The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

. x/ WWWWWWW llllll ’ OR, SYBIL BERNER’S VINDICATION +o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+oo+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+o+ofi CIIAIYI'ER X\’III.-â€"(Continucd). “Yes. certainly." said Mr. Berncrs, taking been his pocketbook. ~ “Mel me make purchases for you, my lamb? La! whatever can you want in this awful‘ There I go again!" ex- claimed Miss Tabby, in dismay. “You have too much curiosity. you good old soul. But here. come with me, and I will tell you what to buy for me â€"uftcr you have instructed me as to what I shall went." said Sybil. laugh- ing archly. as she led the way to a rude arbor at a short distanrc. “Now. Tabby. what I \\'tlllt you to buy for me, is everything in the world that is needed for a. bran. spic and span new baby I" “La! Miss Sybil; whose baby 1’” in- quired the astonished housekeeper. with her mouth and eyes wide Open. “Tabby. don't be a goose i" expected little stranger. “But. Miss Sybil. I don‘t know what nut meanwhile. you mean I" /was a cloud. Joe was taken by surprise. and stood aghast. Ile knew. of Course. that his mistress was slightly insane: but he was utterly unprepared for such a. lapse of memory as this. Ile looked at his inas- ler in distress and perplexity. “Oh I" answored Lyon Berncrs for his man. “Joe. was thrown from his horse, and had his ankle. spiainci.” “I’oor Joel You must be very care- ful until it gets quite well," said Sybil. coinpassionately. And soon after this her visitors, mas- Iei and servants. look their leav c. CI IAPTER XIX. Summer ripened into autumn. Sybil and llt‘f’ faithful friend employed the golden days of September and October in the graceful and pleasing work of making up garments for the Outside the prison “ ‘ v . - . .. . black as night. was ‘hbby‘ 1m nm MISS Mb“ to beg!“ gfllhf‘l‘ing over the bonus prisoner's \Vitlil I’m Mrs. Berners. and have been doomed head. mm'm’d more than a your. and The minor got abroad that the inflow it. you stupid old 'I'iibbyt" governor meant to follow up the long But. MISS sybil. or ratherâ€"wise Mrs. respite with a full pai'dOn. Bernei‘s, if I must be so cerenionious ms course m this map”. was am. With my own nursechild. what has that “559.1 and commcnmd upon severely k; do inn]: “gal; in c\ ery barroom, grocery, street cor- ° “glam?” uy iier. political meeting. and elsewhere. ‘0 m" The press took up the matter. and half-provoked I - - .- _ “ vmdictively reprobated the coune of the dullntss of the old housekeeper. No- gmcmon pumng his conduct upon “1.. thing whatever. But vou must go out -. . i - .- . . , . - . . motives of iartialit' for the an toriacy. and buy e‘yeryunng that 15 required for “ad the hiurdereés been a Williflll of he wardrobe of a young child' and - . - .. . . . .. g", _ the people. it said. her life would have u must find out what is necessary, f0i paid the form” of hm, crimp. I myself haven‘t the slightest idea of But We wag a lady of “w comm. w at. that is." . ' ‘lie housekcc or looked at the ladv ar'SmCI‘aC-V‘ a dm’gmor of “‘73 “mfso “I Ioréa moment. ill questioning doubt and Bel-Tm" and‘ howe‘.er no.1»?lrwllil“ “3,3: [m V and men. as “10 mm] Slowly Pcmllioust had been cuiscd wi i iinion..iL eu- [9d hm. mind‘ she broke [Wm sud_ passioiis._ and diowever deeply dyed dc, iv with: With crime. its daughter. however .ro‘h1 my good gracious! guilty. was not to be held amenable to honey! you don‘t mean if, the laws! I “Yes‘ I do. Tabby. and I thank How] was such outrageous worship of the