The Queen of The Isle

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1084, 3 September 1904, Page 4

The Queen of The Isle

UIV SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE BY MAY AGNES FLEMING Author 'A "ThoflcirtfsofGlcnGowcr," "ThoUnßßon Bridegroom," etc

CHAPTER XIX, THE FIRST VARTINQ. " Really, Sybil, my love, you aro getting to bo a most singular girl. Two or ihroo days ago you were all in the dismals; then after the party, you got as aniiablo and bright as a Juno morning; and I was congratulating myself on having oecurod you here, when Guy brings you a tiny note from this little blue-eyed island girl, Christie, and lo! you aw off on the wing again, and I left to go moping about liko a poor old hen turkuv with the distemper." " But my doar Mrs Brantwell," said Sybil, "you hevo Mrs Courtney, who is twice as agreeable a companion as I am. it's a moral impossibility for you to go moping around, as you any, whon she is here." "Oh, yes," said Mrsßrantwell, "thats all very fine, without being in tho least consoling I want you. Mrs Couttuoy's very lively, I know, but I invited herhoro as much to keep you in spirits as anything else, and now you fly off and leave us for my pains." "I am very sorry. Mis Brantwell to disturb your r-uiuieincrits," said Sybil gravely, "but when I tell you this affair is of tho utmost importauco to me, and that my happiness, in a measure, depends upon my going, I arn suro you will withdraw yom objections." "Your happiness? Now Sybil Campbell, I would just like to know what this island girl ha!> got to do with your happiness?'' said Mrs Brantwell. folding her iat hands and looking into Sybil' face. " More than yon would ever think, perhaps—moro than I onco ever dreamed myself sho would have," said Sybil, whilo a cloud fell over her brow. " But enough of this, I oannol explain further at present. The amount of it is I must go to-

self, Tjio still and do not talk." 11 1 luvo boon very wicked," she said; "but i did not mean it. Oh 11 nover meant it-I neyor—nover moant it I" she moaned. "My dearest child, I know it; but it will hutl you to talk so much,'' To 6c continued,)

night." And Sybil's face assumed that look of steady decision it could sometimes woor. " Humph! Particularly mysterious, all this, When do you return ?" "That depends upon circumstances. Tomorrow, perhaps," "Sybil, do you know what 1 think?" said Mra Brantwell, abruptly. 11 No, indeed; Ido not pretend to divination," slio said, with a smile, "Shall I toll?' "If you phase. lam all attention." "And you will not bo angry with youi old friend, who talks for your good ?" 11 Of course not What io the world if

this preface about ?" And (Sybil's largo eyes woro fixed surprisedly and uneasily on the fair, florid face of the matron, "Woll then, Sybil, it's my opinion you ro jealous of some ono," said tho old lady. Sybil's dark fnco flushed, and thon grow pale. "And that's a very miserable fooling, my dear," said tJrs Brantwell, " and also vory foolish. No sensibls person ovet gives way to it, because they only bestow their affections on those in whom they can place implicit trust. Now, I hopo you hivo too much flood seuso to fancy Mr Drummond cun care for auy one moro in the world than you." Sybil sat with hor faco averted, and rnado no reply. " 1 had too high an opinion of you," went on tho old lady, vory gravely, "to think you would be jealous of any ono, much less an insignilictmt littlo grl like this Christie Don't bo angry, my love; lam talking for your good, And, indeed, you have not the slightest cause to fear a rival; for, go whero you will, you cannot find ono moro peerlessly beautiful than yourself, Come, my dea* child, shake oil this feeling that is uuwonhy of you, Mr, Drummond, I foel (issued, has novtr for an istaat wavered in his fidelity to you." " Who said I was jealous?" said Sybil, passionately. "lam not. He dared not be falso to me. Lot him try it at his peril, He knows I am not ono to be trifled with."

" Why my dear, your very vohomeuce convinces mo of what I only suspected bofore, lam afraid you will bo very unhappy Sybil, if you do Dot cultivate a more trusting spirit," "1 do trust' I will trust!" said Sybil, clinching her small hand, "But oh, where wo love tho faintest suspicion of distrustia madness!"

"\Vlioro we lovo truly wo feel no dis» trust. Sybil." " Ob, you do not know. Do I not lovo truly ? Have I not staked life and happiness on biru, and yet—"

"You doubt." " No, no—not now. I did doubt, but that tiaio is gone," said Sybil, "Then why this visit to the isle, Sybil?" said Mrs. Brnnlwcll, soarchinglj fixing hor eyes on her face. Before Sybil could reply, a sound as of a heavy fall reached thou* ears. " What can that be ?' said Mrs, Brantwell, starting up. " It Bounds liko somo ono fulling'" said Sybil, listoning. " I will go down and see."

She flew down tho Wig staircase, followed by Mrs Brantwell. And on entering the room, there they found Mrs. Courtney lyiug senseless on the floor, her faco deluged with blood. " Great heavens I Whathos happened? said Sybil, turning sick at tho sight " Oh, I know I" said Mrs. Brantwell, as sho raised tho slender, prostrato form, "Oh, that demon of jealously I Sybil, ploase ring tho bell." 11 But what does this moan? 1 do not understand," said Sybil, as sho obeyed. "Why this poor child's husband .is crazy with jealousy," " Heaven beuiorcilull Hecannot havo struck her!'' said Sybil. " Oh, Ido not know; but jealousy will mako a man do anything—commit murder—it has done it befoio now, and will again, Jenny," sho said, "Tell Tom to go instantly for tho doctor, and thon come back and help mo to carry this poor kdy upstairs." Tho alaraodgirl How to obey, and aftor despatching tho boy, hurried back, and aided Mrs. Brantwoll in conveying tho slight form of Mrs, Conrtnoy to her room, Thon with tomo topid water she washed off the b|Ood, disclosing a deep gash riglu above the eye, which continued bleeding so profusely as to awoken fours of hor life, " Oh, I fear she will bloed to death I Would that tho doctor was hero I" said Mrs. Brantwell, wringing her hands in deepest distress, "And hero he is," said Sybil, as at that moment tho doctor hastily entered, After examining tho wound, the dcotor pronounced it dangerous, but' not fatal, and soon succeeded in slopping tho bleed-' ing. And thon tho dark eyes of Laura opened, wildly and wandered, with a vague, frightened look, around. " My poor child, what has happened ?' (laid Mrs Brantwell, beniing over her. " Where is ho 'I" she said, grasping Mrs Brantwoll's arm, convulsively. " Who, lovo ?" said Mrs Brantwoll. "Ob,lie—Mr Courtney!" bLo said, in tho same frightened whiapor. 11 He i» gone, dear, Did ho slriko you ?" "Oh,no-no!" she cried, widly. "1 foil and Btruck against something. Ob, my head! I am goiog crazy, I think." "Huib, love; you muit not Koitoyour