The Queen of The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1104, 27 September 1904, Page 4

The Queen of The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

BY MAY AGNES FLEMING

Authrr of "'Die Ueiiifs ol G!tn Gnvcr," "The Unseen Bndrgrndn," etc

CUAI'TBR XXIX, THE DKVOTIOS Of LOVE It would be impossible to depict or doicnbo tho consternation that reigned now within tho church, Mrs Tom, in a deadly swoon, was borne from tho sacrod edifice.

Tho book had dropped from the hand of the clergyman, and dumb with amazement, ho stood ft wing nt tho otlieial. Mrs Brantwoll, almost fainting at so monstrous chargs, hid her shudderingfuco in hor trembling baud?. Tho bridesmaids had clustered together, gazing around with vague, terror-stricken eyes. But tho group around tho altar—they were tho focus of all eyes. Captain Campbell, his dark eyes blazing, stood gn ngon the sheriff as if ho would spring upon lmn and rend him limb to limb on the spot, for making so torribli a charge against a sister of his.

fhal gontlomim stood calm. Morn and unmoved, upheld by the consciousness thai ho wis doiug his duty, and keeping his eyes fixed, with something like pity, on the face ot tho bride.

WilltmlDrutumond, (oaring sho.might faint or fall, had encircled her waist with his arm, and, though his own face was poifeotly colourless with horror and iudignation, stooped down and whispoicd: "My bride—my wife—my dearest one bo calm! This monstrous accusation will bo explained.'

Bo calm! tlicro was littlo need In Icil her to bo calm. After the first involuntary shock, she stood like tin outraged empress before them, her whole face anil form irradiated with the light of insulted majosty, " There was one moment's deathliko pause, broken at list by tho voice of Mr, Lawless, saying politely: "1 am very sorry that painful necessity compels me to thin break up the festivities of this day. This charge agaiml tlio lady may be gioundless-I liopo it is. But I have a duty to perform, howo\er unpleasant it may be to mo and all of you." " On whose chargo is my sister arrested for this deed ?" said Captain Campbell, in a deep, stem voice, " On that of Mr. Edgar Courtney, I bn4 lieve," ftimvcrcd tho sheriff, " Edgar !" rang from every lip iu tones in which amazement had completely mastered every other icoling, Even Sybil looked bewildered, " Yes; and in support of ins deposition he has brought to bear such a strong chain of circumstantial evidence that oven in the face of the charge be'ng against a young lady so wealthy mid distinguished as Miss Campbell, it was found ncccssarj to issue a warrant for her immediate apprehension. Then tho sheriff turned to Sybil and said courteously; " Miss Campbell this duty is exceedingly unpleasant to me; but I rogrok to say you must go with me now." " Where ?" said Sybil, in a tono of such supernatural calmness that [everyone was startled. 'Miss Cjmpboll, lam very sorry, but. I must convey you to tho counly jail, to await your trial." "The county jail!" cxclaimad Sybil, losing her powerful soil-control for tho first timo during this trying rcjno;,and with a convulsive shudder alio hid tier faco on Willard's shoulder. He clasped her to his side, but ho spoke not ft word. Was it the impossibility of the chargo? or was it the awful confirmation of his doubts and tho vivid recollection of tho scono at tho astrologer's that hold him dumb? But Uapt tin Campbell, losing all self control, ouco more passionately broko forth: "To tho county jail! So help ine God! -never I Never will Sybil dimpboll submit to buoI) a degradation I Soonor >

will I shoot her doad with my own hand

whore she shnds!'' lie exclaimed, clinching his hands mid teoth in his impotent liery wrath. "My dear Guy, bo calm," sai.l Mr Brauiwcll Bootliincjy. "Jf Mr, Lawless wants bail —" "Parson Brantwell, I should liko to oblige you, but unfortunately tho charge 13 not a bailable one, And I trust no resistance will bo offered mo in tho discharge of my solemn duty, tor, painful as the announcement is, there is no help for it, Tho young lady must como with me!'' "lamready," said Sybil, lifting her polo face, and speaking in tones of supernatural calmness. "Iwill go with you, sir, and there will bo no resistance offered. Guy, dearest brother, bo calm; this vioenco will not aid me, and will lower yourself, Mrs, iirautwcll, may I iroublo you 0 bring my matule from the carriage 1 ' "Ob, must you gor"' exclaimed Mrs Bramwoll, wringing her hands,

"Unfortunately dear madam, there seems tobo no alternative" "But not in that dress? Sir may she not return to tho parsonage and change iier dress?" " Madam, 1 am very sorry but I cannot lose sight of uiy prisoner," " Then lam quite ready to go. Mis Brantwoil, dearest friend, fnrowcll—for a fow davs only I trust. Guy, brother, do not feel this so deeply; in a few days I trust to return to you all again. Willanl" —her dour voice choked for the lirst time nssli6 turned to him—" dearest Willard \ must bid you goodbye/' "Oh. Sybil! Sybil! Oh. my wile! do you think I will leave you thus?'' ho cried passionately. "Oh my bride!—my beautiful one [-never will I loavo you I —nover!"

A radiant glance, a look, a smile, rewarded him, while ovory heart thrilled at his anguished tones. "Your own—ever your own!" she said, looking up into his face with tleop, earnest undying love. There was not a dry eye in the church •everyone was sobbing, Mrs,lkantmill so convulsively that iho sherill, who was really a liind-heuited man, was deeply distressed. " Miss Campbell, will you accept my

arm ?" lio said, feeling the necessity of bringing (his coono nt once to an ontl; "my c image is at tho door to convey you lo " "The county jail! Oh, Sybil!—Oh, my sistor I Would to God you had died beforo you had scon this day!" "Brother! brother! bo calm I Mr, Lawless, I attend 70U I" said Sybil, advancing it Mop, as if to take ihc arm lie offered. {To be continual