now, that it is
deprived of your brigh^t presence." '
«♦ Flatterer— flattery ! I don't believe I'll ever be
missed. You must remember me to good Mrs. Tom, her
pretty niece, Christie, and that ill-treateSd youth, Mr. Carl
Henley."
"Your humble servant hears but to obey. But, my
dear Mrs. Courtney, you must not desert us, altogether.
Will you not visit the isldi».d some day during tfie week ?"
" Perhaps I may ; indeed, it's very likely 1 shall; I
want to see Mrs. Tom, before I start for home ; so, if I
can prevail on Miss Campbell to Accompany me, your
Island will be blcss«;d with my 'bright presence,' once
more."
" A blessing, for which, we shall be duly grateful,"
said Captain Campbell, gayly ; " so, just name the day
that I shall have the happiness of coming ^for you, and 1
shall safely convey you, * over the sea in my fairy bark.' "
" Why, Captain Campbell, how distressingly poetical
you are getting!'* said Laura, laughing. "Well, let's
see. This is Tuesday, isn't it? Then, I think I will go
on Thursday— dfiy after to-morrow."
'Very welly on that day. I shall have the happiness of
conusg for you.
Until then, adieu."
iSil
'.,*?';
■ ■^h •
TUB TBMPEaT.
m
" Oood-by, Captain Campbell/' said Mrs. Courtney,.
holdinp^ out her hand. ^_-
As she spoke, aslight noise behind hc^ made fier turn
abruptly round, and she almost shrieked aloud» as she
beheld her husband— white, ghastly, ancL haggard^stand??
ing like a galvanized corpse,, by her side. He had
entered, unobserved, and approached ihem in time to
hear their last words— to hear them nikke an appoint-
ment. ^. '- ^ i '
What other proof of her guilt, did, he require? His
worst suspicions ^ere, of course, confirmed. Oh ! terri-
ble/was the look his face wore at that moment, Without
a word, he lurne^J away, and walked to the further end of
the room.
- Startled, shocked, and sick with undefined apprehen-
sion, Laura leaned agairfst the table, for suppdrt. Cap^
tain Campbell's eyes followed the jealous husband, with a
look, that said as plainly as wor^s, "What docs all this
mean?'*
"You are ill, Mrs. Courtney," he said, noticing witi
alarm her sudden faintness. "Allow me to ring fork
glass of water."
"No, no ! It is nothing," she sai^ passing her hand
across her brow, as if to dispel a mist. "Nothing what-
ever," she added, rispg^and forcing a smile as she saw
liis anxious look.%/f^«usc me. Good-nighti"
She hastened?^m^ and Captain Caqipbell, after a
moment's wondering paiise, approached the spdt w.here
Willard and Sibyl Stood^^and" touchihjg ftim on th©
shoulder, said, somcwh.it {rn|atiently :
"Come, IJrummond, it's time we were off, if we go at
attr~lsv(nrks it T^TI wHTTj^ ISSiise ~
islani'* . .
';i,v
efore we reach tbe
z<%r
- t^t-T
^ C '3'^
-^
178
A LULL BEFORE
" . In spite of all Tl^ eflforts a cloud fell on ^rbyl'^ sunny
brow at his words. The demon of Doubt wa§ not yelf
Wliolly exorcised. The island ! the name grate^ harshly ^
on her ear, for Christie was there.
Willard Drummond saw it, and his resolution was
■ taken. He felt it would not do to refeurn to the island
just npw.
■■.' "I regret haying kept yoti waiting," he said, gravely ;
* "but I do not intend going to the island just^yet."
A radiant glance from Sibyl's beautiful eye| repaid,
him for the words. But Captai.n Campbell was amazed.
" Not return ? Why, what's in you head,*oow, Orum-
mond ? Where are you going ?" he asked, in surprise.
■r *" " For the present, I shall stay here."
'•Here, at Mr. Brantwell's?"
.•♦No, in the village." ^ ^,
" Tired of Campbell's Isle already, eh ? I knew ho«r"f
' it would be. " Well, I |uppose 1^1 have to submit to keep
bachelor's hall alone ior a day^r two, and^ then I shall
> return to Westport to^gge after\y bonny bark. As the
^Courtneys stay, likewise" I shall have to go alone ; so
; ^■
'■sA-
.> '^*au revoir."
"V
And Captain * Campbell, after exchanging- a word-
.with his hostess, left, the 'house to return to Cfempbeir -
Loflgc. / ■
The few' remaining guests by this ti'me, had gone.;
and Willard Drummond, also, took his dephnure, And^
. ""then •Sibyl took her niglit lamp and retire*! to her room
4 -to dream (jfhqpf- new-found happiness.
* Laut^ Courtney sat alo,ne on a stj^fca in ^ remote cor-
ner, h<*r head on her hanil, her b^ows' knit irt painful
thought. This fierce jealousy o( , hag^husband's was
owing insufferable ; .she felt sbcrtMg n^ endure it
}.•»
\^
I'SB TEJdPmX.
vn
. '.t ,
much longer. ^?Every word, every look, every action was
warped and distorted by his jealous imagination into
another proof of lier guilt. And siie painfully felt that
this absurd jealousy must soon be apparent to every *;
one— an almost unendurable thought ; for, in spite of
all her levity Jirid apparent indifference, )ht Httle girl-
wife possessed too much pride and self-respea td care-
lessly submit to such a bitter Humiliation.
" I wish I knew what to do," she thought. "If I sub"-
mit to all his whims and caprices, it wilf only make
matters worse. Nothing can remove this deep-rooted
l^wssion, and the yoke he vVlNrlay on my neck will become
'■ unbearable. Oh, I was hiad, crazed, ever to marry him.
Every one that knew him told me iiow it would be— that
Jhe,^ was .tyrannical, jealousy exacting, and passionate, ^
b.ut»I only laughed at them, and deemed him perfection.
ffow; I could ev^t have loved him, I'm sure I don't know,
lor he hasn't a single lovable quality in him. However,
it's too late to think of this nOw ; 1 want to forget the
past altogether,,if I can,and my folly with it." Good
gracious ! what an awful look was on his face that time
when I turned round. Perli||te, after all, I had belter ,
»ot go to the isljtnd. Tli^ m^u's a monomaniac on this
point, and it won'l do to drive him to desperation." '
J She bent her forehead on her hand, ajid remained l||r
a few moments loSt in troubled ^houghtr ^
*; "|Jo, 1 shall not go ; but I will not give him ^le tri.
umpKof knowing it. He shall not think I am afraid of
him, and that he has humbled mf at last," she..said, half
aloud, as she raised her hea(| proudly. "I will avoiH^f
Captain Campbell, tola, asmueh as possible, if I can do*
so without attraoting...atteE^on.'i«H5igii-(>,J what it ft t©
I
%'-.
\
^pi
■^fgjwy*»'."W
• ■■■V r " -'■^'
178
A LULL BEFORE
have a jealous husband ! I wonder where Edgar is ?
Perhaps he has gone to Westport, and left me here f"
"Prithee, why so sad ?" said the jovial voice of Mrs. >.
Brantwell, breaking in at this moment on her reverie,
"you are looking as doleful a,s if some near relation had
just been hung for sheep-stealing. Come, I can't allow
any one in my house to wear so doleful a face. Don't
indulge in the blues, ray dear, or you need never expect
to wax fat and portly, as I am. Come, let me see you
smile, now." i
" Oh, Mrs. Brantwell ! who could be sad in your sun-
shiny presence," said Laura, smiling as brightly as even
the good old lady could wish ; " but, really, 1 wasn't out
of spirits— only dreadfully sleepy." And an immense
yawn couiirmcd the truth of her words,
"^No wondci; ; it's four o'clock, so you had better
relirc. Jenny will show you to your room."
"Did you see— has Mr. Courtney — " began Laura,
hesitatingly, as she rose.
"Mr. Coiirtney went to bed a quarter of an hour ago,
my dear. And here's Jeiiny, now, with your lamp. Good-
night, love !" And kissing her, Mrs. Brantwell consigned
her to the charge of a neat mulatto girl, who appeared
with a light at the door.
Laura followed her up stairs to the door of her apart-
ment. And here Jenny handed her the light, dropped a
courtesy, and disappeared.'
Mrs. Courtney»opened-the door and entered. It was a
neat, pretty little room, with white curtains on the win-
dows and white dimity hangings on the bed ; a wan-hued
carpet on the fft)or, and a cozy armchair beside the win-
dow. Mr. Couftney sat on the bed, still dressed in his
•veiling costume — his arm resting: on the snowy pillowi
>'.'ilK!i t^. *
J^^« V
**.*
;
sriffWi''
ri/:^ TEMPEST.
11«
and his face bo\ved upon it. His dark elf-locks fell heav-
ily over the vvliite pillows, as he lay as. motionless: as
though death had stifled forever his wildly throbbing
heart..
He looked up as his wife entered, and daslied back his
long, dark hair. Laura really felt for hi?ni — the wretched
victim of his own turbulent passions — but pity and sym-
pathy she knew would be alike misunderstood by him, if
manifested; and even, perhaps, be adding fuel to the
flames already paging in his breast.
" Oh ! you are here, are you ?" she said, setting her
lamp on the toilet-stand, and throwing herself languidly
in the arm-chair, "I thought you had gone to Westport."
" And left you to flirt withyou^ new lover. Ila ! Ha !
You thought so, did you ?" ,5^,
What a goblin laugh it was. '^"'Laiiira shivered involun-
tarily, but she would not abate one'jot of her defiant sar-
casm. • \
" Yet, I saw you playing the eavesdropper," she.said,
as she bega'n taking off her coll^n^and bracelets ! " it is
just what I expected of you. ^ Yoi?did it^o expertly, on»
would think you had been taking lessons all your life, in
listening at keyholes. 'Perhaps, you haVe learned from
some hotel-waiter, or lady's hiaid."*!
"By Heaven! I will strangle you! he exclaimed,
roused to madness by her taunting tone. Atid he sprang
to his feet, glaring upon her, as though he Would fulfill
his threat.
"Come, Mr. Courttiey, be calm, or I shall be under
the painful necessity of going down s|^irs, and inrqufring
where the nearest luiiatic asylum is located. Dbn't rave,
now, or try to transfix me with your flashing glances.
. HI
t
■*
fclV'^Jte*
MT'
My'ri- '■ ■ ■
180
A LULL BEFORE TUB TEMPEST.
I Ifim not, in the slightest degree, afraid 0f you, Mr
Gourtney." < ,^ ,
And Mrs. Courtney drew her little form up to its full
lieight, an^ looked with cool contempt, in his face.
" Madam f if you go to the island, I swear, by heaven,
and all its hosts, it will be thp dearest night's work you
have ever done." •
** Hem ! Why don't you swear by the other place ; you
are likely to know more about it, som§! d^y, than you will
ever know of heaven.'i'
" Silence I" he shouted, in a fierce voice. " I repent
it J if you keep this appointment with Captain CampLiell,
you shall repent it, in dUst and aShes !"
For a monftnt, he stood perfectly paralyzed,, foaming*
ai the mouth like a wild beast. Even the audacious Mrs.
Courtney, irenibled before the terrible pitch- df passion,
slie had daringly excited.. And with it, came another feel-
ing, appreheilsipiis for her personal' safety.
.Springing to.^isr feet> she darted past him, reached the
door, and said : -
"Mr. Courtney* your, disagreeable teriiper renders it
necessary for lirt^^tp Ipave you to solitude, which is said to
be excellent for cross people. Hoping you will have
fccQver^ your usaal good-temper, before we meet again,
allow me, to wish you good-nighjti"
'- He darted toward her, but she was gfone, slamming
Tie door after lier, and was down the stairs inf a twink-
le ^1", She knew he^would not dare'to follow hex ; and,
-ea<^ing the daric, deseHed parlot, she threw herself ona^
ioupg^ and burit into a passionate flood of- teajrs* In
:l\at mom^t^ she fairly hat^d herjiusband.
' Bui, when the bousehqld assemble^ next tnorning, lit-
aa'lilrs. ^oiijitBfT looked' &s bright, andr «mMiO|g« a<WI
*-» »
. * ' m- r •. J-
,^^-f
TELE FATAL NOTB^
ven
breezy s^s ever, arid met her pale, sou r-visaged Husband
with her customary, careless unconcern. He, too, was
calm • but, Jf was a delusive lull in the storm. The
treacherous peace of the sleeping volcano — the menacing
quiet of a savage, seeking revjenge— a calm, more to be
dreaded, than his former, fierce outburst of pa"ission. '"'
y"
."I
v:
CHAPTER XVni.
THE FATAt NOTi
'<>
"All my |bnd Jove thus do f blow to -heaven
'Tis gone.
Arise, black vengeance, from thy h£>llow cell, "N
Yield up, olj, love, thy crown and hearted throne
_ To tyrannous ha|e 1 Swell, bosom ^vith tl^ frautigt,
For tis of aspics' tongues!" — OxfeELLO. •
IN-WAJ^DLY cohgj-atulatibg himself on his successful
intervievv with Sibyl, Willard* Drummond sought hi^
rooms to lay his plans for tfee^uture. *
sibyl must be his. bride, and that soon— love, and
|)ride, and ambition, au demanded it. It'vvould be such a
triumph to carry off' this beauty and heiress — this bril- ■
liiint star; who Would so proudly arid gloriously e'glipse
^hclesser lights of; Nejv York knd- Washington. And ,1
yet, though his darjcef angel prompted this, her/involun-* . -
tarily shrjtnk . from th^rime. What vW to be done '
\yith Christie? What \v^ld she ^o, when she Heard of
his fliarriage ? Poof, deceivcii little Christie? his heArt
jBjlibte hijn to think he Had forgotten her. already.
/ He did not fear her much ; it was not that\wt»ich
made him hesitate. There w^na ^ot a pHrti<|i of
.tL
f>
^->^
■^.^ii J
■X'
. J
i---»J
t8d
, THE FATAL HOTB.
in Her disposition. Meek, timid, and yielding, he knew
if lie commanded her to be silent— saying his honor, his /
happiness CQmpellfid him to act as b^ did— she would/
gently fold her hands across her bosom, and die, if need
be, and " make no sign."" No, he need not feur her*, but .
he ieared ^^m^^f//: There was a fierce strugglCgoipg «"
in' his breast. Once there had been "before. Then/'it was
between honor arid passion ; novV h was between pity
^and ambition. How could he telf^s loving, trusting '
*child-bride that she wojild^never see him ttiore—that he
had deceived her ?ind was to marry another ? And on
the other hand, after his interview with Sibyl the pre-
vious night, it was absolutely impossible to pursue any
other course. Christie might suffer— die, if she would;
but Sibyl Campbell— this regal, beautiful heiress, this
transcendcntly lovely Queen of the Isle— must^-fee his
wife. His wife ! Could she be that while Christie lived-?
His brain was in a whirl as he paced up and down, still
revolving the question : " Wliat next?— what next ?"
Unable to answer it, he threw himself on his bed, only
-to live over again the past few weeks in feverish dreams.
'It was neat- noon when he awoke; and, with a head
but slightly clearer than it had been the preceding night,
he set out for the parsonage.
" T4iere is no pther course for it," ran his thouglits, on
the way, "but to see Christie, and tell her all. Dat how
to see her! Sibyl's jealousyHs not dead, but slecpcih ;
and if I visit the isle it may break out in nev/ fury. 1
must write a-note to Chrtsiic>nd send it to liie island
.with some one— Lem or Carl— and appoint a meeting,
after night, unknown to 0very one. Yes, that is what
pustoe done. Ppor Christ ije ! poor Christie! Villain
tfcat'tiin to wrong ypu so! but the hand of Destiny is
.■^s
<, »
.C^F*-
rior /i:47!4i avori:.
183
upon me, driving me on. "How is all this to end? In
woe for some of us, if the Egyptian's pre'diction come
true. Well, I am in the hands of Fate, and must accbm- '
plish her ends, come vvlwt may."
- He found Sibyl alone in the drawing-r6om vvheii he .'
Wintered, Mrs. Courtney «nd Mrs. BrrtntvveU were con-
versing in the sitting-foom, while Mr. Courtney sat
silently in the depths of an ell?ow-chair, and scowled at
them over the top of a book. . ^ *
Sibyl's welcome was most cordial, and they were soon
engaged in animated conversation. \ *
Once, as if by accident, durirfg the conversation, he
said : ' ' "A
" I have left some things I need on the island, w^h I
suppose I must soon go after.'*! , / ~ /
"If you mentlbn i* to Guy/he will send Lem ojrer /
with them," ^aid Sibyl, with an involuntary coldness iij
her tone. ^m»
"Jealous still— I knew it," was his inward comment.
" I presume you do not intend vising the lodge your-
self ?" he asked, after a pause.
"No; the island has few attractions for ^e now. I
really would not care much if I never saw it again," she
answered, briefly. - .V
And there the subject dropped. * ' ■ '
Thattev€ning when Willard returned to his hotel, he
s.it dowp and indicted the following note, without dat^ /
or superscription, to Christie : . /
" Dearest.— For reasons which I will explain whe^'
we meet I cannot visit you during the day. Meet rae t<i-
night, on the heath below the cottage, any time bef<»f« -
midnight." , ^
/.
»d^l
hs^^-j^'
a ■
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184
3«£tf FATAL
NOTJS.
devoted attention to lull
set out early the follow-
on which ^II/s. Courtney
/l.est it should by any change fall into other hands
than those for whom it was intended, he had omitted his
^kme— knowing, besides, that Jt was not necessary, since
ihe persok to whom he would deliver it would tell Chns-
' tie who had sent it. r
Folding it up, lie put it in his pocket, knowing that
either Lem or Carl would in ^ probability visit N
during the day, and he could s<|ize the first opportunity
"of handing it to either unobserved.
And thus, deterniined by his
her slightest dqubts to rest, he
ing iViorning for the parsonage.
Thfs was Thursday-^the day
had promised to visit the isle. V
A The day dawned clear and b|;autifiil, and as thfe fam-
my at the Brantwell wansion assembled round the brcak-
fast-tablc, little' did they dream |of 'the appalling tragedy
with which it was destined to cl^se.
Sibyl and her lover sat in their favorite seat in the.
recess formed by the deep bay-window, talkujg' in^^ow,
lover-like tones. . '^ '
Good Mrs. Brantwell had incased her lai^e .propor-
tions in a rocking-chair, and was swaying backward and
forward, plying her knitting-needles, and trying to find
seme one to talk to— a somewhat dilTicult task,; for Mr.
Courtney, sitting in sullcrt^ilence, answered Coldly and
' briefly, while his eyes continually followed his wife, who
was fluttering in iinVi oxiym a restless, breezy sort of way,
looking every few moments outx)f the window, andstart-
ing violently whenever the door opened. Het hij^un4
saw it, and said^io himself :
.' " Shi is looking for her J^ver, and is watchii
■■ ^' \ ,
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* ."*!^'^'-Vi,*^g^?^ "■'JK''.^ "^
THE FATAL NOTE.
18S
»^
tiently for hi^ coming. This is the morning he promised
to take her to the isle."
And his eyes assumed such a wild, maniac glare, that
Mrs.^ Brantweil, looking up suddenly from her work,
uttered a stifled scream as she exclaimed :
" Gracious me ! Mr. Courtney, are you ill ? You look
like a ghost — worse than ahy ghost, I declare. I k<^new
your wound was npt perfectly healed. You had better
retirie, and lie down."
" Thank you, madam ; I am perfectly well," he
answered, in a hollow tone that belied his w6rds.
Laura, absorbed by her own thoughts, had not heard
this brief conversation. Yes, she was watching for Cap-
tain Campbell, with a nervous restsJesstiess, she could not
control, but, with a far diflferenl subject to that which her
husband supposed. She waftted to see him for a moment,
D&fore he entered, to tell him -iH^eould not go with
him, to the island, and^ to begpf himf riot to aHude to the
subject in ^he presence of the others.. If he did, she
knew her hiisband's jealousy would be apparent to all —
a humiliation, she wished to postpone, as long as possi-
ble. ■ n ^ ■ • ^
Therefore, -when at last' she esjpied him coming, she
flew down the stairs, alid, flushed*;-pagfer, palpitating,, met
him in the hall. /'
"Really, Mrs. Courtney,-" he, gaid| smMing at hfix
haste, " I hope I have not kept yoMi(|^?iiting." '']L
" No, no," sli^ answered, eagerly. *'T wanted, to tell ;
you. Captain CaiiipbelW that I cannot go.", -
"No?" he :;,?aid, iHokipg somewhat disappointed^
"T0eni perhaps, you will cbme to-morrow ?" .
•f; Neither tOfmof row rid
but^ I Wanted to tell you th^
I cannot explain ncMiif,
ore ypu met the others.
; j<!
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.*^
1B6 rfl» FATAL NOTE. '
Don't say Anything about this, up stairs ; and, if my con-
duct appears strange, set it dbwu to woman's fickleness,
to eccentricity, to anythiing you like."
She did not Venture to look .up, but he saw the burn-
ing flush that svvept over her face, and. for the first time,
guessed the secret of her liusband's gloom. ',
"My dear Mrs. Courtney „" he s.vid. ge/itly, "there is
no expKination or apology needed. I intended setting
out fur Westport, to-morrow ; but, now, since you will
not go, I wiU start Uhis afternoon. Yau'will, most prob-
c gor/e before I return ; and so, 'besides the formal
shall bid you up stairs, let me say farewell, now.
wc never meet again, I hope you will sometimes
f me as a friend."
pressed her hand and passed up stairs ; while
Laur I ran t^ hide her burning cheeks, in the solitude of
her own room.
The dark, fierce glance of hatred, ArhkflT Mr. Courtney
bestowed upon the captain, as he entered, confirmed him
in his opinion. Pitying Laura, while h^ despised, her
husband, he determined to positively neglect her, rather
than give him furtlier cause for jealousy.
"You have left Lem waiting on the beach," said Sibyl,
some half-liour after his entrance. "Is he to wait tor
you, there ?" - ,
I "By Jove! I forgot all about him. I ought to have
gone, down, and told him to return. I must go now,"
: said Captain Campbell, starting up.
^•No ; ring the bell, atidj will send Jenny down, to
lelltiim," said Mrs. IBrantwell.
" Never' inind, I'll go," said Drummond, rising sud-
denly, 4s he thought what an excellent opportunity this
^
/
.1 '
TffM FATAL MOM.
18V
'. . '-i
* would be, to deliver his note. "I must be off, anywa;;
and, I can just take the beach in tny 'Vftj^
"Very welh," said the young ca^HRn, resutnins: his
seat. " Tell him I won't need his services, and he may
return honae.'*
Making his adieu, Drummond hastened out and went
down to the beach, \vhere Lem sat patient^ snnning
himself on a log, and Waiting for his master's return.
** Lem," sdid Drummond, as he reached him, "You
are to go back to the island without waiting for Captain
■^Cam^bell."
" Yes, marser," said the obedient Lem, starting up.
"And, Lem, I want you to do me a service." •
"Berry well ; I's wiilin'." . ;
*• I want you to carry "^ note from me to Miss
Christi>!| \_^. „ ■^' - ■■ ,. ^ -' '
"Yes,* sar,^' replied Lem,. inwardly wondering what
the " ole 'omiin " would say tg this if she heiard it.
"You are to give it to no one but herself— 'neither to
Mrs, Tom nor Carl ; and yoiji must i not let ^y one see
you giving it either. Why, vj'here the deucef can it be ? 1
surely have not lost it ?" | ' . " . •^
All this time he had beei^ jfearchmg in his pockiets
but the n#te was nowhere to be found. He felt in hi;-
vest-pocket, where he had placed it, theh in his coat
pocket*, then back again to his vest. All in vain. The
note was gone ! "• ^ ' •
" I must have dropped it on the way, cdn found it !" he
muttered, angrily. " What if any one should find it,'
But, luckily^ if they do, there is no clew by which they
will discover me to be the writer..^ Well, I must write
another, that 4s, all." ' \ '.
He took a pencil from his pocket, tore a leaf out of
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Jiay FATAL NOIB.
his tablet, nnd wrote a few lines. Then he consigned
them to Lem, with the caution : .^,,
" Be sure you do'not lose it, nor let ^ny one s^e you
deliver it. And this is for your trot ble— and silence.
^, You understand?"
" Sartin, marse," said Lem, rolling up his eyes with a
volume of meaning ; and he pocketed with unfeigned
delight tfife silver coin. " I's dumb, and nobody'U see me
givin' Miss Christie dis. Cotch a weasel asleep."
"All right, then ; push off," said Drummond, as, with
a mind intensely relieved, he 'sprang up the bank, while
his messenger set off for the island. ^
Meantime we must return to the parsonage.
Scarcely had Drummond gone, when Mrs. Courtney
entered, and took the seat he had just vacated beside
Sibyl. Noticing Captain Campbell only by a grave bow
—for the watchful eyes of her husband were upon her
she entered into a low-toned conversation with Sibyl.
" Ah ! she is growing careful ; that is a bad sign. I.
must watch them more closely, uow that they have
become guarded," thought Mr. Courtney, setting his
teeth hard. >/^ *^
And, while the captain remained, every word, every
lobk, every tone was watched and perverted by the" je^l-
t)us husband. Captain Campbell treated him with cool
contempt, and scarcely Noticed him at all ; but Laura
watched him constantly from under her long eye-lashes,
anxious and alarmed, as she noticed his ghastly face.
'• Oh ! I wish Captain Campbell would go — I wish he
would go," thought Laura, looking uneasily out of the
window. " Heaven help Edgar ! the man is mad !"
Did some sweet instinct tell him her wish I He rose
Hiat instant to take his leave. ' «
feWa '>«ri
' »tl'
Va
THE FATAL NOTE. igo
"And-oh ! by the-way, Sl#," he said, suddenly, as
he was departing, «I1came rtear forgetting I had an epis-
tie for you This is it. I believe," he added, drawing a
note frora his pocket, and ^oing over to where ^,e and
Laura sat. ~
"^For me ?" said Sibyl, opening it. " Who^from, I won-
" Little Christie gave it to me as I w^s going."
' Christie ?• cried Sibyl, in a voice that made them
start as her eyes ran eagerly over the lines. They were
as follows : ° ■ . ■' <
" Dear Miss Sibyl.-I did not tell you all that night
tJiave thought since I should have done so. When nexi
you visit the island I shall reveal t.> you my secret • for I
feel you ha-'c a right to know. Christie."
Pale with many emotions, Sibyl leaned for a moment
against the window, without speaking.
"Well, Sibyl, what awful revelation does that tiny
note contain, to alarm you so ?" he asked, in surprise.
"Guy," she said, impatiently, starting up. '« I must
visit.tbe island to-day."
"The island ! Nonsense, Sibyl !" broke in Mrs. Brant-
well.
" I njust-I must 1 My business there will not admit
of delay. I must go."
, r "..^^a!'.'^^''''® '^'■'"'S^ ^ ^*»*y "^^'^ed a» well when I
left, said her brother, still more surprised. '
Feeling it would not do to excite a curtosity she could
not satisfy, Sibyl controlled her emotions, and said. mo»
calmly :
- !' I^lp«y an weU enough. U.U i^ that;. l»tti«jnH|Mf
4k
-M.-_-'-i -,JV /,.
\
lOD
THE FATAL NOTB.
4 .
fe>^
stances reader it necessary that I should go there to-day
Who Will take me over ?"
. " IfVou wait for an hour or two, Carl Henley will be
here. I heard Mrs. Tom saying he would visit N to-
night, for things she wanted. If you must go, he will
take you when he returns."
"Very well ; I suppose that must do," said Sibyl, con-
trolling her burning impatience by a great effort, as she
hastily left the room.
And Captain Campbell, having made his adieus, also
departed, followed by Mrs. 6rantvvell. Laura kept her
seat by the window, while her husband still scowled
gloomily from under his midnight brow. '
"Well, this is certainly pleasant," thought Mrs. Court-
ney. " What a prize I have drawn in th^ great matrimonial
icJttisiry, to be, sure. Ugh! I declare he looks like a
ghoul— a death's head— i(n ogre -a— I dontt know what,
AS he sits there, glaring at me in that hideous- way. That
"^hiau will be the death of me yet, I'm sure. Positively I
^lust liave committed some awful crime, some time or
other, t(i be punished hk^ such a husband. His m®iith
looks us if it had been ymt, and bolted,.and locked, and tlie
key fwrevcr lost. HV(jnder if he could open it. I'll see."
" Mr. Courtney," she said, facing roUnd.
An inarticulate " PT^V//" came growlingly forth from
the compressed mouth.
•♦ Look pleasant, can't you ? I declare, the ve^ sight
of you is enough to make one's blood run cold."
" You would rather, look at the gallant Captain Can p-
l)eii, pel haps !" he said, with an evil sneer.
'• Yes, 1 would then— there ! You don't see him wear-
ir.5 such a diabolical, savage, cut-throat loqk as you do.
I «ri"8ti to mercy you'd take him for a model, and not
" '»?W i9««9'^-*W»^p —
:f;S
THE FATAL NOTE.
m
.■••v
"■^ .'''
make such a fright of yourself. 1^ positively ashitned
to present you as my husband, of late— you have got to
be such a hideous-looking creature 1"
He glanced at her, without speakin^f, until a circle of
white fla'rfjed around his eyes. And now that Laura's by
no means angelic temper was roused, there^is no telling
what she would not have said, had not Mrs. Brantwell's
voice been heard at that moment at the head of the
stairs, calling :
"Mrs. Courtney— Mrs. Courtney, I want you a
moment."
Mrs, Courtney hastened from the room, and Mr.
Courtney was left alone with his evil passions.
As she rose from her seat, his eye fell di something
like a note under her chair, like a tiger pouncing on
his prey, he sprang upon it, seized it, opened it, read it,
and crushed it CDnvulsively in his hand.
liwas Willard Drtimmond' s lost note ! ••' ^
••This is hers ; she has dropped it. He gave it lo
her !"„said the unhappy man his fac§ growing absolutely
appalling in its ghastly pallor. "Oh. I see it all— I see
it all! They dare not fneet in day-time, and she will
meet him this night on the isle. Good Heaven ! I shall
Cfo mad ! Dishonored, disgraced forever ! and by the
tvoman I have loved so madly. And she laughed, mocked,
•ind taunted me to ray face, with this in her possession !"
He ground his teeth, to keep back the terrific groans
I hat were making their way up through his tortured heart.
And, as if sent by his evil demon, Laura entered ^i
hat moment, laughing merrily at some jest she had left
;»ehind.
We stood with bis back to ler, f s if looking out of the
wiadow. .
i?,
■ '4%
-■x ..
. ,Aj;,ssti'^. i. ,■»•
IM
THE FATAL NOTE.
" And is this the woman I have loved — this vilest of
her sex, who dare laugh with such a crime on her soul ?
I know now — oh ! I know now, why she did not go to the
island with him, to-day. She thought to blind me,, and
make me think she was not going at all, that I might be
lulled into security. Curses light on them both J" came
through his clenched teeth.
Little dreaming of the thoughts that were passing
through his itiind, Laura — ever the creature of impulse —
forgetting her momentary anger, went over, and, laying
her hand on his arm, said: .
" Come, Mr. Courtney, thyow\oflE this gloom, and be a
little like you Used to be. There is no occasion for all
this anger, for, I am not going to the island, at all. You
see, I hav^ even given up my own, sweet will, to please
you; so, I think I deserve something in return,. for being
so good. Don't I?"
He turned, I and she almost shrieked aloud, at the
awful face she beheld. *
" Edgar ! Oh, Edgar ! Great Heaven ! do not look
so wild. I never meant to make you so angry. I will
not go — indeed, I will not go. Only speak to me,> and do
, not wear that dreadful look !"
And, pale, trembling, and terrified, she clung to his
arm. *" ,
With an awful malediction, he hurled her from him,
and seat her reeling across the roota.
She struck against the sharp edge of the table, and
fell to the ground, her face covered with blood.
But he heeded her not. Seizing his hat and coat^ he
rushed from the house, as if driven by ten thousand
furies And his face, upturned to the li^ht, was the face*
of A dcmo^ ' /
/ -v^-r
.i^u;iky^^^.^^jjajM:VV^i^^*'^ ' P^ - ^
I3BWr DAT.
.Mm
Thi^lioure la^er. a boat, containing two persons, put
off. lor Campbell's Isle. One, was a rough fisher-boy.
half simpleton, half idiot r the other, a tall, dark man
who sat in the stern, his hat drawn far down over his ""
brow, the collar of his coat turned up, leaving nothing to
be seen, but a pair of wild, black, maniac eyes, thatgl^od^
hke hve coals, with the fire of madness. , ' . ' ."*^^i
^;
CHAPTER XIX.
THAT DAY.
"The d^y isf lowering, stilly black,
Sleeptil^e grim wave."
■■■ 'Si
REALLY, Sibyl, my lovb, you are getting to be «
mo^t singular girj. Two or three days ago
you were all in the dismals ; then, afterthe partv.
you got as i^tniable and bright as a June morningVani
scarcely had. you pwmised to stay with me here for an
indefinite length of tmie, and I was congratulating myself
on havin-g s<icured yo^^lere, when Guy brings you a tiny
note from this little blue.e>^ island-girl, Christie, and lo I
you are prf on.the wing a^ain, and I am left to go mop-
ing about /like a pppr old hen-turkey with ih^di^tei-
■per. •.-"}■ .hr<:'i- ■■■'■ . ^ . ■. _. ., . - -.i ..J'-■i■■'J^i^^m"■
But Tj^y dear Mrs. Brantweli," said Sibyl? "you hawi
Mrs. Courtney, who is twice as agreeable and livelv a
compan,<^« as I am. It's impossible for you to go mop-
»«»gji«>tf H as^ you say, when she is here."
"PhJyfes," Kiid Mrs. Brantweli, "that's «ll v«fy Jnik
,-1 W
"M;
WBAT BAX.
\
\
vithput basing in the least consoliqg. I want you. Mrs.
.Courtne>'s very lively i^nd ati that, I knuw ; but I invited
%], iier here as much to keep you in spirits as anything else, -*
;ii#. #i>d now you fly oflf and leave us for my, pains."
s •* 1 «m very sorry, Mrs. Brantwell, to disturb your
4JPQUsemcnts," said Sibyl, gravely ; " but when I tell you
this affair is of the utmost importance to me, and that my
happiness, in a tneasure, depend!^ upon my going, I am
sure you will withdraw your objections."
" Your happiness ? Now, Sibyl Campbell, I would just
like to know what this island-girl has to do \i\\.h.y<mf hap«
piness ?*' iSaid Mrs. Branswcll, folding her fat handl, and
looking in Sibyl's face. »7
^ r More tha«> you would ever think, perhaps — more
Ihan I once ever dreamed myself she would have," sau
Sibyl, while a cloud fell over her brow. " But enougk^f
this. I cannot explain furtherat present. The ai^<^^t of
it \% I must go tolnight i"
And Sibyl's fa^ce assumed that look of steady decision
it could sometime^ wear. , . '
. "Humph'! particularly mysterious all this. When/do
i you return ?" \
,, "Tliat depends i^pon circumstances. To-morr0w, per-
hips.'*^ ; "
"ISibyl, do you kUow what I think ?" said Mrs. Brant-
well, with such abrupt suddenness that the young girl/
started.. ■ ' . \ ,■../' /
•' No, indeed ; I dp not pretend to divination/* she
said, with a smile.
_^-*^iiall I tell you ?"
— "If you please. I am Wl attention.*'
'* And you will not be ^ngry with youi; ^d friend» who
^isfe^T-
si'-
'i * »«
ttUT
iKtpi
made a discovery. ■ * "" °' »"« ""w l»ry:
Sibyrs dark &ce flushed, and ,he„ g„«- t.„ 0.1. '
" Aod thai's a very misenhl. f— i- ^ "^ * '■
Mrs. Braouvell, compel ly^rj"'"*' "y "«■•.•• sal*
sensible persoa ever^ ' "^^ fj^T ''"!!"' '*'
bestow .l-eirafiee.ioasorfh^'^^a ..h' . " ""'"'/'
implicit trust Now I hi 7 "" ""^ '"' ?•«*
«nse ,0 fancy Mr D;u'?ir/°" "^'= '"o -"-hW
.'.i,wo,ldmor"th^;ru" '"" "^'^ '"' ""/<"» '»
■jealous ol any one „„rh ll^ "'" '^°"''* "'""P '» •»
like this Chri L 'nlfhr "" '"'«"'6<^" ""legiri
ing for your g^^>':trT^' 7 '"''*•• ' »"> t«k-
est causi .0 f«rtrivtr /or '^f ^h" '""" "'" "«' =«8"-
pot find one nwre JerlkX' Z ^f, ^°" """• y^ <»°- I
."on'tsaytMstr^arr'^^ir;;-!" '';- ^'••'™"- I'l
queenly darling, could never b^ vaift ."°" ^f"' "^ *
you with confidence cJLI Vj""-but ic is to iBspiijB «
fueling that fs unr;„^r;o7 ^Mr "d""' '"""r? ""'
assured, has never f„n L • Drummond, I feel'
to you>^, /'*''"""'="' '""«•«• in his fidelitj.
" W^^BOL^H/jrnit fTf ""* '"'^*- !««">>««#.
«his peril H. Ws r^ "^ '° "•• ^' "■» *nlt
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TSAT DAT.
of what I only 8iispec(ed1>^ore. I am afraid yotii will be
very unhappy, Sibyl, if you indulge in such feelifigs.
You ought to try and cultivate a more trusting spirit, my
dear ; without perfect /faith in the person we love, there
can be no happinesa
"I do trust! I </^ trust ! I wi// trust!" said Sib)Pl,
clenching her small hand ^ though she wogld in a like
manner shutout all doubt f rpiipi her heart. But, oh, where
wc love, the faintest symptom of distrust is madness.'*
•. *• Where we love truly we f^l «) distrust, Sibyl." .
" Oh, you do not know. Do I not love truly ? Have
I ,not staked life, and heart, and happiness on him, an|t
" You doubt."
, '* Noi^ no — not now. I did doubt, but that time
has gone,'\said Sibyl, with a sort of incoherence.
" Then, \vherefore this visit to the isle, Sibyl ?" said
KtL Brantwe^l, fixing her eyes searchingly on her face.
.Before Sibyl could reply, a sound, as if of a heavy
fall below; reached their ears.
-**.What can that be ?" said Mrs. Brantwell, starting up.
" It sounded like some one falling," said Sibyl, iisten-
iiig breathlessly. " I will go down and see."
^^ She tlew down the long staircase, followed by Mrs.
Brant wdll ; and, on entering the room, there they found
Mrs. Courtney lying senseless on the floor, her face
deluged with blood.
'* Great Heavens ! what has happened!" said Sibyl,
turning faint and sick at the sight.
"Oh, I know," said Mrs. Brantwell, wildly, as she
hurried forward and raised the slender, prostrate form.
** Oh, that deymon of jealousy ! How many souls is it
4^imAt9 torture ? Sibyl, please ring the bell; " f .
i-J'
'vrl»r-i
>%-
rt^
THAT DAT.
m
^ufT7^'^ J**^' '^'' "^^"^ I do not andcratand.-
said Sibyl, as she obeyed. ""acreiana,
*^'' Why this poor child's husband is crazy with jealouar
-I have observed it, though she thought /dfd a j^ ^""^
Heaven be merciful ! he cannot have struck herr*^^
sa.d Sibyl, white with horror ^^-T^M
entered, tell Tom to go instantly for the doctor and
^then^come b..c. .„d help .e .o carry this pooTl:^^
f-
the'b'oV'roTth ^'"^ ''"^ '" "'^^ ' ^"^ -^'^^ dispatchid^ ^
the boy for the doctor, hurried back and aided Mrf -
tfhrroo.;" '""'^'"^ ••"* ^"«^' '--of Mr.-rurt'i^ .,;
hlJi"'"'/!.* f"* "P'^ *'""■• «!«= washed off tho-C
blood and disclosed a deep gash right above .he e^
wh,ch^co„.,„„ed bleeding so profuse./as to a^'^gS
d J °''' ' 'T "^^ "■""'.'«<• 'o death ! W^ould that th* '
LriXp^rdiitrTsi'' "- ^--"- —4' J"
.^ef,eeding'"'r;ti\rdrere:^!rrr"';
..d.. and „ande.d with a ^IJ^:::^^
"My poor child, what has happetied ?" "said M«
B^ntwell. bending over her, and partTg Ttfl bHghC^
ordered hftir on her pale brow. ^ : -^°.
:4\.> ->
' /?hci».>l..
V^T^iSiJjRSglSJSPJ^i
^f^^l
.1
^"^/^,
^M
r^nfi,;-
m
t
\
»
-
TBAt Air.
'%§^l«
' (
'-
i«Kj^^
N' ■^♦V? *•
" Where 19 he^'^^.slie .j^jd, grasping Mrs. Brantwell's
Bjfwf, convulsively.
" "Who, love?" said Mrs. Branturell, gently. -^
" Oh, he— Mr. Courtney," she said, in the same fright-
eaed whisper. , '
' ** He is gone, dear. Did he strike you ?"
"Oh, no!^no> no!" "she cried, wildly^ «I fell, and
struck against sometiiing. Oh, my head! . F' am going
craxy, I think." ; , ^
"Hush, love! You musC .not excite yourself. ' Lie
still, and do hot talk." ■ .
" 1 have bceiM^erx^icked— very Tash," she said, "but,
I did not mfepn it. Ofij' I never meant it— I never — never
meant , it I' she moaned^ pressing her/ hands over her
heart. *"
" My dearest child, I know it But it will hurt you to
talk so much." « ^
■ *• Yes, yes; I always did talk thoughtlessly, and it has
driven him mad. Oh I I loved him xriice, and I have
driven him mad, now," she cried, wringing her pale fin-
. Mrs. Brantwell looked at tile puszled doctor in deep-
est distress. . * '
- •' Give her this ; it will compose her," said that gentle-
man, who could not tell what to make of all this. -
** Drink thi4, love ; it will soothe you," said th§t good
lady, raising the poor, wounded head of the young wife,
and holding the cup to her Ups. *
With the passive obedience of a child^ she complied,
and fell back on her pillow. 4nd, gradually, the wild,
frehsied expression left her face, and she fell into ft deep
slumber. • ^ » "
^ And now, sl^ mqst .^. kept r«r| qiii^^' sold tte doc<
Lie
iiKiiteS^i&:
vw^
' (
^
■''^ ." '■'.".'■ ,■-"■■-. . ■ / ^ 1 ■ - . _ . :...^.',-,
■' I ■ ■ • • X - V . , ' ■ .- -I
' . ^>r .-^ .- - • ---^^
tor as ^e took 1,is hat and glomes. There Is not the
slightest dan^er.if she is tiot aUowed to txchc herself,
and IS Qarcfullynur^ed,^vhid»>i know she will t>^, with
Mrs. Bmntwcih Repeat the medicine, when she wakes,
and I will call again, to-morrow."
And the doctor bowed himself out^vhile Mrs. Brarft^
well sat down beside the poor, pale sleeper, fanning her
gently, and watching lier whilj she sl6pt. .
Sibyl, seeing iier presence was not necessary, w^t
down to the parlo,, where she found Wiikird D.ummond
atVauing her. SUe started in alarm, for ms countenance;^
was grave and deeply troubled. " "*
" Why. Will.xrd. what has happ^ed ?" she asked, hflr-
"^llTr"''" '"''" ike alarm, where he wa^' concerned.
S.byl, he said, slowly. " I am obliged to leave' yo«.'-
She ttM-n^d deadly pale^and her large. darieeyesW "
fixed on his face, in agonized inquiry. • •
"Scarce an hot.r ago. I received a letter from home."
he went o., saying, that my father 1|ras,at the point of
death, and. ,f 1 ever wished to see him a;;ain. I m,]^
hasten .there, immediately. 1 have no^ a moment to los^
Mtart instantly; but first, I. have c<1,&lo take leave .o^
The news came so suddenly, that, for a moment she
seemed stunned. ■ ' ^ •■ wc
^^P^^^° y^ '''"™ ^"' '^'^ ^^'^^ '"^ ^oi<=e faint with
j " A
IK
'i^
V
"Soon I hopej'but. I cannot, as yet. telK* Farcwc#
ray own, dearest love; belieVc me, I will return to yott
as soon as mav ho,"' • rr - " lu you
as sooq as may ba"
will w
his shoulder, .
"An«| y<,u w/ll write ?'V she, said, burjring her face U
" Certainly, S»b^t::-that will be my first C^ Reme^
72,1
.«-
:;V,:
m
-"rt \ '-^l^''- 4^'^-'^''t^''-''^''fP^%'^^''-'!'^"''".''''*y-^^^^^
TBAT DAT.
Der me to our frtend3) and explain to them the cause of
tbiis abrupt departure. And now, once more, adieu."
He pressed her to his hear(> and ihen quitted" the
house, and, mounting his horse, rode rapidly away. '
Once he paused, and looked anxiously in the direction
of the isle. He thought of Christie receiving his note,
anid waiting for him in vain, at their lonely, trysting-
place.
.** What will she think of 1% absence?" he mused;
:**for> I know, poor, faithful child, she will await my com-
^ log there, until morning dawn. What cause will she
* alsign for my not keeping my appointment? Well, I
ouinot help it. I dare not.wait until morniijg; and she
will hear to-morrow, why I was absent."
And he rode on, neve^ thinking whether Christie was
destined to live to see that eventful to-morrow, dawn.
When he was gone, Sibyl sat for a few moments, with
a'feeling of utter desolation. She knew he was not to be
gone long ; but, it was their first parting, save the few
: daysf she was absent in New York, and there was a dreary
siense of loneliness — a passionate longing to be with him,
to never leave him— filling her heart. With her hands
lying upon the table, and her head dropped upon them,
ahe remained wholly unconscious ol the flight OFlime,
until the entrance of Mrs. Brant well, aroused her.
She lifted Jier head and tried to listen, as the good old
lady spoke' di-Caura.
"She has had a quiet sleep, and now appears much
better. , But hoW pale ypd arc, Sibyl ! Are you going to
beii*,tpor'- '-■>■'■- -;"i './/"''
^*^No, I am quite well ; only it gavd me such a shock,
it was so stidden," said Sibyl, pressing her hands to her
l^lirobbiog hfow. .
-t.
- • ! J »
- »-,.
'■1'
iHdr 2)4 r.
1. 1** • *<j
" Yes, I don't wonder at it," said Wrs. Brantweli, think,
ing the shock she alluded to, was^-ihe sudden sight of
Laura. " I caniis to look for a sponge, and must go back
to Mrs. Courtn«^ now." ' '*
She left the^om, and Sibyl went to the windaikand^
looked put. "^' ^ /^
Cj^^ l/'®^"°°" ^^* waning, the sun was slowly sink-
^ • ihg*to\^frd the west, and, Sibyl saw, with some conc^ra^
"^ t^at a dark, dense cloud was rising. .
" There is a storm coming, and perhaps there may be
no boat fronj the island, after all," she said, anxiously.
"How can I wait until to-morrow ?"
But, even while she spoke, she espied the well-knowil'
form of Carl Henley, approaching the house.
Sibyl sprang to the bell, and rang a peal, that pres
ently Brought Jenny. -; ^
"J^nny, run down to the door, and tell the boy you
will€ee passing to come up here immediately," she said,
. excitedly. . '
• Jennie disappeared, and soon returned with Master
Carl looking considerably amazed, not to say frightened|^
at this unexpected summons. . ^^
" Carl, what time do you return to the island ?" askedi
Sibyl. ,
" Right off— soon's ever I get some tea, and sugar, atid;
coffee, and starch, and things for Aunt Tom." 1
" Will you take me over when you are going, Carl ?"
" Yes'm, if you'll not be long getting ready ; 'cauWj
here's a storm a comin', an' no matter how hard I pulj^ '
^. it'll be dark afore we get there," said Carl.
"I will be ready in five minutes, and wait for you off"^
the beach.. That will do," said Sibyl, rising, to dfm tluy
interview. . Tf' '
■ =1. *
••
%
>-l.
wEAt 0^um itStT.
\i-*
a^
^\
Carl hurried out to fulfill his coifittilssiofls for Mrs.
Tonii and SibyL went to her fooni to dress, and take leave
of Mrs. Orantvrell. ^S
"Self-willed — self-willed ! said the good old lady, so r-
roWfully, a:s she kissed her. " Well, good-by, my love.
Remember, I half expect you back to-morrow."
" And I shall certainly try not to disappoint ^ou, "said
Btbyl, as she quitted the room.
She took her way to the b^ach, where she was soon
Joined by Carl, who, muttering an inarticulate something
about having a " stunner of a storm pretty soon," pushed
off and took the oars, and under his practiced hands the
boat w^ soon flying like a bird through the sparkling
waves.
CHAPTER XX.
WHAT CAME NEXT.
" Attd oh Ihe^^midhight air atosft
That awful dying en',
That echoed nfrough the lonely house
Vibrating to the sky."
**Tr*Hfi sky was rapidly darkening. The wind came
. 1 wailing with a low, menacing sound over the waters.
The sun sank red, fiery, and threatening in the far west,
and the scared water-fowl went skimming over the
troubled face of the bay, sending full, wild shrieks, as if
to herald the coming storm. The darkened ^ea heaved
and ttissed, asjf struggling With an inward foe^and the
little boat quivered in every joint ta it flew civ«r the
glassy waves.
^ ',1c '
.%^^^^-
^f.^.:*;;^^^^^...
f
i^.
t>!a4r cAir^ jri|i:
ids
Sibyl's eyes kindled as they surveyed the »raiid but ^^
terrible beauty of the scene. On the east, as Far as thb
eye. could see, spread out the boundless, teipestuout -*
ocean ; on the west stretched a long line of coast, form,
ingasortof semi-circle, lost on one side ih/ the dense
primeval forest, that as yet the woodman's ice had not
desecrated, and on the other jutting out in i/ wild, roclcV .«
promontory. On the south was the island/ which tHw |
were now approaching,, looking a mere dark speck in the f
vast and mighty deep. ' '^
" If we don't have a scrfeamfet of i storrti to-night ydil "
may say I don't knoiv nuihing 'boUt the/weather," said
Carl, pausing for a moment to wipte the prespiratipii oft
his heated brow, and glance at the darkening face of the
sky. "Such a one as we ain't had sinZe the night me
and Mr. Drummond and Lenj saved the man aUd
woman what was washed ashore irom the wreck."
