The Queen of The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1116, 11 October 1904, Page 4

The Queen of The Isle OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE

BY MAY AGNES FLEMING

Authoi of "The Heiress of Glen Gower," "The Unsocn Bridegroom," r.c

CHAITER XXXV. MRKTINdS AND I'ARTINIiS For one moment jo great was tbo surprise, tVinb evory about was hushed, and the silence of death reigned. The nox', n wild fearful cry rung nut, and a man among tht croud fell heavily t) the ground. There was a swaying to and fro, ai tho vast sea of human beings made way for those who raised Edgar Courtney, white and senseless, from tho ground--a dark stream oozing from his lips, a murmur ran round: "He has burst a blood vessel I" But in another moment he was forgotten, and every eye was riveted on the scaffold —evory oar was strained to hour what was passing there. Sybil's mind, stunned by tho many shocks it had lately received, hail sunk into a sort of lethargy, from which nothing could arotiso her; and now sho stared at Christie, like one in a dream.

- But, with a passionato exclamation, Mr Brantwell sprang forward and caught Christio's hand, exclaiming: "Saved! saved I Sybil is saved! Christie lives 1"

And then the mob, catching up the words, sent forth shout after shon!, until the very air scemod to rang. "tiavodl saved!" rcpeatod Christie, with wild exultation; and then the unnatural strength that had hitherto bomo her up pavo way, and she sank fainting in the arms of Willard,

"Lot ns leave this horrible place," said Mr. Bram well, drawing Sybil's arm within his own, and leading her away.

" My carriage is near," said n gentleman who stood near them;" may I bejj you lo make uso of it '!"

" Mr. Drummond, yon had better bring this voting girl also. You peroivo blio has fainted," said Mr. Brantwell.

Tho clorgyman. with Sybil, entered the carriage, followedJ>y Drumuiond boaring Chrißtie, and then the carriage drove rapidly away toward the hotel, And the surprised and wondering crowd dispersed, to spread the news far and wide.

Sybil, like one in a dream, had allowed herself lo bo ltd passively whither the\ willed; but at the entrance of Willard she etattod liko one who receives a galvanic shock, hor faco grew crimson—hor wild black oyss lit fiercely up, and turning to Mr, Brantwell sho haughtily demanded; " Why is he hero ? How dare ho enter my presence again ?" ,'My dear Sybil, be reasonable," said tho minister, "Mr Droramond has saved your life," "I would sooner die tlianowo my life to him 1' she said, pussionataly. "My dear Sybil," wid the minister, soothingly, '' you umw't talk liko this; it's very wrong, you know," ' " Let her speak, Mr Brantwell; I deserve it all," said Willard, bitterly. His word 3, the sound of his voice, wrought a revukiou in her feelings, i.ud sho cried out, in a tono of pnssionato reproach: "Oh! Willard! WL'lard! how could you deceive me so ? 1 loved you so much ■-so much, Willard, and yet you deceived me! Oh, it was cruel, it was base, it was treacherous, it was unmanly to trillo with a poor young girl thus!'' •' Sybil, lam a wretch-I dare not ask you to forgivo me!" he groaned, " And she—she is your wife, is sho not ?" she said, fixing her -eyes en Ohrißtie. '•She is; but she had no part in deceiving you, Sybil; all the blame must rost on mo," he replied, "Mr Dnmmioml, sho is dead, I iear I l ' said Mr Brantwell, looking in alarm at the white, rigid face of Christie. " No; she has only swooned," "Hero wo are, at tho hotel, thank Heaven!" said the miniflrr, as the coach stopped, "My bro'her is herj?" said Sybil, in a hurried whisper. "Yes.*-

"Tako me to his room, then." she snii), , passing her arm through that of the olergyman. •' You will tako Mrs Drumtuond lo my i. apartmonl," anil iho minister, kindly; " tho waitor will show you where it is, I will rejoir. you in a few moments." Bearing the light form of his mill senseloss wifo in his arms, Willard ontorod tho room, and lpid hor on tho bed. The wife of the host entered with rostoratives, but it waß long ere tho heavy lids were raised from tho sad faluo eyes. " My own Christie, you are bettor now ?" said Willard, bonding over her." She smiled faintly and pressed her hand to her heart. "Yes, I will soon be bettor," sho said, in a strange tone. ""Willard, whore is Sybil?" " With hor brother, dear." "Havo you told hor all?" " No, Christie, I have explained no. thing."

