The Queen of The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1062, 9 August 1904, Page 4

The Queen of The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

BY MAY AGNES FLEMING

Author of" Tho Heiress of Glen Gowc CHAPTER VII (Continued) It came in sight, at last —this quaint old houao, that held all of heaven to him now, " Slull I enter-shall 1 thrust myself into temptation?' was his inward thought. "1(1 look on Hub (airy sylph, I am lost I" Ho thought of Sybil, and her dark, bright, menacing ojes arose before him, as if to worn him back, "For your honour's sake-fur your life's sako—for your soul's suite -go not there" said the thrcatoiiing voice of oouseienco, " And have I not a right to love whom Iploaso? Why shoulil toiler violence to myself in leaving this bright enchantress for that dark, wild Amazon ? Go, go, and bo happy," said pission, " And, as if to overthrow his last good resolution, the image of Christie, radiant, dazzling and beautiful, as he had behold her first in the bright Hush of the fading sunlight, arose beforo him, and once again passion conquered. He approachod and onterrd the cotlago. Mrs, Tom sat near the window, spinning and singing to herself. W'illimVs eyes wandered wound in search ol another, but bright Christie was not to bo seen. Tho widow arose, smiling, lo welcome hor guest, and placod a chair for him near herself, And si ill Willard's eyes wont wandering around tho room, •' Sho will appear presently," ho thought not yet liking to enquire for her, " What a venorablc looking affair your wheel is, Mrs, Tom," he said surveying its hard polished wood ami bright brass rings, " Yes. it's as old as tho hills," said Mrs. Tom, resuming her work; " and has been in onr family since the Hood, I think I spun on that there wheel all the yarn that makos tho socks, mittens and comforters for half the county round; besides making sheets, blankets, and lots of other things for oursclvos," said Mrs, Tom with conscious pride. " Yon deserve a premium for industry, Mrs. Tom," said Willard,

"Well, you may be joltin' now, and 1 dare say roil are; bin it's truo for all that, Many a truo word is spoke in jest, you know," said Mrs Tom, as her whcol went merrily round, "l'horo ain't many womon in this place, o' my ago and moans oan do, or does do moro work than me, though I say it as hadn't oughter. I knit, and spin, and sow, wash, brew, hake, sow and reap, and lifty other things too numerous to mention. Carl, if Igo up there, I'll put an end to your lazin', you idle, good-for-nothing vngabone, you I" she added, breaking off in sudden wrath, " You should make Carl do these things Mrs Tom," said Willard, wondering why Ohristto did not come, " Carl ?" said Mrs Tom, with a short laugh. " Lor'-mmnssey I he ain't worth his salt; that there's the laziest, most worthless young scapegoat over any living 'oman was plagued witli him, I hain't ut minute's peace with him nigght or day ; and if scolding was a mito of good, tho Lord knows ho might have been n saint by this timo, for he gets enough of it," Willard laughed. And in such conversation tho morning slipped away—very rapidly to Mrs Tom, but each moiuont an age to our impatient lover, For Christio was absent still; and a strange reluctance, for which ho could not account, still prevented Willard from asking for hor, At last, as in despair he a- - oso to go, Mrs Tom relieved his mind.

" Christie' will be disappointed at not seeing you" said tho old lady, " "he went oui berrying lo tho woods this morning, and hain't got home yet,"

Willard started at the information; and inwardly cursing the folly that had detainod him so many hours talking to a foolish old woman, hi darted off in the direction of the pino woods. " What a confounded fool I liayo been I"

he exclaimed, siivagoly, "to stay theie listening to the way to malic butter, and flannel, aud 'yarb tea,' as if the old boldamo thought I was going to bo somebody's housekeeper, jr a female doctress; and all the time this enchanting hue cyoil witch was wandering alone, bv horself. What an opportunity I havo lost! and now I supposo I nny search for an hour and not' find her," He turned an abrupt anglo in the wimL ingpalh, and stilled a sudden exclamation of surprise and delight, For thoro beforo him, reclining on tho grass, sat tho object of all his thoughts, wishes, and desiros. Her dross was a loose, light muslin robo, fitting to perfection her rounded waist, Her straw hat lay on tho ground bosido her; and hor golden her lloated round hor ivory throat, How dazzling fair looked that smooth, snowy brow, contrasted with tho lull, crimson lips and delicately Hushed cheeks; how beautiful that faultless form, that soft, gentle, happy smile of guileless girlhood. Willard Drmmnond's breath camo and went as ho gazod, and his dark oyes filled with a subdued fire, Ho advanced towards her. His shade w

falling on the grass at tier foot was the first token sho had of his coming, With a quick, starllod cry, sho Bprang to her feet in torror; but when she saw who it was that stood beforo her, she stopped short, while the colour Hushed gloriously to her cheeks, " Have I disturbed you, bright Christie?" he asldd coming nearer, " Oh, no!'' she answered. '■ I was only waiting to rest a little ,vhilc before going home,"

"And dreaming I perceived," said Willard:" may I ask of what-of whom?" "I wasn't dreaming,* said Christio, innocently. " 1 was wide awake all tho time,"

"Day dreaming, I menu," said J),nmiwrad, with a smile, "Do you know, fairest Christio, I have been at your cottago all the morning, waiting to see you?" "Tosoome?' 1 aaid Christie, with another quick, glad blush, " And found me," she said, laughing, "If I lied known you weie coming, 1 should havo stayed at home," "Perhaps it is bettor as it is, bright ono; for I have found you alone. It is very pleasant to have found so fair a companion on this lonely isle." " Yos, it is a lonely place," said Chris-; tie, musingly; 'Vnd yet I like it better than Wcslbrook, or any oilier place 1 havo been In, Cnly I would hko always to a Iriend with me to talk to; and that, you know I cannot havo hero. Aunt Tom is always to busy to go out; and Oarl don't care about the troublo of talking, much less that of walking,so I always havo to go alone,"

" And i! ho would go, i fancy Master Carl is hardly the kind of companion Miss Christio would soled," said Willard, " Not if f could find any better," said Christie with a laugh; " hut I havo grown bo accustomed to being .done now, that I do not mind it, at all, as I used to," " And so you are perfectly happy here rest Christie, reigning queen of this ryide?"

"Ah,no! b.autifulJli'ißilybii iaq,.,, .. of tho isle, lain ip • inr nvat loyal subject," said Christie gaily. " What if I should say that the subject was moro lovely than the queen ?" said Willurd in a low voice,

" I should Bay you woro laughing ut me, an, of course jou would be. Ctrtain-

!r," "Tho Unseen Bridegroom," rtc. |y, tin ono would avor think of mo while Miss ybil is ne;u\ Oh I howl wish she wou!.. iiUvnys stiv here, and then I would have !i companion," "Ah, blight ono 1 if I were in her place, what would I not surrender for such n privilege 1" To bit continued,)