The Queenof The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1094, 15 September 1904, Page 4

The Queenof The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

BY MAY AGNES FLEMING

Author of "Tlio Hoirrss of Glen Gower," "The Unseen Bridegroom," etc

CHAPTER XXIV.-Continuod With this dstermination taken, her mind grow calm; for hers was not a nature for long or passionate grief. It is true, she wopt convulsively at times; but Ibis mood would soon pass away, and sho would Ho for hours after, watching the trees sleeping in tho sunshine, willing to submit quiitly to whatever tho future might have in store for hor, Her strango. rough-looking, but really gentle nurso was still indefatigable in his euros for her; but as yet ho had told her nothing of himself, nor his object in visiting the island that night, Christie used to look upon his hardy, honest face sometimes, and wondor vaguely what possible roa?on could havo brought him there. One other circmiistiiiec perplexed her not it lit k Once or twico sho had caught sight of a female form and face moving about in the outer room; it had been only a momentary glimpse, and yet it vividly ro called the wild, weird woman sho hid s:en m tho island on hor bridal night. There was tho same pale, strango face; the same dark, woeful eyes; f.nd Christie trembled as sho thought of her. Many times, too, sho heard a light quick footstep moving about, which she know could noi belong to her host; llio soft rustling of female garments, and at times a low musical voce talking softly. All this porpkxed and troubled Clirißlie, and she would have asked tho man about her, only sho feared offending him by what might seem impertinent curiosity, In a fow days Christie was well enough tn sit up at tho window ot her room, and drink in tho health-giving, exhilarating air, and listen to the songs of tho birds in tho trees around, Sho saw that this hut was situated in tho very depths of tho great forest. As yot sho had not stepped beyond tho precincts of Iter narrow chamber; but ono morning sho had risen for the purpose of going out for a walk, As sho entered the outer roo.u, she glanced around with curiosity It was ft small 6(juaro apartment, scarcely larger than tho one she had quitted, containing Httlo furniture, and that of tho rudest kind, No ono was in the room, but the door stood wide open, and in tho poich boyond Christie ciuclu sight of a femalo form sitting or. the ground, with her back toward her. There was no mistaking those long, black, Howtressos, and for n moment she drew b-.ck in terror. But her uttitudo and manner showed hit to h no phantom of an excited imagination, but a woman like herself, and curioMty proving stronger than dread. Christio softly approaahed, but with a lettering hemt. Whether the woman heard her or not, she did not move, a.id she was permitted to approach and look over her Bhouldcr unnoticed, A l.ttle gray and white kitton, which was in her lap, went spinning round and round after a straw which tho woman held above its head—now and then breaking into a peal of silvery laughter at its futile attempts to ctich it. Smprisn held Christie for a time spellbound ; but reassured that tho person was flesh and blood like herself.

" Fivst, iny diHighter, like O know what is tins nauio?" '■Christie." was tlio response ■' iin.B theo no other?" " I am Bouictimcs called Tomlinson, but that is not my name. lam an orphnn." " Whore is thy imtivo ploco ?" __, " Campbell's island," said Christie.^ "Ahl's-iidilioinim. "It I had known thai, I would not havo brought theo litre. Does theo belong to tlio C unpbclb?" "No, sir; I lived with Mrs Tom, who resides on the is-land." ', Yes, yes, I see," said tho boat;" I have seen the woman theo means, But how ciuio thee, child, to bo lying stabbed on the beach that stormy night?" " Sir, thero is a long story connected with that—which, at present, you must oxcuso iny not telling. I emmet do so without involving others, and that I do not wish to do,'' replied Christie, "As thee pleases child," said the mux kiudly. "Donot speak if it hurts thy feelings. But how about returning to thy friends ? Theo wishes lo do so 1 Bupposo ?" "Oh, no no 1" cried Christie. "Oh, I never wish lo go back again I" "Dostthee not?' said her host in surprise. "Theo has good reasons for that doubles?. " Oh, I lave I Some day I will tell you nlj, but not now, I havo no one to accuse or to blamo; and tho only friond I have ceased to think of me as living before this, If I return lo them, thero aro many who would bo rendered miserablo for life; and, as they all think mo dead I intend to bo so to them." All' her courage gavo way here, and bowing her face in her hands, she gavo vent to one of her wild, passionate burets of tears. (To bo continued.)