" That was an awful night," said Sibyl, still keeping
her kindling.eyes fixed on the glooi
sea and sky] " but how splendid, ho;
glorious this prospect is. Oh, I lavg
grand jubilee of the earth, when sea,/an
ning, and storm, all join in the ^lor/ous hymn of "the
tempest. Oh, the nights that I haVe siient on sea when
nothing was to be seen but the black pkll of the heavetis
above, rent evfery infant by the forked lightning, .while
the crash of the thunder, and th^ roar of the wind and
waves mingled together in the Sublime refrain, and cue .
ship went dfivrng on, as if matd. Oh, for those tn^itki
again ! when my very soul was inspired by the unspc "
able glory of the scene." / / . ■ j %./f|
Her tvild fcyes shbne and gashed like^, and her
cheeks flushed with the impetuiosity with whM^he spok«u
grandeur of the
hiagnificent, how
storm. I love the
4 wind, and light-
.f W^i
_^.-<;fe.^t*'
i"'T'
She was not addre^sinij Carl, she was not thinkinir of
Wm, she did not even see him ; iier whole soul, and heart
and mind, were filled with the present scene, and the
remembrance of those she had seen.
Carl stared for an instant at the wild girl, wondering
if she had «ane mad, but Sibyl recovered from her
Qomentaiy trance, and asked, quietly :
' -^"'^^ ''°" '^*°^ "^^ ^'^^ ""^^^ ^*>e island before the
•tonn bursts ?"
" Ves, I guess so. We'll be there in 'bout ten minutes
now. Oh, by granny, here it comes I**^l
A low. sullen rumbling, the herald of the coming
itorm, was heard, and two large, heavy drops of rain fell
pattering on the thwart. ^ ^
"Lor* sakes I ef the squall comes noW we'll go to tlie
^ttom lorsartin," said Carl, pulling with the energy of
desperation, until the perspiration stood in great globules
on his brow.
But the storm, as if in pity for that frail bark and its
inmates, held up a few momei^ longer, and Cai^ uttered
Vittj" """'P^''*^''^^^"' into a little natural harbor
•shclt^d by^ overhanging rocks, immediately below the
lodge.
"Let the storm come," he cried, waving his cap in
p^pultatioii. ; " we're all right as a trivet i^ow."
And as he spoke his last words were lost in the roar
PI the wind and sea.
Safe and sheltered as it was in the little cove, the boat
Quivered for an instant, like a reed in the^blast, before the
first funoos crash of the storm. Had it burst upon them
a few moiAents sooner they would instantaneously have
|»een swam^d. . Bqt Carl, benaing Wore the furious
.■ ii ' /
m
■ %
->*-}
" "^i^^l
m
W^^^^^^^^^^^^^^IK^f^l^^
1
P-"
■ WHAT OAMW
NEXT.
kn
gale, drove his stanch little craft ashore in tinmnh - a
Sffrang out. followed by Sibyl. / "^^ ***^<,
The rain was falling heavily and th^ is,.^ ki *
moun.a,n.kid. until she stood^ he dlr ^f r 'k".??
I-odge, her a„ces<ral home." *",°' Caoipbeir,
Aun""' Mt!/ref visued^rhrr' '''^t """ ''""'^^^ ">^ i
<a.n,„ereah.e:j"^:l;^j^:^'^;^- wheo ..^
was never locked Sih,.i „ 7 pa'^-aoor, which ,
leading to the kitchen, while thJolH h„ ,. ? ^°°''
would fall' and annmLTh"i\?°"^r ^'^"^^ ^^«>'
door, and, wet dri^/oint pl-T ' '^''^'^ ^'^^^ °P«"«J ^^^e
seafonm ch T^^^'''^''' "^crmaid .rising from the
sea-foam, she stood before her two as^onlsfeed servants i
alarmed satin Ir/ 7 '""'' '"'''''• ^^"^' i»«'« ^^s :.^
^ XU^^ T ^^ P^sonaj^e, .tending before
't^kiM-^^. \
K
'■;y,Tj«-_.-' ,.
•06
WSAT CAMS
" .-I ■ ■ r..'
tfiem, her wild, black bair streathibg in disorder down
her back, Aunt Moll uttered a piercing shriek, and,
springing to he^ feet, rushed over ahd threw herself into
Lena's arms, with tiic cry :
' V "Ah, it's a ghos' ! it's a ghos' t Oh, Lem, sabe yer
poor, ole mudder ! It's^r young missus' ghos' !"
And, 4error-stri^keti;* Aunt Moll clung shrieking to
Lem, who stood unable to speak, his teeth chattering
with terror^ '
■5 -'.Tlie scene was so ridiculous — Aunt Moll's terror, and
Lem's frightened face and distended eyeballs— that Sibyl,
throwing herself into a seat, could scarcely refrain from
laughter.
At this. Aunt Moll ceased her shrieks, an(} looked up,
and Lem looked at her in Utter bewilderment.
•• It's our young Miss 3ibyl, herself," ventured Lem,
at last. • A. \ /
" Why^ of course it is," said Sibyl, as soon as she could
speak, for laughter. " Cotne, Aunt Moll, I'm tto more of
a ghost than you are yourself. Don't look ,^o terribly
afraid of me."
"Miss Sibyl, is it you?" ^aid Aunt Moll, beginning
cautiously fo approach,. and eying her askance. "Well,
I 'clare to gracious, ef I didn't fink 'twas your ghos', Miss
Sibyl I" said Aunt Mdll, drawing a deep breath. '* What
could take you out sich a stormy night ?"
"Cnrl Hei^ey's boat, brought me here; I wanted to
see you and' Leni, Aunt Moll. And now, Lem, go and
make a fire in my becl-roOm, to air it ;^ I am going to stay
here, all night." t
" S'p^t yoy'll have to Should like to know who
could go out ag'in dis night. Oh, Loi^ a massy-sakes !
Will yttl" said Aunt Moll, tteiSbliBg;
jist mftfitt u» 4tA,
y<r
V:
waay t!ij«r jj^j^
".US' be hungry •• Id A^L M f, J""- ^"PP". «•"« yer,
place. ^ ®"'"^""" M"". approaching , he fire.
But at that instant, a vivid flash of liffhtnin-r hl,„-i
down the w.de chimney, and oid MoU sprf^"^^":::^ .
said the old woman. q„„ki™ i ' .^^^J,;"" ' »'«'«<' y"'"
"Oh, don't mind, Aunt MnH-l-m&i
.King." said 3iby.. '.. And h^^'^3?.™ Z^Zu"'--
to my room." "^ y^^^ ^em , so I mil go'..„
"Oh, Miss Sibyl, m{,y I go too ? 'Deed an' 'dt^d Y iM^
" Certainly, Aunt MoH, if you think voii Wfil k ^
safer with me, you are welcome to come B..^ ^""^
should be placed in a, higher power L ll ^T ''"''
storm alone can help yo^/> ^^yl, g'^r ve^ ' " ''^^"
Yes. M.ss Sibyl, I know^ all dat, an' I does tru.' \.
Providence; but, 'pears like .I'd feel safer ^fr , ?^
you. Seems like de danger wou dn'r h ^' '^*'*'
drefful," said Aunt Molf' W I al. "^ °'"" "°'' «»
skeeredo'Iigbtnid'." ', *"^" ^!» »^'»%
"Very well ; cottie, then," said Sibyl. f
Ai»dA»*i.iMol!,itUddf the tJefmhsio«,m H dftaalc^ *
wrS
OAMB jmxr.
and preceded Sib,l through the hall, and up the pi^llshed
his will l^r' * «'^"«'"«f '-'' leaving ten., o^uchCio^
his will, sole possestor of the Iciichen.
the dnmn ''*' * ^;'^^' ^'^^ ^'"'"^'^8^ °° '»»« health, which .
he damp, unused rooms required, rendering the fliclcer- ^*
»ng tajlow candle superfluous.
~id"s1bH ''*''" "''^''" ^°'"^ '° '^'^P' ^""' **°"^"
^ Sibyl assebted to this arrangement; and, Ilftin/the
But Aunt Moll coming in. held up her hands in^Lech
less terror at her hardihood. >«»pcccii,
;'Settin' at de winder, an' it a lightnin' (" she ex-
ttrfod^'^^K '''^^' '''"^^' ''^'•^ ^« mo3' re^Le
th,ng to do as eber was. Put down de curtain, chile, an'
go to bed ; It's a temptin' o' de Lor', dat ar." .-
a^ safetta^ in'Z!'^"^ ''^"'•' '^^ "'^^^ ^ ^' '« ^^^
•nn'r "' *' *'"'?' /^"^ ' y°" doesn't know. It's wrong
aud likewise sinful, to sit down a Ipolcin' at de storm^'
persisted the old woman. ' *
But Sibyl, wiihout paying the slightest attention still
sat gazing out, while Aunt Moll from entreating to" k to
scolding, which was likevVise unheeded
vrZ^"^ ^""'" '""^"^' ^""' ^*°^* •" «^'d her young mis-
rea^ at last, impatiently faci.g round, tired ol hlr ng
the garrulous old woman. "caring
Andxat^his unprecedented rrbuke, Aunt Moll sat
dovvn behMTc the fire in mortified silence.
cJir."^^^!™*"^.'^^'^ ^^^""^'^ impatience to meet
Christie, and \^ ,rhat meaning lay couched in^ 1"
WBAT OAMB IfBXT. jj^
terioa. not^ JBIbyl found herself forced to wait u«tfl'
plrL "* onhe «a on ,he rook, „as d« enw"'
of horror that no tffort could shake off. She f.r^I ,f
rouse herself, ,o reason herself ou.iof the ,uDaF«W
dread that was overwhelming her bS in vai^ * *^
les« tfrr.^r k»j 1 L , . ** ' ^ '° vam. A name*
Us Uld ' '^^ '^"^^'^' '^^ ^-«' -d -u'd not Velat
An^".K ""^ ^^'^^ *'°"'"' "^"""^ °"' «"^ tnidnight approached
And the storm without seemed to have shrieked „!.;
breathing sound^ardr/tt^uXhe";!':"" "" """:
own thoughts, Sibyl rose and prepared herself for h*rf
whif .t'*""-"'" '"o"" '^gned within the old hodM
wh le the storn, without was still sullenly grumbUnt
<X^V^L "'Wnigh, and Sibyl l.y^ith ^^nin
■Si
...-4 *, ^
front door burtt violently open, ftnd through the lilent
house arose the wild, terrific, appalling shrielc oi ** Mur-
der I" 7
.^
CHAPTER XXI.i^
THAT NIOHT.
"Conve, mmdaess I come with me, senteleM death I
■ >' I cannot suffer this I Here, roclcy wall, j
• ''' ^ Scatter these brains, or dull them I"
Dk iikoimrORO.
ABOUT an hour before the storm burst upon the
island, Edgar Courtney, the victim of his own dia-
/:^^ boHcal passions, reached it unseen and unobserved.
*'Yoii will await my return hJire," he said, as he wasf -
moving away. " I must be back in N before morn-
"Doft't know 'bout that," said the boy who bad taken
him ov^r ;" there's an awful storm rising; but if you
ain't afeared to venture, I ain't."
Mr. Courtney glanced at the dark, ^ullen sky, but
^hat.^was the storm without compared. with the storm
within ? Leave the island he musi l)eforinnorning,'so he
replied : , '^ '
"I must go back, let it storm as it will. You can
remain here sheltered under these rocks till I come t>ack."
And wrapping his cloak around him, he moved
swiftly away, and concealed himself behind some over-
hanging trees to a^^ait tlie result.
^^ TtojifOt' where he stood commfuided 4 trie# of the tea
t^j0/.
i.^J:jMM^i^i
tprUaAM bi
i
TBAf NT9M7,
OB
all itdef. And, therefore, when In tht deepening
glootn, some hours after, he saw a boat approach the isin,
■ • ' ' a aingltt
he had not
■•^ ■
containing the form of a woman,
doubt AS to who that woman was.
Oh, the demoniac took that his face wor^ ^ that
> instant I His face upturned to the blcalc light was »«|of ^
4tj*^ fiend. '^^'■■
Blinded by his passions, he did not pbscrve, as tttllj
calmer moment he might have done, even in, the gloom,
> the difference betweeW this tall figure and that of his wife.
He only saw a woman\ landing on the isle, springing up*
,- the rocks, ftffd disappeajri"ff »" ^^^ darkness, and who bat
Laura would hdvc vcnttired to the isle that stormy night.
When the night fell in more than Egj'ptian darki^ecfH
jiccompanicd by wind, ai\d lighttiing, and rain, he made
his way blindly thrbughiWtl to the trysting-place ; and,
*" sheltered behind a friendly rock^ he crouched down like •
panther waiting for it& prdy. ? 1
"She will not come \inuhis storm — she cannot; jrotl
will wait in vain," said the voice of Reason^ faintly trying^
„ to make itself heard.
" She will come--she will !" said Jealousy. " Sl^e hat
braved the storm to come' to the island ; and, thpugk fire
should fall from heaven, she will 1ccep ^her tryst. Wait !
wait ! and you will have your revenge
^
And the demon voic<j conquered.
-'^H
Meantime, how went' the nig;ht in the widow's cottage?
When — wet, dripping, soaked through— Carl reached
the cottage, his firs^ care was to change his wet clothes,
and seal himself at, the table, wherfc a smoking supper
awaited him. . ^ ■
Mrs. Tom held up her haadi ill wonder ai^^ UMUpp
' "*■<
' '^1^''
H
)t.s^.MZ^SLL^akJm:t
» V
ncjr ifi0MT.
nient when the hciird that Sibyl had braved all that
furiout storm to come lo the isle.
" The girl must be clean cm»y," she ejaculated, " to
venture on the stormy sea such a night I «ido wo^er,
though, what brought ^iss Sibyl here to-night ?"
' Dunno," said Carl» speaking with his mouth full of
griddJecalce. ";She was talking sort o* craay lo the boat,
'Spect she thought that Mr. Drummond wds here."
Christie, whose >hk<^6ngers were, as usual, flying
busily, as she piled her needle suddenly flushed to the
temples, and then grew paler thj^n before. S/U knew
what had brought Sibyl to the island, though she had
hardly fancied she would have ventured <nUmi such a
storm. . *^ ,^- .
"Oh, I wish it had been clear to-night f'* she thought,
lifting her head, and listening anxiously to the howling
tempest.
Lem, true to his promise, had faithfully delivered
Drummond's note to Christie unobserved. But would Ag
come in all thisi^m ? :
Some vagu6 Tumor had reached her ear that Miss •
Campbell; the beauty and heiress. Was soon to be the
^|)ride of Willnrd Drummond. She did' not beffeve it ; it
was too mt^strous, too dreadful ; the bare t>ossibllity of
•uch a thing was maddening. But Sibyl loved him, and
might cherish hopp§ that could, never be realized; and
Christie felt It h^]*|j|^ty, despite her promise) to put an
ond to all these hop3|m|^nd forever, by proclaiming
their-fliarriage. Thai ^°*
tunity, and sent the
Campbell. ^
By this time Carl Itlehle^had dispatched his supper ;
audi laboring under a vague impression that iKime one
ii$*ljp3 seized the first oppor-
fe mei
kCied by Captain
i~* M
..;»■
-"'■-» -3.'"" ;■ " 'i
nond ^uJpuim ortl t
moBT.
, t»t'
would be In P^fMr^M'^rfy him off by force, a, Mr.
DrMinmond <><^u2||or)l prevlonk occasion, h« made a
Jiasty cxitup tlWripier to bed, firmly resolving not to go
,out % ayja|ap ugh hx^vX Tom should pulfcvcry luitr out
of his Wiprr
And when M ^as gone, Mrs, Tom. having secured
the windows and doors, drew up her wheel; and sat down
to spin. And Christie, with ^hcclts flushed, and eyet
bright with anxiety and impatience, seWcd on in silence,
replying vaguely and at random to the stream of small-
talk kept up by Mrs. l^om.
There were many^anxious thoughts passing through
the mind of the young girl. Why had Wiilard beca
absent for so long a time ?— why had he appointed this
^strange midnight>ceting ?— would he venture on the ^a
in night and stortn ; and, if he came, wfiat could his visit
and'notc portend ? llxi manner had chat^d so of late,
ihDt, in spite of. herself, the conviction that he already
repented of his hasty marriage forced itself upon her with
a {fang like the bitterness of death. ...^^,
'•Oh, I might have known,' was her inward cry,
» v'lat he, so rich, so handsome, possessing the love of ono
•* beautiful hs §%1 Campbell, could never be content
nil poo^ric me ! Oh, I .mijrlit have known he would
tire of me ; but I \vas crazed, and believed all he tofd mc.
Something warned mc it would, sooner o^r kter\come to
this; but. now that it /las come, it d^Jw "riot mak\ it any
easier to bear." X--?
V Well," said the voice of Mrs. Tom, at this insfant
breaking upon her reverie, as she stopped her wheel with
a jerk and looked sharply into Christie's facei-" I would
lilce to know what's got into you to-night ! Here Vvk
^kcd ydu |inr9(s hlctsed times to hand mt that the»
■0
^
\ '
^
■■■-1::
•.iL^
wn
-■*:-
^^-
ih^\.,-:J>\
^^- ' ;i
'■nl-
%T !"'P -'
;^Jtff' "' (-v, t'Aj,/ •._.
C3i?
'V---' ^
^♦,
f5i4T iKfff«ir
•^r*f
s- *■*>;
ft.
gowod, s^q' you don't mind me any more tha^ if I was tht
ca|. S^ose it's tlie latest fashion not to answer , your
eldjeWvvhen tljey speak to you ? What is tlie mattei' with
tftCj^al?" ■ ■■ ■. „. £;;■ ,._ - --^ ' '
* I didn't hear you," faltered Christie, turning scarlet ;
** nay head aches. Please excuse me ; I didn't mean to
9ffend."
1* Better go to bed, then, if you head aches. Time we
/was ail in bed, for that matter. No usesittin' up a-vvastin'
'^ 9I candles, when we can get up airly in the morning jist
as well. Gemimi ! how it blows !" said Mrs. Tom, as she
slipped the bands o£t her wheel and carried it over to its
ap6ustomed corner.
Glad of the permission, Christie arose and beg^n
V arranging her bed on the wooden settle in the kitchen,
where §he slept. A1ful Mrs. Tom, who preferred»sleeping
by herself, sought her own couch, where, by the combined
effects of a light heart and a clear conscience, she was
<j|poa in the. land of dreams.
Relieved of the presence of the inquisitive old lady
Christie wrapped Herself in her mantle, tied on her hood, .
and softly opened the door. The storrif was at its height,
and tlje sudden entrance of a rush of wind and rain, sent
all the loose articles lying about, whirling through the
room.\
It Wfas awful to venture out in such a storm ; but, hajj
the tenttpest raged twice as wildly, the faithful, loving
child-wife would have braved it all, to meet him, she
loved. \
Exerting all her strength, she closed the dooj after her
wjythout arousing the sleepers, and quitted the house she
was n^ver destined to enter more.
Q n— it hrn t ^ grh t h e f ^ l li^ ig'raint the d "*'"'""^ wind I h e
\
s^r :
rmr m&sT.
vivid lightnrag—she plunged, making her way blindly
through it ail. It was well she knew the road she was
traversing, and could pursue her way as well at midnight
as at noonday, or she would never have been able to fok
low that tortuous, rocky path.
But. shrinking, and blinded by the rain, at times sb*-
was forced to stop and cover her face in her mantle ; and
anon, at some more furious blast that would have whirled
her away as though she had been a feather, she grasped ^
some projecting rock or tree, to protect herself from
being blown over the crags; but still she toiled on to her
destination; ' .?
"Will he be there?" she !^id, wildly, "Oh, if after
all he should not cortie ! It seems madness, for me to
expect him in such a storm ; but, if he should, it would
never do for me to be absent. Oh, saints in heaven f
what lightning," she said, as pale with terror, she hid her *
face in her hands. < - ' ';
But there was no time to pause— even now, lie might
be wailing for her, on the beach ; and still, on through
,night, and rain, and storm sh«? pressed, until at last,'" .^
drenched, dripping, and totally exhausted, she gained the ' >
wet, slippery beach. ^i^-lC" ^
Half dead, with cold and exhaustion, she sank on «^:^^^|
rock, and cowered beneath the pitiless blast. .The dull ^'^^'
booming of the waves near sent a thrill of nameless awe
and horror, into hervery soul.
She could not long sit there, exposed to the peltings
of the storm ; so, wrapping her mantle still more closely
around her, she rose with a shiver, and strove to pierce
through the thick darkness, in search of that loved fonk.
In vain ! The gloom of Hades could not 1^ dofp^ ~
"vibat^^vfaich enveloped every object . ^ ^ ^^
''■^'^^^ ^^^ ^^m:'^^^'^^^4M?^fi^-.HT.^ -M
■ ■'■r^}f
r^'f?*"
ftis
THAT iriOBT.
i,.*.'
But, at that instant, there came a flash of lightning',
illuminating, for a single moment, with a blue, unearthly-
glare, the tleak, slippery shingle, and revealing the black,
heaving sea, witli its foam-crested billows. Nothing
more. As far as she could strain her eyes, no living
thing but herself, stood on the shore.
"Oil, why does he not come?" was her heart's agon-
ized cry; " Does he not know, in spite of storm and tetn-
pest, I am awaiting him here ?"
Another flash of lightning, revealing the dark, deserted
beach, the wildly shrieking ocean, and a pair of gleaming,
serpent-like eyes, watching from behind a rdck, reveal-
ing the slight, delicate form of a female standing alone
on the shore.
', " Oh, he will not come ! I know it ! Shall I stay here
longer, or shall I go home!" thought Christie, in an
agony of doubt.
Still another lurid blaze of flame ! And now, looking
up, she uttered a cry of joy ; for the tall figure of a man,
wrapped in a cloak, was seen descending the rocks, com-
bing toward her.
" Oh, he is here ! he is here !" was her joyful cry.
'/Dearest, dearest Will^rd ! I knew you would come!"
And springing forward she threw herself into his arms.
He did not speak— he did not move— only he drew a
step back and folded his arms over his breast.
-i! " Dearest Willard ! I feared you would not come ; but,
oh 1 1 am so glad you are with me once more !" And her
encircling arrps clasped him closer, while her sunny head
sank on his breast. ^
With the storm within and the storm without, he
heard not, heeded not the name of Willard. But another
■.nJf ^ - K
■■m.
1 * i" *
rir^r moHT.
'Mf<
with the shining, golden hair of his faithlew wife
And doBT, for tlie first time, she noticed his'straoM '^
W, ,TT' '.'^^ ° """'"• "^''y ^° y°" "<" =P«ak to me?
Z:*.Sr!?' *""" ' '""" • *^''' ""^«''. ' lov-j you
^ HW teeth closed together with a galvanic snapAis
r .T\u '""^ something within the folds of his
cloak/with a convulsive grasp. "
that'^i^nn'"^' t^ '^T^ '^ ^'"^' "°^ ^^^" ^« maintained
tiiat Strange silence. *"
die J she cried out, in anguish and terror. " Oh, indeed' I
lov^you better than any one in the world ! I would die
. soofaer than offend you !" , "'"?*«
"Di^, then !•• fsiirly shrieked the maddened man -'dls:
sniceyour own Jips have proclaimed your guilt I" And
cl/uch.ng her fiercely by the throat, he plunged the hid-
d0n knife into her side. , . :^
/One piercing, tcrrific'shriek, and she sank writhinff
yuvcring at his feet in m.,rtal agony. And the wretch^'
Jiianiac above her unable to speak, or move, or think,
.v.th distending eyeballs, glazing eyes-his ghastly face
ICC hat of the dead.-hi3,reu.bling hands red with her
i.fe-bloud-stood rooted i,> the gr .uud.caring not,feeU.
not the mnous storm now. . '-i^
Was she dead ? Would that wild, appalling shriek*^
repeated ? He listened, palsied wi^i horror. Naught met
his ear but the shrieking of the warring elements
,i*^W
Sefecaffie a blaa» of lightQioj^' m
i ^ ^
w
■ ^ ' jl
mAT NIGHT.
though heaven /and earth were on fire, and he belield that
JHlle^ child-lik4 form lying stiff and rigid at his feet, the
h^d fallen bjftck ; the blue lips parted,. as if froip them
the quivering soul had taken its flight; the arms lying
limp and J^eless by her side ; the bright, golden hair,
half shading the cold, beautiful face, on which tlie piti-
less rain w/ldly beat.
All hi^ jealousy, his hatred, passed away with that
'pitiful sigfit ; and the passionate love, the adoring wor-
ship hfs heart had first fclt'fuir her returned like a swell-
ing flooa* The memory of the time when she had left
home, /nd friends, and all, to fly with him— when she
-had fir/t been his loved and lovihg bride— bright, happy,
Md bekutiful— came back in overwhelming force. And
now she was dead — dead by his hand 1
'♦ ph. Heaven ! what have I done ? Oh, my wife ! my
wifc/T my beautiful murdered Laura! Oh, what have I
don;^ ? My love ! speak— look up ! 1 i\"e for me once more !
Oh/she is dead ! and I am her murderer P' And with a
shriek of agony, the wretched man fell prone on his face
c/side her.
But now there came another sound more terrible than
\ else. SjBPolIen by the heavy rain, the sea was risi/^ on
ihe island,. ^^^ -^
With the roar of a beast of prey, the furious waves,
/lashing ihetijselves into foam, rushed upon the shore. It
recalled the miserable assassin from his frenzy of despair ;
Aod ivith the instinct ot self-preservation that never
deserts us while life remains, he seized the cold, stark
forxD, and fled wildly up the beach.
But just then— had the infernal regions yielded up
their ho^ to pursue him ?— a human form, bearing the
jSgujr ji of awoman, revealed by the quick flashes of light- ^
■n^*'!
1.A :
imjs:^ jtonmyo.
*«.«*♦
«/
n'ng, came flyioK toward I,,™ 1, '
»g in .he saLfhrwUd"""' "" — -^ed hair ..^„: "
madness, 1 '^'".8'»"»S >»ieh the fires a*
'ng cry of •' Murder I murdi" ' ,h ' ^'''^f' "^^'^ * ^^^ '
^^e raging of ^he storm she fled • ^'"u"^ ^^^^ ^^'^^
Campbell's Lodge. • ^"^ '° ^^^ direpdon of
•That appallinjj crv fh«* o * , ^ ' --
iast spark of reas^ ^omhlTt ^PP^"^^^'^* drove W ^
perfect yell of terror, hXa^^^t^^ ^'•«^°- WitfrT
-ockvandfled from he spot fs f „ '''''^! '"••^*'° «» the
of blood. 'P°' ^« »f- pursued by the avenger:;
CHAPTER. XXII.
NEXT MORNING.
¥%;
-"'vr
-^M
^4
L'i^e the Phantasro?^'i&-Xi^ ..
Y ^ SHAKESPEAWti " "-«?^|
W'™/rae:t\tL^^^--r''-'-^
W^^elf, his crime, .hr'ear^h anH.'^ "'^'' fl««J-h«in8
fc-m. clutching his brrs^itn""""^ """"^ore b,h„l3
- ^'jo tear ilc. his bl^!:.^- f!!^.!'-°-!-"''e finge.^,
"Sb
On liii J-Zr^r °^""^''^^'<^«g»^yandn.m.u"- —
to ..T'Lli.,.i,
■-i -.
^^:
m
4
\1>
iViLSi' MVUmNG.
f
W '''■^^'.
- Panting, tdtterins;. exhausted, he lell neav y
on the g?ound-shadrtering, gasping, collapsed. The
the" in cc'LTo f.11. .u,d .ho u,ib-l;ty waters began sal-
''"4nmUr:Srr°a,- prone on .,.e .jonnd
dea^ to evcytlnng above, around. ab„.u .un,, wth il.at
gnawins. -••"-■>'''!;!7^^;:' L'? rtucd away, .ho
tllbrlglJ^^ gloriously, grandly sUedd.ng her soft,
Morning was near at hand, and must not find htm at the
" Whali^ is to T>e axjnel
>A'
1 \ V? -
•,lt '*■.
'.' /
ITEXT MORNINQ.
m
through alLthe distracting rush of grief, horror, and
remorse. " She will be missed ; and if I am found here I
xvill be taken for the murderer, and-" A shuddering
spasm closed the sentence.
He rose to his feet, but tottered, so he could hardly
walk ; and, as if hurried by some uncontrollable impulses
took the road leading to the beach. *- , "^
He reached the spot, where, in his first wild impulse of
terror, he had dropped the body ; but, far beyond that.
the waves had risen, and the lifeless form was gone-^
sweptaway by the boiling waters. * '
. A groan, so deep and hollow, that it seemed like rend-
ing h.s very heart, broke from his lips at the sight-his
muMcred Laura had found a grave in the boundless sea
A footstep behind met his ear, and in terror he turned
to. fly ; but, seeing only the half-witted boy, who had *'
brought him over, he restrained himself and stood-still.
Even through the dull mist of his clouded brain, the .
ghastly face before him, struck terror to the boy's soiiK '
And well it might; for, with that white, detith-like face.,
branded with a look of unutterable horror ; those ashe^'
ips, sunken, colfepsed cheeks, glazing eyes, shudderinir
form, and trembling hands, he looked like a corpse gal-
vanizcd for a moment, into a hideous semblance of life.
The words he hud been ^ibout to say, died on the boy's
lips ; and, with distended mouth, and eyes all agape with
surprise and fear, he stared at him in stupid bewildei^
ment.
"Well?" came at length, from Courtney's lips, in a"
vo.cc so hollow, that it seemed to issue from an cmptv
coin n . *^ V
Z.!!!!Im ^^^ ^^^^g''?" said thte bQ^ *'lrightfey^^
-Ihfi^storm l £
V
'-i:. % ' -'W{
, , A
V
"<»
if•,l■^ ^;JS»J. -ii^ ."i*
^,***
ii*
I It*
,(-1
NEXT M0HN1N&.
\f#' "What do you want?" again came in deen, husky
tones from his livid lips. ]
, f "Why, you said you wanted to get back aioij^ mbm-
Ittg, and I reckon we can, start now. The sea runs pretty
ji^h, yet, but I guess there ain't no danger,"
Like a man in a dream, Courtney passed his hand'
acrossliis brow, as though to clear away a cloud. Again, ^
^elf-preservation, " the first law qf nature," rose before
him avercoming every other feeling. His eyes wandered
" jonechanically to the fatal spots, and hettirned away with a
shudder.
"Can we reach N — r- before qjorning breaks?" he
asked. 4.,. ' ■■.... ^ :
" I reckon so ?" w^s the answer, " if we stfirt now."
** Do you think there is any dabger ?" »
"Don't think there is. You'll l3to.apt to be sea-sick,
though," said the boy ; " waves run poioty high. But
what makes you speak so hoarse, ami look so. scared, as
if you'd seed a ghost ? P'r'aps you did, too ; they say
there's one up in that old house, there."
" Let us go f said Courtney, unheeditig hjis words, as
fee folded his cloak closer around him, and started in the
direction of the boat.
The boy shufHed after him, to where the boat now lay;
high and dry on the strand, requiring the united efforts of
both, to launch her into the water. ,
''jPrecious hard time I had of it, all night in the
Storm,*- said the lad, as he took the oars ; " got soaked
right through ; and, by golly ! if there wasn't some /thun-
der ! I never wants to be out such a night agaiojy
The Boat was pitching and tossing wildly on the heav-
ing waves, threatening each moment to 'capsize ; but
CourtDey> fost to alt sense of personal daogcc, sat sttiv-
-...-_ ....,_^__ __ r ' ■ ■ — — —
■ */^ '■ ' . .^,, .
ingtp dispel the cloud of horror and remorse from his ' ^fi
mmt^ and answer the momentous question : « What is to
be ^one next ?" His wife Would assuredly be missed.
Ho^ was her sudden disappearance to be accounted for?
t ^eeraed. probable that nqne but Captain CampbcU
kn^w of her intended visit to the isle, save the boy wbo
had brought her over ; and, in waiting on the darjc, dan-
gerous beach, in such a wild tempest, with the advancinit
tide rising on the shore, what would be more natui^
than that she had been accidentally overtaken, and sweat
away by the rapid rising of the waves ? "
The mist was passing away from his mind, his bum
mg fever of excitement wds abated by the cool sea-bree?.
and every faculty, preternatu rally sharpened by the f.
of being discovered as a murderer, was at work. Of t^e
stupid lad who had brought him to the island |ie felt no
fear. Before the coming day's sun had set he would in
all probability, have forgotten all about it, and none elsb
knew of the visit. He would endeavor to hide all traces*'
of guilt, and be the most zealous in the search after the
lost one. Perhaps, too, suspicion might fasten on Cap-
tain Campbell, and t/ien how amply would he be
revenged ! He thought of the note appointing the me<it-
mg, and felt in his pocket for it, but It was gone. No
mauer-so that he hitnself was not criminated, it m^tereO,;
Then came another thought : How was he4o account
Jor his absence during the night? It seemed scarcely
probablcf that his w^ife had told any of tlie inmates of t}4
parsonage of ihcir angry parting and his brutal \blow—
she had too much pride for that-and' lliey could^ easily
be made to bclfeve that sudden business had called him
away. Doubt less^ th ey wo^ ^d *' ' •
f ,
thbk it straogft he Iw t
'4^ li
9il4
' yEXT MORNim.
"^liot told them before going; biit as he had already;
acquired a character for eccentricity from his gloomy
reserve, it would be readily set down to that. He had
business at Westport — he would go there — remain for
some hours, and return to N before pight.
, His plans thus rapidly arranged, he proceeded to
carry immediately into execution. Lifting his head, he
said, briefly : |
"I have changed my mind. I will not go to N .
Take me to Westport." '
Regarding him for a moment with his customary
vacant stare, the boy, without a word, turned the boat in
, the direction indicated. ' ,i
|i- 'The rising sun was reddening the orient before they
- reached Westport. And Edgar Courtney having paid the
boy, dismissed him, and sauntered about the town until
the business of the day would begin.
Gradually the streets began to fill ; men on their way
to their daily labor passed him in groups, now and then
stopping to gaze in /wonder at the tall, muffled figure,
pacing through the streets as though he were hastening
.ipr life or death. * ^ri
He noticed this scrutiny at last, and slackened his
rapid strides, muttering inwardly :
i " This will never do, I must not allow my feelings to
-.carry me away thus. I must be calm, or I may be sus-
pected, Nothing but coolness will save me now."
Turning down the collar of his cloak, and pusiiing up
his hat, that the cool morning air might fan his feverish
brow, he turned in the direction of the Westport House.
The door had jiist been bpened, and the rooms had
that dreary, uncomfortable look large, lonely rooms/
al ways wear in th e gray da wn of thel,morniog. a yawn/
l^ii
'^f'*'
'W "
/eyes fell on his haggard face anri 1.. ^^^*"' ** ^*'
o uT ^ , °o"" ''*'^^ ^J^cl wet garment* , -'
.-.^ "Let me have* priva.e room imraedS •■ w. L
• s!^""""'""' to the waiter. ^ "mraediMe^, was Ms
'.'froI'i.UsuXUea.Z' "f ^^ ""'■""^ '-=<"^
^.o^rard-crtt™ .hr'eVhSr*'""'"''"^ ''-^'
" Light a fir»here an^b n '""* * '^''*"' *"<' »'<» ••
of Wrong coffee* ■ ' ^ ""* "P " *" "<« « o-P
aeniltfrLt^er"" """'""'•• ^'"^"^'^ « -=>. -
£S^^^^^^^^t-r-r^^-'
to dry, he throw i.ilsdr?„ 'hj""' °" "^ .^'"""'^ f'^^^ " %i
- ■""-.""t^ -°"-io„ of the pa' ni^L':! ,;",V°^ ""'^'
tl.e catastrophe of the orlc'T' "T'^"'" '" "'^ <"««">»
the tifeless to™ of his Tl'"^. ''°""- ^Sain he «.w
feet ; then wZi ^.tefo^ S "'" '^'"^''S'?' «,"!»
ghostly apparition of the ts e witf r""",';"'" ^ »■«
of "murderer '" then ,h^ „',T l"'"' '"--"ic shriek
-an, with all the fearful mT ""^ ooffin, the. hang-
death/would rise i„th l,*^ P*'"""^'" "' 'he felon'.
* - ■ ■
■'F'
''•« *<>:.
'/r
'.W>'ii:'#j|^.
iWXr I MOBNINQ.
imagination; he could feel the ve^ ro^ ijncirclKng his
neck, and by some strange contradicfion, his wife, bright,
beautiful, and happy as he had first known her, stood
smilingly adjusting it, aqd stranger still, he felt no.sur*
past at seeing her th^re ; he heard the fatal signal given,
the drop sliding from beneath hi-s feet, and with a shriek
of terror he sprang up out of bed, the cold perspiration
sfeojrtiag from every pore. /
" Great Heaven ! am I never to lose the recollection of
that fearful night,, and my more awful crime? Oh, for
the tabled waters of Le|;he to dVown rect)llection ! Bjlust
I forever go through the world with this mark, of Ga^n ?
—this red-hot brand of murder on my face, as well as on
my soul ? Saints in heaven ! should this dream prbve
true?"
The guilty man paused, while his whole frame shook,
and his teeth chattered as though he had the ague.
-"And yet it need not, unless this paltry cowardice of
mine betrays me>" he again cried, starting wildly up and
pading the room. "How many murderers walk in the
open sunshine, in the broad face of day, through the very
heart of our most crowcied cities, with impu6ity? It
only requires nerve, courage, boldness, to face the worst,
and I cah'defy Satan himself and all his hosts. Others
have committed murder before me, without any provoca-
tion to exQu^e them, and it troubled them not. Whv,
then,, should I, who only acted in vindication of my
wounded honof— and if ever murder is excusable, siirely
it was in my caee ? Why should I tremble, and shrink
from my very shadow ^ Courage, coward, sdUl ? These
dreams and phantoms of a disordered bmin will pa^ss
away, with tirhe.' When this atEg,ic in some degree blows
01^ I will ^t^a tOs LondpQ'^to Paria; and- ioL the
¥i
-^
TT
p
, ^1^;
'W»t;
K
V,--' ■■ -'T.'-'r'if^-.g
irsxT Mosmm.
^.-.^
*^1
a desperate game, and „11 u.y boldness U rcquir^^^
help me before r. «'f«">"y, ■( ever tho» did^
«hasU, race „<.e. mZ^:,:!::^'t;^,^t^
XTf:;:oi::.er„r^-:- -''- - •"« -^
"This craven face wiit never do," he said • "I m..«
composp i,. And <hislbl.eveled hair nTua not r^
thus' disordered. She "sed .o .wine it rt, d l,er Qn-^
once," he said„.,e look of agonizfng sorrow and reJSS
oora.ng back: "but that time long ago pascT,^?
must not thinkof it more-let me onfy th^ink^f t^^
for w^hose lovertle forgot .he was already a wife." ^
The thought did bfing. a sort of fierce composure ''^
Brushing back the heavy black hair off his7a« im
brow, he threw on his now dry cloak, llgh.ed one of th.
c.gars that l,y oh .lie ,able,-and the , fanra nLl ,h,?
presently brought fip one of .he servantlmen .hi
depihs of a ioungmg-chair, his feet extended to LZI
e y pSu" ot "1'?-°^' ™'«^^' '^^'"S .0 loo^tS
very p cture of nonchalance. It was a miserable faiWre
"^1"^"';,"!."*'^ ^'^""'"^ »>'« ""> testified. ■"
"Wh- ^'^' "'" 5"»> ?'«'»'= to have, sir?"
^" . A»,l .a
.¥"
-A-
c>
f;ai}
JVSrr MOBNINO.
'^^
The man disappeared, and presently returned with
fr£^rant coffee, delicious waffles, and eggs."
Courtney seated himself a^the table, and drank cup
after cup of the strong coflee ; but the first morsel he
attempted to swallow seemed to choke him.
- The grateful beverage sootlied his excited nerves
more speedily than all his reasoning and pliilosophy had
done. *"
Draw^ing out his watch and perceiving it was after ten,
he arose, put on his hat, and leaving settled his bill, was
about to leave the house, when he was suddenly con-
fronted by Captain Guy Campbell, who came running
up the outer steps, laughing at something that had
occurred outside.
For one moment the guilty soul of Courtney quailed
befor^the bold, bright glance of the young captain's eye
.ii-forone moment onlj; ; the next, he looked up and met
his gaze with one of deep, sullen hate.-
Touching his hat coldly, the young captain passed on,
and Courtney emerged into the street, all his fierce hatred
and jealousy returning with fourfold bitterness at the
thought of the contrast between them — he himself so
ghastly, so pallid, so haggard, and this lover of his dead
wife so handsome, dashing, and careless.
"Heaven's worst curses forever light upon him !", he
hissed, fiercely. "That he — he who has caused me to do
what I have done— should be happy, flattered, and beloved,
while I-^I whom he drove to madness, should be doomed
to a life of torture ! They tell us of a certain place
— ^I doubted its existence once, I do so no longer, for I
leei- «tready-9ome^>f4t& tornien tSi '-'
And any one seeing the demonlad look hiS'face wore,
woQld not: have doubted his words- at that instant, Enter*
]ji «
g?: Ti^iw^f-
! iT^Xr MORNING. i
ing a livery-stable, he hired a horse and gig, and imme^
ately started in the direction of N .
He dreaded the coming scene, and the false part he
would have to act in it ; and yet, as if impelled J^ some
mward power, over which he had no control, he whipped
and lashed the horse in a sort of frenzv of impatience to
be there. On he flew, his horse foaming and reeking'iiT
sweat— houses, people, streets, passing with the velocity
of a dream, and yet all too slow for the burnifig, maniac
impatience that was consuming him.
He reached N , and consigning his panting horse
to the care of an innkeeper, within half a inile of the par-
sonage, he set out for it at a rapid walk.' Ten minutes •
brought him to it, and in spite of his haste, he paused, as
Its sober, gray front and green window-shutters rose before
him, while a vague thrill of nameless terror shot throuch
him. ®
It. was no time to hesitate now— the worst must be
faced at once. Drawing his breath in hard, he approached
the door and rang. ^ " n^
The summons was answered by Jenny. As he passed
into the. hall, he encountered Mrs. Brantwell coming
down stairs. That good lady's pleasant, cheery face wore
a look of unusual gravity as she greeted him, that for a
moment startled him out of hi§ comp<*sure.
'^Is my--I wish to see my wife, madam," he managed
to say, while every word seemed choking him. . m-
" Your wife is in Ihe parlor, Mr. Courtney," said Mrs.
Brantwell, gravely, as she held open the door for him to
enter-ascribing his evidetit agitation m » far different,
cause.
For one moment his wild, maniac eyes were riveted
up6o her with a look that actually terrified the good mm,.
^^i!^"-. '^Eiij.? C
^^'Wt-^fu"
■h ^>' '
280
MORNING IN THE ISLAND.
ister's wife. Reeling unsteadilj', as though he had sud-
denly received a violent blow, he passed her .and entered
the parlor. ,
And there before him on the sofa, supported by pil-
lows, her little pale face looking out from its masses of
floating golden hair, with a look of beseeching entreaty
to be forgiven, lay she whom he supposed buried forever
under the wild waves. For in instant he stood paralyzed,
speechless, with ashen face and dilating eyes. And then
the last glimpse of hope and reason fled, and with a ter-
rific cry, tliat froze the life-blood of the hearers, the
wretched man fell senseless on the floor. \
«* ^
/!*..'
h
a
CHAPTER XXIII.
MORNING IN THE ISLAND.
" And she was gone, and yet they breathed.
But not the breath of human life —
A serpent round each heart was wreathejj,
'\^ yVnd stung their every thought to strife."
-k
iYROX.
AND how dawned that morn on Campbell's Ludje?
How on the widow's cottage ?
With that appalling shriek, that most tttrriblj of
aU crie^, that unearthly scream of murder linr^inj; in lu'r
ears, Sibyl sprang from her sleepless couch, a|id while
her very heart thrilled with ^lorror, waited for ivJiat was
to-Come ne xt,
Thrbugh the lonely, silent o
re-echoed liijie a kaeU of doom ;
house, it cctioed and
it wa$ aot| repeated.
\
MORNim IN THE iSLAyD.
\ She could hear the wild wind rushing through the oner^
door, awakening strange, ghostly noises through the h^h
empty rooms, bZit nothing else. ^ ^^
What had Ix^ppened ? What was to be done ? Was k
only fancy? ilad she been dreaming, and rsthllcVv
of murder any a delusion, after aH ? ^-
thinrit''w±\;The^;r:::'i^^^^ si. was begi„ui„g to^
footsteps 4ing'up^Slat!!rTi^^^
paused at l/er own door. ^ * ^ ^'^P ^^**
Sibyl's/ heart stood still. It v a^ hi.f f«. „ • .
/wij^ine Jong, winding staircase again m«j^^
rough the echoing hall belo», and then the'^targe.^h^vl
f on, door was sl,,nn,cd to, wHh a violence that mlde^Z
old house shake, and ail was again profoundl/ tUI
eve VeL'onhe "<■"" "J'"' eh^ly'egeu'ds she had
ever heard of the old mahsion,, rushed through Sibyl's
mmd. Heaven of. heavens .'could this be thrstririt i?
some murdered victin,, returning fr„„, its bloodT^vL
to seek for retribution on its murder,.r ? "., 7 S""*'
bell natural,, brave, was y., asTfkZ . f^^sSZ^
asue fit, U,rL instant sLro.hed^^'rfhrfl"''',''"'
face hidden in her hand,, while .~":/Z'' ^^'
she had once heard, of „ wo„,a„ ,tabbe rby 1 of ht
murderer and <tm his descendants. - .-*^ "^^ *»•'
'M'-^l\j.^
fc%A
28»
MORNING IN THE ISLAND,
~^.
How long she sat she knew not, but the sound of the
old clock below, striking in deep, sonorous tones, that
echoed startiingly through the silent house, pne ! two I
three ! recalled her once more to life.
That earthly sound broiight her once more to herself.
She raised her head ^ind looked wildly around. Aunt
Moll lay near h'er, breathing heavily, and sleeping the
deep, dreamless^ death-like sleep that seems peculiar to
the children of Africa. The consciousness of companion-
ship—even though 'that copipanion was but a poor, help-
less old negress — brought renewed coura'^e. Rising, and
half ashamed^ of her superstitious fears, she walked to the
•window atjdii^Ked out.
The storm, had passed away and the moon was shining
'brigfjjtly, lighting up with her calm, pale radiance what
had so lately been a scene of deepest darkness and wil,d-
est storm. Her e}*es wandered over the island ;. all there
was still and serene. From thence they strayed out over
the boundless sea, and suddenly rested on an object that
banished all fears of supernatural visitors, and brought
with it a new alarm.
It was a boat — a boat that had evidently jus^ put off
from the isle, and was rapidly disappearing in the dis-
tance. * .
It held but two persons — she could see that. But what
meant this midnight visit, in darkness and storm, to that
lonely isle ? What terrible deed, under cover of night
and tempest, had been perpetrated this night ?
She caught her breath quick and short ; but now that
she feared only earthly dangers and earthly foes, there
came^W'ltJrTftTs^mscovcry a cfcep^Tjreatfr-isr i^t^
one might still be concealed in the house — some one who
^i^^\^^'^'(S>
t»,»^'
^^C -'^^^'^^^
Mosmjira m tsb island.
Indulged in the popular belief that there was money con-
cealed in It somewhere, •
There ^^as no time to hesitate-tbe house must be"'
searched. Lem must be aroused to assist in it. He^felept
m the opposite wing of the building, and, supposing any
one to be concealed in the empty rooms, the journ«y J^
a hazardous one; but it could, not be avoided. Sibyl
grew quite calm in the face of this new dagger, and "
stooping, she shook Aunt Moll b2.the shoulder to arouse'
her. ,
A d^p grunt, as the sleeper turned over and fell into ^ ^^
a deepen sleep than before, rewarded her exertions
-"Aunt Moll, wake ! Wake, I say! There are people
m the house, said Sibyl, in an anxious whisper, as she
shook her more violently than before. "Oh, Heaven f
what shall I do ? Aunt Moll. wake.» wake ! Do you want
to be murdered in your bed ?».cried Sibyl, giving her a
shake that might have ar()u§ed the seven sleepers if 'i
" Dar Lem j-dar ! Don't shake yer ole mammy, dat's '
a good chile ; 'fain't 'spectful. nor likewise "
Here-lhe sleeper sank into deep slumber, muttcrioff
an incomprehensible something.
T1»ore was no time to Icse-^it was fruitless labor seek-
ing to wake Aunt Moll. Soiling a lamp, she hastily
struck a light; and hastened out in o the windy hall
pausing for an instant at the head of the long, black stair-
case, to listen, ere'she ventured further. . 4
The silcndc of the grave still reigned. Nothing mtft
her^ear but the faint echo of licr own light footsteps:
staircase, through the lower, hall into the kitchen, and
^"Cre she again paused lo reflect.
The moonlight was pourtng a JiMit. through the two-
■-f
zm
^^^^^f^^-'^'f ^'.i ' ^fP^xt:-.'-^^^
m
Monmsa m tee island.
i'>
^low-curtained windows and^ rendering the flickering
iamp superfluous. Everytliin^^ stood precisely as it had
the night before ; chairs and table were in- their places,
find fiad npt been disturbed ; a few, red coals still glowed
like fierce eyes amid the darkness of the great, black,
yawning chimney— it waj evident that no one had been
intruding here.
i Pushing open a door leading directly from the kitchen
Into Lem's sleeping-room, she entered it, and stood beside
him. Shecpuld not spare time to try to arouse him by
ordinary means, so seizing a large pftcher of cold water
that stood near, slieuncereraonioiisiyjijiashed iC^in his^face,
drenching him completely.
|, ^ The shock aroused him, as it weil Vnight ; and, utter-,
ing a fearful yell of' mingled rageUnd terror^ Lem sat***
bolt upright in bed, unab^ki to dint/ngiiish anything for
^ the light of the lamp that flashed di/ec;ly\i his eyes. ^h
•• Oh 1" was his first ejaculation f" I's giwine for to, bel "
'sassinatcd 'thout a minit's warnin' I" ' ^
'^^^, " Hush, hush, Lem ! for HeavciK sake ! It's only J,
your mistress !" said Sibyl, putting ot^ little wiiite hand
over his huge black mouth. Get up M dress yourself
as quickly as possible, and join mc in ili^ kitchen, whdre
I will wait until yon come."
