CHAPTER V.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2245, 27 November 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHAPTER Y.

Tho books came as promised. Bnt Godfrey did not call again at Delamerecrescent. He knew what evil can be wrought by wagging tongues. He contiivcd, though, to bo at nearly all the musical parties at which Sybil sang, and also to be generally leaving about the same time as she and her faithful attendant Sometimes he would see then) into their cab, sometimes he would walk pirt of the way homo with them. This depended, of course, on the distance they had to go. One day ho made a grand discovery. He was going very early oue morning to call upon an old friend who was leaving town that day. His way lay through Kensington gardens, and, to his astonishment, he camo upon Sybil and Deborah. In course of conversation, he found they were in tho habit of walking in these gardens every morning at this hour. " The weather was so warm, it was the pleasantest time of the day," Sybil said. After this Godfrey discovered that the air of Kensington gardeus was extremely beneficial. They were a long way from his rooms,, it was true, but then walking was such splendid exercise, and early rising — he had hated it. hitherto — so good for the health. These walks became quite an institution, and in after years Godfrey often looked back to that glorious June as a red letter month in his life. He and Sybil talked of art, literature, foreign lands, of everything, in short, bnt love ! but tiiat would, after all, have be> j n rather difficult, with Deborah trotting, like a faithful dog, behind them. Besides, Godfrey did not feel quite sore as to whether Sybil regarded him with any warmer feeling than friendship, and he dreaded to break the spell. One morning early in July he met Sybil alone. Upon inquiring for Deborah hn was told she bad hurt her foot and must re.st for a day or two. lam afraid Godfrey did not feel quite as grieved by i the news as he might have done. He and Sybil walked on, wandering into a secluded part of the gardens, deserted on this particular morning even by nursemaids and children. Two or three empty benches were scattered about, and on one of these they seated themselves. Somehow or other they had this morning found very little to talk about. Presently Godfrey said — " So you will be leaving town soon ?" Ho did not look at \\u companion as h.9 spoko, but straight before him at the trees — through the branches ho could sco glimpses of tho clear bluo sicy. 5 Ye, we give up our rooms noxt week. I, shall write to Sandcioss to-night for lodgings." " Are yon sorry ?" " For some reasons yes : for others no." "What are fho *.somo roasons,' and what the others." " Well, London i^ getting vp>y hot and dusty, you know, and I pine for a sight of green fields, and, above all, the sea; bub I shall be soiry to leavj my friends.' 5 "Your friends? Do you mean the fashionable ladies at wh'J^o houses you have been singing?" S^ll ho looked wtraight before him. Sybil lnujfhed. "I can scarcely call them friends." she siid. " I shall ba sorry to leave Isabel, poor child, and " Sybil left the sentenco uncompleted. Godfrey turned his be id, and taking Sybil's hand in his, he sail passionately. " Sybil, may I, dare I hop 3 you will be sorry to leave me ?" Tae girl did nofc reply in words, but rais'ng hr-r eyes to his, gavo him one long ling-.mn.r lo;k. There- must have been "ometMng in that look which told him all he wi-h-id fco know, for suddenly stooping* his hi»ad he took her face into both hid hand? and kissed the pretty upturned mouth. Then they both rose, and Godfrey, drawing Sybil's arm within hia ' own, they retraced their steps homewards. Before they reached Delamere-orescent — rather later than usual— Sybil had confessed to Godfrey how she had been attracted to him from the first, and she promised to become his wifo when and whore he pleased. Th it afternoon he went down to Berkshire, and had a long 1 talk with his friends it Chorley. Mrs Fenton was delighted at tho prospect of a weddinsr. For of course it must t'iko place at the old church where Godfrey hal been christened. Shs md her husband proposed that Sybil and Deborah nhould come to them instead of going to Sanrlcro«s, and stay with them until t.ie wedding. And so it wa3 finally •■•■innsroi. The following week found Sybil an>l her <rood old nurse domiciled at tho viciraare, Godfrey coming* down from town as often ns he could. Mi\s Foil ton and Sybil soon became fast friends, and tho weddinpr preparations went gaily on. Oue morninjr iv the besinniug of September, Godfrey and Sybil stood before tho altar of his father's old church. A neighbouring 1 vicar, a very old friend of the bridegroom's, ppi formed the ceremony. Mr Fenton gave the bride away. The best man was Dr. Carden, who had come to Chorley tho night before. As ha clasped a beautiful diamond and ruby bracelet on Sybil's arm, he was heard to extract a willing promise that she would in the future sin? to him whenever he should pleaso to aak her. The happy pair were to go to Italy for a three months' tour. But, before leaving England, they intended spending a week at Sandcros3, so full of memories to them both And so Godfrey and Sybil were married at last ! Bound together, heart and soul, for time and for eternity. Before returning to the vicarage to bid farewell to their kind fiiend there, they went into the churchyard to pay a last visit to the vicar's grave. As they stood there, side by side, Godfrey, taking his wife's arm within his own, prayed that in the dim, uncertain future which lay outstretched before them, he and his Sybil— or ' Brownie,' as she would ever be to him — might prove as true, loving, and devoted a couple as the two who lay sleeping so peacefully at their feet. And Sylil, raising her head from her husband's shoulder, said ' Amen !'