The Queen of The Isle

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1085, 5 September 1904, Page 4

The Queen of The Isle

OR SIBYL CAMPBELL'S LOVE BY MAY AGNES FLEMING Author of "ThoHciwofGlonGowor," "The Unseen Bridegroom," etc

wait for you on tho bench," said Sybil, risiiv lo close tho interview, Cr. Hurried out to fulfil hie commissions for Mrs, Tom, and Sybil wont to her room to dress and to take leavo of Mrs. Brantwoll. , . "Self willod —self willed!" said the good oia hdy, sorrowinlly. " Well, goodbye, ray lovo, Rcinoraber, 1 shall expect you bock to'iuomw." " And I shall certainly try not to disappoint you," said Sybil, as she quitted the I room. Sho took her way to tho beach, whore she was Boonod joined by Carl, who pushed off and took tho oars, and, under his practised hands, the boat was soon flying liko a bird through tho sparkling waves, To be continued.)

CHAPTER XIX. (Continued) "Yes, yes; I always did talk thoughtlessly, and it had driven bim mad, Oh I I loved him once, and I havo driven him mad now!" she cried, wringing hor pale fingers. Miß Brantwoll looked at tho puzzled doctor in doopest distress. p| "Give her this; it will couiposo her, said that gentleman, "Drink this lovo," said that good lady, raising the poor wounded head of tho young wife. With the obedienco of a child, sho complied, and gradually sho fell into o deep slumber, , n »And now sho must bo kept very quiet, said tho doctor. " There is not the slightest dangor if aho is not allowed to excite

herself and is carefully nursed. Repeat tho meificino when sho wakes, and J «ill oall again to-morrow." 1 And the doctor bowed himself out, while Mrs Brantwoll sat down beside the sleeper, fanning her gently, and watching her while she slept. Sybil, sooing hor prosonco was not necessary, went down to the parlor, where sho found Willnrd Drummond awaiting her. Sho started, in alarm, for his countenance was gravo and deeply troubled. " Why, Willard, what has happened ? she asked hurriedly, quick to take tho alarm where he was concerned, "Sybil," hosaidslowly, "I am obliged toleayoyou." Sho turned doadly pale, and her large, dark eyos wore fixed on his face in ogouized inquiry. . " Scarce an hour a«o I received a lottor from homo," ho went ou," saying that my father was at tho point of doath, and if I over wished to seo him again I must hasten thoro immediately. I havo not a moment to loso. I start instantly,' but first I havo come to take leave of you." Tho news came so sudden that for a moment she seemed stunned. " When do you return ?" sho said, in a voico faint with emotion. " Soon, I hope, but I cannot as yot tell. Farewell, my own dearest lovo; bolieve' me, 1 will return to you as booh 89 may be." "And you will write?" sho said burying her face in his shoulder. "Certainly, Sybil; that will be my first oare, Remember mo to my friends, and explain to thorn the causo of this abrupt departure. And now, adieu. He pressed bor to his heart, and then quilted tho house and mounting his horse rode rapidly away, Onco he paused and looked anxiously in tbodirtctioooftho isle. Ho thought of Christie receiving his note and waiting for him in vain at their trysting place, '• What will she think of my absence ?"

he mused; "for I know, poor, faithful ohi d, she will await my coming ihoro until morning dawns, What cause will alio as' sign for ray nut keeping my appointment ? "Well, I cannot help it. I daro not wait until morning, and sho wdl hear to-morrow why I waß absent." And he rodo on, never thinking whether Christie was drstined to live to seo that eventful morrow dawn, When he was gone, Sybil sat for a few moments with a feeling o( utter desolation. Sho knew ho was not to ho gone long; but it was thoir first parting, snvo the few days she was absent in New York, and thoro was a dreary senso ot loneliness fit- 1 liDg her hear!. With htr linnda lying upon the table and her bond droppod upon them, she remained wholly unconscious of tho flight of time until tho ontranco of Mrs. Brantwell aroused her, She liftsd hor head as tho good lady spoko of Laura, ." She has had a quiet sleep, and now appears much better' Bui. how pale you j are, Sybil, are you going to be ill, too ?" ] "No I am quite well, only it gavo mo i such a shock, it was so sudden," said! Sybil. "Yes, I don't wonder at it," said Mrs Brantwell, " I camo to look for a spougo, and must go back to Mrs Courtnoy now, Sho left the room, and Sybil wont to the window and looked out, The afternoon was waning—tho sun was slowly sinking toward tho west, and Sybil saw that a dark, (?ense cloud was rising. " There is a storm coming, and perhaps fchero may bo no boat from tho island, after all," sho said anxiously. " How can I wait until to-morrow ?" " But, even while sho spoke, sho espied the-known form of Carl Honley approaching tho bouso. Sybil sprang to the boll, and presently bought Jenny. " Jenny, run down to tho door and tell the boy you will see to come hero immediately," sho said, exoitodly, Jonny disappeared, and soon returned -vith Master Carl, looking considerably amazed, not to say frightened, at this un-» expected summons. " Carl, what time do you voturu to tho island?" asked Sybil, "Right oil, sssiiV rrjr.l getsomo things for Aunt Tom," " Will you take me over when you go, Carl ?" " Yos, if you'll not be long getting ready;'cause thero's i storm n-eomin', and it will be dark aloro wo got there," eaid Carl, '• I will be ready in fivo minulos, and