-And without waiting for the hc*t of questions she saw
iiovering on his lips, Sibyl passed out to tlW kitchen to
'^'ait for him. " ' "V^ - tl^
With teeth ^atttn^^ and shaking w^ffT tcrroi^ Lem
, proce^ed, with tfcmblinj; Gngcrs, to dr*!^ <jn his cjothes. .,
Widuwt wait^ to make a very clabi^^uc toilet, he J
|m««m:U mil lu i^ic irtimien,"^imere^51hyl^Uii7ar^fting in a
fever i>f impatience. ^ • . , •/
" Mils Sibyl 1" he <ixclaitned» itt tremblioir tones. J
V
7
n V
JfOSil^il^G' IN ' IBE lBtA2m
1^ 88S
lo^a^,^*"^"^'' '^ "^ "» S^i- "> ^ killed. Pr
your noise will only rev J whefe we aTe'- i^ ^Z" "'''
- "ot, there is no occasion for your tlLr r /„*"■ -
me; we must search the house " ^"""^ ^°'-'°«5
. _ "Oh. Miss Sibyl, I's afeard! 'Deed d^ X „.a i.
Pshaw ! Do you think yoiV will be any safer hWe>
Come. g,ve over your fears, and follow me'^ sa d SibW
as she turned toward the hall once more. ' "^ ^^T
Oh, Miss Sibyl, don't wenture ! We'll be nil -.o • '
ated if you do " ' ., ® ^^.^^ all sassm- ,
anticipated, finding' no one. ' ^"'* ^' ™^^ ^
"VVhat «ftn this mean-?" she thono-hf' «Tk
certainly so,„e onL here to-nigit. and vt ' I Z\, """
■hmg undisturbed. This ismo°st tl„e .h«,t JtlT"'
gone, too. tor the house is perfectly still O'^^™
could that crvnf J..»i i, f"'"-^"/ still. Oh, what
'ta. light oTickJ^L .""'"'" ■^"" ""'« »""
< xue girl (Jlin^tie would not canui af» ;- *
Jjnnd, neither waa ij. her -- ^ - - » " ^ ^'^ " ^°g
votcCi What=
mean ?'
faii^of ;!f "^^ '''' '"4^^"^^"" "^ 'h« rnidnight visiti the
f«r, pale woman witk the dark, wild hair '
A-
."^v
aad eyes, who
»<•
286
MORNING m THB ISLAND.
bad bent over the couch of Willard Drummond the firsilf
night he had spent in the lodge came over her. It must,
have been that same supernatural visitant ; and Sibyl f^-
grew for an instant faint and sick at the thought.
Further search in the house was fruitless ; but her
impatience would not permit her to wait until njorhing
to investigate further. Returning to the kitcheft, where
Lem was on his knees, alternately groaning, praying, and
bemoaning his hard fate, she commanded hiiA to get his
hat and come^out w;ith her, to see if any tracesXof intrud-
ers could be found on the island.
In vain did Lem begin expostulating ; Sibyl cut it
short by threatening him with her brother's future ven-
geance if he did not instantly obey. There was no help
for it ; and trembling in every limb, the frightened darkey
- followed his imperious mistress from the house.
All without was so calm and peaceful — all the more
calm and peaceful, contrasted with the wild uproar of the
storm a few hours before-— that it seemed like sacrilege
even to think of deeds of violence in such a spot. A
delicious odor from the distant pine forest filled the air,
and the fitful sighing of the wind among the trees, and
" the dull booming of the waves on the shore, alone broke
the silence of early morning. The moonlight, obscured
now and then by fitful clouds, brightly illumined their
way, but nothing betrayed the presence of other^ save
themselves on the isle that night.
\ Sibyl took the path leading in the direction from which
toe boat haii started, but there the waves were breakins: with
th6 same ftijQi|](Otpnous so und, giving no indication of any
onexnaving beenah^e. Tlje tTde'Had now "receded~suffi-
cientiy to all6w Sibyl to walk around the beach ; and,
tempted by the calm beautf of il^ night, and feding a
jA-
'^^('kf'P^'
MOBNlNi JU^ Tm ISLAND.
^senseoi security in the;^jjen air, L strolled on until^
X t^VP^'^^"'^^"""""^'^ '^•^ first moment of
alarm,,had dropped the body of Chrtsfie *•
Something caught' her eye at so Ae' distance further^
up quttenng from a prickly thorn bush, evidently a frag-
ment of dress. Feeling as if she had at last found some^
cle«^, she approached the spot and found it to be a whul'
muslm handkerchief, but almost saturated with bioalv '
A sensation of horror came ov§r Sibyl. Had there
really been a murder committed there that night ? SfirinL
^ng from touching it, she was about leaving the spot
when near one corner, free from the horrible stains that
in'iaTs tV."' 'T '^' '^" °" ^"'"^^^^'"^ '"^^ - «-^ or '
mmals. Taking the corner with the tips of her fingers.
she beheld, marked in full, the name ^'Christina '
It was hefs, tlien, Christie's. What could have
brought It there? Had anything luppened to her ?. /
Oh, impossible !" thought Sibyl. " Who is there in
the world to w4iom she is of the»slightest importance, liv-'
ing or dead, except indeed, to me? Willard has eine -
she IS, in all probability, safely asleep in yonder coftoge •
and I am only torturing myself by useless fears. I Will
retuni to the lodge, and leave to-morrow to unravel thh.
So saying, to tJfe great satisfaction of her attendant
^vho had all this time been cautiously walkin^l^S
i^er. looking fearfully ait every tree and rock, afd fan^.
•"g an assassin in their^very shadows, Sibyl turned slow^
toward the old hall. On their way they^assed the ^
•mJ^A
f<
;Vj
*■' ■ '
ii
mystified and uneasy still, Sibyl sought hir rooiTonS
more, tn wnnAar an^l -__ t-^^ . ^— *^
more, to wonder and speculate upon the events of thtt
nighc unai jnoming should d*#iu V 'V ' *
"^v
' MORNINQ IN THE 1BLA,SD.
The bustling little widow, Mrs. Tom— like all those
who seem to have least occasion for it— was in the habit
^ of getting up XGry early in the morning, to the serious
annoyance of young Mr. Henley, who preferred letting
the sun rise without impertinently staring at him while
doing so, Christie, too, would just as soon not be awak-
ened from some rosy dream at daylight, by the shrill
voice of the old lady ; but Aunt Tom's word was law,
and .when she called there was no sucli word as disobey.'
The little widow was quite pware of their disinclinatiqn
for early rising, therefore great was her amazement, upon
'. going to the ojutcr room,, to find Christie absent, the bed
made, the door unlocked, giving evidence of her being up
and out.
" Well !" .ejaculated Mrs. Tom, " what won't come to
pass ! Next thing, I s'pose, will be Carl offering to wash
.the dishes wiihout-^'cin' told. Shouldn't wonder if he
was up and off this niornin', too. Fust time I ever knew
Christie to git up 'thout bcin' told. Here, you Carl !
' Carl !'■ shrieked Mrs. Tom, going to the foot of the ladder
and looking up through the trap.
•A sound.;: she was well accustoqied to, something
between a snort and a groan, was Mr. Henley's answer.
"Hurry up there, cf yc dont want me to go up and
help ye, 'called Mrs, Tom. "cf I do, ye'll wish ye had
ffot up* 'thout my help, tlafs all. J'll dress you, I
rcekon,"
' ^o\% as this was a formula Mrs. Tom had repeated
b*(^y 5iornin/| fqr some ten years, without ever being
kq^-n t0 «ar^. it in ilie least, Carl was too well accus-
^toH^ed-t^Ji it to veBtura to disobey. Armrriinrrly^ h e sprang
»|)f s^nd b^fl dressing in aU haste, considering he was
half asleep Hiuriog the perlf>ri9^R(«< Mii to«i mean-
4s.
- : uonmifQ m tee laLAim /
whjle set about kindling n fire, and preparing the break
fas^. a^meal which was usually ove/beLre le sun^as
upf and dressed for the day.
("Where's Christie?" was Carl's' first quLtioi' upon
re^'HSr 'he kitchen, as he glanced in thedlr-fction ofZ
Wtle where, every morning, about this h|ur, he w„
a«custoni(!d to see her making her bed. '
/ " Up and gathering sea-moss an ' hour W I'il he
Jound." repLed Mrs, T6m,. ■■ ..me as you ifu Id do rf
jate 01 the airth ! I l^„pe now this iviU be A warnioe to
toufor the uture. think o' all the sea-mis, a^ber"
es, and s.ch, you c^ld have gathered evU morn^tf
fore th,s .,me, ef you teas worth your salt. L, it a W
was my Ittck ever since I was born, to be pligued w ,h !|
seto the laztest, most feood-for.nothing bein's everl^^
upon he face of the airth! Stand out jo' my way wiU
you, ef you don't want to break nqr>oeck'i"
Trot, the unfortunate cat. caine in as usual for tho
Srs^icr """""? " -''"--p'»»'^^ t
" Lor' sakes Aunt Tom," exclaimed Master Carl
ZZll "^Y f ''" '"''^"^^^"^ '^ ''''^ --P-t di
aaF \ ' °" "^^^^ ^^^"' ^ ^^Ue*- to get up in th'
middle of the night, do f,ou? By graiiny.^ifs too bad
No matter how earlyaf&Iler gets up, you always tb[f
"e ou.ht to get up earlie. still 'Spo'; you'U ^"^^ak °
me 'bout midnight pretty soon, ugh?" -^^^
beir!!^'h/^ '!"' "7^^ was delivered pianissimo (that'
, •■i!0^
Wlie wa^ Jjlusteiing but and ia,
»..^ , V fi^o«^dess of morning, brincii
wood and water, ind beginning ta kaead liiuil, .
.sharp and breezy as the goddess of morning, bringing i,
^w™ vflB *'!^'*|'W*^"
;,:
*^^
'i-vW^t/i3t
p. 'XT
M0
MOmiNO IN. THE m^AITD.
■.1"
A'
/ "Ye^, grumble," said the^kctive little woman. "I
never kniew you doing anything dlse ef you was told to
work. Pity if a great, big, lazy fellow like youpan't get
up as airly as Christie, a delicky young gal, too ! See
her, up and out while you was snoyin' away like a pig
up there ! you ought to be 'shamed o* yourself."
*• I say, Aunt Tom," said Carl, looking up with as
much ' interest as his usually exf)ressionless face could
assume, "was she out a little 'fore twelve, when it was
a-stormin' so ?" t
" 'Fore twelve ?" said Mrs, Tom, in a high key, as she
hnagined her dutiful nephew was making fun of her.
'" Look here now, you Carl, ef I hadn't my hands in this/ •
dough, I'd box jour ears till you wouldn't ask me such a
question agin."
"Now, Aunt Tom," said Carl, in a wWmpering tone,
" it's too bad, so it is; a 'feller carn't say nothing you
don't get mad at. If it wan't Christie, 'twas Miss Sibyl !
1 s!tw some woman or other out, 'boot midnight, running
like mad through the storm — an what's more, I heard
her, too."
" My Conscience !'■ ejaculated Mrs. Tom, lifting up
her floury hands in holy terror, " m-y conscience ! how
that there boy does lie ! Carl* Heriley, do you mean to
teli'.me that you was out in that storm last night, and saw
Miss Sibyl vj < _
" No, I Wa'n't' out myself," said Mr. Henley, tearing
the' comb fiercely throuigh his tow-locks, in his deep indig-
nation at havinj^ his^ veracity and reason both doubted.
" But I seen what I saw, for all that. S'pose you ha'n't
fotten, Aunt Tom, that there's a pane of elass broken
foj^c
pane
out of one of the windows up stairs, with your old bqptl
'iiet-8tu<:k through k. Weil," said Carl«. i» A ^igt
iJ!^13fB!S''
Wmmo ,y THE ISLAITD.
subdued tone ••your olrih u '-■-''/
a-beating i„to my face lo ^ ^ "" ""^ ^^J^^'^ raia
i«t as I got .o tL windCv ,r^'^ "^X^^ ''> -^.
lightning as J never seen aWp,'''"'/^'^ ^ "'-^^'^ «f
^ was a goner ! Everythi'ef!;, ^!",y^^ ' ^'^^'t thinir '
was considerably clearer nor dav •"".l^''"'" '"^ '"'"""s
^woman flying th^ugh the storm ^^"'' '''^" ' ^'-^^ a
was after her, and as she nrsSVf!.''' '^ "" ^^^'-^^^O"
J-nging out motJur, or ^X 1^^'°"'^' ' ^^^''^ her.
' was pretty conside^abneCTi 1'*"','^"^^ ^Wch.*
-It was only Miss Sibyl ^orT\^"^^ ^ ^'^ ^'^'"k
.' ••^-«3^-"' behind her, jistiLel;^^^^^ '^"^ ^'^ ^^r
away I couldn't se;'nothing t it wT ''' ^'^ ^«°^
doors;and though I was s^'aredfH" ^^^«»out.
to see if it was Miss Sibyl .nd r ! f\-^^^^<l wanted
the next ; but when ^tcame "t ^""^ ''"'""' ^^"'"^ f***^
" My sakes I" eicSd^'^^r/;-'' .
, ~ was for tW.o.ent arresLd"^-^;:,^
"Well then," said Carl in „ i ^ ^
';orry his story had not a Vo,e thrmf '*^^' ^' ^'^^"^^
tired a-settin* up so I W.a T^ 'hr.lhng sequel, "I/,fot
Sibyl hnd n^ecr „o.io„;'" "' """ ""='«' I kn6* E
ram." ^ 8° O"' pinlandering tfirough the
" Well, itniiist
rannlog- like a'houae^r' ,u "°"" *«" « "omao
W." . . !^^ "'"'"gh all the wind ^
II
smv^^W vWjtS^^
m
s-1
t ? ■f'' '^-*f-^ % * *• -^ "' '<'^^ ~ ■J'tP' f^ r* ^"¥^4
mt2
MORNINO JN TEB ISLAIfD.
K^
i
" No; you didn't," said Aunt Tom, shortly. " 'Twas
only h touch oi^aightmare ; so don't bother me any more
about it." •
Thus ignorainiously silenced, Carl proceeded lazily to
assist in the preparation for breakfast, which he would
greatly have preferred discussing, if left to himselfj to
getting ready.
- The coffee and,bisbuits were smoking at length, on the
table, but Christie did not make her appearance.
"Very strange," said Mrs. Tom ; "don't see what in
the world ktteps tlie gdl. Here it is going on to seven
o'clock, iiand my work a-st^di ng, while we're waiting for
her. Cilfrl, jest run out and see ef you can see her."
Carl started on his mission, but soon returned,
announcing that nothing was to be seen of her.
. "Then there's no use a-waitipg any longer," said Mrs.
Tom. " Set down ; , may be she's gone to the lodge to
l>re;ikfast with Miss Sibyl."
The meal was over, the service cleared away. Carl set
out to weed the garden; Mrs..^Tom sat down to her
wheel. But still Christie came not.
• ■ ■ » "
f " ^Mt ^'^"8® '" observed Mrs. Tom, at last begin-
1 tV.-iii||g;4<^S^w uneasy. " Ten o'clock, and Christie not here
.' ^f^! My stars ! I wonder ef anything can hev happened
to her? I've noticed she's been kind o' silent and pinin'
away for the last two or tfiree days. I hope nothin's hap-
pened to hct. Oh, hcfe she is now I No 'tain't neither;
' it's Miss Sibyl/'. • ^v
.: The little widow rose, and came smiling and cheery to
^ ^tibe door to welcome her guest.
Welly Misa Sibyl, Pm^g lad to see you. Wa l k in and
!<!»■
h
4t,
rit down. I thought when you and Master Guy came
\amm Uwa lutwm pMU jron'tf tta/ confortably on tiM
a*Li.«l
^^.^lii^SiK'
X
*•<««»■<? nr 7a, .^^
'«•»
isfaiid ; but, -Mead Q' that w. „ • *"
• V°" ^'^;'" Canada or RoXT'"^''""""'"''' -or
. They Were both van ™.ii ,. . ™'""o°<""
■ f^'i Sibyl, ,n,iii„g ,„^™^ m?'".'.^" "■™ '«'."
.. from which Urn. Tom tofli '",".'? '"' P^^'™" «al
.par..cl« of dust with her apron r .'"^ '°"" '""-"i^
quae well yourself, Mrs. Tom™: P" ^'"' ''"« •««•>
. Oh, tol'bul," said Mrs Tom ,
'S.Touknow, I hain't n„ ?• ' """PlaceDtly. "pw,
folks, vvhafs well oV^:'r f ""-ct ; if/„n,y^ -
So you've had a grflt f^rtf/l ^ '"""'^^ i» sicknest
hearn tell !" * ' '°""°« ^^ft you. Miss Sibyl IVe
every now and then soTethWs'T' "" "'■"="> ""
ve allers remarked .hat ml U "? •'"" '" *'PP»- '
■ntend to stay here much lonX M oj""^ ^°" "on't
. , •• I ™l..er think not. We ^ Im"" "'^' '"
island, Mri Tom. But whert 7 "" ^°" '° *«p«J,e
I do not see her -" °" '' y™"- "'eoe this morning J
-d"hat:Cl:i:«ir"!»« -fore any „, „sg„. „,
«;»■ Tom, anxiou^y!^e1;in'l^"i"S "'* o-asy^sag.
••'^ough. sh),had6„t;olePy:„"" ^""« '""■^'"'O'.
^he :,LglT:t :hrha„1kS<5"fH '^"'.r •-'-"■.y pal. „
and the men leaving the island ^ """ "^ "' """J".
*«y. she fell back in herctar. ^*' """"' *"'*' »'«" »»<l
fer heart . " "^'r and pressed her h^n d
.^j
t^l
«r«lf^
•Bd
•**«f'
KS-MtSiiiit^JiT,!--*.!';"'*;;'''-'
m
MOBNlNd^ IN tHB J9LA
di
with>nlartn the ufiocjeoimtable paleness of the y^oung lady.
** Here's some camphire ; smell of it, or ye'll faint."
"Thank you, I do not require it," baid Sibyl, rising
with an effort, and striving to be calm.j "Have you any
idea what tii^e Ghristie left the house ?"
• /* Not the slightest idee ; 'cause I Was asleep at the
time. Garl say8«*-though there's no puijtin' confidence in
him — that, somewheres 'bout midnight, he seed a woman
Vittfnin' through the storm, and sin^iii' out ' murder !'
But in course lie was dreaniing; there couldn't hev bin
^y »ch thing,'*
.' ,, i .** Gh, merciful Heaven 'then it was rio delusion on my
part, since I heard it, too. Oh, this is dreadful!" said
Sibyl, wringing her Itands.
"Miss Sibyl, what** happened?" saidjMrs. Tom, grow-
ing very pale. I
Christie !"
Tom, grasping a
Christie, I fear.
Wl'7
"Oh» Mrs. Tom ! Heaven help you,
" Christiie 1 what of her ?" cried Mrs.
ohair to steady herself.
"Oh, Mrs. Tom ! must I tell you?
went out last nignt in the storm^ and — oh. Heaven !"
said Sibyl, sinking into a chair, w|th a: convulsive
shudder. . I
" And what» Miss Sibyl? Tell me, quick ? Was she
swept away in the storm ?" said Mrs. Tom, striving to
strangle her trembling tones. |
" Oh^orse—worso ! I^ar ; still wo^se f" said Sibyl,
wiidiy. I
"Ob| xttjr^ sotil ! what has happened]? Oh, Christie!
d«ar Cbrifltte ! , where are you ?"
Ji Chri«tl&h a 8,4 i « ar, been waylaid a at
**MttidM«d! Oh, Heaven!" exdailned Mnt. Tom,
f -^'- "* wj ^^-'^ s % ^'i: ■** ^ Ti^^^AjO^Sir^rz^rFSiL^L ^M *
1
^^^.^""^"1"^ ^ ^*^^^*"«? »«^'^«« wkb w
Tn^'T 7^' * momeofs awfui silence. Then Mrs.^"
Tom, who (no matter what the emergency) ne^erl^lJ^
her eve^practical mind to be long o^erdL^^J^^
fnghtfull^ pale, sa,d. in ^«|.hose firmnesfLtonfeT:!
(^hlni'f w'"^'''' ^°" '■^' S'*'^^? My poor li«ilt
Christie had not an enemy in the world '"
" Oh ! she had-she had !" cried Sibyl, thinking' wt A
bUter remorse, how intensely she herself'h.!d h^K
Who wa, It ?•• said Mrs. Tom, starting up. 'M^HU
but a monster could have hurled one h«ir «f k ** ™
saidSib;:^c^::;:S<Sr'^"^
«What makes you think she was murdered?" saM
Mrs. Tom, who by this time had ,ecove,^d all her cu^
'^^r^'^ ^"^ -- '^^ '- ^y- ^-^Z-
"Last night I. too. like your nephew, heani the crv ol '
murder, ' said Sibyl, shuddering at the re;:oHectio« "^^
early th.s morning, I discovered in a bush, down nkr t^
shore, a pocket-handkerchief, stained wkh blo^ ^^
marked wuhher name !" ' °
" Where is the handkerclnef ?•• , _ sX
"It is there still ; I did not touch it " . '^7 J
;' ^«"'<^' ^*»«". and show m<, the place," said Mrs. Tom.
^i^^^enjass^
alT me composure she was endeavoring to assume. ^^
Without exchanging a word, they buried to Hi^
..V
E^'iS:// '%TiMLii'Ai^.\. ^- .. -
-•t'-.
fi^^f*
vk*
M6
MOnmNQ IN THE laLAXJ).
V'-
t 1 *^?,
gloomily,
If::
spot, where the ghastjy handkerchief still fluttered in/ the
, breea^e.. . ^ , ' . \ 1 r" '.
" Oh, it is hers r exclaimed Mrs. Tom. ''Theyiiave
nrur^ered her on the beacli, and the tide has swedt her
•way. O^ Christie! Christie!" /
And bowing her face in her hands, for the fir^ time
' she wept passiohately. * /
There was a lohg pause, broken only by Mr/. Tom's
convulsive sobs. Sibyl stood wrestling with her own bit-
ter thoughts, not daring^ to Tbreak in upon hei^ grief by
liny useless words of comfort. ^
^ At last Mrs. Tom looked, up, her tears seemingly
changed to sparks of fire. # /
" Who has done this ? You know !" shie s^d,
laying her hand on Sibyl's arm.
»* Heaven be merciful ! I do not." /
" Have you no idea ? Is there no clew ? Speak ; for
if there is law or justice in the land, thosj6 who have done
(bis deed shall suflfer." /
"The only clew is one so slight ^at isven now I do
flot know whether I really saw it or dreamed that I did,"
faid Sibyl, hesitatingly.
" Speak, and tell me what it is. I must know," saiH
Mrs. Tom, with a sort of grim vengeance. ^
^ * " Then listen. Last night aftpr the n\oon rose — some
<wo hours, I should judge, after I heard that cry of mur-
der— ^on going to the window to look out, I perceived a
Ooat push, off fi'om the shore c6niaining the forms of two
men ; but so speedily did they vanish from sight, that I
bad barely time to catch the^ dark outlines of their figures,
s irati passed- so quiddy, Pam stitl haTf diSppsed to
^(ieve it tjie eflectjof fancy."
"No boat cou(d rc»ch ti^d island in the storm last
/
•n-^, Fk>
■(f
\ MX^pjm IN TBB ISLAJfD. tO
i '" - " ■■ "■' '""■^■".i« " . ;-*
night," said MM Tom, still keeping her gloomr eves
, 6xed on Sibyl's fa^e. ;* '^ ^^
J know that ; anS that is the principal reason I have
for thinking xvhat I saw may be the eflfect of fancy. And
yet— and yet someone must have been here, else how arc
we to a&ount for the committing of the deed? AmT
\Vhat could have induced Christie to go out in such a
storm, and at such an hour?" •
"Ido not know ; it is all wrapped in mystery," said
Mrs. Tom, taking the handkerchief and turning away
"But ni find ijt out— I'll discover the murderers, if i
should spehd.my whole life in seeking for them myself." '
" What do you mean to do ?" said Sibyl, anxi<|wsly. •
"To have the island searched the first thing. T sup-
pose you will let Lem come and help ?" . ' . ^
"Of course. But would'it not be a better pla^ to go
over to N immediately, and inform the authorities,
and let them investigate the matter ?"
"Carl shall take me right over," said Mrs. Tom.
" I will accompany you," said Sibyl ; " we may baOk
be needed to give testimony."
Half an hour later, the boat, containing Carl? Mrs.
Tom, and Sibyl, was danciij^ over the water in the dircc-
tion of N — -, to electrify the community by the announce-
ment of the atrocious deed. ... f^-'^<
But where, mcmtime was Christie.' Had siic really,'
as they so readily supposed, found a grave beneath the
wild waves? ,
'^
>i-
M
i » '
5T¥|^;
^i^sei...
CHAPTER XXfV.
CHRISTIE.
f Then she took up her burden of life again.
Saying only, • It might have been.*.
God pity them both t and pity us all
Who vainly the dreams of youth recall,
^ For of all >sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these, * It might have been.' "
V* , WHITTIKfc
WITH tKe cold rain falling in her iFace, the colder
wind fanning her brow, Christie atVoke from that
deep swoon that had been mistaken 1|)r death.
She opened her eyes, and gazed vacantly around, but
all was dark as Erebus. There was a roaring sound, as
of many waters, in her ears— a vague, dull sense of some
awful calamity, a heavy, suflfocating feeling in her chest,
a misty consciousness of some one supporting her head.'
Dark and dreary was the night around, but darker arid
drearier lay the heart in he*;: bosom. Memory made a
faint effort to regain its power, to recall lome dreadful
woe that pressed like leaden weights on her bosom but
in vain.. Only that dull aching at her heart, only some
past unutterable sorrow— that was all. / *
Bodily as well as mentally every faculty was pros-
trated. She made an efifort to speak, to ask what had
happened, to know where she was ; but her lips moved in
vain, no word came forth. She strove to rise, but at the
first faint motion a sudden pang, like a dagger-thrust
L^^.*!^^.^?!!^ ^^^^^^' ^"^ ^^^ ^^'^ '^^c^ ^n a deadly swoon
accHiore.
VTlien next she woke to consciousness she found Jicr-
^ "* '
■SJhc-
.-,,!,'?'' "■.Its.
,^ \
':'.^^-^^^
»U lying in a bed,.with the brieht im..h!n. .i,- • '■
broad patches on the.floor. Meml^ ZlTy^Zl'^
» ^.hrono, and of that last drcad/uT night ste ^^!^
fuly prevented from recalling anythW Sh^T^
va.„ to collect her thoughts* J^^^^Z^
floor; two chairs a smaM Tm \f ™"S''- »<«arpaed
wearing-appa'^el VV;,^' r^id" hltnlT Htf
stand, on which lay tottles linen h«„l A .littio ,
fl.led.ith a dark lf,„id l::;^''Zfn^r^ tA '
-ugh which\L-:!:ii;rpeVe7heT;„dt^.t
All was profoundly still. She could hear the fli*.,
sweet; and like a wearied child sh^e clo^' to T^s "„! '
fell into a deep slumber. /^ ^^ *°"
sr::;rs:^^ xrr-^ -r^dZX t
■nore her eyes wandered round the r^m Z' '
PO.V «,ad. .t.rribic.aor.toresu^rirp^^e::'' W^,:
•f^ »'..*^
.!(?>/*.„>
, * IS
Iftftr
VEHISTIB.
■ ^
*»,j
'*■!
wa«ph^? What had happened? Who had brought her
here? A&her mind began to clear, and consciousness to
"return, question after question rose to her %)S. She
closed her eyes, and struggled tp recall the past. Grad-
ually the broken links in the chain of memory began to
reunite. She recalled the note Willard had sent her, that
appointed their meeting on the beach — that night of
storm and tempest through whicii she had gone to meet
him — that meeting — and then, with a pang sharper than
death, came the terrible recollection of his plunging the
knife into her side. , /
She could £hink no further, tM^ rectillecUon- of that
'dreadful momenc seemed driving her mad. • She madb an
effort to rise, to cry out ; but just then, a hand wa^ laid
soothingly on her forehead, and a voice met her eai-, say-
ing:
"Qently, gently, my, child. Thee must not get u^i.
Here, lie still, and drink this." V-^^^
S me one— she could not tell whether it was man or
voma^vj-was bending over her, and holding the glass to
her lips. Too weak to ricsist, she drank it ofiF, and almost
instantaneously, fell into a deep sleep.
Days, weeks passed before conscioushess returned.
During all that time she had a vague idea of talking,
raving wildly, incoherpntly to Willard — imploring him
not t^ k.ill her, and she would never reveal their raar-
nili^^^^|d then shrieking aloud as though again she felt
ttfifllTOiPfeter i ng her bosom. Sometimes, too, she fan-
cied Sibyl standing before herj with her wild, black, men-
acing eyes, as she hud been the last time she saw her, and
i>nc €. aga iBr^o uld ' she clas p her iittl e , pale hand^ and
piteously implore her to spare her. Anon her mood
#ould change and she would speak in low, subdued
/' ,'. /"%^''
;''.>A^«\VL^'u5ry.p;.:-i,- > i.nJ
V"
l- •t""*^'^ -IJ' VI v-»}vfi^«
»*iM-fti;|l|j4pffBif*»,
oaaisTtB.
m
tones of Mrs. Tom and Cari; a«d strive to rise #«,,. i^
then, lallmg back ex^usted, she woald vague v see a
Z *" ''°''"<'; This, too, like the rcsl, would pas« a^'
We and thouglu would again t„ra time be blot.en;.'; '^
But one bright, golden, August afffernoon ih^ht -
eyes opened, no linger wild wi^hTfiTs Tf ver W
::rortrd"-r,:72^rur .rt^'t
n',Wl?'' "r '"'*"'= ""■""« '» ""« tood or foot- ■
pale, th.n, and spiritual as a shadow, she came Lk » -
l.fe once more. Her feet had stood on ,hc threshed Z
the valley of the shadow of death, but .hoy were n« 1°
muted to pass then^in ; and the soft eyes ried fS
I '.t " r ' •" '"'• -">"«"'8'« "fre,^.. again,
at her te she'criH"""T '"'=°'"S. Frou, .he .^ind .„
shine tS ' MX , r T "'" '^" "■<*^ """""I "•"•' sun
ThT' ^ u' -i" " S'""^ °" '«"" 1^'e. transparent brZ
Through .he opi„ door, came floating in the deliS '
."::hi„?o7-.rd as- ""' -- "' ^
scene st«.ling into her heart, too w.^k cten.o thinly
heard a footstep beside her, a hand lightly a~g ^
N;o«.andtheyvoic,o..e.,,.eki„j^.Ca^^^
"How does thee feel to-day, my cMld ?"
^^^ Christie lifted her eyes languidly. ,„d saw «
'Mi
'■ '.'{&:
t.
|4-
,i..
Wi
CffiUSTUS.
bendiagover her. He might have been forty years of
age ; short, square, and ungainly in form, but with a
chest and shoulders betokening vast, almost herculean
strength. His hair was almost vvhite,.but dark streaks
-here and there showed what had been its origin;il color ;
his face, with its irregular features, would have been pos-
itively ugly, had it not been for the expression of benevo-
lence, of quiet goodness— the gentle, tender look it wore,
that seemed shedding a very halo atound it, and you for-
got th^ brown skin, the roi^gh, large features, the bushy
eyebrows, and stony gray eyes in the almost womanly
sweetness and softness of his smile. His dress was a
long, drab coat, with blue homespun vest iind trousers,
. At any other time this ufiexpected apparition might
have alarmed Christie, but that gentle voice reassured
her ; and she answered, faintly ;
'1 Better, thank you."
" That is well. Thee feels weak, does thee not ?"
**Oh, yes— so weak," she said, closing her eyes.
- ^ " Well, I expected as much. Thee has been very, very
ill,' said the' man, adjusting a pillow, and shading the
light, with the skillful hand of a practiced nurse."
A thousand questions were rising to Christie's lips,
but she was too utterly prostrated to give them voice.
She fixed her_e^es wistfu41y on the man's face with a
questioning gaze that brought him once more to her skie.
" Well, my daughter, what does thee now want ?"
"Tell me"— the faipt whisper died away, arid totally
exhausted, the hand she had half raised fell again by her
«ide.
" Does thee want to know how thou earnest here ?"
Arfahit motion of her headTanff that eaj^er, inquiiing
l^sc^ was the sole reply she could make.
^^Ji^SSS^^iTTr^
w^^m^'
'Y • "?f)^'v^n*.;^- i
"'^J*
cmusfm
^W*T'
untiWhr.^ T"* ^^"^ '°** ""^^' '^«« »«d better waft
untrKthee .s stronger, child," said the man, gentle
troubfedTnT- f\'^'"'^^ «^«P^^' ^^^ ^^^t wild,
troubled nnponng look still riveted on her ftce.
nj J u ""^ ^^^^ °°^^^« ^ach one wild stormv
night, three weeks ago.3vounded nigh unto ^^,^r I
•Im^r''''''^ ""' man read her thoughts in that eaeer
. almost passionate gaze, for he said- ""m eager,
■' Thee wants to aslt ho«r I came on the island ,h.,^
. night, does thee not ?" ' ° '"■'
She made it faint motion in the affirmative.
mv cldM ' Th ''\'°° '°"Sr a story for thee ,o hear .low
ray child. When thou art stronger I will tell Th^ ii =
Res. content with knovving'that °hou aTt safe anrw^ol '
inends who will rnr*» f,»r tu i. ; ' ° ^*''*
own. ThouI'l'stTHnTthu";; '""^'' ""•" «'"' "^'f ^
-tr^ZuT''"^ -ore-one on which more than life J
•tr^ngth depended. WiUard ! Willard ! she ^_^^
Pushing bacit the proffered drink whirb ".h- ' t
lected all her energ,.. f „ r th, .II o rnad.«aa^^^
"^
|»V^j- 'ft.'
"^-^^^
f'
'W
m
BM
OHBISTIB
me
" Was there — did you see the one who— who wounded %
" No, my dauQfhter ; the assassin had fled, most proba-
bly. I saw no one but thee, and made no further search.
Now thee must not talk just yet. In two or three days
thee will be stronger, and then I will tell thee everything
thee wishes to know." —
T^oo weak to resist, and deeply relieved that he had
not seen Willard, she quaffed the proffered draught, that
brougl^Kwith it balmy sleep'. ,
.Duringlihe next two or three days the man was her
most zealous nurse, tending her with a zeal, care, and
gentle solicitude few nurses could have equaled, but
resisting all her efforts to draw him into conversation.
"By and by, daughter. Be patient, and thee will
learn all," was ever his firm reply, given, however, hi the
very gentlest of tones.
Left thus to herself and her own thoughts, as she grew
stronger, Christie's mind strove to comprehend and
jftccount for the motive that had prompted Willard to
Qommit so dreadful a deed. That it was he she never for
a moment thought of doubting. That the aqt had been
premeditated, the note he sent her appointing; the meet-
ing, on that lonely spot, at the dead hour of the night,
fully proved. But his motive ? That, too, she had set-
tled in her own mind. She had heard that he loved
Sibyl Campbell before he met her. Now, Sibyl was an
heiress, courted and admired by all for her beauty and
. wealth ; what so natural, then, as that he should wish to
make this peerless Queen of the Isle his bride ? Slje was
iiic .imlj^ ^ sto^ in his w a y ; r herefnre. he
had, no dQubt, resolved to murder her, to make way for
SibyL P«rhaps/too, he had heard her message to Sibyl,
. uS^ i i '"4^ ,« ^»A^SM''^A**t Ljf"i5*i%£(JC'. ■<
m-
I r.\
OBmSTlB.
\
M
V
Mir
IM'
Long before, she had felt he xvas tired owjmim^m^ u-
had n<..r before dreamed he wished of hf^^'^
she elt as firmly convinced that it xv-ys^^mS''
struck the blow-she felt is (Irmi .^^^IS^^^
th^e were his motivL^^s sh ^^r;^::^^
and yet, in the face of all rhic u , ^ existence ,v.
-resolved he should nevfrk.JrofLr''' ""' ""
wmild.no Jonircr stanrf h„, T "istenc^; she
"o"i<neverfe::.ro';^;r;dt"'erd'7'''""f "^
led; she would fly far -.wav Ih! '° """'^ "J""-
<hedep,bsof.hef^ «° vlhthT .""^ ""'*" ''"« '»
if !.e would permit iX --^l"". whoever he wa,^
would ...ey accou4 t L l":etlir ""• "'^
would .hey pu. on her sudd^ fl^I^^T <,?°"''™«'™
, jell: but she felt, long before i"is 1^' ,u^'"° ,'=°""' "<"
h" up for los,,.«„dTl,it grief D er I ^^ '""" «'"'"•
for hours af.rwSi;^ hf ^r^f It" 'n'''''- •'^•.^"'''
shine, •willine to si.hmi, „ • , ^'"P"S "• ihc suo-
"■««reamof life VuitTo I°''r!V°'''"'"""»8<'°™ J
»« rilled.. ^^ "' ""'"'='' "« *«y the cup J
^
:♦' J
,f*^
/
tk V
'•'ii^ik^.
Kt4.M4
'f*'ii **»»%.
/^..1i
j_.^^^J. '>s
m$
OHBiaflB.
Her strange, rough-lopking, but really gentle nurse
'was still indefatigable in' his cares for her ; but, as yet,
he had told her nothing of himself, nor his object in vis-
iting the island that nig4it. Christie used to look up in
j his hafdy, honest fac& sometimes, and wonder vaguely, as
1 she did everything else, what possible reason could have
brought him there.
One other circumstance perplexed her not a little.
Once or twice she had caught sight of a female forrti and
face moving about in the outer room. It had been only
a momentary glimpse^ and yet it vividly recalled the
wild, weird woman she had seen in the island on her bri-
dal night. There was the same pale, strange face; the
same wild, streaming black hair ; the same dark, woeful
eyes ; and Christie trembled in superstitious terror as she
thought of her. Many times, too, she heard a lights quick
footstep moving about, which she knew coulql not belong
to her liost ; the soft rustling of female garments ; and at
times, but very rarely, a, low, qjusical voice, talking softly,
as if to herselff " *
All this perplexed and troubled Christie ; and she
would have asked the man about Irejir, only — as he never
by any chance mentioned her himself — she feared offend-
ing him by what might seem impertinent curiosity ^
In a few days Christie was well enough to sit up at
the window of her room, and drink in the health-giving,
exhilarating air, and listen to the songs of the birds in
the trees around. She saw this hut — 'for it was little
more — was situated in the very, depths of the great forest,
far removed from every other habitation. As yet, she
had not stepped b^ond the preqi^icts of her narrow
chamber ;' but, one morning, tempted out by the genial
^•-\ li
; ClIMfSTIM
scarcely lamer than th.Z^ \ small, square apartmenr,
uncurtained windows admitted the brithf * ^ '°'^"'
opposite the door was a low sm\ f . ""°^^/'^^^°d
A bed occupied one corner aL^^^^^^^"^ ^re.pU<^
table the other ' ^^ ^ Pnmuive.looking deal
, No one was in the *-oom • hut th^ ^
a.... in the porch beyondclis^ ^sZiZZ'tT'^-
s....ng on the grouna. ,vi.h her back ,oV^S h^r TH
'an excited imagination, b,. ^^ola ale he^ilP 1
-curmsuy proving stronger than drld Ph " ' ?""
n,o:rd"htti~ eSed'To": ""' f ^" -■ '
over her shoulde- unnoS A LT'""'^ "" '°'^'' '
' kitten was in her U,.,\ * ^'^^ =""1 "•''«•
•»u„da£terastrlwhi.T ,h "■'"' 'P'""'°8 """O "d
J now and tl en brLk,„ J , "T"" ''"'' """"^ '» i^.
'or^ZesVelVbll'T?"'"' -""P"'-- "eld Christie
her a'nd uent oiit. . ""^ ^"'^^ "^'^self, she passed
l^"iJ^ jgogic ni r hg,gt ra n ge woman tQ6lrw^«n t ir—
occupation and trUnc^rT^ nT ■ '°°*^»P ^rom BeT
^>.....otice.refiLrh::^--iri^-.t^:
H'
'Tf.zrjsi
258
CHBISTIB.
if «lie had not seen her at all. But in tihat one brief,
fleeting glance, Chwstie read her sad storjr^ The woman
before her was insane.
In mingled sorrovY, surprise, and curii)sity, Christie
stood gazing upon her. She could do soj with perfect
impunity, for the \voman rf^er raised her eVes to look at
her after that one careless^ passing glance,, every faculty
being apparently absorbed by")lier straw anp her kitten.
In 5'ears, she might have been five and-thirty, with a face
which, it spite of its total want of expression, was still
singularly beautiful. Her tall, slender form was exqui-
sitely" rounded, and her long, rich, waving hair floated
like black raveled silk over her fair, sloping shoulders.
Eycrry feature was beautifully chiseled ; her complexibn
dazzlingly fair, almost transparent ; and her large, black,
brilliant eyes magnificent, despite their vacant, idiotic
stare. Her hands and feet were of most aristocratic
smallness and whiteness ; for she wore neither shoes nor
stockings. Her dress was of coarse brown serge, but it
could not mar the beautiful form it covered.
Moments passed unheeded, while Christie stood gaz-
ing sadly on the lovely wreck of womanhood before her,
and wondering wljat could have driven her insane, and
why she and this man dwelt alone here, so far removed
from human habitation. She wondered what relation
they bore to each other. He could not be her father-
he w Jis not old enough fpr that ; neither could he be her
brother — they were too totally dissimHar in looks. Per-
haps he was her husband ; but even that did not seem
probable.
vx Wh ile she thus id ly speculated, the w oman suddenly
Lv ■*
%:
arose, and clasping lier kitten in her arms, turped and
walked rapidly away in the direction of the WQods, with*
m^^m^
OBRISTIB.
S59
" Who .v., she be ?" thought Christie ; " it is certainly
the same one I sa. that nigh, on the is and h„"gh "he
was ravjng ™ad, and this one seems perfect y Si«!
i' r.CnrTor:rs:r rh'-^= """^
account for it." ^"^ "' "" «»»■ i»ve>.tio* to.
The thought brought bacit the past so vtVidly to hir
m.nd tl«t the maniac was forgotten, and. sTttiidot^-
on a fallen tree, she buried her face in her hafdsanS
gave way to a passionate burst of grief
never rasted'^on.r:- ?"'"''^ ^'"^^^^ "'^"-^
never lasted long, but exhausted themselves by their verv
violence, and she arose to survey the ptace which s^mlj
destined to be her future home. "
a sort of natural serai-circle, surrounded on all sides by
the dense primeval forest. A smooth grass-plot sTooeJ
geatly, for some three, yards in front of the hois, a^d
hea was broken on one side by clumps of bUsherrnd on
Ihe other by a little clear, crystal stream that dan.^
lilt bT'^h' ir''''"-'"'^'"-^ "k« pearU t theW
l.ght. Behind the house, was a sort of vegetable garden
with a narrow space reserved for flow.rs,Voke„Cthe
/^fined uste, of the gartener. The house itself was flow
rough, unpretending looking cabin of the smallest al!l'
P^ain^ dimensions. No. a sound broke the d«psmt
..Wss, save the musical ripple of the little stream the.
a^^TT^' P P°*=* °f 'h^ «:™e passed ii»o
Chnst.es heart, 8„o.hing i. into calmness once more.
A» .he Mt gazing around, a heavy footstep amt
*
vi
f
%&v
'i^- .ij.-.',
pi
t?M:
l"r.i
era«hing through the trees, and the ne^< mooieot her host
stood befqre her, with a gun in one hand, an4 a gcMa^e-bag,
well filled, slung overiiis shoulder.
He advanced to where she sat, looking surprised »ll^
pleased to see her there. -
"So thee has ventured out, my daughter!" he said,
with.his kindly voice and kindlier smile. "I am glad to
see thee able to leai^ thy room once more.*'
" Yes ; the day was so fine and the sunshiny so bright
and warm, I could not resist the temptation," said-Chris-
tie. ** I see you have been shooting with good success."
"Yes ; game is plenty in our woods," be answered,
replacing his gun ^<^n a couple of books in the porch.
"But thee hai8 better come in now; it is not good for
thee to sit too long in the hot sun, thee knows."
Christie rose half reluctantly and followed him into
the house. , -
Th^man drew a low wicker rocking-chair close to the
open window, and said : '»
"Sit thee there, child. I know invalids, like thee, like |
to rock back and forward ; it's very quieting to the feel-
ings. I must get the dinner, now."
" Let me help you," said Christie, anxiotis to be use- |
ful. " Let me get the dinner,"
*' By no means, daughter," said th©' mai^ with his-
pleasant smile ; " thee is too weak to work yet, and
besides, I have nothing else to do. Sit thee down there,
fot, now that thee is strong enough to bear it,.I want to
have a little talk with thee."
i; Christie sank anxiously into the chair, and waited for
co u ie. — The^mam took-ft7bfttce.t>fp»rntdgy
of his bag, and, placing them on the table, drew up
' CBRISTIS. -*.
an
hfschafr, and began taking- otf the feathirc *«^
ing with Christie at the sale time ''"'**""-*'^^ ^°»^ers-
r^^;^ "^^'l ' ^^^^^^ ^^^« to know what is
"Christie," was the response. . < ■ ^
" Hast thee no other ?''" "*
"I am sometimes called Tomlinson h.,t *i,o» •
Where IS thy native place?"
"Ah ! said the man, in some surprise "if T h^^ t
tha, I would not have brouRluthee^h": nL:l"Z
was a stranger Does .hoe W„„g to the Ca pbTl s A
No, sir; I lived with Mrs Tnm .k. ^7? ' .
resides in the island " ' ' "** T'"'"' "•">
.e.: :L:Vo"Jnx: ±s' trf""^''""''^ = " ' •■-«
a. p.tLr;::-rLTnrr;rt^i;L^^^^^
do so without involving others, and hlf 1 iTZ,
.o do, rephed Christie, .tying to steady her trel^
" As thee pleases, child, as thee oleaafii " d^ .i,
kmdiy. .. bo not speak of it, if Tt huTtf^hv fc, - ■"'";
merely asked from the in.er«t I take 'n tS« Buf h
<>b„„t returning to thy friend, ? Th4 wIshM to do ^"r
siipposje ?" ' wisncs to do so, I
"dJ^ * J^i."*^" "'»'• '° »" '"'ek again I"^ '
Do« th« not?" «id her host flxlog h'^^gw'
;%;
'* 1,
Ifctfe rfiwW-Vui-* \tr
';' ,Ji*
3E?ru'5t';
Ml-'
m^^
1^
\^
A^has
:i
^f.
V"
r4.-
I^ttj ten 3/*t>u. sa
OT^o blame ; and
fhink of me as liv-
em, there" are many
life ; ai^d as they ajl
bowing her face
(■ wild, passionate
itfiy and compas-
' till f^e violence
n he inquired, in
i^
-but no|
tlie onjl;
ing bell
who
think meabad; |%i^pid 1(> toe-so
!* All- her'couragii^ gav6 ^ay her?
Ij|!i her ^nds^ sheave way to one
'bll^df tear^;, ^k . « . ' •' ."•' '^^ .
' ^Sm^: man's face ^pressed deftp
sion }|m ctjrf not specie nor interrii
of her ^^»|fin^grief was abated, an
his custc^liry, quiet tone : " '
" And wlfat does thee intend to do, my daughter ?" ,
*ll do riot know yet," sald< Chrisuid, raisirig her bead
'gl WTO go away somlewhenp and work for my living
Wheire ^ will never be heard of again."
"Poor little one, wfcat can thee do for a living ?" said
th^ man, tf^fdiii^assionat^ly. "Thee is too small and deli-
cate to work, and nevdr was made to buffet the storms of
this rougji World." /
" r^» not have tb' wait long. T will die !" sard Chris-
tie, sadly. /
" Thai thee will, if thee takes thy piftce among the
workers in the outer circle oi^ile. So theip is fully de
mined never t6 go back to th|H»ends ?"
" Oh, never, liever I -l \v^v|Hf rather die. All I vr'i
all I hope and pray .far, is that they i^ver discover I
-ulive.'
R"
r*^'--.^
** Then stay with us ; thee will not have to^work at alt,
|Ad BO one will ever hear of the^ aa^ mor.e than UI.'lM^
ife.
tl*.£^f^-»'«i*,
-li-.
:XS^':;
- 1 1 *
is of miks away. We are buried here in
L^ " ^ v/^ ° ^^® forest, where people very rarely
^ T:^u. ""^ °"^ ^'"^ ^**™^' '^^^« ^^"^d easily be con-
cealed nil he went away. I kno^^it is dull, and londy
Mere, but th^ will get reconciled to that in time "
/• Oh, this is just what I wished, but T hardly dared
.hope for!' exclaimed Christie, with sparkling -J/^s
How can I ever thank you for your generous offfr r^ I
I do not wish for thanks, my daughter; and' thee
mo e xf "%'?"' '''"^''^' ^^ not^ mentioning it
Bertha h" ' ^' """' "^''"^' ^"^ ^^" take car^^lf
Bertha, who ,s msane. but quite harmless. Thou hast
seen hert has thee not ?" , ^'
Y. J"^^^ ^^^k"?^ .'^'""^" ^'^^ '^^^ '^^^ h^ir and eyes ?
Yes; replied Christie. ■'^^ , .
. ''Then that is settled," said the man, with a smile r
^and now that I have questioned, tl,^ it i. thy Turn
Does thee wish to ask soipethipg ?•*
\/?^7^^' ^'''''' ''' ""^"^ *^"°S^''" ^^d Christie ; V but I
am afraid you may not like-that you may be offended."