For a moment the woman glancid at her and then resumed her play, But in that oue brief glince Christio road her sad story. The woman before her was insn.no. In mingled sorrow, surprise, ond curiosity, Christie stood gazing upou her. In years Bhe might havn been fivo and thirty, with a faco which, in spito of its total want ot txpresiou, was singularly beautiful. Her tall slendor form was exquisitely roundod, and her long hair (looted over hor fair sloping shouldors. Every feature was benutllully chiseled; her complexion dazzling Mr, and hor largo black ojes magnificent, despite their

vacant idiotic stare, Her dross was of coarse brown serge, but it could not mar tho beautiful form it covered.

Moments passed unheeded, while Christio stood gazing on tho lovely wreck of womanhood before her; and wondering what could havo driven, hor insane, and why she and this man dwolt alone hero, ao far removed from human habitation, "While sho thus idly speculated, tho woman suddenly arose, and clasping her kitten in her arms, turned ami walked rapidly in tho direction of tho woods, and was lost ro sight among tho trees, "Whocsnsho be?" thought Christio; " it is certainly tho same one I saw on tho island when I thought hor a ghoßl that night and fainted; and ho had to tell Aunt Tom somo story of his own invention to account for it."

Tho thought brought back tho past so vividly Hint tho maniac was iorgotton, and sitting down she buried her faco in her hands, And gavo way to tipaasionato burst oi grief, It was 60on over, however, and she arose to survey tho plnco which seemed destined to btcomo her future home, It was a beautiful sylvan ppot. The cabin was built in a sort of natural semicircle, surrounded on all sides by tho dense primeval forest. L smooth grass plot sloped gently in (tout of tho bouse, and iben was broken by a little, clear, cryiUl stream, that danced over tho whito pebbles flushing liko pearls in the sunlight. Behind tho house was a sort of vegetable garden, witb a narrow place reserved for flowors —betokening tho refined tisto of tho gardener. The homo itself wbs a low, rough, iwprtsonding looking cabin of Iho smallest and plainest dimensions, Not a sound broko tho deep stillness, save the musical ript'lo of tho littlo strewn, tho son« 3o( the liirds ti iho soil swaying of the tree's; and involuntarily tho deep peaco of tho scone passed into Christie's oar, soothing it into calmness once more. As sho sal gazing around, a honvy footstep cauio crushing through tho trees, ami the next moment her host stood boforo her with a gun in one hand and a game bog well ll'lcd slung ovor his shoulder. Ho advanced to wlioro sho sat, looking surprised and ploased to seo her there, "Bo thco haß ventured out, my daughter!" ho snid, with his kindly voico and Itindliet smile, "I mi tosootbeo to loavo thy room onco more." •• Yos, tho day was so lino, and the Bun6hine so bright and warm, I could not resist tho temptation," said Christie, "I see you havo beon shooting with good success,'' ( "Yes; gamo is plenty in our woods,' be answered replacing his gun on a couple of hooks in tho poich, "But thco had better come in now; it is not good lor thee to sit too long in Iho hot sun." Cnristio roso and followed him into Iho house. The man drew a low rockingchair to iho window, " Sit tbee here child, and I must gel the dinnor now." "Let mo help you," said Christie anxious to be useful. "Let me get the dinner"."

»By Domains, dauglilor," snitll ho man will) hi" plca3!i;u siu.lp; "IbcD is too weak 1" wol '' ! }' o! ! rtiu ' I)oS i ( l es ' I havo nothing oUo to Jo. Sit thco down thoro; for, now that thco is strong enough to boar it, I want to lmvoa link tilk with

thos." . , . , . . Christio sank anxiously into Iho chair, nnd waited for what was to coma, Tho man took a brace of partridges out of his ba«, and, placing them on tho table, drew up° his chair and bogan taking off Iho feathers, and coavereiug with Obristie at tho eamo time,