" b'ond for her, then; for ber brother, *■ 100, and Mr Brantwell; I want to tell them all, and get Sybil's forgiveness before I —"

" Bofoto you—what ?" "Nothing, dearest Willard. Have you sent?" A sorvanl entered,, and themessago was delivered. " But she has nothing to forgive you, Christie; you never wronged her," "Oh, I did I unintentionally, perhaps, but still I wronged hor. Hark! thoy aro coming, Willard." Thero was a soil knock at tho door, Willard opened it, and Mr Brantwell, foN lowed by Sybil and Captain Campbell, entered.

A great change was perceptible in Sybil, during these fow minutes, The exhorta* tions of the clergyman had ovidenily not been without effect, for hor face had a calm, subdued look, as if she had at last realised tho great danger she had escaped, " Alias Sybil, can you ever forgivb mo?" said the and, sweet voice of Christie, '•Oh, Christie! I have nothing to for-

give yon. You were not guilty!" said Sybil, sinking down by tho bedsido, and hiding her face in Christie's little thin hand,

"Not willfully, but still I wronged you, And thero \? another—will yon forgive him'?"

"Never, so help mo Heaven!" liorcoly excliiuml Sybil, springing up, ami ensiing upon liiiu a glance of tiro. I " Sybil, Inm dying! You will not refuse my last request'! Oh, Sybil! in n moment of thoughtless passion he married me; but nil tbo time he loved you best, loan tee it all, now. Ha loved you then —he loves you now, bettor than all the world," "And you can forgivo him for the irreparable wrong ho has done you—a desosted borne, a blighted lite, and an early death! Christie, you are un angel!'' "No, no; only a frail sinner, witty so much to bo forgiven horsolf that she can easily, joyfully, forgive that, bybil, my hours ar# numbered. Will you ronder tlicm miserable by refusing my last request ?" "Oh, Christie, vau know not what you ask." " Sybil, do you not love Willard still ?" " Ob, I do—l do! God forgivo me—l do I" she said passionately. " And bo loves joti, Willard, come hero; take Sybil's hand. Now, Sybil,

promise when I am gono to bo his wife" Thtro whs a fierce struggle in tlie passiouate heart oi Svbil —a laststrngglo botween lovo ami pride. With her face bowed, lie whole frame quivering, she did not look np—would not cpcnk, unlil the little hand of Christio fell imploringly on her head

" Sybil, I cannot go unlil you promise this. You love each other still; why should this ono fault committed in a moment of thoughtlessness, make your whole future lives miserablo P Oh, Sybil! wo have all so much to bo forgiven, can you not pardon this?" Still no reply, . " Sybil, I mil dying, Oh, Sybil, cast out this frtlso p;ide that will mt.kc you wretched all your life, and unite my hit momenta happy by your promise, Ob. Sybil, (iearctt Sybil, consent!" "Christie, you havo conquered," said Sybil, as iihc kissod the pale brow of the dying girl Than, rising, she placed her hand in Willaid's, and said: "Willard, wo havo both erred; let lis forget the past, I love you still, and lorgivo you all.'' Ho did no' >- C p|y ; Du t h c ra'sod the hand she extended to his lips and turned towards the window.

"Oh, thank God for this!" cried Christ'o, exultingly, " Now.l can die in peace," There was a rap at the door, Captair Campbell openod it and Laura Courtney, pale, and excited entered. ".Mrs. Courtney, yon here!" exclaimed Mr. lirrmwtdl in surprise. ' ' "Oh, Mr. Braiitwell! Edgar i* dying; the doctor says so; and he is raving and saying iho most frightful things, He wants to sec O.tptain Campbell and his sister immcdiattly.' 1 {To be continued