There is no danger of that, my daughter, i may not
choose to answer some of thy questions, but I will not be
offended, let thee say what thee ^iJ/'j;. % AP^
^ ;• Well, then- said Ch^s.^#a l£ s^, .,,
I%gm catech.sipg after t he jtml fashion as yibrS^may
(ask your name and that o^thc laciy\>h^ lives hereV^ "^
I les ; her narnf^ i<= Rrtr^u^ /-< l ■.
peerwood; thee
likes:* ;
" Theh she is no relati
in
"V*o.i,^ . "-■ 5f"'^ •""J' w"«» "vesnere."" «.
=™rcj^^i,"""" " ^""^ Campbell-mine i.,Re,Sbef
""rood: thee ■„,y call me Uncle Jfeuben, if iftee
RW
to y to youL^
^''
SBels ray cousin—no more.
"Once before," said Chrisl
*|>out Tmw you came to be
*r^
'•4Hj ;to;>*At
atingly, " I asked*
and thai! ilonny^'*^^
A^if^ ..W'
amisrm ^^
>^
-\
1-^^ .
nfght. You did not tell me then. May I repeat the ques-
tion now ?"
" Certainly. Bertha, though usually quiet, has certain
paroxysms of violence, during which, with the usual cun-
ning of insanity, she sometimes eludes my vigilance and
escapes. On these occasions she goes down to the shore,
takes A boat, and goes over to the island. I, of course,
follow her ; and it was on^ of these times I happened to be
there. Th$it afternoon she had gone over, and. was wan-
dering through the pine woodSt__JLji^ht after Jier, and
iust reached the isla-nd as that furious storm came on. I
wandefed around for a long time without finding her, and
in mty search, somewhere about midnight^ I providentially
ch^tlced to reach the spotuwhere thee lay wounded and
exposed to the fury of the storm. The tide was rising on
the shore, and five minutes/ later thee would have been
•swept away. I-lifted thee in my arms and carried thee
down to the boat^ instead of following my first intention
^ of leaving thee at tlje cottage on at, Campbell's Lodge. I
did not wisli to let it b«known I was on the island. Then
T heard a voic€f screaming ' Murder !' and knew it must be
Bertha ; so I set off td look for her^gain,'and found her
just coming out of the lodge. I had to bind her hand and
foor and tie a handkerchief over her mouth to keep her
quiet ; and there I Availed till ihe storm had abated.
" It was near noon the next day wlien we reached the
5horC| a quoirtcr of a mile below here, ; and Bertha'a par- i\
oxysm bdng ovef, she followed me quietly home, while
i carried thee. I feared Ihee v/as dead fpr a long time,
and only f happened to have some knowledge of surgery,
That is the~whoie
Ttigg^neTCT wou Id have recovered.
N-
histbry," said Uncle Reuben, rising with a smile, and
bftogiti^ his pani1dgB»^^bveit tiMifiire toT^^
It'r^
i '■'-
i>^
CBBiBTlB,
8Doke"^Th!l '"''"" ^ '^" ™^^^ °^ Christie while he
feeing haunted "" *"^ ^"*^ «^'^^" ^^ '^e name of
VMay Iasfc,"shesaid, eac-erlv "if »»,: -i « . -^
been in the hahit of visiti^X^Iand r ^~'^ ^^"'* '^^•
bad turns, an, geoeiaV^IL: Z T^Z t^' Tj
though sometimes I prevent her ^1^^^ ''**"'*'
her there?" f' «^ent ner. Has thee ever seen
" Ves, oaae," said Christie ? " hn^ t ♦!, u ,
spirit." ^""^"®V but I thought she was »
The man's face clouded
teU if f« fu -r , ' ^ crime. Some day I will
tell It to thee, if thee reminds me of it " ^ '
■\ ^ How long has she been insane?" - : * •
1 Nearly fourteen years." .
"A long time, indeed. I should like to h^^ i, ..-^^
tory very much. Do,^u not feal^h! h ' *'*'"
^.and now ? I saw her^o 1^^^^- K 4^.^
ortotktrtS;^^re^:-
sheis"henrfH^7 u ^"^;Soon be back-and here
ner arms; H^^ without looking df
^••,
■w
and bctran snrn«« •' s«»%pown on a low stool
° DCgan sorting some pine cones-held in her i^
'at%ijsagfc
>
^n
'•ni^^it
y.
m^
-p
S60
r %
y^^'.
CBltJSTJK
^ i
f#***^
sjiBi..
■ All this time tl^il^n Reuben had been getting dinner
and setting the:t.aM»; proving hi nrself to be as good a,
cook as a nurse. |f^ a fevy^inutes it was smoking on
the table, and pjert he went over, and, touching the
woman on the slWu.lder, said gently :
'* Is thee ready for dinner, Bertha ?"
'"■"Yes," she'said, risin^^romptly and taking her seat.
Christie topk the |)lac«?j pbiuted out xo her,^nd Uncle
Reuben, taking thfe head of the table, did the honors.
Then, vhen the meal was over, Bertha resumed her
stool and her t^e cones ;^hristic took the rocking-chair
by.the windoM^ and Reubertj*|)usied himself in clearing
•away tjhe dinner dishes and setting things to riglits.
Weak still, and exhausted by the effor^ of the morn-
ing, Cliristie threw herself on hrfr bed*^rlog the co^fse
of the aftijruoon, and fell into thp profound and re/re^-
ing sleep of bodily wearirieMrom^hich the did nfet
awaken until the bustle of jpreparing supper aroused
.^'^n the evendg Reuben took«l^n an 6ld, ^iquated
looking Bible and rea(jl a few chapters aloud, k^^jhen^
they all rettfed to their separate couches. «g^^ ■^.
Anri thus began Christie's newiife— tytfe of ep-dless
* lOonlony, bat orie of perfect peace. A^HNjs passed
^ 6n; bringing tiith^liem no change or^ciilRient, she
graduallyAled down into ^ sort of .iMamy lethargy,
disturbe^lhow s^nd then as some circumstance would
forcibly i^ll ^H she had loved and lost forever, by
•tort, passionjite outbursts of, grief, but which were
followed by a deeper and more settled melancholy
jllyiray sfojil
tb»tf
ore.
■flics'" lW*i¥'j^fe* . i'^wgi^ffi'*-'
i.
'^%
XBB MAm^Cta STOST.
■^
u"U*
CHAPTER XXV. ^ •
"^ MAKTAC'3 STOlir.
** ^" ^»» «o"f»»«d and undefined
AnS^°.''^'*"P*»«nd fears—
ButmlT "* '•?.n?^'«'' now in tears.
She slN| witU that conrufsiye dream. "-Bntoir
-<^
AUTUMN was aOhand. Th. _ j
"lering throuuh the for... » P'""^"™ was in wan.
i-4 of N^„u,t The Ws'^L?r. "" ""'"*«
restored her to health • bu, her , ^!. ** P"«*^ "»<»
-Sstio lightness her ;ote h^H ?P •'"' ""* "^"^ *«•
her once ro,^' te 'ohel h'd . . f" "" ^''' J"^"* «»"« i
Sister '^"■'-'h^^^'^z:',^
s« her fad* away before ,o„rv jry «es " ""*" **
ine lorest, with do companions but the man Reubm LS
lie maniac Berthi r..» w^ . "euoen ao^t
^- ,^ w«wo«^ air teU siie never wanted to leave »h^ /
■>■■
IV
'iii-siii, ,*'
^^'^M^
W>
THE MANlACa 8T0BT.
U-
solltary spot again. At any other time she would have
shrank in terror from the prospect of passing the long,
dreary winter here, when even the comfort of these walks
would be denied her. How little did she dream of all
that was to occur before thjit winter came.
Reuben's journeys to N to buy necessaries for the
little family, were the only incidents that broke the unva-
' rying monot»)ny of their lif«. At first, Christie had been
somewhat afraid of remaining alone with Bertha; but,
finding she was, as Rouben h.id said, perfectly harmless-
sitting for hours together playing with her kitten — she
had soon recovered from this fear. Love was a necessity
t)f Christie's life, and as time passed, she learned to love
Bertha with a deep, earnest love that sometimes surprised
even herself. The maniac, too, in her fitfuV, uncertain
way, seemed to return this love, and would sit for half a
day at a time, with her head lying in Christie's lap, and
the vacant, childish smile on her face.
As for Reuben, no one could know him, with his sim-
ple goodness and benevolence, without loving him ; and
Christie already loved and revered him as a father, while
he felt an affection for his little stray waif, second only
to that which he felt for Bertha.
As yet, he had not told her the history of the maniac ;
and Christie, for the most part, absorbed in her own sad
thoughts, had almost forgotten it ; but one cold and
blustering night, as she drew her low rocking-ch^ir up to
jthe fire, while her nimble fingers busily flew in' making
some warm clotj^ing for the winter, she reminded him of
his promise, and urged him to relate it.
- Bertha' had already retifed, and lay asleep -in her Ijed—
■ iit the corner of the kitchen ; and Reuben, his day's work
idiocy sat opposite Christie* mft^ing wicker-ba^li:ets» which^
L^,_Wf
'iua
^r',h,'' -^r ,''.'.--, ^'^'^j?.C^.TJ\%;it^ftK|?SW'^rWJ;p^
. s^ TZm MAlflAOS STOJSY.
he was in the habit of taking to N at intervkls, to
family coi^stituted the principal income of tkt
"It seems a sad thing to recall days so long past,^
sa.d Reuben, with a sigh ; " but thee deserves to kno;;
Chnct.e, for waiting so long, patiently. And, my
daughter, when ihee hears, thee may think it Strang; thai
there should be so much wickedness in this worM ; but
he Lord will redeem His servants in His own good
^ "Let me see; it requires time lo look so, far back
My father was a farmer living in Connecficut. and'
belonged to the Society of Friends; He had a brother it
seems^a wild youth, who ran away at the age of sixteen,
and went to sea. Eight years passed before they received
any news whether he was living or dead, and then a letter
came to my father from him, saying he was in Spain, in a
p ace called Grenada, and was married "to a Spanish giri
of that place. s"* ^
" After that, for fourteen years more, we heard tiotn- 'V
ing else from him, until one cold winter's night, as we
were all sitting round the fire, there came a knock at the
door, and when one of my sisters openedv-lt^a man
dressed like a sailor, entered, leading uMtt&irl of
twelve years by the hand. That man wi^^LhJ*
long-absent brother, whose wife was dead aid X
wished to place the child with his friends before heJenJ .1
to sea again. That child is now the maniac BerthTlhee
sees on that bed."
!^!l^.!^!"''^.°> !^P' quivered a lirtl. .c ^^,^ ryrri fell
^^1
'ti.
WfteJHnbeau.it„l face „nh?sreeper, and^SelST
tened with a look of the deepest interest
^.-^'^H
*^-,
V
' T-s^H
^H
■ _ ■
\M
^ ^rjMH
w
p
'''**'5-^W„ ^ ^ '
M
k
h^i
^^^^^1
f
^i t 1 y —
L^-
TBS MAmACB 8T0BT.
h4
. Deo, rsesuming bi$ work, '^' was tall«r «ad more womanly,
l<K>kiiig than many girls- of sixteen, with the most l;)|caiiti-"
fill face thee ever saw in thy life. My three sistefs were
then accounted very handsome girls bv everybody, but
they w^ere-no more to be (;pmpaftd to her than candles
\ »re to stars. They had fine, healthy features, and red
, cheeks, and round, merry faces, but; she had a dirk, ovnl
face, with long, beautiful biack curls, andlarge, mclhri-
choly, dark eyes- Ah, my daughter, ihec looks as If thee
thought her beautiful still, but she is n(;)thing now: to what
* she was then. > . ' . «
., "Bertha could spca|k%ery little English then — hardly
•'word — and t remenaber how Ch©. villagers usod tp laugh
'•■ at her aitempts*to talk witb them ; btit when they lookjed
at her mouming-dress, and sad, beautiful face, their
laughter quickly ceasod. ^i
V , , **.ller father, who, though not Hch, bad some raorn^,
|Mrifibed her to he sertt to $ome good boardj^g^faoSl,
^^here she could acquins? ft good education. He was going,
off on some voya^fi.iB* which he expected to m«^e hi|
fi>rtune ; and when he came back, lie said Bertha should
be a great lady. - . *
"Accordingly, three weeks after she cafat, she was
Bi^nt away to a boarding-school, and ' I do not thipk there- ;
■" was cue sorrter to bid her good-by th.«|n than I was. Her
father the next day went awky in his ship, destined to
feoiQe far-off place, which he^'was nevei^ doomed to reach,
y^for a tnonth aftm* news <came that the vessel was wrecked,
"Si^and all hjvhds cast away ; so that Bertha bad now rto liv-
ing relatives in thi^ country except us. >^ •
*f As her father before he went had made abundant
• \ provisi6n f^r her schooHag, in case a|iything'sl\ould h^ipf
^pta, Berthft reraaioed five jrears at fchooL W^isaw ver^
Evr
4^
(jijaa&a
'M^
•'>.
"«-.^
'^i&'''ivit^k.'^^ ..
€V
«»#-if%%i
J^ttle of her .11 this H^e, for she mostly spent her vacal
j,^o„,^wuh i.er friends, the sehaal girls ; U when ihe
period of her stay had elapsed, she came back to the old'
homestead. , We jmdp^arted from -her a beairhfulchil^
. „^ut she returned a woman-pee. iess, superb^a perfec't
vision df beaut,. Everybody mis mv^ing about hen AH
r Uie younr nv»n, far and near, were in love with lier ; but
. .Henha never seemed tcPcare fiof apyof them, .^widusedto
spen| her time emb.oide4"g, or reading, or playing oa
^^.c5guuar,ahd singing Spanish so«gs about ' beauliful
Grenada. I yas a youqg. ma'n then, about seven-ana.
twen^^earlof-^e5^q«^t;t^^ ^
•wuhn.>^,Kff<larI%e4ousiJ:. It w,s a ho^e^
as.heaven is &l^tb6 earth^tnd I Iddced my secret^ ■
my owp bo5<jtri<|L^resolved I «.ou4d Wer give- herl '^
, moment's pain bpSSing her of it. . g ve ner ^r
-I was hoye^er. her. favorite ; there, were two more'
bro|he.., but she Uked fiiebest-but only with a sisteSi-
- hilk f ^ T ^^""^l^^^'^^ to speak of tl)e vine^clX
Jnlt rl"" ' °^ ^"' ^^^""''^"^ ^'^••'^^ mother/and of her ^ "
' ^^'^^•"Ssfoi- sunny Grenada once more. And I used ttf.
sta.d Iftten and sympaihi.e with her.and keep'dbwii:
the yrarmng desire chatArs^ to fill.my I eart to kneel at
' ^ cet an4.sk 1^ co ,l^e Sle th/rig,..to. tal^'hX,
f ^**"»» ■ / if ' ' V . ■' ' ■ flit.
rongh. uncouth man as I am could ever feel love- ]ik|
•>
'*^':i^hi'
., . , , " ' "'" v^^^uiu ever icci love- 1 kf!
l| , ^o„g , sl,e nor no .mc eUc. ever.drcamed 1 cl^rish^o; .
». *«r otter than a consinly affection. When I Used ^W'
.fd l«.«p, and look pleased when they talked, i«ybIi.A.* •
■X'
■\mi
..'*•
«n
THE MANIACS STORY.
m
when she. would meet their eyes, I used to feel the demon
of jealousy rising within me ; and then I would be forced
to tear myself awiay from them all, lest my lopks or
actions might betray me. It was very hard then to bear
my lot patiently ; but, when, after a while, Bertha would
come back to me, and tell me how tiresome they all were,
and. that I was the' dearest, best*cousin in the world, and
Worth all the other young rhen she knew put together, I
used to feel recompensed for it all, and L could have knelt .
down at her very feet in gratitude for the words.
" These were the happiest days of my life, little friend ;*"
and though I knew Bertha could never love me, yet T felt
if. I might only be near her, and know she wasihappy, and
see h^r smile on me somerfmes, I coul^ even bear to see
hermamed to some man more worthy of herthan I was.
>J do hot say there Were not times when 1 was tempted to
murmur and wish HeavCn had gifted nle with a less
ungainly form, for Bertha's sake; yet, I think, I may say,
I strove to subdue all such ungrateful murmurs, and
"^/tj^k of my many blessings ; aind, on the whole, I was
l»ppy-
*'My father, who was growing old and infirm, loved
Bertha, with a* passionate fondness, and often spoke of
his cherished wish of seeing her united to one of his sons.
I was the oldest, and his favorite, and I knew Ills' ardent
desire was to see Us married ; but as this could never be,
I always strove to evade giving a direct answer to his
qijestions coocerning my feelings toward my cousin. To
her he had never spoken on the subjeAt ; but on his death-
bed he called us to him, and putting' her hand in mine,
charged us to love one another, and become husband and
j wife. Ah !, there was little need to tell meMo love one
''. lUmost worshiped all-eady. Bertha's, hand lay passively
-^
lir^L^^Afe'Jal
f*t/^^^f»-^ -«^^4*\J
*-A-t«fr;r % ^
, ^ i^ w 1^ ^ r
THE MAmACS STOUT. ^
in mine. She was weeping convulsivelv o«^ '• u
us would .ender his las'.Len^s u„rp^;^;^",X^" »'
dearest wish could not be fulfilled T ,t, 7/*J"''S "«'
she had n>erely a-quiesced to i! ,k . ?^'" "'*" ""«
and resolved, mu^^ s , Lvrdter t 't't^'d^, '"7°""=
Te'reTd^fr '" '" '-"- cot^^^^^^^^
next tnree day, there was no time for *>vr^ior,o.- T
Te: IrXre"^ -- ^-- ' ~- e^„?eX- -
as:.^i7*;^:r:re%tTs\urrit--
,-er : .H .i,^.,„., ,_. ,-t; - - .o.„^u^,
"• Bertha, I knew thee did not like f„ r.f
father's dying request to marry me b,^t M the ' ^'^ i
was given against thy will, I have taken the fi^f '^""""''^,
ni.yof telling tl.ce I do ^ot.consder it bi,fd "'"'T''" J
a. as . am concerned, ,.„u may^on^de^thy^^^'^Ji .",::>*
from all engagement tp me.' ^ ./
" I did not dare to gaze at her, as she sat the.^ look
aUer'rdT/"'^''^"''"'' ''''' ^y -olntion 'shruM'.
ben';^:^::;;;:::;,;"^^"^^^--^ ^-^-^ ^--.^- ^
" ' Wish it !• I ^Med out, forgetting prudence re^olu
tion, everything but her. ' Oh Berth n I T u
than all the world !' ' ' ^ ^°^^ >^°" ''^"^^
Then take me for your wife ' sh<> ci^i ;: • ■
and pushing back the hal fromtyt J She S":
and was gone. ^^- ^ne Kiss^j^e ^
" For a while I could not tell whAher 1 Was sltfenfi.*
or wakjng, he, words seemed so unreal. , Jo^ ilS^
pv
•r*''-
rr-^
t-«i^*5<.V-,i^.-'-4% -> .*-
*vj*'~ '"' •<" r~
IS^
-<'i'
■ ■-' TBS MJ^lACa STOBT.
. '\-^ ' V ■
in^|b traiice ; like one in some blissful dream, from which
Ife fears to awaken- I could not realize that this peer-
lessly beautiful girl could be willing to many me— a
rough, homely, plodding farmer. I resolutely shut my
heart against the bewildering conviction ; but that even-
ing, when we sat alone together, and I asked her to repeat
what she had said, sl>e smiled at my incredulity, and told
me she intended to be my wiife just as soon as our term
of mourning expired, and that I might make known our
engagenxentas soon as I liked.
***It will save me from being persecuted by the atten-
tion* of oth<|r young m^g/you kn(ftv, Cousin Reuben,'
she said.
" Everybody waS' surprised when they lieard of it, for
dbc had rejected richer and far handsomer men ; and for
a while people refused to believe it. But when tliey saw/
us always together, and Berths 'iCiuictly confirmed the
report, they were forced to the conviction that it really
was true, and I was looked upon asJfhe rpost fortunate
«nd enviAble of men. V .. \
"The next six months I was the happiest m^n in the
W4^1d ; and in nine more we vwQre to be married, and go
on a tour to Spain. It seemed too much happiness for
inc. I could not i^alizethat it would ever prove true;
and, ala^ ! it never did.
" One day there came a letter from a school friend of
Bertha's who lived in WestpcirX inviting her there qn a
visit. Bertha wished tcj go, and no one opposed hier ; but
ixscw her set out, with a sad forlhiding that tWs visij^
: wqo|[d prove fatal to my new-foipid happiness. /
■\ *frhree i[tU)nths passed away bet«re vBcrtHa ciaiUc back.
|&H»^ii»k^lo Writl to u$ at ffrsjlong, gay, m^isjr^tcrs, .
talliwiW <dl about the place, ftiid the p«opl* i|# Bt^ i
.(,•
■7.«7«'
mE MANIAVB BTOBJ.
978
but gradually her letters g reiv shor^ »n^
and less frequent, and L I tll^' Lt ^^ "^" ^''
ceased altogether. ^"^^ '*^'' retura,
I was half-cfazed with anxi#>fv a^ k*
sion. ; and was about uf se TuT 'to t.V "'.''•'''^^'''"^
-ytWnghad l,„ppe„ed, when ."e day The t.al'","' "T
at .he door; and Bertha alighted Vef li T "P*^
changed I hardly fe„ew her nale r„M ''"''"'-''"' »
. she sang and laughed no ,'oSlr • b .f ' ""^ '««"«'r
hours, her head au her h,„H ?! ', ^ "^'^ '" "' f°'
Benha „,as bodlly^-'itr .t'^"bu t' spLt^le"''"'T
• avvay^w^^^, I (ia„d not asl- <; ?'",, "''' ^^
. «o>v, but sat bv herself in her twn "„ ' """■ ^P""'
.^tin.cs Fro™-n,e ,he shir^ It "? ' 3^.^ "f «4-
«.;ngled with shame, coloring; and ave dnVlL r^'
when she n,et my eye ; and. mueh tis I iovedU I ^ J - ^
ever after that to shun meeting her lest ^, i m ^
aerpaiin. , * "' '**' " Should give •
; -" But oh, Christie, what ft cost me fli do this ma, ,h^>
never know ! I saw she reoenterl hj7 "'•\"l<'y thw ,
a moment of impulsive g'neros fy and'r""^?'' ^' '''
■hat pj^mi^ . „o„d „e 4 ca;;^-=;s: i:s«^ «»» ;.|
fast ,°ble TT^ '^ "■"'^ "" 'PP'^^-nce a. tr.'^Veafi. *
fast-lable looking pale, wHd„ and terrified- 'vv?,^; .
l..jugh. she was ill, but she said she JIsS\ 1 .^^ Ti.
had bad dreads, she said, fordng a smile M. l' ^ ^" *
%ing.L,ha„'<ri„i;^rot;irr,tid"""^ """' '^•*^'
if. wiw '^T" ''^"''°°' ' '"'*= ««">«d cold and diston,-t„'
fcJ^'Vit' .,:
'nJ^^-v.-',»''-^
iffl.y i ■>- ' "
m^
^m
M
'%^
'"•■ iS^y^
aaii.si&«(.»ii^
., ■> .'V" f-^ '-
;^^
S-
TdB MAlUlAaB STOUT.
Ipke hurriedly, and with, ascertain wildtiess in
"^ >ut I did nc^notice it theri. I thought sjie
be my own Bertha ag^in, and how readiiy
enes§ was given, I need not tell tliee. She
^_ wn and kissed my hand while I spoke, and
tfaep, witttbut a word, started^oflE down tlie street at d^
V» rapid w*ik;.from which she never came back."
Uncle Reuben paused, add his hands tfemblq^i so that
* -lor a moment he could not go on with bis work. Then,
recovering himself, he continued :
"All that day passed, and she did not return; and
wben^mght came we began to wonder at her delay Still,
we were not-uneasy, for we thought she had stopped all
night at the house of some friend ; but the next day
passedj and the next, and nothing more was heard of
her. Then we grew alarmed ; and I was about to rouse
the neighborhood and go in search of her, when a letter
was brought to me in her well-known writing.
*A terrible thought flashed across my mind at the sight.
I sank into a chair, tore it open, and read :
•* * Cousin Reuben : — I have gone-*fled from you all
forever. Do not search for tne, for it will be useless. 1
cannot ask you to forgive g»e, I have wronged you too
deeply for tha^ ; but do not curse the memory of the
unworthy ,, . ,«
'BlM^THA.
"Every word of that note is ineffaceably burned in
jny htort and brain. la that moment my whole life and
destiny were chariged. I did not show the note to a liv-
. lag «oul. I rose up and told them to Ismh tHeir clannors,
l|^ never, to m<u^on her nfine more. I think my looki
f4
HfW^'t*'
THE MANIACS STORT^
2^7
must have' frightened them, for they drew back in silence ;
and \ put on my hat, hnd without speaking a word,'
walked out-of the house.
v> "Tlie moment I had* read thp words; my resolution
was taken. I determined to go forth and seek for her. till
she \vas found, and tell her, with my own lips, that I for-
gave her all. In a week I had arranged my affairs. I
left to my second brother the farm, and without telling
him where I was going, or what was my object, I left
home, and never saw it more.
"I went toWestport. I felt sure I would find hof
there, and I was right* Just one wfe<*k after my arrival,
as I was out taking a stroll through tlie trJwn one i»ight'
about dusk, a woman, dressed in dcQp Mack and ctosely
vailed, brushed hastily by me. I started as if I Imd,
received a galvanic shock ; for, though the vail hid her
face, there was no ttistaking that tall, regal form and
quick, proud step. I knew I had found Bertha. I turned
and followed her. I overtook her, and laying my hand*
on her arm, said : . i .
" * Cousin Bertha !' '
"At the sudden sound of my voice, she started and
shrieked aloud, and would have fallen if I had not sup-
ported her. Fortunately, the street was almost deserted,
and no one noticed us ; and I drew her arm within mine
and said .• '
Fear not. Bertha ; I "have only sought you out lo
tell you I forgive you for the past.'
•"And you can forgive me after all I h^ive done-
after so cruSlly, so deeply wronging you ! Oh, Co{isin
Reuben !' she cried out passionately.
"' Hush ! thee will be heard,' I said, softly. ' I am tby ''
brothernow, Bertha. Where does theeftVc? I will ^
^.^"vJ.JE-^I^KSkr-.X'.j ■<t3<
^•■j^ yu
^v
4.
g^^'
tra
nm MAjnAca story.
r ■* js^i^h thee, and, if thou art willing to tell mc, I will hear
\ •* your story.' '
She tried to speak, but something seemed to choke
her, and we hurried on in silence" untfii we reached the
(hotel where she stopped. When we were in heivjiioom
^lie sank down at my feet, and, holding up her hands,
ctied out : / "
" ' Once again — once a%ain, say you forgive me ! Oh,
Cousin Reuben, I cannot believe what I have iieard I'
" 3he looked so pale ^and haggard, that I felt I had
more to pity than forgive. I raided her up and said : "
"* I have notiiing to forgive. Bertha. Look on me as
a brotlier, and while I live I will ever regard tliee as a
dear sister.' -^^
" What she said then, and how vvildly otic talked and
wept, I need not tell thee now. I waited till she was
calm, but it was long before she was composed enough to
tell me her story, and then I learned she was already a
wife, though no one knew it but myself, her husband, and
the clergyman who had united them.
^' " Thee has heard of Mark Campbell, the late owner of
the lodge — a man (eare^ by all, and ioved by feV ? It
was to him she wVs married. His first wife had ieen
^^i,_,*J^ad some year^. and he resided with his young/^n and
daughter on* thej islahd. He had met Bertha during her
stay in Westpo^t, and had fallen .violently iij/love with
her. He was i tall, stalwart, handsome man, as all his
race ever were, land she returned his passion with all the
fierce io^petuosity for which those of her nation have ever
been distinguished. But he was proud, %)ery prou^, and
arrogant, like ^11 the Campbells, and would not stoop to .
marry a girl ^ far beneath htm publicly. Thee4tnows I
(q14 thee fihfi was only a sailor's daughter, and a|B
M t^t-i
4y<
54
L. ..-,'f ,-
-/
'.^'''zf"''
S,\,:^.;r,C,,, ; r- ;r.s - ^
raw MANIACS STOBT. K9
uaknown foreigner besides. He gave her some plausible
She loved h.m, and was easily persuaded, a^d, though
unknown to the world, was Mark Campbell's wife
"I promised not to reveal her secret ; but ,1 felt that a
marnage wuh such a passionate, vindictive 'nian, could
be productive only of misery and sorrow to her. She had .
no fnend .n the world but me. and I resolved to rem.Yin
^ in Wcstport and watch over her sjifety
"ht y^ ^'"■'' ^"^^^"^^'i'"^^^ on the island. Camp-
bHl s Lodge, thee knows, is a large house, full of* rooms'
and passages. a«d she Wld easily remain there for -. -.
ben ha'd : 'T' -''^-^^^^V discovered. Mark Cam" "
be I had a schooner, and kept five or six rough- lookina>
saUor felh^ws, half smugglers and whole vilfainrc^n^
stant 3. a^ut him. I managed to c&tain empToym^^t
ab^ the ^ace, and was enabled to remain on the island
and, unsuspected, watch over Bertha.
-f Bertha, when on the island, always lived in some of'
ZT'^^rr f i'^ ^'"'^^" ^"^ servant?™ vcr •
c^me. Ohe day, when she was in Westport, I chanced to
nJ. TT r''°^ '° '*^"^" apartments, and entering a
mle dark closet off one of the large rooms, Ik neli dol^
nriTt for so„,ethit,g od the floor; ^hea my hand
pressed heavily on something which I knew novv>(> be a '^
pnng; a^ap-doo/fell, »nd I came very near bein^
empty ap^mj^nt, filled with ol^ lumber. • — S''
.JJ^^Z ' ^'^'^ '•^^^^ered from my astonishment at IhS.
uoe|pectod occ<HTence4examined the tr^i^ Wd^
U c^uld be opened fro^eiow. and thH owinAto ^'^
'v.:
'M
i;-
^^$^fi^l0m'^^^'$^'t!^M^
k
wo THE MANlAtra STOliT,
covered. I was at ncj^ss to account iovJtis object, as it
had evidently been constructed by sonjjr'former occupant
for no gpod purpose. I felt convinced* however, tiliat
the present proprietor knew jKithing of it, or ^ofiig ere
this it would have been nn^de use of ; and I r6solved to
say nothing about it, no^icnowing for what evil end he
might use it. ^x /
" I was righ^i' when I felt that this hasty marriage
between Bertha and M
of nothing but misery
but that did not'pr
A stranger, a mere
had met Bertha somev
t
yampbell could be productive
;ady he^as wearying of her,
I from being madly Jealous,
id the handsomest I ever saw,,
re, and was deeply struck by
her bea^ity. He was a gay, thoughtless laflvand Mark
Campbell, overhearing some speeches he had made about
her, had ail the fierce jealousy of his nature arousbd. Me
set spies to watch Bertha ; her every wbrd and look^^s
distorted, after the fashion of jealous people, into a con'
firmation of her guilt, and poor Bertha led a wretched
life of it. Her only comfort now was Wgr little daughter,
of whom I had forgotten to tell tliee before.
"One night one of his spies came to the island atfd
sought an interview with Mark Campbell. What its pur-
port was I know not ; but \vjhen it was ended his face
was livid — absolutely diabolical -with passion. Two of
his villainous crew vverdi dispatched in a boat to Westport;,
and when they returned they brougiit with them this
youth, gagged and bound hand and foot. Bertha was at
the time dwelling in the lodge, for Campbell was too
madly jealous to suffer her to go oiiit of his sight.
'* I had a presentiment that sonfijething terrible would
occur ^that night, but I never>drean|ed of the awful mur-
der that was perpetrated in one of | the upper rooids. It
vif-- "
^^^
X r
WtMt^-iii
■*<.•
.f\ ^--'.-Tf ^Z*^^M
TBB MAmAOB STOnr. ,|g,
m» .stormy, tempestuous night, but the men were sen,
offagatnto a liule sea-coast village some miles below
N—, and when they came, back they had with them
another man, gagged and bound like the first
" I could not rest that night, but'^t anxiously in my
room, ,n the basement st.uy, longing with a strange dr»d
for the morn.ng. , ,,„ ,„,„^ ^^„ meditated
whth'l i'"™°' ' T'"'' ''"'"* ""' wild, terrific shr ek
wh,ch I knew must beBer.ha's. Half mad with terror I
fled from the room anifstole into the lower hall ,o listen
bat all was-perfecyi;. still. For up,M^d of halt an hour I
e™,ned thus ; Lt nothing br„k/,he fi^e^ stillness
unt,l heavy fo„tst/ps began to descend th/s.S^and I
«!Li!UUj™^of Campbell's gang coi^ng^So^rand
«admg between them the man they had Zst brought "o .
he .sle. They placed .him inaboat and rowed La/
^^n -"7"^ T ""= '"""'' ='"' "g"— "f wharid
ansp,red. As I approached it I saw two others of the
crew talk,ng ,n low hushed voices as they descended td
a,e shore. I stole behind them to listen, and judge of mv
horror when I learned thnt, in his frant,; jealousf Camp"^
bell had n,urdered this stranger youth, and in his nfeSal
tarbanty had cast his loVing wife and the murdered boTy
herto 'H'"T'"r"'"'°'' ™°" together-consigning
her to a death too fearful to contemplate. The man whf
, had ,ust been.taken away was^ a mason, who had teen
< procured to waU up the only door to the room.
I listened, my viry life-blood freezing' with horror .
he room, I kn^w it to be<the one with the hidden door
ttonrt '"f^^'-^'hi-g W"^ forgotten but the one
ftought of freeing h„„t„ „^^ ^^^^^ ^^.^ e
■Je. I was more like a fntntfc man than oneameTl
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procured a ladder, made my, way noiselessly inta the
deserted lumber room, ascended it» and carefully let fall
the trap. The lifeless form of the murdered man lay
across the openinj^, but I pushed it aside and sprang into
the room, thinking only of Bertha. In the farthest corner,
crouching down to the floor, she sat, a glibbering idiot.
The terrible shock had driven her insane.
" What I felt at that dreadful siglit no words can ever
tell. I r&iscd her in m^ arms and bore her, unresisting,
down into the lumber-room. I closed the trap, qi>ncejiled
the ladder, and carrying her as if she were an infant,
I fled from t!ie accursed spot. She neither spoke nor
uttered a single cry, but lay passively in^my arms. There
were boats on the shore ; I placed her in one, and with a
strength that seemed almost superhuman rowed over the
heaving waves till morning. Whither I was going I
knew not, neither did I care ; my only object was to bear
her beyond the reach of her deadly enemy.
"When mjjrfling came, I found myself on the shore,
below this place. J had often been here, and admired
this quiet and hidden spot, buried in the depths of the
wood. Here I bore Bertha, who followed me like a
child : and, before noon I had constructed a sort of rude
hut, to screen her from the heat of the sun and th<f night
dew. Then I went to N for such necessaries as I
immediately required, and resolved, that here I would
spend my life in watching over my poor, insane cousin.
" It would be dull, tedious, and uninteresting to relate
bow I labored for the next few weeks, to construct this
but, and forra^as best I could, the rude furniture you see
bere. It wrs a }ab^^ love, and I heeded not fatigue
nor want ol r^^^^^0it was completed. No chtld in the
pxv!»f4it» ounp «ould bo more quiet mad docile rboa
-*-^-
w^'T^-'^-y '',',
XBB MANUira BTOST.
Bertha, but I saw that reason \u^WA fnr^^ i / .
•he would always nrmain thus Tu!^I''T 'i"^<^
dreamed she could be a.VnT!i k *°^8^*^°*^«. an^ncver
murder. All .he evcn.s^t tL. terrible nith^ J"*
come back to bcr -ind =h. n^ '""""= ""ght seemed to
air resound iviUi her shrill ci -^^^ ™*'''°« *«
ately.in the dTrk she t ^''"""^^ ^^ "^^'^er. Fortun-
^. lue aark, she was not perceived anri i -,„ j
to seiae her and bear her off . ^iT u managed
beheld her. ^ '** '*** ^'^^^ ^'^"'•e any one
" A fortnight after, when I visited M t ,
"oo so, Benha and I h«». n»^ i. •
years, unraoJeaed and our ~ ^ " '<"■ '°""«"
long since („r7ott„sh"i.r "'^''°« « "oobde-
l»mle«: bu^^MiM^ ■'■"'""' "« her, gentle and
Tiolence, but in a l" " ^ ^^ Periodical attack, of -
.0 re^e^ber 'Srr^" ^^ '^^-^^ » -""7 .^in„
vtwts have given the u^l ^ ^ *** nocturnal
the isle has confirmTd^Th. h %""^ "P*^ ^
urmea. As the house was^for sevemi \"
.'t?i
f-
r ■
TBS MAmAcra stobt.
¥:
^*/3. ,'r
jrears deserted, except by some old servants, after the
death of Mark Campt)ell, she could roam with impunity
through the rooms — sometimes even pushing back bolts
and entering apartments that were locked. Such, Chris*'
tie, is the story of the maniac Bertha."
All this time Christie had been listening, with a look
of the deepest, most absorbed attention, in silent amaze-
ment at ail she heard. The mysterv of the haunted house
and the spirit of the isle, Was cleared up at last.
*' And the child — did you never hear anything more of
it?" inquired Christie.
" Nothing concerning it have I ever heard." ._^
*' Then it may be stiW alive." >
" It is veiy probable ; villain as he was, he vn
slay hjs own child. But enough of this ; it is;
late, and thee looks tired, Christie. GoodiniglT
daughter." ;'•
Christie sought hei* couch, to wonder, and dream over ||
what she had heard, and forget for a time her own griefs
in thinking of the greater ones of poor Bertha. How
'^im^r, too, seemed their fate ! The isufferings of both
bad originated in those fatal secret marriages. Bertha's
were oi^, but Christie's were not ; and wondering how
hers were to end, Christie fell asleep.
And thus days, and weeks, anid months glided by in
the little, lonely, forest cottage. The long, dreary winter
passed,- and spring was again robing the trees in grera^
while the inmates of the cottage ktiew nothing of the
Invents passing in the great world, more than if they no
longer dwelt in it— breamed not of the startling denoue*
ment tQ.the tragedy of the isle that was even then hastetu
faig to a close ; until their peace yras broken by an unex*
ot
ing
my
;ji>>-<'
^<>7^:.:£
l^niiiW.W/'^K-^x^' ;i^.Ji::A--a£:^\sK^.mAA
IRBMOB$B.
.3*-
^a^occur«nce tha^ roused Ch^istir i.to electee life
- . Bijt ior the presctit we must l<^ave her, aad riurn to
the other scenes and characters of Jur story. f '°
CHAPTER Xjjvi.
REMORSE.
"Oh tell me. father, can the diad
Walk on the earth and look/on us.
And lay upon the living's hiad
1 heir blessing or their ciirsfe ?
^u >""" *° '"'^ <=»c'» nighi—
(hf J!"''^ 'u''''" ^° "°» <? « her tread :
She stands by me. in the Se.p midnifrht
In the white robes of the defd/™ WHixTuti
{i!>
AND now vre must return to Ihe diy iowLL th^f
^n c.^.orm and crime on th/sho^olg^^
When Edgar awoke to consciousness one* more h.
found h,n.se« l,ing on a lounge, with son>e oLe chSng
w^ had happened, he started, up ^„d 4d 7^
The first object on which his eyes rested wal the n»i.
..X.OUS face of his wife, as she ben, over hiaTT
i hat sight brought bacit ali. With a hoUowJ unearthl,
groan, he fell back, exckiming • ""OWJ unearthly
But, .t tbo sound of hi. voice. Uuia utt„|d » j(^ H
'1-
^
T.«¥
■.-•X
^"•^^^SWS
©"1
.?
' **"■^
./...
cly, And fatliii^ on her knees beside him, clasped her,
arms round W4 neck, crying out : ' \ '
" Oh, Edgjar ! dearest Edgar I thank Heaven you are
still alive ! Oh, Edgar, I was made reckless. Only for-
give me for the miserable past, and, as Heaven hears me,
I will ncver^ never make you so wretched more !**.
Her tone, her look, her clasp, convinced him sh^ was
really alivig. With his brain burning and throbbing ag
though he were going mad, he started up and grasped
her by the arm, whire he fairly^ shrieked :
' " Woman, do I speak to the living- or the de^d ? Did
I not murder you ?"
.'" Dearest Edgar, no ! The fall scarcely hurt me at
all. It was all my own fault. Do not think of it any
more, and do not speak or look so crazed and excited.
Do you not see I am alive and well ?"
Yes, he saw it. Sh<f whom he supposed was buried
forever in the heaving sea was bending over him, holding
his frenzied head on her breast, pushing back /tlic wild
blaci: hair soothingly off his burning brow.
Was he sane or mad ? Were all the events of the pre-
Tloti« night only the horrible delusion of a dream — tiie
ittpd deception of*'a nightmar^e? Wa» the s|orm, the
xchirder, all a mocking iinreality ? ^
-r'He looked down and saw on his cloak a dark, clotted
mark^ the maddening evidence of the past, and knew that
it was not a dream. His wife was living still. JV/u>,
tlicn, had fallen by his hand ? In tlie storm and darkAcss,
what horrible mistake had lie made ?
• He ground his teeth nttd, clenched his hands together
t& keep.<back tite terribJe emotions that made his very
brain reel, feeling as though nothing, in that "nomcnt,
(Cf^^4ejf^SiJst greater tonwn^tiMHi' h« enduzed.
- • •'■ ■■ .. ' •'- ■ •'- > . . ^-. ■fl. - ■■ -^ - - :i^
t'.J'VtP^^
SBMOB^.
m
back to calmness, Wtteriy accusiiwr hers Jf ir.IT I
never meant to torture you thus qL HLZa,^' ^
.never meant it ! I will do ariv^hin.X ?^ ^ "^'^^''-
^"t say J ou forgive me first, Edgar! Oh ' if vnn
knew what a miserable nio-il* t u *>*' • ^" • " you
•• I was here, of course. For Heaven's .^-^l ,. t? 1 * \, ■
not excite yourself ,« " «h„ •:. *'' ^''S^''» <*'o
"WereOi^^:-^-^-^^^
tione so in Icra Ltm n " ' ' """'^ °"* '^"^^
Courtney." - ^^^'/^O'npose yourself, Mr,
"You are «rr/r you were here all night?" ^
Most certain It 1 wn^ Vruj. ti
ing me such a qu«t on r '31^2-^ ^" P'""' '" •'»'^-
A-rnin h- t 1 ^ , '°" '^ She sftid, in extreme surorlset
fiCr ''"'"^ ^"^ * shuddering groan "D^^
liagar, you arc verv ill r r«..i. j. '^ b'wan. iiear
«W Laura, in IZf T™ Tl- ""," '" " P^f'"*^".'
«N^6<,1 •. ^«„ pert,/ „;.. ^, «be«e«l, „.
^
f'
?^^^^^P?^^^^
>j-
^^-'
^y.s
■■►)t'
14-1
■l^
claimed.
RBM0B3B.
I
j*-^
Will you not do
*f Le^vQ^me I »11 I waat, all I a^ for, is to be
, "Blit yo«N|iave not yet forgiven me.
"' 8d before I go ?"
«• Yes — yes, anything, only leave me."
S^i^hinir deeply, Mi's. Courtney arose, and pressing a
kiss on his brow, left tiic room.
: ' And he was aloiic— alone with his own frenzied,
tumultuous thoughts-l-afone with his own conscience, the
most terrific compai/iqn a guilty man can have. Again
came the torturing t]^oi^ght, What, oh, what had he done?
" Wh^m,*in his mad passion, had he slain ? W.hile reason
and judgment slept, and jealousy dnd blind frenzy raged,
what wrong had he committed ?
" But his wife lived. With a sudden revulsion of feel-
ing, in.allthe tempest of agony and remorse, that convic-
tion was the one gleam of blessed sunlight in the Stk
night of despair. Come what might, she who had given
up all for him, had not fallen by his hand ; her death was
not on his soul. And he dr^w a deep breath of relief;
and, if he had dared to breathe the holy name, would
baVe thanked Heaven for her preservation.
How, strongly amidst the wildest chaos of doubt and
anguish does the instinct of self-preservation ever remaio
y in the ascendant. All other thoughts quickly passed
'^ away, and the one absorbing idea of securing his own
safety filled his whole breast. He thought, with a start *|
of alarm, what conjectures his strange questions and
wild excitement must have given rise to in the mind of
bis. wife, and resolved that, for the future, come what
might, he would be on his guard, and not commit himself
by betraying his emotions. ^^ \
.,.>"!„ W8t leave this place immediately," wis^hll;
f^
■>--Ar
h ^^
thoilijrht, b^o^e 8»i|iicion o^nii;' . ' • ^
. «'>dlu« to,i„r&^^ '° fi- on me,,
must find some ^l to this Torr u. '^' ^"' ^'^'' ' ''^
dreadful rflght. '(5h that L. J K /"^''^'^- ^'» •' ^^ar^l
i my memory •• /p ""' " *^°"^^ ^ ^^^ver blotted frojj^^
ea.'^S;xij:f :p::c^"^^ '-^^'^ ^'- - ^^- ^
then a scream, and Zn^^T"^^ 'T^^ 'P"e, ;
to and fro. / ® ^°"'*^ °^ ™any feet tmrrying.
Ws vi«i,„. ,. „;,, ^?"'^ h""' She, ,he«, h,,, ^^
'ow and horror his «,{/« ^-i / "*tnseir. But m hersor-
m^m«u. %^^: r«^l '""/P'l-civ. hi. i„,^4
,*>;
^•'5
JSjds
/ ■f|.'4.^*-'t*.V^
I ^
BUMOBBB.
W-'
t ^ ^Dear beautiful Christie Ilio fair, so young, so gentle,
to meet so terrible a fate. Oh, Edgar, what a demon her
assassin must have been, worse tiian a denjon, for even a
demon would not have committed such a deed. Poor
little child i what an awful doom was hers."
' i He had recovered his outward caUnness by this time,
and, steadyitig his trembling''voice, hif askied :
**?Wlio could have done the dQodf"
"No one knows. Mjf^. Tom and Sibyl Campbell haye
only iii^ arrived, and all they can tell about it is, that,
•,jpt||0«g to some unknown cause, she either left or was
tkkne from the house during the night, and part of her
clothing was found this morning covered with bfood.
The body could not be found, and it is supposed it was
carried away by |he waves. Oh, it is horrible I Whit
crime woald not iken be guilty of, since they could even
murder that gentle girl. The proper authorities ^ are
about to be apprised of the fact, and the island itf to be
searched to see if any clew to the discovery of the mur-
derer can be found."
, . ■ "What is supposed.to be the cause of the murder ?"
\- • ^Ok, there is no cause assigned. Everything is
wrapped in thb deepest mystery ; but I have an idea of
my own. You know poor Christie was exceedingly beau- /
tiful, and some one may Imve become enamored of her
and attempted to carry her off, thinking the night ancj
storm favorable to his purpose. Most probably she
resisted; and, failing in his purpose, in a fit of passipn he
^eoay hswrc dain her, and fled to escape the consequences
.o|-tIae'adi."^J ■■•' . . ' .'
"Most probably that is it," said Goqrtncy, wishing
Utvciidf that every one else wpuld adoyt h\6 wife's
o^i|ion.t
ii^->a»»> ■
ht}
lm»
'>.
Mmtmm
m
ooly of our own pe„y .ro^w^X .h^'"'' '"?"'"» ^"
• wounded and dvini, J'"°''F'"^/""''' she was lyings ^
. andwaves, I dH!; r^-L^' ^„^^^^^ wi^
. mg of remorse in my heartZ^if ^^ "l"' " » '«•-
accQMnlable for thi. crim?^ ' *"• ^ ««»• ¥V
;;K»Laur»! What nouMnse !" ^ '
_ yes, I know ; but sUU It « there."
«airs nowT"*^""^ '™'"'"'« " »"• Who i. down „
^ Yes ; she went there about dark "
" What 1 in all tL storm"' * <
, " Yes, I believe so." ^,. ' . ; '^^^
"What could have taken her th%" asked Cr^ \L' '
who scarcely knew what his owrobi J ^ "''"*'^'
these questions, except it was to kerK^'*' '^ ^^^^"^
dwelling bn what he had done ^^^^ ^ ^^'^ *rpm
"I 4onot, knotv. Oh ve<i i nr.» r >, 7^' ^m
note brought her by her brothe"Tnd':?^^^/ '^"*' * 1
from Christie herself. She seemed '1 ^^'*^ enou^l.^-^ |
upon receiving it, and ^781^11 r^'y.^^Mcl* Agitated
the isle, in spifc Jf the storl^!- ^® '*^ »^^ediately to
Courtney gave a sudden ^tart- a fir«.n«- i- .. ,
•ntohis eyes; his white f^ce^uslT^ L^^' J^^f^
paler tha^ t^for^, as he said < ^ ^ '^ *«»«K:
"N« T ^^u '^ "^^^ ^' »^^ cwtoiiwar ""' i
rt*
^'A'
»ji*;
» J-j<^-)-)tt<i.',.
BBMOBBB. c
r,. **• bid Miss Qaimpbtll meet Christie the night gf the
'murder?''
"No. I heard |ier telling Mrs? Brantwell t)j4t the
storfe came on so yiolcntly thai slie was scarce|v able to
reach the lodge, much les^ the cottage." \ "^
r>r "Are. you aware whether those two girls were on
good terms ?*' ^ . - *^
u YfYiy^ what a question ! What do you mean, Edgar ?*'
% ,, " Nothing, nothing ; ap,swer. my question."
** Why, I really do i(ot Icnqw ; but I fancy notf?'
"Ah! Why?" ' • ;. ;
"Well, of course, I may be mistaken, but I think
Sibyl was jealous of poor Christie at one time. Willard
Drummond. certainly paid her a great deal more attention
* than he should have done, considering he was betrothed
10 Sibyl. But, then, he was always ikkle."
" And Sibyl was jealous ?" '
'" Y<?s, I am quite sure she was." i
And, consequently; this island-girl's enemy ?"
"Well, I cannot say as to that.- What on earth do you
ISCAn, Edgar ?"y .,
|^>:'» Who first disdovefed the murder? ,
'^«Sibyl.'V"
" Ah ! she did! And I presume she immediately .^vent
iitid told Mrs. Tom ?" ''"%{,
" No ; I heard her telling Mrs. Brantwell that she
f ootid it out somehow— I forget how— somewhere aboui
inidtfight'; '*Ut she did not inform Mrs. Tom till morn
'ing."---:- ^ ' ■ ■ ' .' , ^
" Why was tiat ?•• \
" I don't know. Reall}^, Mr. Courtney, if I were on
trial atf a witness, you could not cross-examine me more
•tfioti7,1«aid Mr* Courtney, beginning to lo«e pitieaca
\f
i^^^^^^^i^..
'•:-/■:
h
■■\
mUOBHE,
S08
r I wn&h to know all the particulars, Laura. Did you ^
h6ftr'iinytl|ipg: d^c ?y . ^ ,^—
I " No— yds. I heard Mrs. To;b telling Mr. Brantwcll,
thht about the time they suppose the deed was committed,'
Cirl Henley saw a woman flying through the islaqd : bui "W
/1*|»/ no one credits." (^
I " A woman, did you say ?" , ^ ^k
\ An^ the strange light in Courtney's eyes. grew almost i'
irtsullcrable. / ' - '^^.
"Yes ; but I suppose he dfeamt it, or wished to add to^^^
his own importance by a made vip story." ' ' '
"I do not think so," ^aid Courtney, w^o had gW'
r^isons for the belief. "Perhaps, this tan^fed web mar
yet be unraveled."
^ " Edgar, ip the name of all the saints .'"what do ybo
rbean ?" >' , - /
I "Hush! I mean nothing—never mind now. Per-' '^
haps my suspicions are pfemature " '
I *' Good heavens. Ed«rnr ' v/^i
||)ect
Good heavens, E^gar ! you surely * do not su8«
• '-is
-.il^^ ,
, ''JIushr hie said, in a hoarse whisper ; " I suspect w^%
^ne.- Be silent concerning what has passed. Leave me'
»^l^>ow, I wish, to lie down. When ihose people rffturn ^
irc|ni. searching the island, come and let me koow |be |
i-e|ult. J do not wish to be disturbed* before. V^^'-
]\fli^criog what possible i^eaning could b^ oduciied ~
^eileaih his mysterious words, I^rs. Courtney left the >
rodmv • / '- •' r 4
Edgar Courtn'ey sat, down, and with ' knitted browe \
and cbmpressedUips fell into deep thdught Now and^I
then 4iis white facejwould blanch to a more ghastly hoe %
still, and his muscles would twitch convulsively ; and,
^inf J|| fxpression of demohiacal joy and triumph
^ia.^te»3.«^M.Wi.,*ifc..^^Mii. "J<^. V> ja. -^.
Lti'A.'C
■ ^'^sa.^
'^ww ,^
'^btfld^light uj^ his cpuntei^anc^ to be clouded a inoliient
- iftcf, by doubt tn^ fear, while his customary midnight
806%l^i^# dai'ker and darker. At last; a look of desperate
r<l!M>lation usurped every dther expression, ^nd lie hissed
t&t>ugfh his clenched teeth : *' ,
** I will do it ! I will do it \ Any0ingt even this, sooner
than the fate that may be mine. It can easily be proved.
k Ali|^tt»r chain of circumstantial evidence has been
found, before now, strong (fought to hang— —"
Vi% j^ns^d suddenly, and cast a terrified glance
around, as if fearful the very walls might hear hisi diabol-
te p^ Or, pefhapsi the word suggested whkt might
tft!iiift^d% t>6 his own destiny. -f^ :
He arose and paced excitedly up atfd down the room,
BO dei^ply absorl^d in thought, that he heeded not the
fliglil of time, until the sudden opening of the door, and
the entrance of his Wife startled him from his reverie.
" Well," he said, |eating himself^ and, trying to bide
his anxiety under a show of pamposure.
•' Oh, they have searched every corner of the island so
caicef Ully, that if a pin had been lost, it must have been
found ; but it is all in vain. They cannot obtain the slight-
est clew to the discovery of the rniirderer or his victim.
All thut has been found is a kuifej^ deeply stained with
blood, which j^tacesi the facf that she has been murdered,
6i^o#d tfie possibility of a doubt. The murderer, in his
jlighl,'probabI/ dropped it unawares," said Laura.
Cpurtnev started in alarm at the news ; but a mo-
JH*fif{ ii^dtioti convinced him, thai^as,.the weapon
iSil^ ifffher tiatne nor initials, and had never been seen
trith Mni^there wasmbthing to %e feared from thd dis-
eo^'irr. . . ^ ';.'-.■..-../••-.;- ,.^. ..-'._
. ^Am^!ifttiiotheyii&«t«rtod^^d#t^1i#^j^^
.If,
V
.<■-
^'fh'
'itrf-'
tu'^
mmosai
/> ""
•! <Jo not know-gl^ up the search^ I wppowx •ince
1 seem, utterly useless to continue it Poor, m-Ut^
little Chrisr A •" *' ^*^
little Christie ."
" Has Mrs. torn returned to the island ?^
"Yes."
" And Miss Campbell ?" ^
"She is here, where she intends remaining,"
" How does she bear this news ?"
" Oh, she seems terribly excited, I mvst say : W I d^t
not wonder at it. She insisted on going with them^o the^
island^and aiding in the search; and has been Waikin?
up and dowti the room, like one half craay, iinc« th«£
return." ' -^^ **ii?w
"Very singular agitation to be produced ty th* death
of a girl she did not like, isn't it?" said Courtney.. In »
popuhar tone. "^* " * ,
dr.rJ^^'f*^f' 1.'^''° ^^"""^^ ^^*P ^'""S agitated at *► ^
dreadful a deed. Every one is horror-stricken.*' '
" you are not thus agitated; Laura I" ' .' :'X
K \Y^\^ ^^' •' "°°® '^® ^^ss deeply on that Account •
but Miss Campbell and I are different ; and, bc^e^Ji
has known hermuch longer than I have. But it is alm^
dark Edgar ; and you have had no dinner, h^ yoti s^.
ficiently reQovered to come down to tea ?" ,
•| I tliink not ; I do not care for any. I wili^o to bed/' *S
Let mc bring you up some tea and toast first/' saM
Lam a. " You Iiave eaten nothing all day " .
She left the room, and soon reappeared with the'tei.^
IT ^""^ Courtney, toisatisfy his wife-having par::
taken of, a i.ght supper-retired to bed, wearied ^fter^t
excitement of the day. ,: * :#^ v > ; i^ ■ T ^^
« "« •^osed his cyfe^. but not in sleep, 'flour after how
passed t,n, while he lay tossing resUessly, strivinr^'
^f^i^'*
'V.
banish from his mind the tragedy of the pilfious might
AJl in vain ! sleep t^ould not come at his ct^. Again he
beheld the lifeless form of the murdered girl lying before
him, with the rain and wind beating pitilessly oh her
cold> white face, while the life-blood bbbed slowly from
the wound his hand had inflicted. He clbsed his eyes
with a shudder, and^ pressed his hands over them ; but
he saw her before him still. How the scorpion sting oj^
conscieriiee lashed him now in the deep sileiice of the
•olemn Bight I ^:!^^
At length he fell into an uneasy slumber, but only to
re-enact, in feverish dreams, the vision of his waking
hours. Still before him was that body on the beach ;
but now, as he gazed, the deep blue eyes seemed to oneo '
and fix themselves, with a look of unutterable reproach,
on his face. Slowly the rigid form seemed to rise and
approach him. Nearer and nearer it came, withf its
glassy, .stony eyes staring upon him steadily, ulitil it
stood by his bedside. His tongue clove to the robf of
his mouth ; cold drops of perspiration stood on his orow ;
he would haVe cried out, but his throat seemed parched.
With one spectral hand it pointed to the g^sh in its side ;
and laid the^ther, icy-cold, on hi$ brow. With a shriek
of terror, he sprang from, the bed, and stood trembling in
every limb on the floor.
lie looked around in an agony of fear and horror, but
he was alone; find with teeth chattering and head reeling,
he sank into a seat, and covered his face wi;h his hands,
eKclaimin|y r .; ^ < v
"Oh, it was she ! it was she! Am I hevei" to be rid of
this ghostly presence ? Is she to rise from her ocean
grave thus, every night, to drive me mad ?"
The great old clock in the hall chimed twelve. He
k' ' ■ 'V.
^^^^In
Wl^
shuddeied at the sound anrf h^or.'»» * .
<
CHAPTER XXVII.
THE WIDOWED BRIDEGROOM.
— MOORK,
AND where, meantime, .was he, whose headsironir
Jr\ passions had brought about this catastrophe?
Where was WiUard Drummond ?
In his far-off Virginia home, he had stfen^the list
remains of his only surviving parent laid in the grave^si
and found himself the sole possessor of an almost princei?^
fortune. And now, in deepest mourning, and u^ha
brow on which rested srill the sad shadow of that newiv
closed grnv^he turned his face once more toward the
house of Sibyl Campbell. ®
A complete change-a total revulsion of feeling Wd'
taken place wuhin him during the last, few days. The
awful presence of death had hushed the clamorous Voices'
of passion and ambition, and awoke within him tL deep-
cst^feehng, of remorse for t^e u^ly part he hilct^
'W
C^?'
TM
fipd^HiD smpEotiot^.
fe
Al/faiff sophistrt^ and spedous reasonings wcr<f s\^cpt
aw^ay/by that dyitig-b6d Vand he felt, in* its fullest force,
hovirmse and unworthy had |>een his conduct. He felt
if W^s his imperativd duty, in spite of Ipve and wounded
honor, to renounce Sibyl Campbell forever ; and, let the
consequences be what they might, to tell -her all. It
woi^ld be a bitter humiliatton to him, it would bring
Jlifeilong sorrow to her, Ijut there was no alternative. He
shrank from the thought of Uhe terrible outburst of pas-
sion Jiis confession would be received with ; bujt ^ietter
this than^the shame and disgrace of wedding the hiisband
of anotherj , .. . %
Chmti<i was his wifei— his patient, Id^ring little wife—
and) as su ;h, must be licknowledged before the world ;
apd with t le resolution of following the ptpmptings of
his better nature, despite all obstacles, he reached West-
port, one lowering autumn day, and, weary and travel-
stained, eijteredlhe ♦* Westbrook House."
The firfet peuon^on whom hisjeyes rested, as he went
• in, was ciplaSouy Campbell, sitting at a table sipping
his coffee j^hd glancing over the morning paper.
The niise of his entrance made Captain Guy look up ;
and, starting to his ifeet, he caught his hand and shook
it heartiljf-, yirhile he exclaimed ? _ ^
"Drummond, my old friei^dl delighted to have you
herewith us/aj^n^^^^jicrc^liit down. Have you break-
fasted r - ^^^^'^T^^^^'''^^^^'''''''^''^^
**No, I hay«i6niyju§t\ arrived, flow art all my
friends— your sister and th^.Brantwells?" said Willard,
. taking the proffered seat;^^
** ♦* All well ; though SiByl has becii worryitfj^ herself to
a skeleton about that sad a£[air^on the island. VoU have^
hi^urd of it, I, su'piyose?'- ^ .. y
A
iM
'r^..
I^Koi «.5a/sad aflfair ?" said Willard, with a start. -^
Why, the death of little Christie, to be sure ! h is 7
veiysngular you have not heard of it. The papers are
all full of it; but-good heavens! my dear fellow- ^h«
IS the matter? are ydu Mir said Captairi GahipbeiL ris-^
lag in alalPm. *^ "^ ,Vl
Reeling, as thoagfe lie W feceiVed a speif rhriist
through h,s heart, Wirtati^d Drummond spr.tng to hi^fcet,
and witJi a face deac^y white, grasp^-d his friend by the^
arm, and said, in a chking voice :
"i>M//,drdyouiajr? Christie dfcad ? Ilgt^? wfi^tiC^'
where? Of what drdihedie.v' ^ Tffe
"Really, jDrummo^l this agitatidd ik most .itmccourtt?^^
able, said. Captain vCampbell, slowly^ and in txitttiif,
surprise. . ' ■^_^
« n ^*1? '^^ '" ^'^ Drummond, uhh"^ling Mi xtfofds:
Great Heaven !-spcak and t^ll m^how was it? mA
was u ? Where did she die ?" ^ V w ^
^ "On the island, this is m^st extraordinary/' fchTlS^
Captain Campbell, looking at the pale, agisted Vx
before him, in still increashig surprise. ^ '^
"Oh.Capj<iittej|i»pbelir* exclqimtAmmair^m hm
tersorrow/^f you call yourself ^ f rieftd; ^o M kct
me in suspense n.oxv^tell me aH./jIw^iJshe die >"
'his veiy cxtr^rdinary,yi this!" Wcf the ast^. .
i^ned young captain, Who wa/quft6 tfftprc^red fur su^ .
mZA^^ or^eeHng, W tlie usually gay.^mhtm
Willard Drummond; ^'Th^ you have n^^imM sk
was— ■ v^. •- _^ . I •■ ■» / ■■ »^' .' •
"Whar?*^;;;,r^^-:.';.
" Murdered f* Said fca^tain Campbell.
"Murdered! Ohj Heaven r
And with a deep grbAn that icemeettmm^i^ w«y «J
p m
h'
TJtS WWOWBp
BnwebnooM:
through his anguished heart, Willard saiik into his chaiV
and buried his face in his hands. - ij
Ckiptain CHmpbeil looked at him with the* piost
unbounded amazement. *
"Well, upon my soul !" he broke out at length, " if
this doesn't surpass anything I ever dreamed of ! 1 can
understand feeling sorry and hbrrified at so atrocious a
deed — I felt all that myself ; but to take on in this way,
is something beyond me, I must confess. Waiter, more
coflfe©;" , '7 > I
"Campbell, tell me all," said Willard, Springing up
and fiercely dashing back his long, black hair. " Who
could have committed so base, so atrocious a deed ? Oh !
\^can there exist a being on earth, capable of cominiiting
, fo infernal a crime ? Who is it ? — speak and tell liie ; and
■ may Heaven's heaviest curses rest upon him, now and for
all eternity ! ^ Who hftd the heart to hurt one hair of her
gentle head ?" ,
•< DrummOnd, my dear fellow, what means all this vio-
lent agitation ? What was litt^ Christie to you ?"
The keen, searching look, the meaning tone, \and
probing question, brought him from his fierce outburst of
remorse and anguish to a sense of the presence in which
he stood. This was not th^'time or place fpr the revela-
tion; norwa^it to Captain Guy Canupbell, that revela-
' tipn was destined to be made. Controlling his agony of
bitter sorrow, and still more bitter remorse, atad feeling
^$ the necessity of calmly hearing all, by a tremendous
cflfort, he subdued his fiercely excited feelings, and
dropped in his sea|faiid said, while he shaded Jiis face
with his hands f'"^^ '^ \
^♦To^roe-^o me? Nothing; yet I felt toward her
almost as if sho were my sister. When last I left her she
jp* JrW
m'
*-5*
tas wiDowm sawsoBOi
imM:
was full of life, and youth, and vigor ; and now, noi to I
lear so suddenly that she is dead-and murdered I She-I^
sweet, fair, aud gentle as an angel, to meet such a fate 1^
Oh, Campbell I is it not enough to drive oy mad to tbin^
"It is a sad thing, I must confess," said Capiifn -
Campbell, who, being the most unsuspicious of human cs
beings, received this explanation as perfectly aj^isfac^ofy ; '
"and no one but a demon in human form could have per- -
petrated the deed !"
"Who is the murderer?" said Drummond, in a dcciL
hollow voice. - .. ^ ' ^
" That cannot be discovered. The island, and ev6rf
place«else, I believe, has been searched ; but no clew to
his hiding-place can ,be found. Reward? have b<;ea
ofifered, the police put on the track, but all in vain." ,
"When was the diabolical crime committed ?" *
"The very night you left N . You remember ihe
terrific storm of that night ! Somewhere about midnight
It IS supposed, poor Christie was assassinated. The deed
was committed somewhere near the shore ; and as the
tide was very high, the body, if left on the rocks, mist
have been swept away, Wh^t'coUld have brought Chtis-
tie from the house at such an hour, and in such a stoJm
unless she had ^n forcibly carried out, is a mystery still
unsolved."' j, y / •»>*
In spite ofVlK hiJHtjfforts, another anguished groan
aroke from th^ tortured heart of WiUard Drummbnd.
Ihe thought of his note appointing that fatal meeting} <
Oh, too well he; knew Vvhat had brought her there; and ^v
pang, keener than death, pierced his soul as he thought^ -?
of that slight, delicate giri plunging through all that I
howling tempect to meet him t
^p&
'■' j W '^- ■■-^■f"'"- '■■■' •' ■ '• ■^.' . •' ..- •■• "I
" WBo was dn tlie island at the tlniic?" h#^ked, aftter
a pause. ^ I
" Na one but Mrs. Tom and Carr and one or tijro
negroes ; an4— 'yes, now I think of it, ^byl wastiiere tod.'/
" Sibyl ?•• said VVillard, with a start. , II
"Yes; 8h« went over shortly aftfcr you went ft^ijr.
i»o^ Christie, it see^jg's^ wanted hef for somethingY tjnd
sent her a note. What it contained I cannot say ; but it
seenifcd to agitate Sibyl as I have seldom seen her agi-
tated before ; itnd the resuit of it wa^ that she insisted,
despite the gathering' storm, on going to thi^ >sland that
' night." ::,:::■'.' ■.- -'" • -., ■ ■. -.
What t^^as the"^ thought that tnaide W}tWii't)niittrnond
tti^n so ghastly at that moment?
Had ehristie, in that note, revealed their marriage ?
and had Sib}'Vin a fit of passion—he shrank in hor'rojr,
in loathing of himself at the terrible thought that tlie
arch-fiend suggested at. that moment. Wild, vindictiv^,
passionate, frenzied in her rage, he knew her to be ; but,
oh ( never, never codld even hfer terriOc passion carry her
so far away as to raise her liand agaiiist t hat jgenile child's
life. But who could have dbne it ? Christie. IjBe unknojvn
island-girl^ hiid not an enemy in the world e:i4cept Sibyl ;
and shr^, in violent agitation, had braved storm, and dan-
ger, and death to reach the island that lilght. Uh, hor
rtblc thought ! With his brain reeling with cortflJctinjr
om<«ipns, he felt for thetnon^^nt as if hh vgry feji.son was
leaving hftn; :':.uj^'^.. ;■■ ~- : ■ ■ ■■ --j(y -'■/•'/ -'-
Captain Camj^H, sttting placid fi^ before hi ni, sipping
his coffee, saiv noth|% of wliat wjsiS passing tn Drum-
mond's thoughts j and setting his unexpecfed emoiron
(SiwIiH partially, to the motbid stat^ of his mind since his
father's death, and the want of I'esii^/^roaii fti|^jp|d ;.
M
1*
'. 'f^^^^H
m^'
fei' .
.>-'V^^^|
mlm>
^^' .:
^^^^B
Wm\
/• -tj
■ .V-
' ■> ' I ■
... with jour joar„ey. ¥ou l7ad better „,ire aton.xT'^
"Any time, lo-day, lo irtorrow, iratnediateiy." answered
Dr»„„«,„d, ,««here«ly. «»rce,y con^ioafW W t
then ? •''»Mt.? """ '?■"«'"?»• W6^« to 7<» t» going -
j I shall be ai your service," said DrulraUd striving
t</«ily l,im«,H. "What with fatiguenSd alf i .,?
rather b«,„dered a, y.t ; but , trust by it titit to ^
ladies at the
far enough recruited to pay my Onwir^ to
parsonage." "
"Ve^ 4trangfe,I must say I" musedlCaUin Carao.
i-nristie 8 death should so aflfect h m. I had korti^ ♦.«. f««
.^ oec. that SiM was a little i.n.o„s of Chrtiirl^aith
^ I begm^thtalt she m„y have had sotne J^U 'fS u'
Bat, perhaps I wrong Dru™,„ond aftef all. Tne s not
very exc.tablc usually, I „„„„ ,. but his iild tC
uausualy .roubled, Chrisfics dreadf„l deatS lay hive
g.ven h,m a shook. He dure ,.ot tr>:lc ,vi,hJiby7 riZ
does^he will feel the ,veisht ,.f „ Gnnpbellsvlgea'nce^-
W.Uard meantime, had scoured a T.rfvAtelrol a„*
was ^eiftg up and d„„„, „„, 3,^,,.,- ]^ L" S»"&
h^wSr, "'•"?= "'■" """"•'" ="4«- for her-
fate, and bitter remorse for what ho hirtscl/Ld done
Aba MM tat iooii retfiimioi,,! Gone^ero tta^;
M
^^^^
liBi WIDOWED. SniDXOSOOM,
■J-v
:-l:
now, as the fad! ag sunlight fliest before the approach (Sf
night; and his lov'e, his -hopes, his desires arc ,io the
ascendant ag^ii. Perhaps he was not. altogether to
blanie for the fickleness of his nature. Perhaps most of
i\ might be owing to his' education, to those with whom he >
had mingled, and the "^^^4 (Sf which alone he had ever
lived. 4Jg ^
He thought of Sibyl, Th« 'momentary suspicion waV
qu}et, and he hated himself for having indulged it kn
instant. No; terrific as he knew h^r to be, wheii her'
deep passion was roused, he felt tiiat Wl on Christie—^. -
guileless, inoffensive Christie-V-woukt fahs^er vengeance, ~
but on him, who Hghtly deserl|;d it. His glorious, hfgh-
splrited Sibyl, the desccndant\of a da)rhig, chivalrous
moe, would not stoop to slay a weak, un^rot^ed gir^
like this. There was no obstacle now to prevent his
marriage; she might lawfully bec)[>me his wifej wlich his
period of mourning was past. .There was a thrilf of
secret Joy in his heart at the thought; but the sad,
reproachful face of Christie rose Uk-e a vision befoi:e him,
ond with n( shudder he sat down, while r6m9rse 'again
tugged at ^s heart-strings. *.
So pas^d the morning j aird when Captain Campbell
entered hi^ room again, he fomid him, though outwjirdly,
csilm iin4 ' contposed, pale, with many^ -conflicting emo-
tions. ' ■ ' '. \ .' y] '«
Before he left< it was Arranged that they should set
out together Jlie following daiy fof N- — X
And the next morning tli^^ivo young ^en started for
the residence of the Brant weifls. / ; " " ,-
Thc^. reached it late tli^l same afternoon, ahi3 were „
warmly welcomed by good/Mi;fj. Bniintwell. ^ibyl, thin-
ner and paler than Willardha^ evet bchttld h«r, flushed'
^;:'fa,,.
i ■'•f^l.
1. /• %
WWOWMD SRtOBGBOOJf.
V.
'-■•>
^h pleasure a. he embraced hei^ and took a ««t by hj
He looked enmcstly in her face ; but he read nothinir
there save deep, subdued sadness; no guhtXei^d ^
Ihat^broad, queenly brow, or in those clfarS ^e.!^
A, a matter of course, the conversatiin fim t^rncT
on Christie, and her melancholy fate
Mrleltr.^^^ Drummond," «a,
J!/«>m my friend Captain Campbell-yes. mac&m"
B« answered, gravely, but calmly. ^^ maciam, - .
Sibyl's keen eyts wire bent with ill-concealed anxiettr
upon h.m. and sh* drew a deep breath of rd!ef ^s '^
noted iu^iet gravity, as if a heavy load h.d b:^n^LS
^"PoorMrs^Tomr sighed the minister's wife "she^^
indeed to be p.^ied. I urged her to quit thit l^nc^ Jj
•sland. and we ^vould provide for her somewherlTe«
but she refused ;^„d says that the only comf^^e Z
"By the way. ^n Brantwell," said Captain Campbell^
where ^re the Courtneys? They were Sp^^kZ of ^
gOH)g away somewhere- when Fast I was here." ^
Vcs, they have gone honje ? Mr Courtn*^ «o« • i
very poor health ; and even Mrs. Cou tnev n"^ 7Z ^l I
Sf iT "^T '^^"^o^o^ Heri^i/h^piVftranawt' '^
gladto be on the wing again." replied Mr^ Brantwell
Dunng this short dialogue, Sibyl and Wil^d 1«
conversing tbgether in UmUnm. ^, "^^
V •
ffWr WiBOWBD BaWBOBOOM,
" And so ydur resolution, is really to go abroftdi" silid
Sibyl, lifting her dark eyes anxiously to his face.
" Yes— but for some montlM only ; and the project '
gives me pleasure in the thought alone that^ in so doing,
r wilt not be separated from you."
.' " No ! and how ?" she said, in surprise.
'.^Then vxHi are not awa^e that your brother, having
completetf^^all his business, and refitted his vessel, is
about to take you with hitn again to England T*
" I wds really tiiilte ignorant of that fact."
"Well, so |t is. We all starktogether in three weeks'
titpe, I believe." ;^ . -(^
flush of pleased jurprW pi^tssed over Sibyl's pare-
'^Then, in that case, I shall have an opportunity of/
accompiishihg my long-^cherished wish of visiting- Italy.
I h^ve l^ng amd ardently desired to see that beautiful
{^f* Atod ^ter that, fairest Sibyl ?'
"I shall Veturn home."
" And whste then, beautiful ope?'
"/^Sumcienyunto the day l3^||^ evil thereof,'
Sibyl, wit A a single. ." Who knows what the fi
b^iiig forth?' . ,
rVaLfit Oift tell , you, beiaiutiful Sibyl," said dnimmond,
i)a ilii^^ow, iiiusical\pnes that had so often thrilled to her
•t^ After that inay I claim this little hand aS'
''"liir Sihiyl, may I look forward to our
ly brii^
l^er eyes ^PPjlThandsome 'face bending over
perfcfct love and devotion now ; and, like
the frank glorious creature nhe wasy she laid., tiff band io
his, and'said : . . , - • . . , . >
hhoWUp ^RiBBOROi>M.
LWfi)v«bH my d«ir,".brok? in the Voice of MrtL
kwdll at thlslnteresting juncture, in tones of deepen
Jismax, "dbyou Icnow what Guy says? ,AH three of you
are to start off on a wild-gooae .Aase ti Europe. Instead
of setl.ng down and .behaving yourselves, as sensible
Christians should. Ifii really. quite abominable, and I
for one. hate srt my face againsMt ;,and I am sure, Sibyl!
you'll agree with me." ^ *
xJ^lfj'^jT^ **"• ®"»»'«'«"/* ««id Sibyl, smil-
M Guy." '''^''°'' ' ''"'* '° «r?"'^*' ^'^ '""<^'>
"You d6 r exclalibed thti minister's wife. "Well
upon my word, if this is not too provoking f It all comes
of havmga tftst* forrartblin8Sfln*l^i,ig male and femaie
sailors, thfc whole Of youj I always thought sailors were
vagabonds on the face of the earth, without aby settled
place of abode, and I'm sure of it nqw. You dU't expect
to be able to ^o in three weeks, I should hopfc ?"
^ " Yes, of course. I do. What's td hinder ?" said Sibyl.
^ not^^fitie lady, you know, and don't require two
tarn Campben, though you did not do mrnhe hoio^S
2hall ret^e my wounded pride and indignation to
a-tljprse^bn, and bl. ready tcT go Witlf youat Lamea,!^
Mrs. Brafitt^reU ^Jortulif^n vain. Sib^l ^^iuld^ t
t^s?''' ■'"'""">' '°^^^"^ nine monthfa;
Of the Evening Star, "QutwAtd bound.";, . y .-\ :
fi
Vi
'&
.-1%'
o
^
■'C'/'
I'^k
*:v#Wv>,
<*■' iff ,;.
Ik
. ■>■ ■•^
""' "
' "V) . ■
I 'I
^'.r'.iiyri'
yt "^^^'V-
\"m
ima THUimSBBOLT FALLS.
CHAPTER XXVIlt.
THE THUNDERBOLT FALLS.
~~~~ " - ." The7 Spake not a word,
~ - * But, like dumb statues, or breathless stones.
Stared at each other, and looked deadly pale."
I — Shakespcau^
Iy
T is not my intention to chronicle the events of that
' foreign tour. Suffice it to say, it came to an "end, at
, last; and, Captain Guy Campbell, Willard Drum-
mond, and his betrothed stood once more upon the shore
of their native land. .
Th<!re was a joyful meeting that day in the parsonage.
Good Mrs. Brantwell, as she again clasped her favorite,
Sibyl, in her arms, shed tears of joy.
Those twelve months of absence had greatly^ improved
Sibyl. The rich bloom of perfect health again^4Bftfrtted
her cheeks ; her magnificent eyes, brilliant with hop* and
happiness, once more outshone her diamonds ' Through
alt the fdireign cities through which she had ti^veled,
her. dazzling beauty had created the deepest sensation.
Known to be f^n heiress, beauty, and belle. Countless
hearts had been laid at her feet ; but Sibyl never for an
instant, in thought or acfc, was unfaithful to that first,
strong, undying; love that was part of her very nature.
And now the period of Willard Drummond's mourn-
ing was passed, and they had rettyned home, to be urited^
at last^.;.,.,,.; ^ ,-.i:.^J;-"^ •■■':■, ^l---':--. '' /*■ ■ d
Ho# ftrdeiJtlyaftd truly he loved Sil^ nx>\ii:— far hd-
ter^haa he ha^ e v^ on e befor e . IIoW p r oudly h e hsri
eauiUed la f be knowledge that tUis peerless, queenly girl^
m V
fB» THUNDERBOLT FALLS.
at who3e feet coronets had been laid, and rejected, was
hi5— his alone ;. would soon be his bride— his wife. How
his heart had swelled with triumph when he beheld the
envious looks and jealous glances bestowed upon him
bf more than one titled nobleman of other lands. H«^
longed, as the blind long for sight, for the time when this
gloriog^^tadiant Sibyl would be his own, undisputed
w.fe,-beybnd earthly power to separate them. Until that
time cam^, he must live in uncertainty, not knowinir
whether this prize might not yet slip through his finger J
I That time, so ard^tly looked forward to. was at hand
' now. Preparations for the wedding were already com-
menced on a scale of magnificence that was destined to
electrify the community far and near, and which the '
princely fortunes of the bride and bridegroom could
alone jusirf)'.
» '»,
The day was appointed, aud invitations were sent piit
to all the <!///<? within fifty miles, to attend the ball, with
which it was then^i^stomary to conclude a wedding.
Sibyl, with her'^usual willfulness, would not be inar-
ried in the house in the evening ; it did not seem right,
she said. She would be married in the chu^h, in the
morning ; and, as this was of little consequence to the
rest, her wish was immediately acceded to.
On rosy wings sped the time, until the auspicious
morning dkwned. Brightly and cloudlessly arose the
sun. ushering in a day as glorious as e«er came out of the
heavens. How little did any one dream how darkly and
fatally that day was destined to end ?
It was arranged that the day following the ceremony
J'!'^^\ ^^ '^,'°"'*^ *g**° ^^^ ^^^ departure for a
— "Wnig^tour, and eiFg^tHngwaslTrcpared ac^rdingly.
Good Mrs. Bfantwdl, as mistress of the oeramralMk
rt-ii'
M
^^
^^^
«0 / ms T$^^hm9JiT FAl^
b«d 9 V9Py tu«y time of it for the preceding two weeks.
, 'llilllners and di^essmakers from the city fill<pd the upper
ruoni9, and cooks aod confectioners the lower rt^ions.
S^ her lot it fell to purchase dresses, laces, jewels, etc^
for the use of the bride — who, with her characteristic
indiffereiice to all such things, would, if left to herself,
have compiitted the uapardonable sin of bk$»ing married in
her simple white robe of India ^nuslin, instead of her
splendid silver brocade, frosted with seed-p^rls, which
the sumptuous t^ste of that worthy lady had selected
~ Amopg the many guests invited to the "\yedding-
fea^ "we may menlioti our old friend, Mrs., Tom. Poor
little Mrs, Tom ! Since the loss of little Christie she had
never been the same bright] brisk, breezy, chirruping
body she had been before, and though still active and
bustling as ever, her cheery laugh was far less seldom
h^rid> Mf- Carl Hepley, tool was to be present ; and
mn^de his appearance on the eventful morning in a long
bltie " svvaller-tail," brilliant with brass buttons, his boots
i|Q4hair ^hiuing with lard, at>d his round, fuU-moon face
wearing ^ look of sublime beatification, serene in the
blissfMl consciousness of a newWuit of clothes iind a pair
of wbit^glioves, every greasy hair in his head breathing
" peace on earthy good will to man."
Two youqg girls from, Westport were to be bride-
mi^ids, and a yo>ung Snglis^man, whpmt xksiy had met
9,]i>ron4» tp^^he^ v^ith 9, cousin ^i\ Mr. QriAmQjjond's were
1^ ^?ft gir<*/wP^^>. Cfliptaifii Cs«npbeM, a^s her nearest rel-
ative, was to give th? jj^j^ tvw^yl -'.^ ^:::'^_jl-
Jgii5i4y m t)m m^Kmog, th© im <;*«*»««« began to
frv||^yHe,aB4 ilK)on |h«s lwy?r IWtHl »p.d drawipg-room were
tdfflt yitfe. gMiBiJ^h, »iyAM>g ^ t<!!CqBMift»3t Hhfi bridal
^T^^'T^.
K
s >•
In her room, before a fuU-length mirrqr, $lbyl Camp-
bell, so soon to be Sibyl Drum^ioiid, stood, while half «
dozen girls, headed by Mrs. Brant well, arrayed her for;
bridal.
#, Magnificently beautiful she looked as she stood there,
Jrrich robe^of sheeny silk floating about her regal iovmC
%r queenly brow clasped by a liara of finest diamonds,
'her gauzy veil of costliest lace enveloping her like a
cloud of mist — ^her dark cheeks flushed with excitement,
her magnificent eyes outfla'shing the jewels she wore.
"Beautiful t glorious ! radiant!" broke from the lips
of her attendants, as they stepped back to survey the
effect.
"Yes, beautiful indeed!" mentally exclaimed Mrs.
Brantwell, " beautiful beyond compare looks my pe«^lesa
Sibyl in her bridal robes." '
And just then the door was thrown impetuously op^ati^
and one of the bride-maids, a vivacious little lady, with
twinkling brown eyes, burstip^ exclaiming : ^ .,i*
" Girls ! girls ! aren't you ready yet. Oh, my good- ''
ness ! Sibyl^ how splendid you look. But do hurry !
That happiest ©f mortal men, Mr. Willard Drymmond, is .
waiting, with all the rest of the foJlts— a hundred and^ ^
fifty if there's one — down stairs. Hurry !"
Thus arljured, likl^a flock d* sUrtled birds, the bovcr-
maidens fled to arrange their own toijiet, and Sibjl Win
alone with Mrs, Brantwell. '
" My own precious Sibyl ! and am J ta lose y<>« at
last ?" said Mrs. Brantwelli clasping her ip. h^ «|rmfr<^<i
gazing upon her sparkling fa^ce, with eyes o^ yearoipg
foadness. ■ -^ . . ■
"^D«tf Mtsl Brantwell, xaj secog^d mothisft^ii^a t|rih at
may;iktbe future biiiig^}^ It j^^
iEi«aS
"!5«?p*"Wnp5-'»B<
-v
TBS TffUSmERBOLT PALIB.
the second place in my heart," said Sibyl, dropping her
head on the slioitlder of her friend. x
"And you. are happy, perfectly happy, my own dar-
*10h, yes, perfectly happy, too happy for words to say.
Oh, Mrs. Brantwell, my only fear is that such intense joy
^ is too blissful to last."
T* And you have perfect trust, perfect faith i\i jiim who
is so soon to be your, husband? Does no doubt still
linger amid all lliis love ?*'
" None, none 1 not the slightest, not the faintest. Oli!
' t wronged him by ever do^ibting his truth. I could
stake my hopes of heaven on his fidelity now," exclatmed
Sibyl, with some of her old fierce impetuosity. I
'* Thank Heaven for that !" said Mrs. Brantwell, with
a sigh of relief. " Oh ! Sibyl^ dearest, eradicate forever
from your heart this fatal dream of jealousy ; to doubt
one we love is de(epest misery."
"Oh ! Iknow it ; I know it," said Sibyl, with a shud*
der, as she recalled the stormy past
And just then the tripping of light feet approaching
the door was heard. v <
*'It is the girls coming back to take you down stairs,"
said Mr& Brantwell. "And now, my own, my dearest
girl, may Heaven bless you, and grant you all happiness."
"Amen!" solemndy, almost sadly, said Sibyi, as she^
returned her embrace^ and stood waiting the entrance o£
her bride-maids.
They burst in in a, bevy, fluttering round the br^
like bright-winged birds, ias they shook out their glit^er^
Ing .plumage with little, white, jeweled hands, and'
„ annoynced that_thfi bridegroom^^ MidLhia irtend s w ew,
iir«itia|^|i^ Uiea U ^ Ni^ ^
.r"
pm TBVmmBOLT FALM
",f
And together the bride and her friend, descended the
stairMoIlo«red by Mr^ Brantwell, and emcred the ha^
jj: crowded with guests. - . ^
^K ^ 'T '?1!*"'"'' °^ *dn»»'^ion passed through Uw
^^t?' »^*«d«o»e^^ suave, and stately, stepped 16^ '
ward and drew h^ hand within his arm, and led Iwsr to
the carnage that was to convi^ them to Ihe church.
"' : \*^«^«/*>«'-«/o"owed ; and as that sacred edifice was
situated but a few yards from the house, they nsached tt
in a short time. '*»»^cu »
Th^ church, too^ was crowded, mostly by stranirem:^
some from places far distant, drawn together by tS
rumors of the bride's wondrous beauty So crowd^
was .t that half the bridal party could not find^ J
but were obliged to stand.
Mr. Brantwell, in full canonicals, stood, book in hand.
awamng their approach. -nana,
and stood before him. < ^!^*
And at that very instant, like an inspiration, flashed
acn^stheeyesof VViUard Drummond the remeib^^
of the strange vision he had seen years before. Here it
was all there before him. The crowded church!^
ZT '"7'k^' -'-rsym^nund bride wearing exicU^
the faces of those he had beheld then. - ^^
A thrill of vague terror, he knew not whv shot
hrough his heart. He thought of Chri^iJLToX ^^
S^fei of /i *° r""^ ?"' '»»*"' »»^"°«r his eyes.
^ - ''4«- ■■■. , '
u
■*r^7:«v:
the cctfemony began, amid ft bre^Wcss t^itt^. a% thr
vast co«t«^fsc)i«tcned, Willi the eagerness they always
do on suiib occasimis. .The questions were |iat and
ihisxwrcd ih tls6 tisiial nianner, whcti a sHgl^t tumult at
the door broke for the first time the impressive silence.
• t^e cWgyrt*** ^ *^'"**^** ci>nciudcd lliC ceremony,
tmd the britfcjrrobm ivftW just putting the nuptial ring on
the finger of ilielmde, with the words : ♦'With this ring
1 0o thee wed ; with all my worldly goods I thee endow,
^ th6 tiame (»f-^ " * . /' ',
**JIo/dl I forbid the marriage!" cried a deep, stern
^oice, ihiit^g'^hroughthcchurcl^. „
Every heady a» tui^ed, every eyfe was riveted on the
speaker, a tall, determined-looking man.
Wlitte with vagtie apprehensions, the bride and bride- *
groom (urned round. Mfhile the bride-maids shrieked out-
light at the interruption. , *
Mr. Brantwell stood, like one thunderstruck, book m
haitd. ' • -
And the stranger, the cause of all this commotion,
Uralked steadily up the aisle and stood before t h^.
••Who are you, sir ?" was tjie ftinazcd and angry ques-
tion from the lips of Captain Campbell, who ivas the first
to recover from 4iis shock of astonishment at this
astounding interruption. . ^ , j . ».
" Sheriff Lawless, sir ; atid it is my pamful duty to
prevent this marriage.** '
'• By what right ?" fiercely demanded the young man
with kindling eye«^^ r; - 7 ,
. •• By a right all-8ufncl«nt for the purpose, youfig man,
tHHoly answered the shcrii. " I have a warjfWt he-« f««
l*^>
S';^'
" H(Afimr'
? '*5'
man.". '^oM Charge f FiMa «f« ^^
A wiid. terrific shriek T'fn^"*'*'^" * '^^ ^"
It was the voic^ E^"» ""« ^"«''. *i^ lHM.i|.
CHAPTER XXIX-
TM IwivOflOJ? Of LOVK. '^^
"lJHio^not.l.skiiot •
,J'K3"'''s in thy heart:
I*ui know thai i love tWe
Whatever thou Ml. "^Mooip
TTwoMjd be impossible to depict or describe t^«^
sacred^e:^"*'"*"^— >was,bor«e
M»niig at the olSoial 'wradldHy, lui «bMd
ul duty t»^B\ staring at the oaojal
.v,\
:%
^-^^
' «s
y
m
amazement, bcctfmc mute lis the grave< listening, with
breathless interest, for the denouement oi this astounding
interruption, with the eagtir, morbid cariosity a crowd
will always listen to anythiijg of the sort. .
But the grouparound /the altar ;yAry were the focus
of all eyes. Captain Guy Campbell, his daric eye blazing,
his brow corrugated, his lips white with passion,' stood
gazing on the sheriff, as if he would spring^on him and
rend him limb from limHi on the spoQor makiri^.i80 ter-
rible a charge against a sister of KiS'.-T^,
Tliat gentleman* Stood ocalm, ^tiirp, and unmoved,
upheld by the consciousness that he i^^s doing his duty,
however painful, and keeping his eyes fixed, with some-
thing like pity, on the fac^ of the bride.
Willard Drummond, fearing she might faint or fall,
had encircled her >vAist with his arm; and, though lais
own face was perfectly colorless with horror and indig-
imtipn, stooped and whispered :
i ** My bride-^my wife — my dearest one, be calm 1 This
monstrous accusation will be explained."
Be calm ! There was little need to tell her to be calm.
1^ After the first involuntary shock, she stQod like an out-
raged empress before them, her regal form drawn up to
its full height, her noble brow expanded, her dark, mag-
nificent eyes blazing with insulted prid^ind unutterable
™g, scorn, her full lips curled with a contempt too profound
■ for words, her whole face and forril irradiated with tlie
'[ light of insulted majesty. //
There was one instant's death-like pausp^ broken at|
last by the voice of Mr* Lawl4s:S, saying politefy : i|
" I am very sorry ife^t painful necessity compels me to|
thu8~^Wes£irTjp the iesti^itii
r~^rh i & chargft '^
4^nit the ladf may be groiindles*— I ho^ it it. ^But I
r'
•rJr^^Sfi^l
Sf^WAti
/ \
«w ^BvoTioir OF mya.
l«
h^ a duty to perform, however unpleasant it may
met, and to all of you." . ^
-On whose charge is my sifter arrested for this d
said Captain Campbell, in a deep, stern voice,
the si^ift'' "' ^*'' ^^«- Courtney, I believe," ans^
^"Edgar Courtney !" rang from every lip. i,^ tones h
which amazement had completely mastered WL oU»2
feeling. Even l^jbyl lo6ked bewildered. I ^ x
. 'l^^'l^^ '" ^"PP°'' °^ '•" deposition he has brought
to bear ^hastrong chain o^ circumstanti«l/evide„t
that even in the^ace of the proof being brought againsr^
young lady S0 wealthy, high-born, and distf^iguifJed „
Miss Campbe^^, it wi^s found necessary to issue a ^Z^t
for her immedliate Apprehension." : ^^ " ^^*
.1, " "^^r^" ^M^ens ! this is maddening! Oh! for
the thunderbol^eaven to blast that douhle-dy^i j^
jurer where h^ ^t^," exclaimed Captain Camp^U
passionately. A / >v " >^**»"pocu,
t,.r„M'!'°".f-K^?T/^*''' *^*S"*"' outburst, the 8|i«^"
turned to Sibyl aiui said, courteously ; ^ . !^^h^X«.
to ^fT?r^^ '^'^ ^"'^ ** exceedingly unpleasant'"
Wfiere?/ said Sibyl, in a tone of soeh Woematur*!
calmness, th^t everyone Was startle^"^^ Wpematural
« Miss Campbell, Um very sorry; but it is my duty
to convey you to the county jail, to await your trial/' ^
Th^county jai| !"/exclaimed Sibyl, losing her poweiw
ful self-cpntrol for the first time during ^thTs^^
scene ; and w|ih *convuW«M*wkfc« ^iHiL k! * ^
Willard> shoulder, *™^^
^«^»«5pe*1ili^^ris%i^^^teefied earth
^ heaven t«tcr he. fromhim; but stil|.WspoK*
m^
M^tL.
''•/,Wil'
-• ' ■'■■■■ ■' J "■■"■■:■' ■ .. ■-. -".'A
imH. V[a9it tl^mposftibtlily of th««lifti^e? Waslt
his indignation and horror? or was it ihbiiwfut eonfir- ^
' ittiljkm vif hb §fst doubts, and; the Tivid reeotlMtlon of^r
the scene at the a8trul<]^o#'s that held him dumb. ' ^^v.
But Captain CamphfU, losings all setf-control, afl "^
retnembrance of where he stood, once more pMsionatel}r° .
iikd impetuoiksly broke forth : \
<* To tb« coanty jarl .^ So help me lleaTeni<~Bever !
Never will Sibyl Campbell submit to such a degradation !
$tM>ner will I sho(4 her dead with my own hand^ where
the stands I Oh, 'tis^onsHxxis N~outrageouf||»rrthat any
, «HU^ should dare tp^ccose a Campbell of such^aik .liftfernal
dltd anil liiy« iXhift exdatmed, cl<K»chlng* his handta an^
tcmh In hia>mpotent. iery wrath. > \
" My dear Guy,lbe calm ;' iomeaeil)«r; where jW\are,"
tmlfrpcuwd Mr. BriintweU, MX^hingly: ** If Mr. Lawless
wints bail to aay amount, whatever jrou may name— r- "
, " Parson BmMwell^ I sliould like to obligeyou, but
jrOti lUust be awdre that I cannot listen to you t unfortu-
ntAalft the cbaigieie i»ot %. bailable ooet And I trust,"
added the sheriff, glancing half tbnMrteBittgly,'hatf pity-
iiUl^y at Gaplaia Campbell ** no reidstaace wUl be offered
mdl in the «ttscharge oC my solemn duty: for, painful as
Ukft aanooocement isi, th«9e it no help for it The young
lady wKf/ come with me^** ' y -. -'
, ♦* A IjMriile ta spend hiw weddliB|r:.da!y la a prison-cell !
dk, saints ta beavwK V* irfiuddering^ exelaimed Mrs.
BMMtwelk
*^I aift ready,** aaid Sibyl, lifting her paH beautiful
-^fnO^ aad (q;>e«ktng in toaea dhsnpernatoral calmness.
** I will go with jraii, sir, arfd ther<i will be no resistance
iqawredi. '€^y* dearest ia ry > tho y > 'ha-€atmj--tl^ violent
*«ittfi^ Aid «%aiid will t«war y«arsall |l9s- Bnnt-
'">, ■^^
DBvoTmjsr om zovm
"iM^'i'
/
:/
well, najr I trowble you to bring me my maatlc fi
carnage ?" "^ ♦ v .<
\^^^'^^'^''''''^^'- Braatwelliwrlng.
altc^^"''^"' dear madam, there .eem, i b^^
'• »ut aot io^tfe^ drcss-.not In tlat dwss ! L, ma«
she not retura tu the parsonage and c^nge Uer ires, r ^'
, Madam.J|Mnverysorry,butlcaanof JoJ.ifihtof
my piysoner." 1 ^ "^ f'^!*^ vf
Campbell^d he clenched his hand, and groaled^S
bitter degradation. > /^ ^\*
... '1 ^''T/"* *^ 'ii'f '^^^ '^ fi^°- ^•■^ Bran well, dear^>
est fncndl farewell for a short time only, I tius^, 'guv
brother Jo pot fee. this ,o deeply ; i« a f,^v dL? X S
to ret«/,Vto^yo« all again. VVUlArd"-^herlclear. f^
vcccofiokcd for the first time as she tur«eJ to MmS (
"cleaj/st WiHard. I must bid you good b^' J - -^
. 'VOh, Sibyl! Sibyl! Ob, tny wife! do you tiink IwiM
lea/e you thu,?' he cried, passionately. ..f unh .ediog!^;
rn^ny eyes upon him, he strained her to his be som l^,
lT\^Z T^r '"^l "* ^'^ '*^« t^:^on4 their
/each. Oh.my bnde! my beautfful One !>r(jr will I
/leave you— //«vr /" j— -^.-^rj^'^" ■ "•*
/ A radiant glance, a look, a smik re^^a^ htm
every heart thrilled at his anijuish<jd tones.
"VourawnHn life or death, in shame, disffWce. and
m-sery-evcr y^ur o«rn 1" she said, lookw^ im iiThis il^
with deep, earnest, undying loVe, t?' *^ 'H ^ '^
sob^' M ' ^n * '^'^:'^^ ^" '^' ciiurcli; SVery L„e wa,
sobbmg~M f i nnnt^ive ll^ ^Qav uiaiydrthat t fae lh^r|^
while
/
r*
k'
i>f
#.- ".'•'' lit
f'-J^;-
IZC^ DStimoir oV Z0T7.
#fio WM i^lljf a kind-heaitecT man, was deeply dis-
tressed. ,^ .^. I ■ ' .• ;
**.Mis8 Camipbell, will you accept my arjn ?" he said,
ibeling the necessity of bringing this scene at once to an
end. "My carriage is at the door to convey you to- "
, "The county jail ! Oh; Sibyl/! oh, my sister ! Would
to Heaven you had died before ypu had seen this day !"-
** Brother, brother! be calm. Mr. Lawless, I attend
you,^^ ,said Sibyl, advailcing a step, as if to talce the arm
he offered.
But Willard Drummond intercepted the movement,
.InIcI drew her arm within his own, saying, with a fierce,
threatening glance toward the sheriff :
*'I will attend you, S^ibyl ; I alone have the right.
I<eadon, sir" — to the sheriff — "we attend your pleasure.
No one on earth shall separate me from my bride I"
** Mr. Drummond, the— the cerem<my was not finished
when the interruption occurred,"- stammered the minis-
ter, looking deeply distressed. '
But a scornful smile was Willard Drummond*s sol6'
reply, ad. he clasped the arm he held closer within his
own. ■ \'\ ■ , , ' _ - . ■
** I, too^ will go !" cried Captain Campbell. "Slieriff
Lawless, your strict sepse of duty will not, I trust, pre-
vent your alfowing me to accompany my sisteifi to the
county jail." >
" Captain Campbell is^quite welcome to a seat in my
carriage,*' said the ofiicer of the law, with a grave bow,
and without heeding his bitter sneer.
"Farewell; Mrs. Bran|weMK— my more than mother,
farewell !" s^id SibJ'J^s the whoie party, preceded by the
sheriff,' advanced down the aisle.
" " Mn i^»inw«n"str<>wito fe|?^
'M
■• -J"
choked. Taking her husband's arm, she followed them
out. • , ■ . V,-;™,
The Whole assembly arosie en masse, and started lor the
door, casting threatening looks toward the sheriff, at
though half meditating a rescue on thespot..
A plain, dark-looking coach, with a mounted poUco- ^
man on either side, stood near t|ie gate. ' ; ' > f ^
The sheriff paused when he reached it, and signified
that they were to enter. Mr. Drummond handed Sibyl in
and took his seat beside her ; Captain Campbell, with a
stern, gloomy look,folIowed ; and then the jrt.eriff sprang
m, closed the door, and gave the order to drive on. Sibyl
bent from the carriage- window to wave a fast adieu. Jo
Mrs. Brantwell ; and the crowd standing on |he chuTch-
steps and court-yard caught a momentary gli.npse of her
pale, beautiful face, with its sad,*twilight smile, her dark,
proud eyes more scornTul than ever in their JiumUiaiion.
That haunting face, so perfectly colpriess, with it^ bright,
jetty ringlets, its floating, mist-like vail, its orange blos^
soms--coiild it be the face of a murderess ?
The next moment she fell back, the blinds were
closed, the driver cracked his whip, the policemen put
spurs to their horses, and the sad cavAlcade moved rap^ly
Hushed intb the silence of death, the ^rowd stood
breathlessly gazing after it, until the sound of the car-
nage wheels had died away-the last cloud of dust raised
by the horses' feet vanished. Then pale, and awe-struck,
hey drew a deep breath and looked with tearful cyei
Into each other's pale faces, wondering if It were not all
tdream. ./ *? « -vi iw*
Whispering in 1^ hushed Uinerliefti*
^y s etfiuft cd , »na wenctedi W my ip their rwpocti^
■ 5,;r
.^■
o
V
tt*
t,^
?
=rr
hoiMs ; and i» hulf «» liovr %h9 eburch vm m istill, tHent
anU^esertend «s tk^e tomb.
Lihp wil4ffire spread Ihe aeirs ; aad before niglit it
was abt only known to all the county rcHin4» but for
many a mile distant The whole communltj was electri-
§»d by a catastrophe so unheard ol Children quit their
play, women their wortc, lovers tWr whisper^ and labor-
«r« their daily toll, to talk' over the astouodioiaf arrest.
5rhe wealth, the, respectability, the youth, the beauty, the
m^t the welUknown arro^aace and pride of the race fit>m
whictt the accused had sprung; all tended to hei^htco aad
deeipen the breathless interest. And the time and place —
fbSi occasion of occasions on which the arrest had taken
|4at!e-<KM> UMtre than all, sent a thrill of horror through
•v«rybeaft^. Each circumstance of. the interview in the
«il|t#chwas exaggerated, and people listened and swal-
loiiredeverythi.n9 with, avidity. ^ v
tn the parsonage^ meantime, a elb«id qf the. deepest
g)»om bad settled over its lately joyous inmates.
Mr. and Mr& ^vantwell, with the three bride-maids
«»«! Will ^afford, bad "Immediately, upon the departure
mi Sibyl, entered their carriage and driven to the.minis-
Itr^liouse. r.;.--^. . - ;A..;.-;:..^^, - ^ , .-.^;;.. ,,^,^^:,:-
And the bride-maids, in gl^t agttation, ubt to say
daef)> disappointmeat at losing^ the ball in the evening,
drasaed themselves and went immediately home.
Mrs. Branfwell sat weeping in a perfect abandon of
gfief , in the p6rlor below, and w^tild not be oooiforted.^-
Mr, Brant well and Mr. Staflord, themselvea Indifep dis^'
tvetn, 9tf()kve to. console lier in vain.
- PotfrWm Stafford ! 4 t^ ^>TOS not w i tho ut a stios gl* he
ImA smi^ Sibyl given up toiuMtiMNr ^ bml lO^iif llit sharp,
1IIBMU9. pain at. his .^eai« ■■ imdftr> J^.li||(;ii)MilV|M M
IF'
• Z^™ determined to be gay, .,d conquer Kb Ht
hIiTi? 0™n<ta<H,d,.an uoeasy coDscioutoew that he
, cious^y |,ke the bndegfoQm oq that occasion- but L
'• p«oh.po«hed " the notion as prepo«er^«„'a i^^'. J*
forget, t. It was nearly dark when he had i^^Id tw
' ruo-away pair," as he called them j and he^uW t^
distinctly ,^e the face of the man-Theirl^rT ***
^^:!^ ^"" -^^^'^ - r:::r:r^
h^eZiMr n '"''"^i ''"^' °* cou,^. it could
have hecn^Mr Drummond, the betrothed orsibyl OMt^
bell So he had hitherto scouted the idea unt« hbSS
ni'nff, Mrs. Brantwell was still 8o^binff on the sofa. i«
passionate grief. s "« iqe sola, in
"Now.r«lly. Harriet, this I* Wong^this iHlnfut
t»vc kept him he«^ tog Oh. Siby l ■ ^^^l- -'nS
M.S. nrantwell, withafreih burs, of grtrf "'"'*'"'•" "
.k. !?' .f**' """*"' »«* •■» hope for Ike best TM. '
im^^f^"
jam ifsvoiiojr <^ lots.
titplaincd, and Sibyl set at liberty," said Stafford, sootti-
ingly. • w , A , .
'* Oh, I know all that— I Have not the slij^htest doubt
bu^ she will be discharged, soon— very soon ! \But think
of the horrible injustice of this dc^ ! that she,\my beau-
tiful, high-minded, proud-spirited Sibyl, should ever set
foot within a prison cell, much Ipss be brought Ahere as a
prisoner— and on her wedding-day, too ! Oh, it^ cruel !
it is most unjust ! I have no words to express the
unspeakable wrong it inflicts upon her. Th^t hfcr n^me
should be bandied on every tongwc— should be proclaimed
as a felon's in all the papers— should be the tdpic of
every tavern far and near ! Oh, Heaven ! why U this
monstrous iujustice permitted ?" cried Mrs. Brntitwtell, in
^U-increasing sorrow and indignation. \
" Now, really, Mrs. Brantwell," began the more bod-
^rate spouse. ^
*• Mr. Brantwell," sobbed his wife, locking indtgnaiitly
at him through her tears, " if you can sta;nd there, lobk-
ing so cool and unmoved, it's no reason why otli«rs
should be equally heartless. Oh, Mr. Stafford ! WoAt
you ride.lo Westpott and learn the issue of this arrest, ox
I shall die of suspense r r ^ ^
«* Most certainly, madam ; I shall go immediately,'
said Stafford^, standing Up. "I was about t<y propose it
myself when you spoke."
"You will return as soon as po»siblet?" called Mrs.
Brantwell, after him, as he left the roootl-
«• I shall not lose a moment," said the young man, as
^e ran down stairs, sprang on his horse and dashed fun-
-- ourfy-t^wifd-ths^awa^
As, it WHS im^siblc with the utmost dtpiciairton, for
Um to rttttrn jjefore the next day, MmL B*aiit#dl pre»^
i^'
'/ TBB DRVOnOJf OF LOTS.' <
pal^ Herself for a night of ling-jring torture~the tortu,^
of suspense To the anxious, affectionate heart of the
good old lady, that long, sleepless night seemed endless ;
and^she hailed the sunlight of the next morning with joy
as th^ precursor of news from Sibyl. "'•'*'
As the morning passed, this anxiity and suspe^ grew
almost unendurable. . Unable to sit down for one mo^^
Mrs Brantwell paced up and down, wringing her hand^
and twisting her fingers, and looking every other mome^
down the road, whence Stafford must come.
But, with all her anxious watching, the hours passed ^1
on ; and. It was almost noon before the ^^elcoine sound
of a rapid gallop met her ear. and brought her eager,
palpitating, and trembling, io the door. Yes, it was
Stafford, but the hope that had sprung up in her breast,
d^dlaway at sight of his foce. His horse was reeking
%lV-^'u^ "; .■''? ""^'^ ciisordered and travel-stainedT
deersstt h' « '"'' ^^'^ '^"^ "^^^Sard, as if from
sleepO^sness^a^d sorrow, ,nd his. eyes gloomy and<
• Oh, Mr. Stafford, what news of Sibyl ?" gasped MrsL
Brantweil, faintly. ,f./:- j^ . gaspco ^rs.
"Oh, it l«|ust ^It feared it would be ! Sibyl is fuUir
committed for trial." saic? Stafford, leaping off his hors^
and entering the parior excitedly. , y
.hhT'* ^f ^«!»»ii"' "d sick, dfopp^ Into a chai^
and boved her fac*^ iq her hands, unaWc ta atMjak j and .
her husband took up the ipquiry-* . i-' *^c' *"*•
- ||Haveyou scerfSibyir ' ^ - '- y- T ^i --
^J!i?^' ^Vl ^^^' *"^*' P'^son cell, behind an iron
f? T^^ '» J / sheweiie yome uadoubt ed criminal/' ^^^ _
'How doet alio Wr thi9 bloir>»* f fe r
■ V .. . 1
3svanoM oji' Li^ym
Oh, when on* is talking to her. she is calm And
proud, and scoralfnl enough ; butj'asshe lifted hex head
when I first ^ent in, there was such fixed, utter a^nguish
and despair in her eyes, th%t I hope I may never see tlie
likbagaifi."- .-.;■-.'-'', -■..-v^-.;.:,--.;^:' /:. - '
'< Foor Sibyl 1 When does this trial take place ?"
■ " NeJtt week. It seems there are not many cases <»ccii-
pying the court now ; and hers occurs among the first,
at the special request of (ler friends. ■• r
*• Have they en^q^^ counsel ?'' *
«yes, Mr. P-^—?,th4 best lawyer in the State." 1.
** And her brother and Drummond, h<jW do ikiy bear
thisT ' •
" "Oh, Captain Campbell swears, and threatens, and
looks a» much like a maniac as any one /. ever want to
seei I4r. Drusamond is calm ; but' there is something in
his very calmness more indicative of grief than all Guy's
more violent sorrow. They have engaged lodgings at
Westport* %nd will remain there until after the trial."
" Is there any doubt, apy fear, about the issue 1^'
** No;^ in the least ; there camwi ^e, you know. It is
impossible, utterly impossible, there can b^ an instant's
d'aubt about her acquittal. The trial, therefore, will be
nothing but a serious farce ; but it is the infernal injus-
tice, begging your reverence's piardon, of making Sibyl
Campbell a principal actor in it, to stand before the; gaze
of hundreds in the prisoner's dock, that is so inhuman.
Oh, there does not, there ra««^ exist a human being on
the face of the earth, so lost to reason as ta M^g she.
feuldlie guilty of such a crime."
" : ~<*tiiririBrili^ geatt wge fc d o# > th» trwtl tritc-t^ace^
asked Mr. Brantwell.
<* It opens next Tueidft3F» I hsliejM. And If rf. diraat
TBE xmr^Tiwt tm iQim '
we\ I have heard' tW you are to be subpoehaed as a
witness. . -V -.
W»rl would hawf^»mm«y«»i^» paid Mrt JBranil
well, fkintly. " My poor Sibyl !" and wUhaaothcr burst
of tears^er head fell qq tbe ubl« again. '
^ "Rea^y, Mrs. Brantwell, yoti will make yoursspllil!
by thi^fo^ish ladBlgeno, Ql «mf,'» iiadl iM»r husband,
uneasily. \ •
, " ^"^ **!•<•"»«» '^'^ ••«»«*ty tor if^^
feeling It *is duty to say something consoIiM. "Sibvl
will mow certaltoJy be acquitted," :, ^ ^ V . '
«Ob, don't Ud^ to me, either ol yoo»" inW Mrs. Bmnt-
well, glittlantly. '♦Ydu are men, and ciw^t iwdemand
how tfc^ will da»|e« all Sibyl't fttMip| Uf*,: I fed. I
knuw she will never Wover from it,* ■
Thc«« traeaii emh^#aasing pauatt^and th«a Mr. Qmnt.
well ,fa*d i -■■■;;>;'/,:- "-.^-..Vs ,'':. ; j-^r.^- \ / ;:":.. -.
«I will gotii Wwtpife^ day iwfo^ comes
on, and stay there until Sl^l it di^iged, poor girl I I
suppose she and Mr. Brufe^wo^d wUl immediately «aU
for Eun^pemitii <hU iio happy ^air is forgotten,'^
'Most liMy. A»4hawlW hid you »wh good.
morniog I" , ' 1 ^Y .
;'VVhyl3rttly«i»otiitU%««iier? Where ve you
going?*'' " ' '
" To Westpoft Not to leav« It again until this mi._
Jble tnal ta owr, G^od-by.- Awl Staffofd hurried
from the house, and mounting his ^UU feeking horte,
rode rapidly %My^ .... • . /• * ^
•j,-'
''^1
m
-■■•s^
.*i
■n.
#y^^
'* 1*1^ '^S
aiBTL'S DOOM.
A.
t
CHAHTER .XXX.
SIBYL S DOOM.
A/'
** Oreat Heayen I how could thy vengeance \\0A
So bitterly on one so bright?
^ -Honr could the hand that gave such charms,
, ' ^ast them again |n Love's own arms ?" MooKX.
«(■ -
S Stafford had said, a subpoeoa lyas served on Mrs.
Brantwell, to be present at the great -atrial aTaput
which everybody was talking. That goj^d lady,
Who had determined already to go, regarded it ^ a use-
less cere mtfny ; but Fate seemed detennii^ed t& deprive
/ her of that melancholy consolation, for two days beforil
the eveptful one on which the trial was ip t^fee pl!|ce»
poor Mrs. Brantwell, worn out by exciteinent" and ccfn-
stairt weeping, was seized with such a violent sick head-
ache, that she was utterly unablie to leave hter bed. la
vain, when the day " big with fate " carae, did She attempt
to rise. At" the first effort she was seized with such a*
deadly faintnesa— sb<;h a^ blinding giddiness, that she was
instantly forced to go to.bed.again. And there, half deliri'
oi^ with herpead "throbbing and beating like mad, sh^
was forced tO( lie, while her physician wrote fi certificate
bf her inability to attend, wbicb Mr. Brant well was toU
convey , to Westport ' .?• :"'■ ^ ;■-" /. ■^■■■^ • •^^:".,v: ■ ■ I
How that^day passed, and the next, and jM next, Mrs. l
Brantvvell never knew. Lying in her'darkcnedichaihb^,
wth- baiMialfes wet wilir^^
ing fbilRi^^d, with servants tiptoeing in and oitt, and
speaking in hushed whispers, the time passed as it do«f
' \ , ' .■ : ■ • I tin-
&STL'8 DOOM.
:¥
in a dr«im. Wuh her mind as well as ner body utteri?
pro^rate she was spared the suspense concerninrSe
position of Sibyl she must otherwise have suffered
lang:u,d she was able to rise, and.witfi the assistancrof
Jenny, des<^nded to the parlor,- where, smothered ih
shawls, she lay rocking back and forth in her large eai^
And now, recovered from the first prostration of bod-
Uy Illness, she thought of the tine Ihht' had passed and
b^ian to feel ,11 the tortures of doubt and-agoS' 'u^
^^"^"^^'^^^^ this *iuncer|ainty, that she was
abou to dispatch a messenger to Westport to learn the
result of the trial,:when the clatter of horses' hoofs before
the door arrested her attention, and the nexl instant the
door was^thmwa <^en, and^Will Stafforf stood before
screnmet^ as she «iw him. Worn, haggard, and ghastly
with convulsed b*>w, white lips, and despairing eyes
w.tb such . look of passionate giief, anguish, and despai;
that ihe sci-eam was frozen on he* lips ; and white, rifed.
»nd speechless Ae stood staring, unable to utter a word
Without spekking, almost without loofeing at her he
tW himself inp^^i, ^^ ^^^^ ^,,,^,^^ .^ '^I^
Oh! whatpieant that look; that at^ion, that Ominb«»1
l^coceiJiMLo n c moment the sigfat^ite medvfe^
Brantweirs eyes^the po^er of life seemed Klying out in
Z a"V^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^y ^^^^ ^^ ^'^ ^"' she resisted
the deader ftiiiitness that was creeping over her, and .^
'W'/%V^^''4^'",
L
r
4
«sk«(^ ill • voice to low and tremulous, that it was almost
laaudibte: , \i * -c , '
" Wbiat ol Sibyl r ^ ' ^
A gijoan, that seepaed to rbnd the heart from whfch it
camey b|Lirst from the lips of Stafford.
'f What of Sifc^l?" repeated Mrs. Bxafikwell, breathing
hard, in her effort to be caim. ./^ ^ 'm
" Oh ! Mrs, Branf well, do not task !" exclaimed Staf-
. ford, ia a stifling voice.
- " Sibyl, Sibyl !'* were the only words the white^ quiv-
ing lip& could utten ''
"Ob! how can I tell herTeried Stafford, springing
up,'and wildly beginning to pace the room.
" Sibyl I what of her ?" wailed Mts. Brantwell, press-
ing her hands to her heart.
" Sibyl is — oh, Heaven ? how can I spealc. the terrible
words?" exclaimed the excited young man, pacing up
tatd dowBr Itlee one demented. • , ^
** Heavens ! will you tell me before I go mad ?** cried
Mrs. Bn^ntwell, booming as much excited ttshims^lf.
"Then listen— rsince I must repeat her awful fate!
Sibyl has been tried, convicied/and doomed to die P'
The look lb«| llr«. BiaDtwett's face wore that
laoniient, never left the memory of WiM Stalford. There
was' a sound as of many waters in her ears, a sucld^n
dturkness before her eyes, her brain reeled, and her head
dropped tielplessly on the arm of her chair.
Stafford, in alarm, flew to the bell ; but ovjbrcoming,
with a mighty effort, that deadly inclinattoii^o swoon,
i=4ift !ed.nfi.,heg.headj and hnlf.rat» e d4ier-haad|Hw-»^faia
raotion^o stop him. > ^
^I wiint nothing; it {« over,'" she said, tr^oduloasly. '
^w*.
f:^^%.
\
hi
^?/
«^t^«b«rfb» Bje and tcU «ie ilk The wiwrt 13 oven
aoo I CAD Q^f anyifating now."
'*Ofe* It ins liomb^ monstTOus, omrageoiM» this
^ Beatencj," exclaimed Staford, i«kl»8 b«rs| af^onat%
gfiei I never d««aied for a^ instant^-nevctdldivthiJ
she would b* condemned. Oh, cura* thai CourtW f
he hissed throjMgIt bit clenched teeth.. ^
;Xf.U me«iU Oh, tell me all V said Mra. Bnwtw«fi.
^»7i«g^ steady her twroWtog voice. ^^^*
/* I »dsih I could I. I came foi that purpo^ j but I as^^
go.ag «rt»4J tWeJj," wid Staflford. throw! VbiUseifintt
acha«rwith80«»eilai^likeahowlof mingled rage a»d
Jjse^ couW have «ade Ul^^^,,^^ ^aUe Z
: r Was it -Sibyl r / ,' ^"■- ' >,\ , ; _ ^^^,
"Yea I Mr. Bran|w/ll could not Imvet ^ fiist aaf
could. aadWil^iiat be/her^ till to-morrow, and I--pbl I
rodeas tf tN^ iaa^moa we«.at n,y beelsall th^a^
T io^^^*^ '^«««»»y aS?ai« tut riNl pill a^^^l^^
through Goiittney's brain; for. he'a the cauTor^al?
wuh h^ Jart,olW ,H^u«,staniial evidence^^Mi^
Stafford. #,thstiU inewasing vehetneaca ^.
" Mr, Stafford, do give me the particulars r - "
" ^5>"^ Jc itw the trial was to coditneace on Tu^^sd^^y »»•
^^ " ' ' ' ' ^v^"":.f#f-'
.K 7 * *' ^"^^ *' '^^^ doors df the court-house were
yvva open , the galleries, and^aircasss. and every ^r,
=*?Wfte*tmtirng were filled to suffoeatioa by a^ eatrVr
£^^vd. I got iu among the rest <if the rabble, ^nd
^ured 4 good place where I could ^^elid b.ar eveiy.
Wttt«. 0»««|rt«wi«ft<»i^«»QaM5r.the people bad £
'if- . • - ■ . , . - /
SXtittfa DOOM,
wait a gfpod while ; and just as they were gettinj^ clain<
orous and iimpatient, they saw the carriage making its
way slowly through the mass of people that lined and
crowded the streets, unable to obtain an entrance into the
court-house; Then every one was on tiptoe with expecta-
tion to see the prisoner, the fame of whose wealth and
beauty, and the strange circumstances attending her
arrest, had been blazoned the Whole cduntry round. It
was with the greatest difiSculty that ^ passage could be
forced through the crowd as she entered, dressed in deep-
est black, closely vailed, and in the custody of the high sher-^
iff. Captain Campbell and Drummond folio w^ed closely
after, and took their places near her. As she took her
sealg^^you might have heard a pin drop, so intense was the
silence ; but when, a moment after, she threw back her
vail, and her pale, beautiful face, with its dark, proud,
'scornful eyes, that w^nt wandering for an instant round
withr contemptuous disdain for the gaping crowd, a
low, deep murmur of admiration, surprise, and pity,
passed through the va^t assemblage of human beings;
and the next instant they were profoundly still once more.
**The jury were already impaneled, and the presiding
judge, and the State attorney, and Sibyl's counsel, had
taken their places, so the trial immediately commenced.
When the clerk of the court put the customary questioa
-^*<juilty or not guilty' — I wish you had seen the slender
form of Sibyl tower aloft, and her glorious eyes flash,
and hef- beautiful lip curl with scorn and disdain, as she
answered <
A,
^* There is no use in my telling you the State attorney's
ohafge. v^ou'll see it all in the papers, if you have anjr
ctirkMity 09 the subjfcct. Ail I need sayi^ thattt seemed
■>^-
BISTVBDOOM.
foil/ "^^ K*!'"" " ««~». Whose inteSgtp^^
apce he saw had already made . h„„ s '"™» PPPfW-
mtads of all presenr bL h. f f «P '"'P'««ioo| on ih,
*d'he'""r ,"* '"'""'"^^ wel: rdSui"^
and he made a lon«. preamblf about demoos w^^,^ ,hL
ever'chS^;trd\r;tT*ol"ftT"' ''""''«'
prisoner at the bar had ^Jn^ al ,^. k*' '"'•""'"!
show that .1,. i."^K ^^' ""'' ""at he would sooi
-Z ^f'"''"' '"«' •>«■> ever noted-even since childS
—for these same faults Ti.*« i, j '•w*-* vuuanooa
■ '■"h^«^wouldb«a?T.''",''"'r''"" '"•"""S-stf
i-8 that .h«'eS^girfwa: S wtfeTlr"" •"' '"^■
lover-married to hirf in ' "" Pn«'w'«
^is„,ai:"ar/:q;:je"' «-=--.■. ,oow„, „pi.
ssii'S*!'*^ #>l«wen; his wife; and ah* «„,*«; "
^orow— heard the wordsj he »tar«e<i,i»rt%
^«
V
» ^
4
ja- 1
and Jturn«4M^k»dly urbiteas if ticfjl^ recoiv«dii pistol-
shot-througii the hearts Sib}! tift^ tret wilil> bHick i:yes,
d reading in that look, that action, the tmth of the
words, with a loAg, low ciy dropped her face in hev
handSi with such a \o^ oi uttef/despair^ th«t «very heait
stood still: Captain Campbdll sprang tip as if sonra one
had speared him, and woui4 have throttled Druinmond
on the spot, I firmly befiAvtyif a fioUcenan had not inter-
l(^d, and held him back. "^
"The first witne^ called was an old Methodist minis-
ter, who deposed; on oath, that he Imd married Willard
Orummond — ^wbom he prom<ptIy tdentified'^to a young.
gijrl called Christina Tomlinson, about a year and a JmLf
previously, a^ nearly as he cottld thea recoUect. They
wer<!Jilarried at night, without attendants ; ioinil the bride
I^HW^med very much frightened. I{e concluded by giving a
description of her, whicli exactly tallied with that of lit^e
' Christie^.;-;-: - ,;^^ . ;-^. ^- - - ' '"^" ^ - ^|
" Mrs. Tom washed called, and affirmed that pn j>lf«
" night in question,^ Christie had gone to Westport w|th
Drummoi)4^ilnd when tlicy r<5turne4 late at night, sjie^
- Joantr^r niecd lying senseless in hisanns, whicli cir*
^msfance he accounted for by sonie plausible reason she
had now fofgotten. Being crosS-exaniineH, sHc aflirmed
that the deceased nnd the joying n>an Drummond were
%l|fcays toget iter, after the prisoner, left ihe island ; nnd
she, Mrs. Tom, not Hking th^ir miimary,. had endeavored
to put a stop to it, but in vain. She could not swear
positively that her niece ^nd Miss Campbell were bad
■Jti
fri i ods, but nhs did not thinte they ware ^>ft -go»d 4 erm&=
ioV
and bet- principal reason foV ending the intimacy betweea
the deccM^Mtd aad Mr. Diamond had been the fear of
thp^itowr^ <ai^pe%wbicli she iir ew, tcbva «»oilfdy watf
.( I
* X r
X
extremely niotent That on the night of the murder tile
a^^""!?*^"^ ""' "^ ^P'"'** and complaining^ I
a headache, had retired early. That when sl»e aWokf fo
U^e morn.ng she found her gone, and the hdHse.doJr
apen^ things whKrT, had never happened beforeA That ^
ll^r «»«P'c;«ns of the truth, until Miss CaApbeH
came ,d i^a told her her niece was murdered. ThJ
thereupon they had gone down to the beach together, a^
sh^ad^ent fied a handkerchief belonging tAerl^::^
marked vruh her name, deepjy doited with blood. T^ '
tr^^^^'llT''. "r^ »^"berta appeared to care ^
for Ciiristie-seemed deeply, almm wildly agitated that
^ornmg which had surprited hV (the witness) nott
liftle-at the time. -
•• Wrs. Tom was then dismissei and Ci^n Camp-
beU was called to take the stand. A lo^rmurmur ^
s^mimthy ran around as they observer! his pale and hag-
g4 d face;; and all^i«ened with breathless interest to t4
e,i,mony he relu^antly gave. He said that on the even.
ing of the murder, beirtgr en the island, Christie Hni
approached 4nd given him a note, which she directed h^
%^u T *"' '^•^'^'^ That he had done so ; and that
S.byrhadnpp«»redviolenUy agitated upon receiving ii,
and. mpetuously insisted upon going to the island th^
,o!L5"^*'^ bad urged her not to go. but she had"
los'sted^ and upon his telling her Carl tfenley #w
gomgover that evening, she h^^ |^id she would accora-
pany him ; and he bad then left the room, and fee did not
see her again for upward of a fortnight
i.»r^I"? W«nl*/ "««t tTOfc-tbe-sntmi; ffinriffeFtYe'wS"
^th stated tl.« on the evening of tl»e murder he had
token bibjrl aijross t<i the i.land. Th^^ in the *oat 7m
M talked wil41y, thoi^h k^ .^mld n^/ecoileot ^
mj
msTva Doox.
she bad u^^* That she had left him when they had
reached the more, and had run up thf; rocks, through the
storm, in the direction of the lodge. That he had returned
to the cottage ; and shortly after went to bed, leaving
* Aunt TTom,' as he called her,, and Christie db#n stairs..
That about midnight, being awakened by the violence of
thci storm, he had got up and distinctly heard a cry of
* murder/ though wHetber it was in Christies vbice or
not, he coui4^ot say. That a moment after, by the l^gbt
of a flsish of lightning, he had seen a woman flying past,
With long black hair streaming behind her, 'jest like her,'
he expressed himself, pointing to Sibyl. Being cross-
exam_ined, he swore positively to seeing ihe woman, whom
be said he took, at the time, to be Sibyl ^ and nothing
her counsel could say could weaken his testimony in the
least.';'
*** There were several otheir witnesses examined; but
though I have forgotten their testimony, it all went to
prove that Christie was beloved by everybody who knew
her but Sibyl ; that she had not an enefliy in the wprld
but Sibyl Among others, came that infernal Courtney,
who swore positively that he knew Sibyl to be jealous of
Christie jand in proof of which, adduced several circum-
stances that seemed to have a great deal of weight with
the bench; that Sibyl's agitation upon receiving (jhris-
tie's note was so palpable, that he'lbiftgan to have misgiv-
ings on the spot ; that when he beheld her, the following
day, after coming from the island, she seemed like one
deprived of reason, as if * remorse for some crime '
preyed upon her. Oh ! I could have strangled the white-
'\ livcred villa in oa the spot,".sa id Staffor d, grindi ng hii
" teeth. ♦♦ Then the'cburt wasidjouffl((jd''unar^^^
I99 4V9% sa<i thte priiOn«r removtll.
'i-U,^'
^
::x:-"
aOMTf/S J^9»M
^^pt
Ktfxt day It was the same. 1^^ m U^e aew^
evidence against^ibyl ; but U seeioe4 cl<9ir to all \\aX
the jury had already made up their minds as to her guili^
and that h^r yputU and beauty poiy ^.^mitA la aggrav^t^
her crime. ' !!I^
" Then the defense was taken up ; and ¥r. ^--— made
a very good speech, and did all he could t<| disabuse So
mmds of the jury, but it was like k<»ti«g ^h* ^r. H4
did all he could, but that was tpo little (q ^^^ $^^,y^.
"The State attorney rose agaiu, and i^ «9idf «1| p.',
arguitaents in a cool, contemptuous iQ^mier, that carried
ednviction to the minds of the fpectatora And then the
judge arose to sum up the evidence and charge the jurr.
In his mind there seemecl not thft f»ii|t«st sMow bim
doubt as to the guilt ofethe |N»sQner. I otipvot ^xmZ
ber what he said ; but I know, despite hit gwy hairsTl
felt a demoniacal desire to k»Kk l|im di*wpl|l tfct tkif
he was speaking. Then the jury wilbdre^lp. d«liU.^
and during their brief ab^«^ tjw «il^iw^ «f death
reigned rn that crowded courttKwiin, «v«ry ««« waa
bent upon Sibyl ; but after bea^iug of WiUaf^'s m^x\^
^e never lifted her head. It ww «s il tk<; beaW^t bl^
th^t could possibly befall ber had pawe* iwd Ufo «
death mattered nothing to ber ^pw. ^
JL^l t7- '^'!/*'' *^** *•** •^'"*^ ^ ^
wturned. Their sudden entraivee wm o«lfiQ||ii but thZ
grave, stern faces were more ominQus s^uT^I hadW
fraspthearm olam^n beside whom I sIm^ |or^ felt
myself tabling la ev«i-y liwb, Thf juron #11 ftood
erect, and every breath seemed «H«fl«|ided.
"' Gentlemen olthfl j ury, »^ ff«f tou ftg r riri iinnn imiii
*• toft jNmr biMiQf/ mmmm ik^^mmm^.
^'n
il
§m^^ '• i;
f-
BIBTL'8 DOOM.
' >* 'How say you, then? Is the prisoner at the bai
guilty or not. guilty of the crime with which she is
V charged ?' \
" ' Guilty !' was the awful response. \
« At that word, there rose a ci^ that thrilled through
every heart ; and Willard,Drummond, like a man pos-
. sessed of a demon, fled froml the house, while the appalled
" crowd fell back in turA before him. A dreadful silence
followed; and then the judge arose, and in a voice that
trembled in spite of himself, said : ;
" • Prisoner, arise, and receive the sentence of the law.'
■ " Every breath was suspended, every voice was hushed,
but the prisoner neither moved nor stirred. She seemed
frozen into the attitude in which she had fallen, at the
news of Willard Drummond's perfidy.
"Mr. Brantwell, who was standing near, with a face
feale with deepest pity, touched her on the shoulder, and
said, in a faltering voice :
' " * Sibyl, my dearest girl, arise ; let me assist you.'
" H^ took her arm and supported her to her feet ; but
^when she lifted her. head, all beheld a face so cold, so
white, so rigid, with such frozen eyes and colorless lips,
sdch an awful )bok of woman's deepest woe, that every
face grew^l^, and every eye was filled with tears. As
fbr tne, I relt as if I were going mad. I heard the judge
saying something— to saVe my c^ul I could not tell what,
until the last awful words met my ears :
•« « Prisoner, the sentence of the court is, that you be
Wken h<?nce to the prison from whence you came, and
from. thence to the place of execution, and that there you
nged by the uQClt until you are dead l'
<¥A,
"I could listen n6^ longer. How I bursTTrbm
crowfl I kttQW nbti bu| I rieacbed the open air frantic^
■*«■
••v
,^
SIBTTS DOqii.
almosVma^dened. The crow\poured out after me. and
presently tEe prisoner appeared between your husband,
her brother, ^d the sheriflf. \ '
_ "I saw np one but 3ibyl. HW face wore the sanw.
fixed stony loe^^had done w^n she arose-not a
muscle had quj|||. It was evident\he heard not, cared
T I u Wf^'^'^ ***^"^ '^ ^^^» her. Ybroke
through the clSW^ike a madman, until I stood before
ner. §, ._
«« Sibyl— Sibyl r I cried out. ,
" Something in my tbne arrested her, and she looked
vacantly at me. She paked her hand across her fore-
head, as If to clear away Wyist, and then said, in a low
dreamy tone :. i \ *
1* ! 1*1: ^^- S^^^o*"^' I *»ave\a request to make of you.'
What IS it ?• I asked, sca^ely able to speak.
"'Hasten to my dear friend\Mrs. Brantwell, and tell
her what has happened ; but, teller not to be sorry for ~
me, for it is better as it is. Gu>^Iam tired; take me"
''She said all this in a strange, weary tone, like one
that ,s bewildered. I saw them help her into a coach,
saw It dnven away ; and then I went to the hotel, feeling
--well It s no use to'ing now to tell you how I felt
Long before daylight this morning, I started to come
here— and that w all."
ft-
%i
,. i - ». ,-^*
■ i i III liJMMMh^— I ■Wilfe 'ji
S'm^^
7
THJS fBAWKRVTT BEAST.
CHAPtEiR XXXI.
V^, . TB» BAIrtE'UD'FT HEART.
^' ■■■> , ■ ■■ -: ... ^■■. • . ■
" ^ " Oh, break, break, break ! poor banltruft, twreak at ow», '
To prtson, soul I Ne'er hope for liberty r Shakbsfea&k.
' \ * ^ . ♦• Evieiy lenM
Had bien unstrung by pangs intent.
And eaiih frail fiber of her brain
J^s bow-strings when rdcaaed by rata,
. The %riag airows launch aside—
Sent forth her thoughts all wild aod Vride.
' — BvROir.
THERE ^M a loH^ pause. Then Mi^. Brantwell
raised her head, and asked.
" Wt^en do you return to West'port ?"
"I cannot go before to-morrow ; my horse is unfit for
tk# journey."
'*Theh I will aecompaiiy yott."
. ^- ** Bftt my dear madam- — \
C ' " Mr. Stafford, not a word. I will go I"
She spoke in a tone there was no disobeying ; so Staf-
ford was forced to assent ; and soon after Mrs. Brantwell
J(^t the room and sought- her own apartment. The light
^ breakfast ttext morning was tmiouched by either of
\ tliem ; apd^as soon at it was over, Mrs. Brantwell hastily
\ threw on her bonnet and shawl, andenlwed the carriage
' \ihat stood waiting to convey her to Westport.
' \ Some time before evening they reached the town—
n^v<' so crowded with strangers that it would have been
iraiii^i
ible to have secured lodgings, had not Captaio
>bffll given up his rooms to the use of Mr s. B rant-,
well ilrhile she should remain.
f ^IfrNutterly exhausted In hmr present weak sute to
,'*«.•'
iS-
'Hf-
lanr mammmvft mbist.
visit the pri«Mi thttC taighl, Mm. Bnmv^l iaittodiately
retired to her rocmi| 4n4 def ircd tin waiter to scad Cao*
tain CatnpbeU to ber^ v ^ * ^^
She sca^^y reeognitt^ Um, so altwrvd had be becoB«
in thosefew dajrsj the old hopiE^fttl iodic was gtkne, and ift
its plaice the darkest^ gloomiest despair.
The meeUtig was a veiy sad aad very silent one. Atn:
Brantwell presMd the ha*d he Uxteacled with dcjepest
pity and warmest ^«|p«*thy^^ but said «otfaili|;. . ii«»
silence was more elo<|«o»t than words. Ath^t*-
" When did you see Sibyl ?" she aslted.
" Not «iflce the day of ^m trial,- tmHixsmtnO; tkood.
ily. ' . ' \^ ". A ' ^ •. ;'-. ■".
" No !" she exclaimipd, in surpriee^ How Is that 3^'
" She would not see oie ; she #oqld mot see any one.
I attended her to the«edl, and thewehebademe go-W
would be alone ; she insisted on it; she would not fcVWi
see'Mr. BrantweH, I left her, a«l ^^^««t tbsne^ day, and .
the next, and the next, feut still the sine answer was
returned ; she would see no o»6.; Fitwn the moment sh«
left the court-hope she had theowtf faenielf vpoti her bed,
and she would sot touch tbe Ifood they offered her; «h<>, ,.'
would not speak one word,^Bly i«peadng that per«w'
tory demand to be aloae. ^, T^^-
" My jpossi poor Sibyl i And Mr. I>rBmmo^.^h(
IS he?" . -? . ; ^^ r
'*I kaow «ot. Whtta he beaard the sentence <rf W
court, he 8p*apg on his horse and dashed away lik^
madman., May Heaven's heaviest veogcaitoe light ^
bm and that black-hearted traitor, Cowtaey I for fa^ween
Ihem th ^ h »B l fefought i te r to this^f^ And C4| i )tairt
Umpbeirsia«e«rew absolutely UviA nrJth ihs mam vt^
if.
*.s».
i ■
-'.
.^..i.
^'#itl*"^V
^iA J 4^jl>^L^^
'-M#i^
/
'TEffi
r
■4
■M
m
TEE BaSKRXTPT BEAMT*)^
"My dearest boy, hush! We must\ forgive our ene-
mies, you know, if we expect to be |oirgiven.
" Forgive th6m ! Yes I if I ever meet them, I'll send
them to another world, with a bullet throiWh their brains.
in search of forgiveness !" he fiercely repli
" Oh, Guy ! do not say such dreadful things ! You do
not tnean it, I know ; bi|t it is wrong, nevertheless."
: He only replied with a smile — but such a\smile ! Mrs.
BrantWell turned away with a shQdder.
" To-morrow I will visit the prison. I feel sure Sibyl
will receive me." *
- "I hope so ; but there is no telling. Yoii can make
the eflEort nevertheless."
1 "You will accompany me?"
;. ** Oh, certainly. And as you look fatigued now, I
will leave you to seek the necessary repose. Good-
night" ^
He was gone with the same dark, rigid look on his
face, that made Mrs. Brantffrell's heart ache ; and she
sought her couch with a mind deeply disturbed by the
thought of to-morrow's interview.
^ Next day, immediately after her slender breakfast,
'Captain Campbell made his appearance in her room. As
\the prison was but a short distance from the hotel, ihey
were to walk ; and drawing her t^rm within his own, Cap-
tain Campbell set out.
< The streets were already crowded with people, drawn
hither by the news of the great trial, and deterthined to
wait now to see the execution.
Groups were assembled on eVfcry corner, discussing in
• i/ low tones the expected event, a n d the murder. Every,^
> %e was bent on Captain Campbell as he passed ;, some
knowing bin\ to be the brother of the condemned ; others;
lijil'%^^V..v
/
THB BAIPKBUPT HEART.
m
supposing him to be her false lover, and the elderly lady
on his arm, her niotheil These insolent stares were n,et
by such fixed, fierce glances on the part of the young
man, that every eye fell, and every one shrank back to iet
him pass. .
They reached the prison.and" were admitted by the
warden, who glanced at Captain Campbell in the deepest
distress. ^. T
" We wish to be adniiited to my sister's cell, Mr
Dent," said Captain Campbell.
" Yes, sir ; but if you please, sir - " /
"There—there! I know what you tvould say"
impatiently interrupted the young man. " But my sister
will receive this lady. Lead on, sir."
With a deep sigh of copipassion, the old man obeyed •
and they followed him through a long, gloomy hali; until
they reached a door, before which the warden paused.
Fumbling among a large bunch of keys, he produced
one which unlocked the door; arid stepping bapk, he
flung the door open and signfed to them to pass in. * ' *
They did so. and paused on the threshold. For the^e •
before them was a sight that struck them dumb • that
sent the life-blood curdling in horror to their heartjt \
^ Crouching in a corner, and glaring upon them with
her wild, vacant black eyes; evqry traccj of color faded
from her hps. leaving even the beautiful lips blije and; '
hvid ; her long hair streaming wildly dov^n her back; her
hands held out before her, as if to^eep ^6m pflf, she sat.
VVell might they stare, whil^ the very life-blood froze ia
their hearts. <•• ^ '
Sibyl Campbell, the 1)ride of a momeit- alone in h^^
pnson-cen=1iaffg6nel)^r
jo«^
"¥♦1
""•'^^':«#^^^4^T" '
A
Momut 6f&iai
CHAPTER XXXtt.
ANOTHEK STORM WITHIN AND WITHOUT.
-, ^ ■; ■ ' ■'*'
; . — " Let Ib^ fare.
Am .prophesy ten*thous|^, thousand horrors ;
I could join with her novJL' itod bid them come ;
Tkejr fit the pltfenl fnry wbfay soul.
The stings of love and rafl[e/Are fixed within.
And drive me on to 0»do<^"-'RowB.
LOATHINO the stinligfat, ImtHig himself, frantic,
toiiuidiisiied, Willak-d Drammond fled from the court-
house, with the tlbrirific wolrds of the judge searing
fcis IliAintjbliilriiiilg tiis briiilt, sc^ii)g his memory, ringing
ift Uli Hiik, VlktW6 list Awful tfiimp of thfe mighty arch-
WMUMr li^i»^^jwh^t becsiine of him, he cafed not,
mew Hiol. Dr^r^g hS^ span info his holrse's flanks, until
the muddeii^ foetf^t fairly fle^ tiVtt the ground, he fled
^f tthdl tib, ttbd i^f UrMi hekrt on firie, his head in a whir)
-t*^i^li% *A iit&am i^yirytti bf Ikitat Wet]^ crashing
Uiroui^bft ; Icnbi^i^ fbeHb^ ^n^obs of bbt one thing,
All 3Jil|^ ^<* ebM^bibed tb idle. ' /
ri^^MitV*^-^^^^^ ^^^ fibH; ^ was the
^bbl^lllit WbHb)«iA hi^ ^ul lb anguish 1^^ despair.
All hU IMsMb^. bU fekllilsiielhfab(!^\bll bis dtk^i^city were
^^IHI jtb bi^ bbW ; and Jtyfbg, ^e Ift^ld ibbthe, hate,
ii^ iiiphli ^iii. Hb ^bld b&Ve bbl^sbd hiibself ; he
conld- hare cursed earth, and heaven, and ail biankind
1^0^A^ o!f afebtiy, ib morse,
' 'lb nfi wbVi ' ''
de^Mur, and anguish were
'Aiid oA, still on, he fit
utfbe^4ing the pasting hours
i ,'.,-5.
WW^T
-sHifece«,« whither h« wc^ ««tn his ^athamted and
'panting ^lorse leM helpl«, beneath him.
Thar ^as the first thwg t<»at brought him to bis
senses. He sprang oflf the back of the loatn-covered aiid
tremblKig aaimal, and cojecioiw that l.i,;headlong «peed
and frenzied 4«ofc*j«„^xcitc distrust a«d auspicia!,, be
strqy^tocalm h|mi^f,»Bd leadlii8 4«,rse to the nearest '
inn. \^ v^
He lifi;rhtVh«id to look ibo«t Mm, and found he
had nearly reached N^^ Assisting his horse to rise he
kd h»m slowly toward an »l.pret^«di«g liule farm-hous^
that chanced to be near, aodRnoiked loudly at the deon^
\The suimnons was *«w«^red ^ a boy, who ^tai^ at
WiWar4 with* took «f Waair aisniay.
*^Ihave riddea my hofse until, as you perceive, he is
unal^«ojweed any farther. .€«i i^ ^^oBkn here for
the Bight ?-.he asked, abruptly. \
, The sound of his voice brought « man to the dodt
smoking a short, black ^ipe. y
««riiat||,krhe4*Bbed. V ; '
"This 'ere inan wants to know, -Uliis boss can ^st«r
here t«,wgbt, and 4»*^k care of,"%^«i„ed the la«;
Sariai^ soBtin," J«^^^4^ ^^ heaitily,; "^aMi
you, too, ^, if you'll io«or us wUh your coipa,.*,
Johnny, lake^tJiegentlemaii's boss off »o4he.bara. W»i
in, sir--w«Mc la*; )«>u4ook <Kttit« 4» Msr used up your-
self as your ,b«i8t does. W^lk in. sad ait doim *^ .
^ Acceptiiig Wa hospitiOUy wlk # teiaf spiid. Wilbiii
followed him iuco a Ja«g«. clew4dokUg^^ XLt
woman Mt*nitting,«j^d tw<»^rtaaat a«Sng.
The fe»i»l<g p prtion of the "
\
i»iUiacb^ Waiiid r«in^«d ItJi^^^ itfahig .nrf
•■ife
X
<.,
■«'/*:-
^, :■.:■■. ^-
■y^-p,*^^ 4
i«tf
TOTHBB BTOBM
[/
rbrob^ng brow, and\shook b^ck his long, dark, cluster-
ing Itijqks, wliile the Wrls glanced at him askance, with
looks \of mingled ddliiiration .and fear at his wild and
excitedi appearance. \ ' j
. " C0(me from the fown, I reckon ?"*said his host, draw-j,
ing a cK^ir opposite Wilkrd's and resuming his pipe.
A brief " yes," was Ms sole reply.
" Gr6at doings going o^n there, I hear ;"lots of people
<<;rowdiii^ to it every day
Anothpr " yes,'^ brief an\i cold, was his answer.
" Great talk, too, about \this trial. You've healrd tell
of it in coi^rse ? ' \ %
Stilt another " jres," briefl^r, sterner, ancl colder than
before, was-Willard's answer;\but his talkative host was
not abashed.
" Very sad affair, I must saj^" he went on, shaking his
head ; " and very strange all \through. It's wonderful
how wimmin will do things When they's iJt a passion.
They say this Miss Campbell wcut over jest a purpose to
kill this other gal, and chucked\ her body into the sea
_jj1i«n she was done."
^^ere he waited for a re^ly, l^ut received none ; for
WillWd, with his face shaded by his hafed and his falling
Jiair.Wag thinking, with a bursting heart, of Sibyl, and
heftrdVot a w^rd the garrulous old itn'an said.
fc'iC^ ■" " Ml^is Miss Campbell's beau— what she was going to
' be marlied to when she got took up4-must be a^ precious
Villain. I They say he was married to the other ybung gal
on' th^ lly, and nobody ever knowed nothing about it.
I'd like To get njiy hands ott^him, an^ give him a good
|5iF¥Mpping— 1 votFT^^^$ r?^""™*"^^**^*^
wouldn'tlhurt him a mite morn'n her !"
^.« At'W^^^ df hi* £eeling^,the Worthy man again
iS*! ^i&"Jii
1,''. s
1:^
p,":fT4^>;;;-,'77^j^-
^TEOiir Aim WITEOUT.
i
mnnHV"*"- !! ''P!^ '*^*' "*'"* "^' ' ^' ^ilWd Drum-
2:^ZZ^'' ^^" ''"^^ '^^"«^- -7 ^-<^ - 2^
.h*" mV*'^'"*^!!''^^'^' ^™^<^ &oi°& to toWn," resumed
tb§ old inao, Ihoiighif uUy, as a light wagon, ^filled with
people rattled past; Hut it ain't no drcumstancl to
Tnd ni .^^T"'^''""^- J'^^ go to see that myself;
and IJl take the o/d woman and the girls, too. I've
been promising theiA a treat this long time. S'pose you'll
somer:r '" '** '''^'' '*^^"°'"^ '- ^ an aosw'er by
some means.
' But still his strange guest maintained his moody
itT ""l^ u*"" °^^ "^" 8*^« "i» '^^ *=«<>« •« despair!
and turned the tide of his eloquence upoft " Johnny," who
entered at this moment, in numberless inqiiiries concern-
ing the state of the "gentleman's hoss." The girls
looked at each other and giggled, and the old woman
peered at W.llard suspiciously over he> spectacles.
A surom/>ns to supper Was the first thing that aroused
h.m irom hisjeverie; but, with a head giddy, a braio
hrobbing witl? tumultuous thoughts, the very sight of
ood was loathsome to him. Rising to his f4 and
l^^f""- *^'®^*^3^ o'^ tQ his strange dimness,
"Asyou kiidly invited me to remain all night, may I
ask to be shown to my room ? I do not feel qui i welk
and I believe I will retire." . ^^ ;. « ^cti,
Ihe old woman gave her husbaiid aiming rfanc«
that revealed plainer than words the danger of l^vinir
Vl
-.#*-.
•i
K\
T— STB"
:S
'jsmf^t"^'-,,.
the tdMe* Mnt «' vHtvta fttiybddy can eat vrlfen «he^ ain't
well. Do sit down, sir, and take a little tti&ck."
.;**lf«t «Hy, Itliiflik yoi^" flKld iWillaVd, faintly, as his
ymAMm gye#«K]Mfiit«fnHe. «I Wi«h to retiipi; imxnedi-
Ittie^." • ' ^'
>«lHirtfcylW«,*h«rtl1" said tte old mate, lidding, in a
19fkin<« ^UlU^t **K}t*B, ytm*^ hat* to '^iVit tour room
^ CO the iE«tttM(il*ft. thIJi nw^, "afr, M ^od plijasc."
WUiVrd idHMiM *»» h«»|rttl*lc guide tip a flight of
rickety stairs, into a small and scantily furnished little
4MMl4«(^, lkttf|r <rmmd with feminitfie articles of apparel,
' ■ *l iKi^ ybull *h*p weli t*r,"lBttid Ms htfs^ as he
]MMef«9 Wtt ift. "tt% A ^or |>liiee ^^9f the like of you,
%M k%^e bett 1»<e'Veig0K.''
«ft's -irll t (J<^d li^tlshi" airfd WHterd, WW> couldn't
have t«lld ft* thelfffe M*H», #h<iftli<?r it was Sumptuously
^rtifi^ <yr dthttrt^^tWfr. Aftd theft ^*i*T«»ttg Wis host a
J^bdH-ftigtht^ %h«%*(r Mttrtelf dn the bed, a^d strove to
toi%<et In IrtlSep 'rtie: dWW, ItetcVJr tfchWg of hSs head and
>hl^rh
"A%eer'«Mip,iaiii 1" «ia the^ld toaft, as he sjowiy
plodded his way dowi^ stairs. " Looks as if he had seen
^mtblt lltt«ay. yffm, this WtM is full ttt ti-onWc ; noth-
h(^ )|i^ i^dtiWe idr rtch aiid ipoor alike, and always will
be %o tl^e end, I do believe." And with lihis hbpeful and
W»"NW^^VMr»f*he#ortd it genew*, i* opened the
tli^1|nll'^m%^tl€%i«Mhof1ffofKffflry^ ^
••W^, tt0K'J^«!««»»*^^ spoose, in a
w "ot wlrmWOBS^naEn 'sweeincsa,
ponders II* your harboriug every highway mail teHl *ulky
«^MMiiii y^ «8«|i^ til|tl» IMiAiiilt «lrtfttt, ill Wk way.
r. ■
:n--:.
wiimir Aim >^m^out.
^hroo^ cot in cold
irklooking, silent
but he's a rubber,
How «h> fom Imow we won't,
blood afore morning, With t..
manip the house ? How do
or ^fithin' ?"
♦' I doft't btelieve he's a r&bbor.'* said Jouathii, tfuietly,
sitting down at the table;/' he don't look like th?£
Seems ^ore like ms if h^ had some heavy trouble or other
a-Weighing on his mind. Any wi^, you wouldn't havjfc me
turn away a tired critter from the door, i#ild y«i. old
wonim?" r^ 7.
~ . " W«fU, a he Waan^ So suspicious-looking," grumbled
the old woman ; but, for to go and sit there atl^ the even-
mgy^nd never «peak tone word, is a ietfU to fiiuch. "
"People don't talk wheh they are in trouble, I te)l
you r retoned her ^ouse. « And now 1 think on't, pbr-
hap^heysome fdend or other of «fast |»dor yoM|^irl
that s going to be hung. I'm sure, if he is, it's ^e^pT to
make him silent Fill my cup, Susan."
f He's, real good-looking, anyway," remarked <»ue«l
|he/gi'rl3> <' witii the loveliest of black ^es.**
I" And th^ sw<ietest curlio^ hair !" said theoth^.
"And the whitest teeih-^did you notice T added tl^
fir^t. , '
I "N6 ; bat I «aw his 4iat)ds; they ftws whke ^^ '
lady's !" chimed In the ilecond.
*' I don't believe he's a bad man, either ; be don't look
lilce hi" said the first. ^ - ,
I "I declare to iOM^t ifMigr^n't .gobe and fellla
l^e with him I" exclaimed Johnny, with a <;huckle
'l^^'t otftther r^#id '-8»iy,'' tti^ily^ wHb 9Men-
; ohc* l k!i^. ;■ ..: ■ <„ J" '■ ., ■ : ■ : •' :'"' ,.; ■,■■■' , ■ •
" Well, ^^t«i^^t<»il|(«c ^^rreUog idboiit bkm I" bnim
1 x^ ^ —
7f
t>^t^::^^il
• ' J^.
5«.
8M
JJfOTEES STORM
going away to-morrcw
in the mother. " The ^man's
morning ; that's one blessing !"
But neither that morrow, nor the next, nor tlie next
did Willard Drummond go; for when morning came,
they found him tossing in the delirium of a fever. In
dire alarm, a doctor was sent for, who said he was ill
from over-excitement qf some kind, and was threatened
with brain fever ; but that with proper care it might be
warded off.
Querulous as the good lady pt the house might seem
outwardly, at heart she was kind and motherly ; and all
her sympathies were aroused for the sick young stranger.
She listened in wonder and pity to his wiW ravings, from
which shexould easily gather that he was in some way
connected with the dire event Ihat was occupying every
tongue — how, she could not tell. That he was of a sta-
tion far superior to their own, they also could ^e ; and
with the most tQnder and uncdksing care they v^-atched
over him night and. day.
But with all their If in d nursing, three weeks^^Iapscd
before he was able to leave his bed, and another passed
before he was strong eAough to walk about.
Of Sibyl and the rest he had heard nothing during all
this time. All exciting topics they had been forbidden
by the doctor to speak of before him ; and that, as the une
exciting theme of every tongue, in particular. In fact
had they been ijirilling, they had very 'little|. to tell, fqr
they t^ few visitors from the outer world t^ their quiet
little cottage. «ii* . •
OAe evening, as still Weak and languid, he sat' by the
window, watching the sun sink j^ed and fiery behind a
dense black cloudy and thinking bitterly how, by the
a
impeUious violence of his own headstrong passions, his
, .'!.''
^
'-,-;%»
* •^'"'•\^^'f:'l:l%i
'•I*
!
ui ^ j^<^ K^t,A^ xA*»u j-^ii
-mi^ssms:
■-•TB *;
WiTBm Aim WITSOUT. iii
own life had been similarly cloude^ the lad Johnny came
}n, with wide-opened eyes and mouih, all aglow with
some v/onderful news. ° '
c. " ^w!'./°^°.°''' ^°^* ""^^^ '^ '^^" ^'^ ^"s father, who
5at,^as WiUard had first seen him, serenely smoking his
"Oh, father! IVe just seen old Toller, from' West-
port, said the boy, excitedly.
lathl^^^^' ^''^' "^^^'^ *^^ °^^^ ^""""^ there?" inquired his
Willard, too, looked around with a start. -
" Wliy, he says people are crowding to it now, from
everyplace; that every house is full of people come to
see the woman hung." .
Wiilai'd DrtfihlSind's face grew livid, and his brain
reeled at the words, ^
"He says she was raving crazy for ^hiie, and that
delayed it so long ; but the doctor's brought her to, and
now the execution's going to take place day after to-
morrow. • '' .
lat^'yinl'^'Tl^T ^'""""^ '^"'^'^ WiUard came too -^
late. Wuhihe look of ^ madman, he rushed from the
house. 4 horse, the boy had been hiding, stood saddled
at the gate. He sprang on his back, and striking him a
, fonous blow, dashed off under the first moment's fien:e
^Sr;:^;;^ '-' ^lone befor.unheedin^uncari«,^_
dea filled heart and brain-that of escaping, of flying
far away, of never again beholding the scene o so many
! I
Night
was at hand, bearing iq itp daf jc, lowering' fact ' '.
the storm that all .lay had been threatening A^
ik..
*r\'J
' t'tk-
«5.
■k
^fftrJEBOt 8WSM
rfssiire stillniBSs, ft iMMiailEig hcwt 61tiBd tbe ijilr, and
the NoM trees ci^k«d, rgrosmed^ ftn<d tosM4 th^ir ^ng,
weirdXarms with a dreary moaning seise, «s thcnigfh in
pain. iA hot, gusty wind iifted <«t inteiiirals the 4ieavy,
daric haiX<:yff 'his Imriiiiig brow, but WtUMJiiC CooHtig it.
It rustled the dry leaves till they whirled in a shower
-around kioi ; but ke heeded it not ; he wonkl hardly have
heeded the wildest hurricane fa that tncffinteni.
He had reached th^ forest, and now M% tiourse becom •
ing from necessity less rapid, he could look around h\m
and note the changre of weather. By the last Nckly ligJit
t>f the dyit^jH: day^ he saw a tempest was -at 4iand, and he
hailed H with a sort of ntad iexuHa;tioii, to think that
nature, convulsed by the storm, woul^ be go much more
ia onisoa with the storm rs^a^ing wi^n his e^^i breast.
He gave the frowning face of the sky "biA one momen-
tary glance, lor another and fat inore 'terrible sight was
ever before his agonized eyes--^lt was the form, thte beau-
tiful form of his Wv>rshiped Sibyl, swinging between
heaven and earth, convulsed in the agony of that horrible
death >; exposeito f he gaase, to the sho«ft!6«nd derision uf
thi; mob ; her htvely face dair*k«ned atid donvulsed until
death would mercifully put an end to "her t^orcures.
The a#ful vision ^iseemed driving him mad. With
something like the Shriek o*f a maftiao, he^trucik the ani-
mal he bestrode a lurteus blow te ^rive Mm on. The
horse bounded madly <)n for a few bacoii:; but at that
Bioment a vivid sheet Of -ligbtiffing ^luaeed 'aoross their
pach, a))d he suddenly stopped, ^rearAl himsetf almost
Upright, tand with a snopt 'of fear tuimed Vaod fled. Fiii^t
from, recent illness, Willard lost his seat,\aad was 'hurled,
«rotud«ditiid bk0Wiliii|r, lo tbe««iiJh.'
"^W ' • ' •••• ■ . ''■ ' ' "
!^i^iiM*A=^ o*C
fl.*/^^-^
<t^ yH
■% * w yi
A,
WVmiN mm WITHOUT.
And now, atone» wounded, and helpless in the vast oil
woods, the storm was upon him in its might
It is said that, in the moment that eiapsdl before sotne
sudden and terrible death, all the events of our lives pass
with the rapidity of I ightningr through our minds. So
was It now with WillaH! t)rnmmond. As he lay pros-
trate, bleeding, and helpless, all the great wroligs he had
done, all he had made other* suffer, rose before l^im with
a bitterness exceeding that vf death. Through him •
Chnstie was murdered; through* him Sibyl #as now to
die a felon s ignominious death.
The storm was each moment increasing; and it
howled, and shrieked, and tore through the trees, as
though It had risen in vetigeance against him. He
thought of that WA^r night of storm and tempest, on wHich
his oving, much-wronged child-wife *iad perished by the
steel erf the assassin. He thought of Silgrl, ^lone and
doomed, waiting for death in her prison^ciB. And then
with startling suddenness, flashed across his mind x\m
strange vision that, years before, ffe had seen and scoffed
at, m a far off land. One by one, thr^ visions had been
realized ; and now only one— the death on the scaffold-,
was to come. a^
The. night ; the storm ; the forest ; the wounded man/
all were here ; and now was death to come, and end all
tli^s mortal strife, and close forever the d-ark^irama of his
While thei^e thoughts were yet passing thro.fe:. his
mind, a sound smote his ear that startled him from the'
deadly stupor into which he was fast falling." ft was tfb
crash of storm, this ; no sound of .vind and rain amon* "
^AX^l: t ^ ^g -"^^^Qt Imm, n .f fio tf t e p s H y < n a
wildly ikitm^y^ atom ife «mv**tti ««*; hi^^S
-, -S-- '- - -^ '^'^
'Vi^j
m
iWHfS^
■^J^
&<-
8M
THS DEAD ALIVE.
\
and cry out ; but his vofce was lost in tlie wild uproar
around : and he was abo6t to fall back in despair, when
the fuj^tiyc from the storm struck against him, and fell
pvfer him on tlie ground. . i#
The shock of the sudden concussion nearly stunned
Wiilard ; but the person who had fallen, uttering a sharp
ejaculjidion, Was up again in an instant, bending over
him. • " , / ' , '
By the light of the rapid flashes of lightning, he
beheld a woman with dark, flowing hair, and wild, maniaq
. eyes— the same startling vision he had twice befbre seen
in Campbell's Isle,
fWlth a shriek that pierced high above the litorm, she
prang up, and sped awdy through the woods with the
speed of an arrow shot from a bow.
The unexpected sight of this unearthly-looking visit-
ant was toci much for nature, in luis present exhausted
state, to bear ; and falling heavily back, the dark night of
insensibility closed around him..
x^
CHAPTER XXXIII.
. THE DEAD ALIVE.
—"Am I already mad ?
And does delirium utter such sweet ..
Into a dreamer's ear?" — Lady of Lyc
Ids
I
N> the little forest cottage, the eveuiiig preceding that
night of storm, Christie stood i^the humble door-
' way, watching the §irn go dovw
Those weary mo nths have sf^ly changed our little
favorite. The thin, wan face,^
grown thinner am
w^
^^ *M-(\ ^ I J
^% ~ti*S^ t*«^
^i^kiiditSLiA>*>^ti.n,- t
wanner than ever ; the angel brow paler and more trans,
parent; the dark, loving blue eyes darker, larger, and
wearing ever a look of deep, gentle. «ncha'ngin| melan
cloly; the fair, golden hair fails like threads of raveled
Wuir'^ her Pearly,pheek ; the light step is slow and-
languid.; and the hectic crimson spot tiiat each afternoon
burns on those usually colorless cheeks, bespeaks the
ravages of that fell destroyer-consumption.^ Slowly
but surely sh^.s passing away, bending her meek head
to the stroke of the destroyer, and only sighing for the
irne when her^weary head may find rest at last in some
httle woodland gmve. Little Christie will never live to
sefe the midsummer rose blow.
^J^"^ !k''"J^'' ^''"'^°' ^*"^' '^« '^^"*^« «f ti^is as she
Shf ?.ni , r*T';^" '"^' ^^^y "^y °^ 'he red sun-
light faljing. hke a shadow of the glory tfcat awaits her
on her bent head. With those dark, radiant, starry eyes
fixed on the fa.t-coming clouds, her mind strays' back tl
hat night of deepen woe-^a|Iast night spent in he?
island home The coming of every storm recalls it. bjt
nevbr so vividly as it doesto-night^t All the pld tide U
her deep, unchanging love for WiUai^^r her destroyer
-so strong and fervent. , that time^Ssence. andJhe
be lef in h.s guiU has no power to change it-swells^
to her heart, crowned With blissful memories of the time
when she first/ knew and loved^iim. until a„ ahZ
passionate longing to be with hiin once more, to throw \ '^^
her arms around his ne^fc, to seal her forgiveness on his*
••ps. to feel h.s heart swelling and throbbing against her
mvn once more, to gaze into those dark eyes again and
heave her last expiring si^h on that loved breast, 'to^ ^^
^s^ hen Then came t h e M tte r re c ol l ection th a l-
^HenltxU another must be his bride, and she couldi
_ . - i. vi~ * _• _ -^L _ J- , _. ^
..',
tief iMk death nidne ^|Nil ^^'^'^M^r
iKjiBoni ^se iand fell #ith c66-
t|^ «tep» i;iwih«4^0^ dried
fid^9 Id^ed up,tdri%lidld the
«l«K^bea. ; ' \^ '
1^ is m^ievii^ agaim / Th^ Wilt aem do, little
i^itite,'' iitr.8(dLd( sorroii^fttlly^.; .' ^<,
rc!^tt^ |ielp k ! It «Al iXHnes bsUDk «ot|rakigiel7
said Chc'istiiB, lb a voice full of uuskeo^ tears.
doeS»jlittk> otie ?*' ;.
Oh, the past, th^ past ! tfae sad, beai^lftit p^ik"
"Xbeejimust forget the past, daugttter, aiid live in the
T% pJfcsent, Bftid for the futui^" said Oncte Reubfeft, laying
his hand ^n ber,l)ea)4° ' ."^hqe kmows w^t the good book
SUITS : ' Blessedi are tt^ that mourn fbr they shall be
©omforted;'." , , » '„
** Yes, yes, I know ; that promise fnts dPtei«y|)t»tained
ine in ray darkest hours. Dear Uncle R^aben, I know I
am wicked 'to tnurtnur, but b^r with me ft little while
,tintil Igo where the promise will be fulfiUcid."
"Oh, thee is sad, to-night, Chri^e," said Uncle Reu-
ben, forcings smite, "thee nrnst be cheerful, t
Where is Bertha ?"
'* She went ^itjnore thqa ton hdur ttg'<^'*
tie; " to ramb|||M' tli« woods, accor
habit. I hop^aKHHll retqirn befoire the
y ,. " Thfi stprmwiil be pfti us in liatf an
' Rgnben* looking ttneasi^iy M the dairkene
tli^ knows, a stortn always roi|ses, Beitha '\
wihtoeas bordering on ifne^zy, andl8ea(|i^lier
nows.
4ai'
'-«u ,
A*'';
^'
%
•A.
na BiiAs Aun.
«
» ■ ■ '«»
—I **l** !* "" "*' t'""'' Reuben r mid fhri..-
often we„.ft search „, J, ZZ, Z^lt"' 7""
her ■■ «,id 0„le H.,.Z, Tl ' ' *'" K° «»'Nook for
and han^oMlle k^l^' " "^ ''"^«' '^ •«'«"» ««
blaS: a'^^'gi^r^rlh.""' *'^''*«* "" '"^ ««*
.1« maniac BSTa dme „ot °^°" '™*'*'* '^P'""' "«
«. .ro:b.:!" " "^"^ '" " «" '" "« «-W".ed. In deep- '
.icZiJifXT'" •°°° "'""•• ' '"°" ^"^ -"' •• »a Chri,-
But stiU tbg-iwM^nta kto*^
bu.,oned i. on, «^' U.^Z\,tZ?' "'tT^ '^^^
j*ut Jiwt at that iuiaif j, „«» bura violM,l„
"« tl« woman Bcnha, wl.h iir^^Hil^^l "^
garnieots, tor wild, blacic evesEfiT -.k ''"PP'"g
panting before H.^ ^ T ^^ '^ «•■«»' Stood
"0li.BertlM;,aif .h„.,4'
.,.— «,~|
'^V.
s\, '
V»
TBS DEAD ALIVS.
" Hush I he is there !" said the maniac, in a terrified
whisper. " They killed him and left him in the forest;
but I found him ! Come, come, come!"
She caught Reuben by the hand, and attempted to
draw him with her from the house. y
" Who is killed ? Tdoh't know what thee means, Ber-
tha," he said, perplexed.
"Gome, I tell vou-»-he is there!" she cried, with an
impatient stamp of her fpot, "out among the trees where
they left him. ComrT -
■ And, with the grasp of steel, she caught the surprised
Reuben by the -arm, and forcibly drew him with her from
t|ie house. i^
\ Left alo^ef Christie, somewhat amazed at first, soon
f(|rgot the cifCttflistance, and gazing into the e||^iring
cials, listened to the wild ravings of the storm, as it
raged through the forest, with that lulling sense of secur-
ity one falls into when comfortably housed.. There were
sti^nge i^ictures in the red, dying embers, to her that
»nij^ht— faces Jost to her forever peering out in fitful
^i^e— now Willard's; now the dark, threatening one of
handsome Sibyl &mpbell, now the brisk, sharp, cheery
countenance of Mrs. Tom, all fading, one after another,
to give place once n)ore to Willard's, best loved of ^11:
The night was wearing pn apace— the 1/ast glowing
ember had faded away in darkness • and,'rousing herself
from her dreamy reverie, as an unusually violent gust^f
wind shook the doors and windows, Christie raised her
head, pondering uneasily what could have detained
Uncle Reuben.
^ Just \as she was beginning to get seriously anxious,
the dooi\ was i mpetuously thrown ope n, and Bertha
•atered, fdllo wed by Uncle Reubcb; bearinsflh^ish
K *
& « / iiTfatiL.
-^x^
^^^^
"^.
im BJSAD ALIVS.
" S; r" J H^«r°tf '™™ °"'' '° """her, ■„ .error
a. Bent •= "L^:' 'C/r ,°' '""kT"' ^"^ -' '"""^
les8 OD the grouBd " ^'"^ '""*"8 add smse-
undistinguiahable. ^ ' ""' ''*'^'^«« »"=%
-wh:i!a''j'beL''.°hr:iT^ "l"' T' *™'«>". ' '-gine.
sponge „„,n , „„,h .hetiroffTs'f^::^.™ "^'"^-^ »
against theT,n / *'th a sudden Ihrill she leaned
Wiped .he bl^d off h? pale rnd""""; '" '""'' *■"»
cina,ed. Christie's eyes were fixed "'. "^^ " '"'•
fcamres, every one Ifv^h^^^iTv'^:"'' ' "'"• "S'"
lier heiirt • her eve. Hi. . '"", °<'e'''>'y 'Sprinted on
0"siyas,ho„gl,^PS^'bre",''^.«.''"'i«g "' tumult-
i« way to him T^^fl f '"■"■'" P"'°" ""^ '<•««
i.-.«eiacr;ThaJm^3e^,'^"'f' '^"""ed through th.
terrnr .r ^.""" "'*''= even the maniac Bertha sMrt in
^r^v^nXTT'"'''"'^ the cold,:™ :
\ .
\ ■:
•^,\
^
*•
Iransfixed with amaaement, Reuben stood gazing
^-her, unable to speak, while, with a hysterical IjiTijgh,
fcovered the cold, marble-like face with hot, burning,
sionate kisses, still crying out at intervjils that loved
dame.
♦«W^lard! Willard! Willard!" . , ,^
> « So'^hee knows him, Christie?" said Uncje Reuben,
as last, |n a vpice of intense Jkislonishment.
She looked up, with another hysterical laug|§*and
then Qwrtaxed nature gave way to a burst of blessed,
, soothtn^tears;
T « Well, l^am surprised !" slowly said Uncle Reuben.
.♦♦ Oh, Unqle Reuben, he is my husband !" said Christie,
in a voice choked with 'if|hement sobs. ^\ ''^
M TAy husband r *laid^]lJncle Roi^n; irt a tone that
plainly besp^te hisr|«^r:s that«Chri§tie^ad lost her reason.
♦♦Oh ! y^|tes,l|§*ii^usband! my long-lost Imsband!
whom I ne^vwr expected to meet again On this^«ide of the
. grave. 9h,lJ«|^ Reuben, y^^u dic| noL^now I was mar-
^^ ried, but so uis I I neve^%ieant t<mell you, but the
surprise— tlie shock^-iorced^J^Mgi , tne. «l®h, pticXi
Reuben, do not look asJf )^||TO>&«ght me inside ; for
\^.. Indeed, indeed, tspeak|Bktruth." iAhd igain Christie's
, ^ j^o^ce was h»8Uh sob$,li^Re|owed her head on the cold
^ i^nsast before he4 and ^ught how wafmly Snd tumuUu.
^Quslyi^ had <>nce throbbed for her.
Uncle Reuben .was not one to give way long to any
^ •motion ; so^ with a look of intense surprise and perplex-
ity, he recalled his scattered faculties, and once more
. ikpproaching the })€d, said, slowly :■'
\ ♦* Well, if h€^V> thy husband, thee is anxious, no doubt,
' ifer^lti»rie9»etr>tt^<>«td better g<> Way f<y the present,
tmdi 1<^ me attonS tiorKm and brtnijliisris?*"
ri
"i^*^
#^>^
."ph- Uncle Reuben, db yon think be is dead FW
Caimie, ,n .tone of piercing as^mrf.. """^ ^ ^^
By no means, littI<^one - m u ^ni t .
now we-.,tr, rr'rLnt ^r^ar .s
'»''<»li»»e "hudder « jli. bare idea «ritifed .h-
<IenM|b>ra of Christie ; .nd Ac UftL^ ^u *
,r.d, all n^ yirt. blood, from hi. h«d. ^ *" •""
And tbit^ while Uncle Reuben iat Jowb to h..!,- k-
«»inx^ ftf If she could never remov« th«.» -, v I
t at cow, irhit^ liandsome^'::^, *^ ^^^^J
;, though iipnrovable in death, looking whiter rtiiurl J
trast with the wet black hair ""^ '''»*'*' «'"' »•»<»«?
too^^Lirf?! ^*1r inarriages never come to any •
fr 1^ »^*^** ^•"'^°» " he- shook his head and
tZ ot T^"^^ ''" '^"^ "^'^ been .taa'Sfng «
r \«i
fm DBJOf ALJ7M,
iiqd ctiiiority from <m« tacm t© lh« otb«f. " lf<^T»*t W her
fat© had been thine fV i
**It bas fcarlcly been moie happy," laid Christie,
tfttfaout Itfttfig her fye» J **b»t 'h» »"n»e«f »<> ««« *»»"'
once more, to tjbticb hit hand, to know 1 am near him
again, almost nfpays me for all I have sufiered. Now, at
least; I cap die happy, aince I have the opportunhy of
telliiig hli 1 far^ive'him all."
•^IForglye btm ! then be baa wronged thee ?^
>^*»HuthV said Christie, ttirniog, if possible, paler than
„ifore. "He loved me once, and I wish to forget ever y-
tliing but thflt. But, Uncle Reobeii, arc you sun he wil I
kt^>vetl 1 see no aigna o£ It yet,'* said Christie, in rising
«lari». ':t ■■■ . :,■'■ - - »:■•■■■ '''^ ' '*^;' / *' ' :' ' '' ^' ■ ';
"I do; even «6W conirfoosness la returning," said
UncJe Reuben, aa a alight movement d tl|« wnscles of
4be face became peiceptible.
" Willard! Willard 'dearest Willard, look up !" she
iBid„ bending Wxiously over hint ' ' ;i? ^
Wae It the^tartling JKipttd Of that well-remembered
Yoiec^tbat voice he imagined forever stilled in death—
that awoke him? The large dark eyea slowly opened,
wandered wildly arojudraiid lh».firet object 'on which
they reate4 wwi Cbristiib^
.\
' V
' - ' f' ' r *-'^} ,
?'.. bi'a, ^'ii. ,
u
_ CHAj^R xxxrv.
BULAMATIOMI,
Joanna Bailu^,
vfc*
'ILLAJRDrWilUudiWrilardr
with the sma^ falr7ac^ etfc tep ^bCte.' a„T "^"" ^
goldea hair of Christie Uedin^ over Lm Win 1,T*"«
mondlay scarcely daringT brZ^^^ un!I/ , ^'""''^
gazing^ith wild. wooderrnrinc«Su?n.^^ '** 'P~*'
angel-facc he.had never el^tS.J!!f^ ^^ "P«" '^«
you know me I onlv sneak tr^L ^^^^^"^ •' Only sajr
was the wiia cryXtffl i"l"^ "^? »»*'-* ' ^'^ I' .
never.to.be-fo,^^n;^!^t " "' " '^^ '""^^ ^ ,
" Am I mad r he said; y*^ a^, .„ » j,-
see Christie again in the w^tmZ ^ ^^ "'^
" Willa^d 1 Willard ! we bo^ite . Ok Willa.^ .h v
Heaven you were sna«.rf ♦». ., * 7°* **"«*^.'<hjjiil|.
Willard 11 am not di^ i do not.d» m^ i t **
wildly r ■ : ^^ * * J»^^ «^ toojc « me to-
';Cai^this tai only the deliriiw of ^ di»ii» V*^fc- E^
passing his haad ovet hia briiw T i^ a. '*• •*^*'»
bewildered way ' ^* ** -^^ "^^ troubltd and
rA^
^N%ji^^ » ^»atg^ a digm
:. /^
K «o phantom oCthcimigi^^
sc.if^'a
st'.-'.
f:
I'U^
m
Jt3SP£ANln(Mm.
fUipn ever could have clasped him with such yearning,
clingiog arms ; ever could have held his head on suph a
warm,, throbbing breast ; ever could have looked into his
jface with such passionate, undying love ; even^ould have
' powered upon him such passionat<: caressesr
He^^woke to the reality at last. Springing up in bed
where^he lay, he gazed'upon her as 'If doubting the evi-
deince of his senses, i ' , *, ,
^ ;: « Oh, Wlilard ! Qh, my husband ! I am not dea^ ; I
*-'was only wounded ! I live still to say I forgive ycrt* afl
tiiat is past l"
** Qrtat Heaven !. am I sane or^mad ?'* he said, in a lo^,
*' deep, wandering voice.
'* She approached, caught both his liancis in hers,, and
knieeling down before him, said : /'
" Willard, look at xnc ! feel my han^s ! my fkce I Lis
ten to my ' words ! see'me ''feneeling^before you! and
-believ^ litm your owi> faithful, loving jjjhristie still!"
~ *• /lien j^<f may be saved'^fetT' wa« his wild cry, as
unhejedtng the slender girl kneeling at his feeti he spranng
fromthe bed, with the one thought oi Sibyl ev^er, ever
. uppermosit in his mind. r- * ^ - >?i
" J/'M Willard.^" " . ' • . , \, / ' ',._,
" Sibyl i Sibyl t my wronged Sibyl !" „^ ,4 "• ^,, ' ^
^. At the words, at the name, her blissful dream i^aded
ifcWiay. 'The past, the' dreary, wretched p^st.can^p b^ck,
and Christifi's head di-tfppeU heavily on the bed.
\ He'was scarcely in his right,sen«es jet* M^ t*»c action,
ind, above all, the necessity of^aste r^Hore^i,hj4. to
himself ; and stunned, iiewiidered, giddy xs^t.tt'nw^ emo-
tions,^ he sank into a chatr and strove \]^^Ail<ect bis
thoughts..
*M know not ^ft Whether I aoi •i^e^gii^ijf^m^iiUigtl
,-;<t-;
^=^
=idb
.V*
W^
W1*3
:.r^
I* 'I
,' BXPl^ATlONB^
^ sai(^ IncqherenUy; -Christie^wh<?re are yau ? Come
bcre . let me see yqu again, that I may know whether ail
^ this ,s not a vision of a disoij^ered brain, that wJiUacW
away as many a similar one hal done." "^»*^«a«
. She arose, and with ^ face aspcrfcctly colorless as a
^•snow.wreath, stood before him. . ' * >
. He^took iier hand, so small, and ^art,,wid transwr. -
cnt twt it looked like an infant's ; and pushing backC
full gold<^ hair off the fine white brow, gazed long and
earnestly int6 the depths pf the lai^fc blue eyes. nL lo '
unspeakably sad. so deeply reproachful. So lo,ig did- he .
£^t^ C^istie'^yes f^ll at last, and the goid^ lasbe^
%wept her c^ek, while tlie eloquent blotfd mantled for a
sQipraent toiler snqwjl!: brdW.
y«^ this lis Chfestie-alive still, ^nd yet ?o loiDir
rned for as dead," he said sloWly. rHTbil is strand
^ IS wonderful. Christie, how comes thfci to paTs?
? How IS It that, after so many months givctt up foiT d^d k
, fifld you alive still in this forest cottag«ii -
ful night ? she said, m a tone of unutterable sorrow |iid
"That dreadful night? W^a/^readfiiJ nigHt/Chri*.'
. tier' Ji^sayJ, looking bewildered. ' ' ^ ' ^
mm, WiUaflSl, what a quftstion for you to ask » That
JmJi^h*''* "" Hea^Wrs me, I iS* n^;^lfet you
..'-meaitJ^Do you allude to.that tempestudfeis "night on -
wWchyou w^r<i>upposed to ^ mu^dere^^
ir^J^!^^'' ■****' ^*^" Mew fdb! Oh. H^li.
■«^Wth«tii>irtotieofajKJdeli«proach^ ,
m
(1.1
i^V*
■ #" ,." ■
pY%4^''*J'Tfi0'^
ill''
MtPLMMd^MOL
.j,if.
"Christie, there is :x>aie mtsunderstaadiiig^ here. Dc
|ou me»« to say that / was' with fou that night ?" he said,
vehemefitiy. > i .
She did not reply, hut her eyes answered the qaestion.
*' Qiristie, as there is a Beavea above us» I never ^et
foot on the island from tibe day we parted there after
your telling me of your interview with Sihyl V said Wil-
lard, ioipetuouslyv' '
•; « And the note ?" she said, fiuntiy. •
*'Doyou mean the note appointing onr meeting" on
ibt heach that night of mystery ?" he a^ecL
"Ob, yes, yes!"
'* Christie^ I seat that noCe^ibut I never went— wnrr/
I swear H by all th^ is sacred ! That very hoor I^
received news that my father was dying, wiuch obitged
me to start instantly for home, without even an oppor-
tunity of apprising you. Cbrmie, that aiglit I spent ifty
miles away from the isiaad.-' /.
She gasped for breath, grew desdiy psde, and sank
uitoa chair.
-" Christie, Christ I do yo« not believe mef
She lifted her eyes. There was truth in his face ; and,
^ with the wild flash of sudden joy, die cried oui :
"I do ! I do I I doi Oh, WilXard, thank Heaven
lor thisl Thank Heaven that you never ratsjbd your
hand against my life !^' •, •' .
"Christie!" -
'* Oh, I do not wonder at yo«n' lo^ of horror ; but, all
^tiiose. weary months, I thought so. Ofa, WiUard, dearest,
can you ever foigivc me for wronging yon ao ?""
-^'Christie rV'r-— .-. ■ - ' l -"- ^r- -:-:---■-- - ---
^J
, " -^> .
W^'M
\^
./
BXPLANATIOMA
me I But 6n tliat ni<rht that awful night, I was met oo^^^
s^iS
the beach and stabb<pd by a man."
" Heavens and earth \ And jrou thought k was I ?
" Willard, VVillard, forgive me I But oh ! what else
coiiM I \hink} K?» appointed the meeting. I wcntj wa?'
met there by a tall man, stabbed by him, and left foi^
dead on the shore," *. "
" And yott could believe /could do such a deed f Oh^
Chrisiie, Christie!" itesaid, vyith bitter rcproaclx.
'^Oh, how could I 4ielp it? llow couid l^Mj^ it?
The thought was maddeuing : but how coiOd I tbil^|
otherwise ? Say, only say, you forgive me,' Wiiiard !" '
" I forgure you, Christie ; but you 10^- X|r the most
to forgive. What stc^nge, fathomiess myster| all this H}
Wiio was the man^ Christie ?" I ■ M
' I do not know ! i Jiavc no idea i Qh, i ihaugMt I
had not an eo^y in ilifc wild world." .. >
"r^tMsrciio.clew? Is there no mcan^i^ir which fou
could rpcoguiiehith agjiin?" J f»
" None ! none 1 you forget Mie'istorm j the darkness ;
the deep darkness of tliat night." - ^ ; C
'^True! feut heavens* what am I thlokiag ofV* 4i«,
said, starting up wildly. "Why do 1 linger an jnstant
Ijere. when it is in mf power to' save Sibyl j^irai the
ignomiriiou? death of ihe halter.*^
^'^VVhat 1"
As. if A mine had cxpltwied benea*& her,' Christie
sprang up, with bianshed face, starting^ ej'c^ cle|iche<|
hands, and liyid lips, gazinjr upoi^ hiia in fipeocl^sf
.horror; , -^i-h^.-i..-:-.--^: ,- :^^-^-. ..,-.* -..-...,.... ;.;..:.-.,.::,..," ,
"Christie, she was arresti^, trtedt,' coademnted, and
•Sjr/
■ 7- *
-.iBtt^r^r'iz"
,.._<>..,.
^
^r
;««
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/
. **FGr mine ! Father ia heavp^ 'gasped the almost
fainting Christie.** , ^
**Il may not be too late' to sa(ve her yet. You mast
come with me, Christie. JS^sten'! hasten! Every
nionient is precious now."
" Oh, this is awful ! awful \l Oh, Willar^ when does
this most unpatural sentence take ptbce V* ' ,
" The day after to-niorf ow. / With all our speed we will
be barely able to reach the sp^t in time." : /
. ** Most hoirrible !" said Christie, with a ° Convuji^ve
shudder. ^^UHow can^ she ^er to be suspected o^ucli a
dccd?"'."-^ / ^ .-'-■■ >
t^^Oh, there liras a damning chain of circumstantial
evidehce, stro;ng enough t^eonvict an aligel f rom alJoVe.
I have no time to tfll yw now ; on^od^rWay I will tell
you all^- Merciful Heaven f if w« should be too late."
"I will go instantlyl Ll willbe ready in a moment,"
•Mid Christie, wildly|«sp she hurriedly^ threw . on hpf
wrappings. -'S- i "' °
^ But not in this stbrm, Christie. Does th«p not hear
how 4t rages?" anxiou«y .saidUucle Reuben, who all this
time had been 'a silent J wondering list'eacr,^ "Thee must
not venture out/tb-ni^t." f"^ , ^.^
"^'^ Oh, I must ! I must ! thfc- Ufe of a >felk>?fv-circat4re
depends up^bfi it," said Christie, tyhag on, her^arge mantle
with trembling haste.] .. .;:,,.,*1.,^,.;;- ,* , ' •",,p- ': j'S^h^-'V-
Willard Dhi<nmo^d piused^folr a 'moment In dismay,,
to listeh to the storrrt howljng U«rough the ttpes,.-and
glance at the frai), fragile little igpre IJfefore him. . But
the thought ef J&tyl in peril— ^i that dreadful death-
Steeled his heart a^inst every bthei^j feeling. M y^
"ShiJ^ must be saved, ^t wha* iVill follow," he men»
'tally exdaiinsli ,' " ^ »^ -
* 7 \ - _
/ •
/
/
.«»l
^^;««lc will never be able to j4ke thy way through
this storm, Christie." said JReabenVrt«ilig in stfll incre«|i
.:ft6ganxifety; -in thy delicate state of h^th. too. Listen s
to the wind and rain." ^ \ ' J| '» - ^
. "Offn hear itf l,^r it ! ' B«it th^ug^t rZed fii«
fwm fMaVen, I should have to go." ^ ^ T
« /.V''^!f ,'T"V"r*' '"''^'^*' *^*" "*S^*' *^ tji^e venture*
• out, said Un9le Repben, solemnly. '
f rWhat matters it? My life i> worth%, so *er» ^n"
saved, she said, with sbrrowlul^bltteraess. ^
Willard Drumm6nd's«h(Birt smotk him ; ^ some oi
the old Jove revived in his heart- thAt; momeqt for poor
Chpstie: ... ?.-:.., j ... . ,■. v
Christiey't^M will perish ^ithfif^^ i
Oh, no ; I-ll not. This inward strength ^ll susutiif
me. I will Uvc„l iiiyst live,, I i^alf^li^^ to sav¥ Sibyr
Campbell, t i eel ^ ; An inward voice t^l^' m^^ '*
" Then thee is d^t^rmincd to j^or sajfiff ftnol* R^ubei
sorrowfully. * • '■ ■. " ' \ ."■ ■•':,;,, .,,^.,.^'.
«'.WUl\tbeeevl^t:ome back, little Ch^^tieV-^lhs^ said,
holding the little hand she jext^nded iiji bbih hit.
♦•As Heaven wills I I fear not, But JCiiclfc Rcube^'.
^ --dear, good, irncle.R«u^n^ do not, y^ witt <:6m6 .
^ph: direst ChristieV' I&Jiphest yoice c^k^a^
** Goo^-by, Bertha. Kiss ChrisUc atUk mork" i •
She put her arms round th<?ia^tt of the mania;, Wlsw^
» ^es were.fixed wi|tfully on her face. " G6iiir away f^^i
. Ja« «»1d, iQ a tone tifi Tag«le.iM?prise. .^ , v^
■'f^. ''
. 1- ... ■■*
;. "'-'m.' W
Vi
^K^#\ t ^^'-":5»fs
^^S.:^.
I*
■^ ** VmtdtmMM friefd ; and if I aetp: comie tecii, you,
mfUitmot iiuiiie UM^gBt me." " .^^
' ^"Christie J Cbristiej ray wife! ny iTij«i«d,lloag-
iiuffering wife, do not talk so i I caaaot bear it !" sadd
WUlufd DrumiiMMMl, pawsioadiely ; fior iMl^ ^rd of that
sorrowful parting had hcfia like a dagjg^r ^6 bis heart
Sktcamt over ii^M> ^>c <^ truatisg i«ve of iiappier
tinf^s, when that love int filled lier lieart,«Did clasping
bcr laands am ius slMMdder, she dro|)|ped lier face ^oa his
brea^, and softly mannared :
''Doanest Wiliard i it is bttHcr so. I am aot alnud to
•die aW, aiiier vrJaat I iiave beafd to-nig^ And — do not
be built, dearest love — but I have no wish to live. You
will be happy with har-'-^i^ Sibjft ; a»d I — I wiW pray
ior you botb, aad love yoH bc^ 4ti heavem."
"Oh, Chfistie 1 ofe^ tny wife 1" be cried, claspn^ her in
his arma, with a fjassioqaie cry ; "an I laolyto idealize
tlfe tren^e I t»ire lost whea it Is itoo laie."
* *** No^ too late, Wiliard ; if it will help to oBiiJoe you a
better, a liQiUer laaa, it U not uto late.- IlieFe are many
happy days for you, for Sibyl, for me — yet to come."
. " iUfpxxck, wi«!ich» tiiat I liavebeea 1" he groaaed, in
bitter gridL^ ** Why wm Idooan^ to bvu^ laisery and
ntanfh oa all whb ewer Joyed met' "^
:"{% WiUaral, fattsh ! Y^u bieok my lieart !" said
Christi<j, liftixig lier golden head off hi? bkTeast ."You
fftust aot talk ia that wiM way. Add iweajre lasi^ time
staying here, when every second is more previous than
untold |<«H" #P;ft^l<^MK, £^itii^ uf». *''Co«M^^illard,
com. , -^- . - 's ^^ . , -^
Wbiit dhe «¥)ok«;, Uncle Reubea, «JK> kad pmmd out
unobservtNl, reHenteradl • .
\
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'" w'e S?^g.^ """^ """ ''«*"" »-<• C<»i
_i war " "°"" ^*"'*"- '^ **> »~^^ I k-*"
Mic >lmt d»«a«:e i« tius pduag storm r'Zi CuTc
Reuben, wuh a sad. gm^e ^iJe. - No > h is^Tu^ l
\ea«^ J^ V^*^ *r!, *r* ? 1=<«««y^ce?'' said Wilhu<
«W«riy. '^ Thank iWvca^for tteit ! in it y^ ^^iT^ A
least be sav^d the £atig«e of wallcing, Cimoie " "
;; f "^.,"^7 f**^ y«" ^'^ Bertfaa, Uacle Reuben r •
V 1 Will tecJc the door. a»d Bertba wili go ito bed-HirtU
thee not, Bertha ?•' ^«««»— w»u
The maniac »«dded, ;u»d atiJl wistfAlJy watched Chris.
^. a» thawg^h some f^in* i«ipr«sst«« that she was «^
t^Jose her was io^n^ju way th«>ugh her c^
For the first time. Wiliard turned his «y^ «poD het
* Who is she?" hea«ked, in bi«»thicss eirprise
la aiew brief wards, Christie gave him to uhderstaad
how at had happened he had seeo W on the i^^
f..f!f ^'^ <iramufi ^r uxm within his, Wiihird Jed hm
fronj the honsc, followed by Uncle Reuben
Christie took her place in the humble littie donlw-,
car^ i»ad cawered dow« to avoid the fml^g „au\ T^
m^mdbisu^gu ia, too, tehiig •w«M(84«»tt .^w*
.. y^*:r
ma»£AJUTio»&
frpm loss of blopd," said Uttcle Reuben to Wil^rd. **i
will walk and drive." \ '
'if • *• Not at all. Do you ipagine I would ride wliile you
walked?. I am not so weak ; I feel the strength of ten
men withijD me, urging me on." ^*^
"That is only exciiement, friend; it will not last
Thee had better get in." • '
But Wilfat-d peredptorily refused, and took bis place
on the other side of the little cart. ., i - ^
V Seeing it' was in vain to urge him, the old man allowed
the animal to start. And Christie raised for a nroment
.her bowed head> to cast one last, sorrowful glance at
the little, isolated, forest cottage ^c^was'never destined to
tee again. They turned an'Hibrupt angle,^the night and
darkness shut it from her view, and with a long, shiver-
ing sigh, she bent her head once more on her pale
hands.
The ni{fht-ride through the forest — with the j^^
^irailing eerily in long, lamentable blasu th?5ligh the
.waving ariil6 of the trees; with the rajn driving in blnid-'
ing eusts in their faces, with the palt of an almost Egyptian
i^rkpess around, above, and on every hand1 That night-
ride \ sleeping or waking, in ' af terdays, alone or in 4he
gaye^ i»scmbly, it would riseJil^ a liiunting Vision
before the Ayes of WiUard Drummond ; and the little,
bowed, shadowy figure crouching silently in a'^Comer of
the wagon, would awaken in his heart feelings of undy-
» ing remorse. That night-*ride, through the long, lone-
some woods ! Ail the great wrong he had done that lit-
tle, bowed form, from uphose ger^lie lips no wofd of
leproacbever fell, from whose loving eyes <m aacwin^
^Iftnoe ev.er flashad, arose in bitter^rray before hitt, until
lie folt M-if be cotild never encouBter thegase of those
3a»rtd ^
'$
S^h.^^^S^i^J^M^k
.-„sac?A
'trlil^ **
Y
X--,
There „«s a sharp, teen pang piercing tbroui L W
for one n,„n.ent, at the Ihouffht ■ <»e „ J, T, ^
where ik ™„re genial ^i^^lZlmri^
unkoowiV There, he would endeavor tS atJne tw hi.
d«„,ed care and a^ention. for all he had eX^'ad^ fc J!
suffer and forget Sihyl. But that name,,. Cfw^i^
a host of tender, sorr«,tul memories, and' ^e^A*
momeavhe «.lized what DWine retribuX^f" f r:""
And 8o on-still on, through the ohfll, bUl,: jlrht tKj,
'■11
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iii'^'t
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k^
't-
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f.
WilJ^r4 Dm«feinoDdL with his hat drawn dcma over fefis
brotlf^^Sk omifflM in Uisrioali, Wrodcioo, with bowed head,
t^P absorbed in his' own bitter thoiJghtato heed the flight
<k time. X ,
A©d 80 the long, siJeat night Hngered and iitigered»
aod the dripping forest-roaid was passed at last ; and they
^•assedfltt: interval^ g^lpoitiy-looking farm-houses, whose
inmate^^re still asleep, and wlKJse only greetingL-ta^y* —^
weary«pi|lers was the noisy baricing of *heir watch-
do£^a|^HHf passed on.
^ ^^KH^r the roelatkrholy jouroey was continued until
TOorninl^whn, XJold and gray, lifted its dead, dull face
from the mantle of night, and, cast a ticlcly gl«nM|ier of
light along ti*e wet, slippery f)ath.
, iVMorning at* last," said UncJe Reubcrv^tifOng his
iwad, with a deep sigh of relief , "Tht« has been the
jl<Migc«t niglit I have ever knowo." - y
^ *^ Yes, morning," «iid Wiliard DrufniBond, looking up
bittprlj at the dull, leaden sky ; ^and ^^ so far from
Westpoit yet ; ^oly -one day toore between bee »n<l an
Ignominious death."
Uncle l^e^ben lodged 4Bt him « ni©mc»t,|md thwi at
4lie bowed form in the cart, mith a look.of adm ireproacb."
., " U Uiee $i«?d, Christie ?" J»e said, ^approaching 'hm:
She lifted her bead, dtsc»osi«ig- it face «p white an^i.
Jbaggaxd, s© worn with lattgue, si^plessrtess, and grief,
that even Wiliard started hack ijviorrow and alarm.
/ *' Ob, little Christie 1 I ku^ this jonmegr would Itili
li>ee!"«aidUBcleRettbeo-;iwthagr<»n. i^ r^ :Tr%-
• 'fl feel a little t«««d^,ttet i? mtt," she .<aid, f^ng a
waci stoile. % ** Deaf friend, do sot U<ik ut tte irit|i fucb
.fs^gbenediaaxious^<eyeft;iti«iiod).ifig/' ' /
w*i
rw;
f^BPtAHTAn^WS.
4
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^^port, ^«. 0<«. ,j« „„. ^ ^ ,>
'•He spealcf truly, detrew-An; miist stOD «i-'tli« te^
W^*^^ .. .«^a U iaded to ^^ li ^
"It is nothing, Willard. If I only reach WestDMt i*
and get well, and domt with me to Italy to farJff
^r«i Ita,^ wl«^
m t*^ ^^iH^' *»»^««i^'««y« to hl«4e, With
* 1^, steady g««s-the calm, fer-8eel«g gajs* JT* ^
«w«m^l«yic««aid Too iaje ! too lat«t" Btrt ^<. /ijh
«otjqx^k,*heo«tys«dled faim*y,«,d tL^ak 4^f
r^cic, wuh h<^ head shrouded in her m^^S^.
Wiew*Hiefewid«t,f worniiig WW b<w fast^
««ide the doMds of tmtht As S%« «-«» ^w pusittng
lererl .«« ^ *^ ^ "*5«t. A8 tftf^ went on they «ncoun-
^^*^^^^^^ with spades r^ their ^cnilde^
half an hglwr Mi«y reaclwd i» co m fo rtebte4ob ki«g U^ ^.
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IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT.3)
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Scient<__
Corporation
23 WEST MAIN STREET
WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580
(716) 872-4503
4
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house, an^ flighted at;^the out# gati6. Wiilard lifted
Christie out in his arm!, while Uncle Reuben, with his
whip, kept off the dogs that rart out, barlcing' loudly: The
noise brought the farmer himself to the door, who, notic-
ing the drooping form^of Christie, ai)d the pale, worn
face of bei| companions, cordially invited them to enter;
Ther^ Was a bright, cheerful fire blazing on the ample
li^rth, and a woolan bending over it, preparing break-
fast As she placed a chair for Christie, into which the
young girl dropped, totally exhausted, Willi^r4 drew her
aside, and placing his purse in her hands sa)d : •
*♦ My good woman, you perceive .the young lady^s
i^otbes are wet through. , Will you be good enough to
take her to your room^ and furnish her with some dry
,©pes?".
. •* Yes, sir, I'm sure I'll be glad to help her, poor young
tihing ! IVe got some will jest aboiit fit her," said the
;Woman, with a sympathizing look.
Wiilard whispered a few words in the ear of Christie,
wlio arose and foUowc^l the woman from the room, while
a girl about Christie's size took charge of the -breakfast.
Wiilard seated himself near the fire, and fell once more
into a painful reverie, from which the return of Christie
aroused him. Irle placed a cltair for her beside his own,
and sinking into it she dropped lief weary little head on
his shoulder. ' '' %t
Breakfast was soon smoking on the table, and cne
three wayfarers took seats; but much as they needed
ifK>d, this errand had effectually taken away their appe-
tites, and it was with the utmost difficulty they could^^re-y
v4il upon Chiri|^|^en to swallpw a cup of coffee;
. **Q^A,0Jlf^i^m^ mt wj^ a liors* and wagon M>
^ "^ '.; '^ ' /' ■■:■ \ . -■ t '- \J I
iSt:
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P^^^^X^AJTATIOirS.
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J^.!?:;!,: ""* ^'""'' %"■"' *■■>«•" ">^ ■"-
wZs"". "°" "'" '"" ■« '" N— '•• said Wm.H
** Littl<^ after noon."
"And if we take fresh horses immediately we can
rqacA Wcstport before morning, can we not ?"
bodv el«u> *« c— »K '^ ^ "* going, with tvery-
Doay else, to see the woman executed eh ? T,>rH ki
me! what's the matter with her?'' ^h M . ^^
does .hise. Jrn .a JX«'r "*"' '"""' ' ""M"
.1, " '^i"' l^ '■'" """■■>»S ; has to be early on occoun. V
MM- y "°" "' """'' =" "'he Darof
^' Can you nit start right- away?" , .
„'••>'<»'' Wn't before an liour."
U Uwra uy other conveyance to be hired neir ?"
"No. there ain't," said the man, shortly • "evervbod,
w«... their own to talce themselve; there If t's fo^
her hang you ,ant. yoj-,, be plenty .in,e when L^^
hta wi^ ™ ""f'""*"- was ready to start. Then he and
<»» wslo mnmtd on the front ,e«, .od Willaid and
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MXTLAMATtdWiL
"Christie cat behind, and throyring faei' arms around biis
neck, Christie bade Uncle Reuben a last farewell.
,. ."G«od-b^, little Christie!" he said, sorrowfully,
" Gro<>d-by,'* and Heaven bless thee. I will come to see
'^y>ee some day, soon." '
And then gOtJd Uncle Reuben entered his donkey-
ncart, and turned his^d face toward the lonesome forest
cottage, doubly \lodesoffle now. And Cl^istie, shrinking
closer to Wiiiaifd; laid her tired head bn his arm, too
ivearyaad ^achatisied even to weep for tjxc Incnd she had
kiL ,. ■, \ - /■■ ., y ,. ^
The farmer, ti^ho had nio itttentiojft of injuring his
by ^ fast 4}l;^iving, went ploddiiiig/ at^ a jog-trot
»nw4trd, in spite oif Willaid^s furiou^ ^^eMBi to drito
^si.^' Inwardly cursing the lazy be^/, '^HlPre up the
^5ortat last, and strove to while away the tedious hours
ia ^nversiog with Qimstie. ' \
$lowly and somewhat iflicoherently he learned from
lier iiU tite events of ih«vb tii^l:^ and of h^ after life in
thi^jipo^tage, 4u^ iWr motives f^r ri^mal ntng there.
bid, you were willing jio remain in that Isolated
place all your life that l might marry Sibyl Campbell,
> my poor Christie!" hi^ s^d, with n pang of deepest
~ femorsc.^^ *♦ And so you fti^ed me «|ili, even believing me
guilty?"
*-x
'illatd! didyoi4 tli'ink for One moment tlmt I
'CKwld cca^ to Im-c you ?** she aiiswcred, fervently. "It
was bccansc I loved you so well that 1 wi$hed to see you
ha^jpy tilth wl>yl/- .
♦*lly faiWwl, IcrH^icartcd, tmfcclfiish . little iji'if^" be
groiiiicd, pressing iicr closer to his side. /
^. Sot, %Vii^rd, tlierc is one thing I want to know, t
■;.^■-
!l.-*
f
■^^^^T
"3(14-
Vg3j
wp-ttohearit from y<«r o#a Kp,. AilSw^r me truly.
u you hope for •alvation, dajvu lave Sibyl CampMl r
^-Oh, Christie, I do! I do! Better' than life, better
Am ay soul's salvation? Better than my hopes ol
heaven do I love her !" he exclaimed, pissiooatel^ / •
»hiTer. '^ Thank Heaven for the booa of death."
"Bji^ Christie, I wiUfoiiget her; you ^le my wifb. t
will go far away, where I will never see her moL ♦" he#
«.d, recalled to himself. - By devoting my life ti you, t"
wifl^^ to atone for all I^ave made you suffeA «wit
"Itwpnotbenocessat^. Wilkird. Dearest be! Wil^
lard, can you not see I am dying ?" - ' ^^
** Christie !" he cried out in alajm.
« I mean that my days are numbered ; and, wluafi
I am^happy. I only widi for i^fe long enough tolsa^e
Something In licr tone checked the voids te w«s
going to say, and both reJapeed into stienoe. brokia ai'
last by her saying : ]
"JeU HKJ all that fa^s happened to yorf and to Lay •
fnends, siooc that night." ^^v^
And then he began, anil related all; his fathlrV
icath ; tl^s rftock he received on bearing <rf her mur
of his departure for Europe with the Campbell's ; <*^ chteir
return and their marriage. At this point he could fecll a
slight shudder run tlu^ough the frame of Christie' hlit
when bespoke of the mdooked-for interruption, and If
bibyi s being carried off to prison, and of her coademnl
tion, she tr^mbled^so convulsively that im was forced I
"Ob, pMr Sibri r die said, psMiouaiisIr, ^|^
fe*
■ti
r^*^
PJIfT"'^
f*".
>|fA
•»i%
"*©■
!*^
.tOTPXiiir^nojraL
lafd ! her fate was 1^' worse than mine. What is stltfejf
log of any kind compared with the shame-^th^ o^rar-
whelming disgrace— -of that trial, exposed to thentorci-
less eyes'of the hundreds? And that I should,/in anj
way, be thf cause ! Oh, Willard ! it is dreadfuly
• She wept so violently that he was alarmed^
V My own dear Christie, be calm," he saulf soothingly.
^♦CJonsider that yot are now going to save/ner life,"
^v Still ' she wept on, until her overcharged heart was
Itiievcd ; and then, worn out in mind^nd'hody, she fell
fast asleep on his shoulder.
Early in the afternoon they r^ched N — — , which
fiUiey found crowded with strangersr on their way to IVest-
port . , >
Leaving Christie in a hoteLAVillard went to seek for
a. fast horse to take them to to/wn ; but, to his dismay, he
found that eve?y vehicle /n the village was already
'engaged. Nearly insane with wild impatience,.he oflfered
enormous sums for a hoeie ; but as the stern " Impossi-
ble !" rose against all his demands, he was forced Xo
leturn to the hotel inya state bordering on frienzy, and
'offer the farmer with whom they had come the price of a
dozen horses if he Would'only^coqsent to surrender the
wagon to him and l^t him drive. *^
jivGarried away ISy the young man's distracted words
^wlf manner, he at last consented ; and causing Christie
to be wrapped VPtia a large,' warm shawl to protect her
from the night/air, he lifted her into the wagon, took his
seat beside ne^ and dashed off at a break-neck pace.
Not a yfofd was spoken, as Willard, urging the animal
to its utmoit speed, almo$t flew over the ground. The
fewremaining hours of daylight passed, aall jlight feir
'4|»k'iMid starless. Oa, stiil on, he uiged t^d fei^tng^^
'L
fl - ■
»MiK.
Unoim.
'■«.
owning, pantifig beast. Thev w^r*- e#ni f ' * ^ *
pri»n^U 'waiting todteh JiZ" f ^i!"^'' " """
until, nearly mad with imT.- ^ "^^ *^'°" W"".
whichV.::y^^:;:„ttr;d*^.'-'''->p«'''at .„.„....
bring them ,o W«,fr^K • ',"' '"° ^ "■"» •>°'>".
was totally unable even to rise. 1
For one moment WiUard uX^a
while a feeling of utteXSIllTh-' k'' ""S"-' '
distance from Westoort-tht f 1 " ^^"- ^iw
the impossibility oTp'™ ur Sg tthnr^^'"''"'*^
p«a 0, Sibyl, struck cMi? nrr:;r.£'trs!
driven to diaiii, and in ten shnr, h e-.. . ' *^"^ ^ •.
. " Heaven help uiVZ'^cl^T" ^^' ^"^ '■* '^
.ouched. th. an'imaV;TthT, f„^ "■"""'" f ^" A"", '
«at! - Heavirwm ",' "" '""""'^ «P''4'"<r '™4»
Willard ha^'en ." ''™ "" '"•"«"■ '» '* '^ /Oh!
I
? t <^' ■'f a"' ■'"' J"^'
'M%'-^'^
JZNuAiMlWtfffl
/ ■I
•1^.
,,.^^> fSortt accotepanied her, expecting evvry moment to MS
['.kiffl fic^dous strength give way. But no 1 it was ft» if a
^■ft<&w spirit had entered that slight frami»~-ff>r as she
never could have walked in her days of perfect health
and strength, she walked now ; ''never for one roomen^-,
faltering, until the fir^t dawn of morning grew red in the
sky. But with its first blush Willard felt the faint hop^
tbat had hitherto ^buoyed him. up die entirely away.
W0k as they might, he felt it would be high noon before
they cS^uld reach West port.
" It is all useless, Christie," he said, pausing abruptly.
"It is no use trying— we tan never save her ["
"We will save- her — we sAa/I save her!" exclaimed
Christie, with a strange kind of exultation. "Hari^r'
ahe added, " do yoli not hear a carriage approaching ?"
, Even as she .spoke, a cloud of dust arose, £fnd the
' thunder .of wheels was heard rapidly approach) i^pl^
/. " Saved V she cried, joyfully. J^" Praised be^God I"
. Willard sprang forward to ioierccpt th^ driver, and
sai;«f a large country wagon nearly filled withlpeople.
" Can you take us to Westport ? Our errand is one of
iile and death I" / '
Something 4n Willard's tone startled the man ; but
after a moment's stare, he replied : \ .
^Yes ; jump in." . ' '
if ting Christie ia Jlett^iie took his seat beside her,
and a^^^in dashed ofi. >\ «
*VHasten-r-hasten ! for the love of Heaven!" cried
Willard, passionately. ^- ^ '
, "I'll do my best," said the man^ "I Want to be in
time for the execution, anyway."
On tfa^y; flj|[l4* Milc^iter mile was passed; Initv^ the
%^-y
..'■'' *■■■-,;' '"t ■
MSPLAIfATlOm
■/„
%■.
*-.*
'J
^^ " Faster—faster I A thousand— two thousand— fh«i^ -^J
ih:;;:r w-rr ^^^ ^ 'I
*• Hooray r shouted the boy who drove. " If ever
Sultan went, he'll bave to go it now. ^Here's my stick^
Ue your handkerchief on it, to hoist when we g.tLo the ^^^
town, and they'll stop the execution."/ "
h JiT'^'T- ^J' '^r*' ""'•' "^^ l^respiratioD stooS in great -7.
P^s on his forehead, away they ftew, 4nd ten minutl J
/before ninWushedJuriousIy into the town '""'*''* -^
The str^s wcre^crowded-blocked up with people-a
Srr:'.^"'"^" '•'"«*• AndnLthe'^f tt;;^
hehetd the dcaflfold. and a sight which seemed to paralyze
the very hf^.n their hearts. For there, with the\herIS
and a groulp of her immediate frteads, stood Sibrl
cr^A^^'^^'r'"^'*''''^ Silence had fallen aver the vast^
Raising the white handkerchief, the boy waved it ip
the air ,hom.pg, wiidly : - A reprieve-a reprieve I" a J
drove furiously right through the startled throag/he^
less of those be trampled down in his way.
ThQ multitude took tip the cry, and "A reprieve I «
reprieve I »^repriever' i^ng.out, gathering force a» U
wer^il, from a low. hoarse shout, it r4 toa wil^
'""""^'^^^W* tiiat rang to the very heavens. .* . -^f
MBBTINQB Jjm PABJ3JSQ8,
U
>§:"
they 4rove, until they reached the ilibaffold ; and thiaii
ristng'to her feet, the thunder-struck spectators ' '
the pal& beftutiiiul face o£ the Ixuag'-ioil^ C^isUfl*
it' jiif
-i- r-
fj ...
lliBYlkOS AND PAItTIiKfS.
**f W«ili^'Mul : I would to heavcm I
, 4«<^ ".A\ For U»en 'tU like I should forget myself.
I p^Un-Ghi if I couId« what gri«r should 1 forget
:^ir][*OR one moment, sb great Was the surprise, that
M~^ every shout was hushed, and the silence of death
reigned. The next, a wHd, fearful cpy^'that those
who heard would i»cver forget, rang out, and a man, amid
the cVowdi fell heavily to the ground.
There was a swaying to and fro, as the vast sea of
human beings made way for those who raised "Edgar
Courtney, white and senseless, from the ground— a dark
stream., of blood ooxing from his lips—and a murmur ran
round : ** He h^ burst a blood-vessel !" But in another
moment he was forgotten, and every eye was riveted on
the scaffold; eyei^ «^r was stiaii|cd,.to heaivw
passing there. ■.,;:;':-•■"'■.,.■.., #:„,;•#: '
. Sibyl's mind, stutined fey the many sbpcks It had lately
received had sunk into ^ 4prt of lethargy, /from which
nothing coutd arouse h^r j and now she stirtd vaguely
it Christie, like one in a dream. ^
9^t, with a fNMfsionate , exclaroationi l|r. Bra^twell
Ibnmrdiiid^Mght ChriHb'i hfcndi ^wrtiii^ "^
J.--, I ■...,',. ^V- -^"4r '--tj ?Vt-'' " ■"' -.
MEBTims Am PAR^mk
IS. -
"Sftvcd I saved ! Sibyl is saved f Christie Hv«.V-
1 shall do so with pleasure. Sir." to the ..h^rJff « i
- With which She is Charged ?" '""^^"t of the crime
The sheriff bAw^d irt silcndfe.
"Mr. Drummdnd, vou Iia^lft/>rto.- k j . .
entrance of Willard she srar^^H ,.";^^'"^°' ^' «t th©
grew irittsoB ; lle^ wild,' bM«k eWS ltt«>.fr*1 !:
i'?-
w^f^.^
1 r.J*!
1^
!\
. ^^^ -
SaQ MEETINGS AKD PARUNOS.
. "My dear Sibyl, be reasonable," said the minister,
delighted ihat even aoRer should rouse her from her ^pa-
khy. "Mr, Drummotid has saved youriife:''^
"I would sooner die than owe my ^ to bi;xi !" she
said, passionately. : .. i u
- " Mv dear Sibyl," said the minister, soothingly,<.as »«
cast a deprecating glance at Willard; "You niustn't talk
like this ; it's, very, wi-ong, you know." .„,..,
"Let her speak; Mr. Brantwell ; I deserve It all, ^aid
Willard, bitterly. ,_- ,
His words, the sound of his voice, wrought a revul-
sion in her feelings, and she cried out, in a tone of pas-
sionate reproach :
"Oh, Willard, Willard ! how, could you deceive me
so ? I loved you so much, sq much Willard, and yet you
dec^ved roe ! Ob, it was cruel, it was bas«, it was treach-
erous, it was unmanly to trifle with a poor young girl
thus!" . ' - _ . , .
*♦ Sibyl, I am a wretcK !. I dare not ask you to forgive
nie !" he groaned, in bitterest remorse.
^" Atfd she— she is youV wife, is she not ?" she said, fix-
ing her flaming eyes, on the pale, wan .face (^ Christie. •
"She is ; but she had no part in deceiving you, Sibyl ;
all the blame must rest on me. As I deceived you, so
did I deceive her, villain that I was," he replied.
"Mr. Drummond, she is dead, I fear," said Mr.
^rantwell, looking in alarnv at the white, rigid face of
Christie. u »»
" No^ she has only swooned ; she breaths yet. ^
" ' "Here we are, at the hotel, thank Heaven 1" sai^ the
/'minister, as the ooach stopped.
. _ A vast crowd had assembled here.. For a moment all
K
\
TT
m^
' " ■■ r^ /v. ■ '. • •
ME^TlNOa ANfi PAR^ima.
M from passing through 1^501 there was a^a hclR
, 1 5^ro«i£r is here ?;^id Sibyl, i„ . hu^ed whisper. '
, " T.ike me to his room then " «ihi. buM «/ • t
through that of the clergyman ' ^^ ^^ ^''''"".
WdTh" ""•"• '"'''' ^'"'- ^••"^'nond.to my apartment."
>5aid.the minister, kindly; "the waiter wiirl
-wher#» if ic T -11 • •• wauer will show you
Where it is. L„,|| join you in a fe«?'raoniei«s."
.r™^°W°>f '^' ^«'" '°™ °' "" "i" «nselSswife in hi, ■ i
Tie wil:'f ,?h "f '-• '"""' """ '"'" "" °» ">« bed '
1 he wife of the host entered with,; restoratives. buHt
was^ong ere the heavy .ids,we« miSji iT^nTthe ^at.::^
bendin^Ter her"""' '"" "" '''"^■^"°" '•• »'- ^"'«<'.'
• •• Vesi' wi>?*r'"'" r' r"""'"'^ "»"" -o •■" "eart.
jies, I wilr soon be bettpr " cK*. .,„;j • "
tone. -Willard, wher, il s!^. >^ ^"t^".^ "-»««
"With her brother, dearest/' *^^' "- H /
" Haye you told her all ?'• ^ > ^ 'I . /
;; No. Christie, I have explained' nothing/' /^ ^
giveness before I—" . ^^ '"'^' ' '°f-
" Before you — what ?"
•■Nothing, dearest Willird. Have you sent ?-
^ver^rrl^e^LT-'"^ '". ""'''"' ^""TChristiel you '
I wronged hir Lf^^' ".h "''""°"'"'^- P'^''*P'' "•» «'" '
Th!,!! ,".^ ' "'='""■'' '=°'"'"S. Willard." •
There w., a soft knock « the door. Wi,l.,d op,ii«;
r^'-
J
E
'%%
#»i7fr-*'^*'.'<??w^j^y^
■»,*'»*'■ •i'':''~ yif.
■r'*f;'f,y «».,
«r-ir-'./
' I
%
MEBTims Ain> pAnnstm
V
% «nd Mr. Drantweil, followed by Sibyl and Cflpuin
Campbell, entered. The young captain, pale, thin, and
haggard, cjnt a fierce, implacable glanee at Willard ; but
the sight of the frail, spiritual, attenuated form of
Christie checked th« fierce, padsiotiafe Wdrds that were
already rising to his lips.
A great change wtt» perceptible in Sibyl during these
lew minutes. The exhortations of the good clergyman
had evidently not be^n wlthdirt effect ; for her pale, worn
lace had a calm, subdued look, as if sfee had at last real-
ized the great dan get she had escaped.
" Miss Sibyls-dear Miss Sibyl, can ydii ever forgive
me ?" sdild the sad, sweet voice of Chrtstie, as she held out
her hand and looked wistfully, imploringly into Sibyl's
face.
" Oh, Christie, I have nothing to forgive you. XoM
were not guilty," said Sibyl, sinking down by the bed-
side, and hiding her face in Christie's little thin hand.
" Not willfully, but stfU I wronged you. And there iSf
, another — will you not forgive him ?"
"Never, so help me Heaven f" fiercely exclaimed
Sibyl, springing np and casting upon him a glance of
fi»e. s..
"Sibyl, I am dying! Yc«i will not refuse my last
request I Oh, Sibyl, in a Ihoment of thoughtless passion
he married me ; but all the lime he loved you best. I
, can see it all now. He loved you then^ — he loves you
bow^nl^etter than all the world." ^ .
, j ♦* And you can forgive him for the irreparable wtong
lie has done you— a deserted home, a blighted life, andfan
early deatli?' Christie, you ace an angei !"
*'Hd, no 'r only a frail sinner, with sd ratHch id be for-
|^v«» iaetiaU^ that abe caw ittsily, jdyfully forgive that^
V -
V
, r
asps-'..
-■H^
•#?■
mSTlNQS AlfD PAJiTiyO/SL Hg
Sibyl, my bour» are numbered. Will you render them
miserable by refusing my last request ?"
"Oh, Christie, you know not what you ask !"
♦' Sibyl, do you not love Willard still ?"
"Oh, I do— I do! Heaven^rgive me, I do !" 8b«
said, passionately. , ^^
" And he Joves you. Willard, come here— take Sibyl's
hand. Now, Sibyl, prorais© wljeu I am gone to be his
wife."
There was a fierce struggle in the passionate heart of
Siby|--a l^st sirngglie between love and pride, and her
burning sense of the great wrong he had done her. With
her face bowe<J, her wholo frame quivering, she did not
look up— would not speak, until the little band of Chris-'
tie fell imploringly ont her head.
"Sibyl, I cannot go until you promise mt; this. Oh,
Sibyl, I love you both so much that I would willingly die
to make you happy, You love one another still; why
should this one fault, committed in ft moment of thought-
lessness make your whole future lives miserable? Oh,
Sibyl, we have all so much to be forgiven, can you not
pardon this ?"
Still no reply -
" Sibyl, I am dying ! if I can forgive the wrong done
me, why-^oh, why cannot you ? Oh, Sibyl, cast out this
false pride that will make you wretched all your life, and
make my last mo ,ents happy by this promise. Oh,
Sibyl, dearest Sibyl, consent !"
"Christie, you have conquered," said Sibyl, as she'
kissed through her fast-falling tears, the pale brow of the
trying girl Then rising, she placed her hand io Wil-
l»r<l'9f fta4 said, with sad earnestness :
\%.i
i-
MEBTmaa and partings. /
■ - /
" Willard, we have both erred ; let us forget the past.
I love you still, and forgive you all."
He did not relpy— he could not speak ; but he r{iised
the hand she extended to his lips, and turned toward tfce
window.
" Oh, thank Heaven— thank Heaven for this I" cried
Christie, ex^iltingly. « Now I can die in peace."
There was a low 'rap at the door. Captain Campbell
opened it, and I^aura Courtney, pale, wild and excited,
entered.
" Mrs. Courtney \y<m here ?" exclaimed Mr. Brantwell,
in surprise. v
" Oh, Mr. Brantwell, Edgar is dying-^the doctor says
so ; and he is raving and saying the most frightful things.
He wants to see Captain Campbell and his sister immedi-
ately."
. " Me !" said Sibyl. " What can he want with me ?"
"Oh, I do not know. He is saying such dreadful
things ! Come with me," said Mrs. Courtney, catching
Sibyl's arm in a wild, terrified way and drawing her from
the room.
Mn^rantwell, Willard, and his dying girl-wife were
left alone. ^
•* I want to see Aunt Tom and Carl," said Christie,
faintly. " Do you know where they are to be found 7'
•* They are on the island," said Mr. Brantwell, " and
consequently have not heard of your arrival here. I will
send a messenger oj^er for them, if you wish."
' Yes, yes !" said Christie, eagerly ; •* send now— right
away
ti
•
, Mr. Brantwell left the room, and speedily returned to
•ay that a man had gone, and Mrs. Tom and her nephew
might be expect^ in a few hours*
ifr-T -'r;:- 'ijt^^ts'T.irfl^^^2|7^
'"'■''•**i^*!^3^'^'v^^^!Wir?f^
MEET1N08 AND PART1N08. 881'
And then the good clergyman came and sat down
beside the dying girl, and, taking her hand in his, began
talking in a low earnest tone, while Willard, with his
head bowed on his hand, sat by the window, absorbed by
many conflicting thoughts.
And thus an hour passed ; and then Captain Campbell
and his sister returned, pale and excited, as if by some
strange hidings.
^' Mr. Courtney ?" said the minister, inquiringly.
'•Is dead !•• answered Captain Campbell, with a slight'
shudder. ^
" Is it possible ? How very sudden !" said Mr. Brant-
well, in surprise. " What Was the matter ?"
" He ruptured an artery this morning," replied the
young man, beginning to pace »the room with rapid
strides : "and that, with the shock caused by the unex-
pected appearance of Christie, caused his death."
"Christie's appearance! How could that shocic
nim? said the minister, still more surprised.
" He thought her dead-thouglit himself her murderer
and fancied she had risen from the grave to accuse him ''
said Captain Campbell, excitedly. *
" Thought himself her murderfir !" said the minister *
still repeating the young man's words, like an echo!
"Hpw was that?"
Both Christie and Willard fixed their eyes eagerly on
the exdited face of the young captain.
'■' Well, it was he who stabbe^, her that night on the'
beach. He has confessed it all," said Captain Campbell
"He stabbed her!" exclaimed Willard, springinff to
his feet, while Christie utt^a faint cry ; "and why, in
tlie name of Heaven, shoulMfc try to murder her? Whit'
had she ever done to him ?"
^-.SJj
Rill-
1, *"
/jy(7/8 4Jir^ PAjiTtma.
"Nothing. He did not mean to jnjull ^Chris^ie. He
mistook her for his wife." ■ >/
" Mistook fne for his wife !" said ChrisMe, fike one in
a dream. " And did he waJipit to kill his wife|i*
^ '* Ves ; horrible a^ it seems, he wanted to kill h«jr J"
said Captain Campbell. ;♦' The way of it was this," le
said, stopping suddenly, 'p his excited walk, " Courtney^
was jealous of his wifp ; lie fancied she had gone to keep
an appcintpijBnt irith some one on ihe island "— a slight
4»»sh of crimspn glowed for an instant on his dark cheek
as he spoke— '* and he determined to follow her there.
>. He wpnt. Ip thestpfm and darkness hp met Christie.
He thought her His wif e^ apd stabbed her, and left her for
de^d pn \he gr<»und. Soa»e apparHion that he met tcrri-
^ed him, and he fled frowj the island— first returning to
«hc spot yrhere he had Iqft Christie ; \y\xt fipding the bpdy
gone, swept away by the tide, as he imagined. H«
returned tb<B ppxt evening %o thp parsonage ; there he
found hiWPife living, h^l hearipg the runior of Christie'a
«*<»thf ^e we^ )m: had scabbed ber in his blind fury. He
l|^4f also, that ipy sistpr had gon^ tp th;e island that
night, and that a woman ir<;seinb)ing her had been seen
flying througli the storm about the time th^ c|eed \yas
cooamitied, and the diabolical project entered his head o|
having her accused of the murder, and thus freeing him-
srif forever*from ^11 possibility of blame. How well he
succeeded, we all know j and Sibyl wPtild have died an
ignominious deatl? foy jds crim^, had not a retributive
Proyidence sent ^hri^Me here at tlje eleyepth bouf to save
hpr» and bring his cr|pf to light ; but top late to save
bf^ fppin |he $baro^ and hiiqaiii^tioii of wha| )^s passed.
¥»#m l9Mi ^«n^ mfM W§ 9m\ fpr u r
' 1 fi
-k^i'f
'^im^'''
f■^,
•f.r -y
■rjaprifrriiiiu^,,.
\ ' 4{SET1N08 AND PARflNQS.
^ "Ob. brother! hush !" said Sibyl, laying her hand oo
his arm. " Remember you speak of the dead !" "
; "This ismoMstrous." siiid Mr. Uraqtwell, in a tone of
horror "I never >eamt that any man in his senses
could have Committed such a crime."
" He was not in his senses," said Sibyl^ "he was crazed
with jealousy." \ '
\^ ^' Was he not sane when he accused you—the doubit*
dyed perjuror?" exclaimed Captain Campbell, fiercely.
; Oh, why does God permit such frightful injustice to go •
so long unpunished? Where slept His thunderbolts that
thrs demon in human form was not stricken dead where
I he stood ?" , , .
" Guy, my dear boy, be calm." interposed Mi». Brant-
well.. « God is His own interpreter ; and in His own
good time has seen fit to save your sister. Let wiiat is
past be forgotten—' let by-gones be by-gones.* "
" But Christie has not told us yet how she was saved "
said Sibyl4^' all that is still involved in mystery," -'- .
^ Faintly, >nd in broken sentences, for her strength wa»
failing fast, Christie related all that the reader already '
knows. To explain ilm presence of Bertha on the island,
It was necessary, however painful it might be» to tell her
story : and Guy and Sibyl listened in sorrow and araaa©,
ment. ,
" Then my fatbe^'s wife lives yet," said Sibyl, slowly.
"And now I remember, though indistinctly, like a
dream, of catching a glimpse of a tall, dark. handsQii^^
woman in the upper rooms of the old lodge, when I wa*^
a boy," said Quy, thoughtfully. '« It is strfcnge I thougUt
so little of it at the time, for her presence there was tin*.;
gular. What terrible revelation? tim* bring?! to Jigli||^
- 'i^,
,' ^^i"
■-. V *'^*'y^!^j^^^i^^;^^
^:,-..
'.1' : ;•
TT'
B94
MEETimS AND PARTimS.
Wl^o would ever suppose my fatheh could have donre Siitch
...adjeed?" • ■ V\ . ' .'^^
I** His child, too, may be living yet,^' said. Mr. Brant-
welll. "How unfortunate that, tlierc\is no clew to teii
what may have been its fate." \
Ere any one could rcpjy, a bustle at the door arrested
their attention; and, tlie next moment, Mrs. Tom
entered, followed by Carl, and rushing to the bed,
clasped Christine: in her arms, laughing and crying hyster-
ically. J
I " My own darling child ! my own blessed baby! my
dienr, darling little Chrisiiel" were her exclamations,
petween laughing, and crying, and hugging.
" Dear Aunt Tom ! dear, good Augt Toni 1 Oh, I am
io glad, so glad to see you again !" saird Christie, throw-
ing her arms round her neck, her wan face flushing with
"And to think that you was married,,. and I never
Iknowed a word about it ! Lor' sakes ! an' to be killed,
(too, and come. to life at the nick o' time !" said Mrs. Tom,
with another hug, and a laugh, and a fresh burst of tears.
"Carl, you great, lazy, idle vagabones, come over here
and see Christie, 'stead o' sending there, shiftin* froja.
one foot to another, Uk€ you had got into a nest o' young
wipers."
Thus adjured, in the sharp, peremptory tone that
reminded Christie of other days, Carl advanced and
pressed his lips to Christie's cheek as gingerly as though
,he were afraid of burning himself. Evidently relieved
when this was over, he edged off toward the door, and,
at the invitation of Sibyl, took a seat, and sat down on
the extreme edge of the chair. ' ■ *■
And th«n, when Mrs. Tom had hugged and kissed
&*!•'*
, y . . . ... . , ^ ;. . ..^ .... .
MEETINGS AND I^TINOS.
Christie to her heart's content, and laughed and cried
hev-elf into something like composure, her fh-st demand
was to hear all that had happened "scncethat there awful
night."
And Sibyl, fearing to further agitate ChriWe, who
had now fallen back, completely exhausted, on hdr pillow,
led the bustling little woman over to the window, and
seating herself near her, related all. \p
Mrs. Tom listened with niany ">ior' sakes'U" and
"gracious me's ! ' and"oh's!" and "ah, Lord's IV until
Sibyl began relating the maniac's story. As shfe pro-
ceeded, Mrs. Tom grew violently agitated ; and before
she Could reach the end, the old lady had jumped up^ and,
pale and trembling, bent over Christie.
" Christie, look here, she skid," excitedly, that iherc
crazy woman had a little child, had «he, the time she\was
walled up in that room ?"
_ '^ Yes," replied Christie, wonderingly.
"That^here little child was left in Campbell's Lo
with Mark Campbell, was it?" continued Mrs. T
more and more agitated.
" Yes, I believe so. Why, Aunt Tom, what's the ras-
ter ?" '
"And they never could find out what becariie of I it
after, could they ?" again asked Mrs. Tom, sinking intda
chair. \ '*'
" No. Why, what in the world does ail you, Au it
Tom ?" said Christie, in still increasing susprtse.
" Oh, ,my Saviour ! Oh, ray dear Lord ! Only to
think on it! Christie, that there crazy vy^omaa is ><>,
moi/ter I You are the Tittle' child that was left with Mar
Campbell!"
In a moment nearly all present were on their fet^
' k'„^t€,. la'k
'J \ \
LAi -:
* V- i>
M
£%■
4i^r
-.■^^
gazing ini^oqderand amaze on Mrs. Tom, ancibn each
other, as if asking wliat in the world ihey were (Tcstined
to hear next.
Christie, too weak now 16 betray aiiy emotiori, , hy
still, with her wondering blue eyes fixed on tho oW
Uron^n's face. ^ >
"Yes, you needn't stare, all of you ; it's jest soy''\said
Mrs^Tom, verjt much excited; "and the way of it was
this : Qnc morning airly, jest as I rlz, Mark Cjjnpbell
came into my cottage with something I took to be a
bundle, under his cloak. He Jpened it, and you may
gueas the astonishment I was in^ wheni instead o' a bun-
'^^^ laia the iweeiest, deareo; putiiest little baby on
the table ever I seed. Lor' sakes | : iCi^as so completely
consterni^ed I hadn't ^ word to say, |)ut jfcst stood starin*
With my mouth wide open; fUst at him and then at the
baby that was sleepin' like a sweet little angel. Before I
could ask him a single blessed question 'bout it, he sez
to me :
"•Mrs. Tom, ^here's a child I want tookeu care of.
Ef you'll do it, I'll pay you ; if you won't '
•* I don't know what he was going ^o say, for I broke
out with the greatest string o' questions just then that
pver was, asking him all ^bout the baby ; but he only
looked fierce, and wouldn't tell me a word.
♦' • If you will take it, Mrs. Tom,' sez he, ' you shall be
well rewarded for taking care of it ; but yoii must
SpTCf, wh|ie I live, breathe to a living soul that I left it
ffith you, If ypu do,' sez he, 'it will be all the worse
for^ou.'
w f^nd It's niotlier/ sea I ; « wh^reVshe ?'
♦♦ My conscience ! if you ba^ seen him then ! His face
f»t IH^ a ^un<|er-cloud^ att4 be ^id^ in a'voic© that
4it
yiva
( >•
]H
MEBTINQB AND PARTimS. 997
made me tremble-yes. even me, and there ain't ma^V
I d tremble before, thajtik (he Lord : ^
'"Never ^lention that word again, or I swear I'll
blow your brains out as I would a rabbit's f
"And then he rushed from the house, Icavinir me
^forelntn 'k'"^'^'«''^"^' ''"•^" ^^^ ^ ^-^ ^l
t>etore in all my born days.
' o rf"V. ''?''''*' ^^^3^'^"^ ^'-iHedit 'Christina.' after
a sister I had once (^arl Henley's mother, poor thing'
hat went and heaved herself away on a vagabones of^a
fellow), and kept u tillit grew up. Mark Campbell died
*b^ut ihe" , f,'^'"'' '"' ^' "^^^^ ^P"'^^ -°^^- word
about the child ; but now I know, arter hearing about the
crazy woman, she was its mother."
Aunt Tom paused for breath, and Sibyl, with a great
cry, sprang forward and clasped Christie in her armf
., 1 • J'?^*" • ""^ '''^^' • "^y ^^^'" '•"'« sister !•' she
exclaimed, through her fast falling tears. » Oh, Christie !
oh,^Christ,e I to discover you are my sister when it is too
With her arms round Sibyl's neck, her golden heaa
Kr .'^f^^'^"^^^^' Christie said, in a voice sp faint
that SiLyl had to stoop down very low to hear her •
"I am going, Sibyl, dear sister Sibyl ! Tell Guv mr
brother, and Aunt Tom. to come and bid me good-by "
In a voice qhoked with sobs, Sibyl called them to the
beds.de to receive .that parting embrace, Guy's eyc3
were fwd of tears, and Mrs. Tom's sobs re-sounded audibly
through the room. >
«nH H "'^ »<^«^ Sibyl, my own, my darling sister, good-by;'
and Heaven bles? you. Hush ! do not weep so "and the
"Dt^rsTf 'P''^ Sibyl's ^k in a last ^bl^.
i^earest Siby?, ^o now and s<^n Millard to ine.#
) 't
'•^
^H
-,j%-;-:,
■.r*^-
• rv»v .--,?•• ^ »- .:•■. '■■t- f -i-j ■> . T
d^
MEET1N08 AND PARTINOB.
Pressing a last kiss (S^n the triinsparent brow, Sibyl
arose, and bcciconcd.VVillaW to Approach.
Calm and tearless, but 6:i>^ with ai grief too intense
for tears, he came over. A^llush of love and jpy lit up
the' wan face at his approach, her arms^>— with a last e^ort
— encircled .his neck ; the golden head drbpped on his
breast, while the sweet beautiful lips murmured :
"Dear WiHard ! dearest VVillard ! good-by ! V I am
going ; going to heavbn to pray for you and Sibyl.\ You
will try to be Very happy, and make her very happy,
when I am gone — will youjnot? Lift me up. Wlllard,
- and carry me to the window, I vvaiit to se^ the beautiful
f sunlight once more."
He lifted the slight little form, and sat down, with her
in his 'arms, beside the window. A bright ray of sun-
shine flashed ill, and lit up with a sort of glory the an^el-
brow, the golden hair, and the sweet, pale face. !
Colder and colder grew the hand in his ; lower sank
the head on his bosom ; fainter and fainter beat the gen-
tle, loving heart. No sound, save the suppressed sobs of
Mrs. Tom, broke the' stillness of the room.
Suddenly the closed eyes flew open, with a vivid,
radiant light ; the sweet/lips parted in a sniile of ineffUbl^
joy ; and she half rose f>om her recumbent posture. The j;
next, she fell back ; th'^ilue eyes closed ; a slight shiver
passed through nfer frame ; and the streaming Sunshine^
fell on the face o( the dead.
One year after, there was a wedding — a very qdiet,
' piivate one — at the little church of N . And when it
wiis over, Sibyl and Willard eotered their plain, dark
traveling carriage, and bidding good-by to their friends,
assembled in the parsonage, set out for Willard^s Vir<
-1
?f-"^'i,,*^:S^S^|*:
- -'ir'^»g""-^i|f|>m_gnni[ini^pw
/•^^
ME&TINOa AND PARTINOS.
199
ginia home-where, in the unclouded^ sunshine of the
future, they soon forgot, or learned to only look back^
mih tender regret, to the sufferings and sorrows of the
past.
^Chr^tie was not forgotten, i TtJ^^idest daughter of
Mr. and Mr^. Drummond. a gentle, dark-eyed girl, bea^s
her name. / i » » ^ •»
Three months after the marriage of Sibyl, her brother
led to the ahar Laura Courtney, whose natural vivacity
soon overcame the shock she had received by the sudde
death of Edgar Courtney, hqr unloved husband • ana
three days lat^, in the good bark ^' Evening ^vJr- X,
was dancmg over the bright waves of the Atlantic on ger
way to Europe with Captain Campbell.
Willard Drummond sent for Uncle Reuben and
Iha, atid for several years they resided with him
wh.en at last the gentle maniac passed in.peace aw
faithful cousin bade them farewell, and set out
boyhood home, to pass his last days under t4i^ ol
tree.
ici ^l^ ^""[Tom, R:°«d old Auht Tom, staid stiJl on the
sland, which no jiersuasions could eVer induce her to-
leave,>ahd there brought up Mr. Carl Henley in the wav
he should g^ ; and employed her whole heart ind souj in
he, alas 1 vi^tp labor of curing him of the, sin U laziness '
f any reader is concerned in knowing the fi/ture fate of
that interesting young gentleman, I am h;/ppy to ky
.wh<fh he arrived at the years of discretion/ i; made th;
^^ancc of > strapping, strong-arme<^ red-cheeked
Germdp girl who fell violently in love w/th the tallow- /
Tuti^ T^»^T" "^^ '^"^ '°^^^ °^ ^^« fascinating/
youth. Mr. Henley, after revolving the ^at>er ov^r pr<^
M
3routh.
'X'1^.
t,"'
\
m
MMET1N08 AND PABTllfOB.
foundly in all its bearings, cainc to tlje concluflon th^i
he might as well marry licr as not, which l»c accordingly
did, in itio "fuHneas ot tiroo"— having , previously
extorted a promise front iicr to do all the, work. Mrti
Tom, who had an invincible antipathy to " furrinerp,"
looked jyilh dislike at fir§t on hcf, i^iece-ln-Uw ; but the
unvaoing good humor of Mrs. n^t]lley, and her willing^
ncsrto work, soon completely gaiqed the good old lady't
Affections, and mastered her prejudices.
THE KND.
,^
'V-
m.<
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Mrs. Mary J. Holmes- Works.
rEMPEST AND SUNSHINE.
ENGLISH ORPHANS
HOMESTEAD ON HiLlSIDE.
•LENA RIVEKS.
MEADOW BROOK.
l>ORA DEANK.
COUSIN MAUDE.
MARIAN GREV.
EDH-H LYLE.
DAXSV THORNTON.
CHATEAU D'OR
^^F^^^^ HETHBkTON.
BESSIE'S FORTUNE. (^».,
I
DARKNESS AND DAYLIGHT.
HUGH WORTHINGTON.
CAMERON PRIDE.
ROSE MATHER.
KIHKLYN'S MISTAKE
MILLBANK.
EDNA BROWNUra
WEST LAWN.
MILDRED.
FORREST House
MADfiLINB.
CHRISTMAS STORIBS.
-M«. *r ."P'NIONS OP THE PRESS
MW. Hoime.' «orie« .r« uniyersally read Her .a
Iw-y. life like, and rte makes t.em talk a^d T^ I, k^'""' "" «*»"«•" «»
^^ en»rio.«. swayed by the »a2 S»ln. »f ! ^"""" ^'"«'' »"*^« >» ^^
,7Wchare comm .« among ««, and w^en ^^ ^^'""* ''>'"" *"»« »"<»"*«.
•" very happy i„ po«rayVdolst~ OlHnt^ "^'""=" **"• "°'"-
with great delignt, for the write* in\r . i ^ ""d young peruw her storie.
y'»'* If^*^. ''"'" "• * •'>•'" «hat aU can co«p„he«d."_AV„
Tho North Amerieao Review v„i r. »
Holmes' novel, "English Orphan, '•--'" w^ul'^"'^ "'' "''y °f^»- Mary J.
been charmed, «,d t> h;.ve . «1, *" ""**' "^ M"*- Holtae.' we have
whom we ha,; .1" f hi 'ScSZ' ?"="= «': ^^-^ntiaarin, «Je^^
be hung up in perpetual memo.^ of CT, STJZ, T' ^J!!!!^ *" «*"*«^ «»
dialogue, a« generally bnef.^i^tedr.„°; " «»*' becoming extinct The
•« easUy and nahinUi; i. i,' K^d'^^/PP'^P''"^ ^ P""* «eem. «„p|e,
P«« Christian morality in geniTu^^'^i"^'! *'.'^* °'«™«>mg. no, onl;
--oruae««««o„ Ji:^^",-^'-^^ the depen-
^"^zz^z i::JdrLf:iJ?2;:;r'^-^»^ - -
« In her tale, begins « oncTL" 1!^!?!^! ". '^^ '^'^' ^he inter-
--«H.nd. HcrlLpathr^iSi^^rSjIS ?;/•?-. «- f""'"^'"'
clwwer. and the varied incidenu oforrfinlrT^f/ . '**"°«'w«««^e of mannere,
tod it difflrultto write an^X tSt^t^ ' *? "l**^"^''' *« •^^ ^^--M
iW ^*.^/ -ny ot^ than -u, excellent tale If d,e w^ to try it."-
"crc^ana «»*by «a,l,y«/^y,„, „„ receipt of price t#i.„e.ch], by
Q W. CARLETON ft CO.. Publisher..
33 iVestijr d Street, I>ievi York.
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.V
CHARLES DICKENS' WORKS.
A NEW
*&t
EDITION.
Ajno^f, *"* many editions of the works of this irreatest of
Ensrlish' Novelists, there has not been until naiuone that entirelf
satisftesithe public demand.— Without exception, they each havn
■j>me strong distinctive objection,— either the form and dimeo,
llonsof the volumes are unhandy— or, the type is small an.'
indistinct— or, the illustrations are unsatisfactory— or, the bind-
ing is uoct— or, the price is too high.
An entirely new edition is now, however, published by G. W.
Carletun & Co., of New York, which, in every respect, com-
pletely satisaes the popular demand.— It is known as
\ "Corletan's Ncir Illustrated Edition."
Complete in 15 Volumes.
The size and form is most convenient for holding,— the type is
entirely new, and of a clear and open character that has received
the approval of thn reading community in other woiks.
The illustrations are by the original artists chosen by Charles
Dickens himself— and the paper, printing, and binding are of an
tttractive and substantial character.
This beautifufnew edition is complete in i< volumes— at tho
JZtrcnaely reasonable price of $1.50 per volume, as follows ,-—
1.— riCKWICK PAPERS AND CATALOGUE.
a.— OLIVER TWIST.— UNCOMMERCIAL TRAVELLER.
3. — DAVIU COPPERFIELD,
4.— GREAT BXPECTATIONS. — ITALY AND AMERICA.
5. — DOMPEY AND SON.
6.— BARNAOY RUDGE AND EDWIN DROOD.
7. — NIClIOLA<« NICKLEBY.
8.— CURIOSITY SHOP AND MISCELLANKO0S.
9. — BLEAK HOUSE,
ia— LITTLE DOkRIT.
II. — MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT.
la. — 01 R MUTUAL FRIE.VD.
13.— CHRISTMAS BOOKS.— TALE OF nvo CITTBS.
14.— SKETptlES BY BOZ AND HARD TIMES.
■ 15.— child's ENGLAND A.ND MISCELLANEOUS.
Tho first vo'.uma -Pickwick Papers— contains an a]pli*beticat
OBtalogue of a*l ot Charles Dickens' writings, with thsir exact
posit-ons in the volumes.
This edition is sold by Booksellers, cverywhe; t— and smgit.
■pecimen copies will be forwaided by rnail,/wA <-r /ne, on re.
eeiptofpiice, $1.50, by "^
«. W. CARLETON & CO., Pnbllshere,
Madison Square, New Yorli.
• -rrr—TTs ssaamst 1 m i n < i ii 1 'a*
X.
.*^
^ 1? • ' ■ «i'''-'v^*r^»jB™^~y w
POPULAR *^1t'ew BOO^sT"
'*.VEW lOItKjf^ELKLY" SEIilES
b.»e.. rnquosted bv th^ir roA-lora to issue some of ii.^^r f^*"*'"- »'aviu,<
popular Storlup in »..ok Form, have cnnsrntA,? «. T'*^ ^^**^* '""^ ™^*t
arran.,,,n.„ts f., s„e. P.x...ic;.tK.^:i't'.rt'lf.!^'u.^tL'r,! ?i:,Tv «
O. W. UlLLiT^OHAM, Fublishe,-.
r/.e t)«/Mm.8 a«,va,/y pufrz;;w"are as follows :
Thrown on the World.-A Novnl. by Bbethv M Clay
frf I'^SSl?'!?''^'''''*"-^ ^'o^«'- •^y Annie Ashmobe.
Kick Whifflc8.-A No^d. by Dk. J. H. Robinson
Lady Leoaora.-A N >v.l. by Caehis Conelin
Clarity Onnder Papcrs.-By Maby Kyle Dallas.
• 2?.i?'«*""®™*'°*-~'^ ^"^"^- ^y Beetha M. Cuvv
A Wifs'a Tr.igrcdy-A Novel, by May Agnes Fi^emino
Onrse of Bvorlci^h.-Uy Hel::n Corwin Pi-bch
jbere Works Woadars.-A No vol. by B^ErnA M Clay
it.yolya's Polly. A xXivel. by Ezrtha M. Clay.
A Changed Ileait— A Novel, by Mavaonks Fleming
La^ Darner's Secret.- A Novel, by Bebtha II Cl t
A Woaa^'a Temptation.-.'. Novel, by Bebtha' M. Cilxr
Br^imie's Trinrnph.- A N,n-.l by Mrs. Guoegie Sheldon
AWrdnf ed Wife-A Novel, by May Agnes Fleming.
Pride end Passion -a No\el, by May Agnes Flemino.
" B^peated at Leisnre -A Nov), by Bebth v M ^r at
Porsaken Briip.-A Novi, by m-x. GiiORGiE Sheldon.
Betweoa Two Loycs.-A Nuv.l, by Bebtua M. Clay.
Hm Other Wifj.-A Novel, by Bose Ashleigh.
Barle W:iyne s Mobility .-By Mrs. Geokgis Sheldon.
A Steuffjlo Tor a Biag.-A Novel, by Bekuha M. Clay.
J*!*-:*--! Pearlc-By iiirs. Geobgie Sheldon.
mando Percy s Secret-A Novel, by May Agnes Fleming
The Actress' Daugrhter (Ne« )-a Novel, by May Agnes Fleming
Young VHxa. Ohamleigh.-A Novel, by T. W. Hanshew.
Eirl's Atonement.— A N..vel. by Bebtha M. Clay.
Ptit Asunder.— A No\-eI. hv Bebtha M. Clay.
A Woman's Web. -By Rjse Ashlligh.
Beyond Pardon-A Novel, by Bebtha M Clay.
StcUa Bosevelt— A Novel, by Mrs. Geohgir Sheldon
G. W. DILUN6BAM. PabU?her.
(Sl^CCESaOR to Q. Vf. CAKI.ETON it CO.)
■ .__ 33 West TweRiy.iliird 8t„ New York.
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