ven every day for the coming bless_ aristocracy by partial Judges and venal mg." said [he young “life. fervenuy‘ governors to be endured in a country “But. oh, Miss Sybil. in such a place 0‘ meme"? . I as thisâ€" There 1 go again in ex_ N0! the mice of the people would .e claimed the housekowop‘ breaking off heard through their organ, a. free press! in a panic, and then adding‘ “I ain't m and if not listened to, then it would oe. to come to see you; no, that 1 ain't. pm heard in thunder at the polls in the always forgetting, especially when you coming “mum” “FCUOHSI talk so sensible!" Such was the spirit of the people and “What's the matter with you. Tabby? the press in regard to Sybit Are you crazy? You “evol- ihougm It It was strange how the people and was going to slay hem for such an/tlie press clamored for the sacrifice of I you you‘ve been a-asking at. all.” answered Sybil. and balLamuscd at the Miss Sybil. do you ‘3" event. did you? In a public resort like Sybil BONNIE“ liteâ€"“10 “It‘mflle [lent t" this? Tabby. I‘m shocked at, you: No! It. was because they honestly ascribed I shall be at home at Black Hall to rc- to her a nature she did not possess. and ceive the little stranger. 'I‘abby.” said committed. thus making ltf‘I‘ innocently Sybil. making the longest and most, suffer for the sins of tar forefathers. connected speech she had made since Of course there \\'Cl‘l' iT-‘lllll'fil)le ex- her reason had become impaired. ccptions to this general and iinmerited “Ali. Lord! ah, my Lord I" cried the[ reprobation of ii gllllll\'>$ young crea- id woman, on the verge of hysterics' lure. but these exceptions were ' mostly I gain. ‘ I among Sybil's own Set. and were too I ‘Now. ’Iabby, don’t begin to whiin~. few to have any force against the over- perl You whimper over everything;whelming weight of public sentiment. hough. I know. You \vliimpcrcd when! And it was the genera! belief that. if was born. and when l was christencdfi the. Governor should outrage public and. when I was inai'l'icd; and NOW you opinion by pardoning Sybil Berners, he Sumner when I am going to be crown- ’ would be politically ruined. SYbll Ber- with the crown of ii’iaternity. 01L; nei-s could not be permitted to live. She )‘0N Old I‘CbCll' Cl‘led Sybil. COlltl‘OfliCl‘imust die before the Government could my all her sarcastic words by carress-I'be “hemmed by the people. And [he ingl her old friend. _ - . .. . - . . v . (lection was COIlllIl’ on in the ensuian ".t\o. I don‘t mean to! but if yOLI:NO\.mnber_ 5 ° kiioxwed! .911.‘ it ’you knowcd!n ex-l Would he purchase SUCH,“ by the Sixfiggmlg‘ffl 132:3! §ullpr°°5mg and'sacrif‘icc of this young sufferers life? uNlo‘v‘ "'19", let Us go back '0 Lmn' HAli. hei‘ bist ’lfriundm asking themâ€" Lyon will give you what money-you '5' LT; film” m"! “We forced ‘0 may need for the purchases: and I beg‘ mam}: gull, ’Of arm!“ had . i. that you will make them as soon as. _,_.i“”' am“ UK °Q1Ta I‘n0j‘" ‘ possible. and bring them to me here." pf“ " . . rm "“ u. S . "L’b‘Wl' said Si'bil. as she arose and walkedCTN-la“), ‘mxh‘e'h‘ld Susliill‘e‘} 1‘ ‘s’l‘t‘tll back to‘ the spot where she left her husâ€"l 1,059 m “1" “fp‘mu.” “I he“ “3101‘s 1”" band and her mend. lvo'cate. Ilshmacl \\ ortli. After a little general conversation. :nl _'“‘: 5“““3 la“."l.“.r'._50_°n 9”” n“ m" which Sybil sometimes joined naturally!:llwfim .dm‘“ “11° “Mme rm“! H!“ and from which she atso suniclimest 'l’l.”nO" “'“l “W” (“mod “Ml-V 0” wandered off a! random. Mr. IternerslWNW“ “I m" “llml‘l “"l‘“'rm”c“~ “ml proposed to call in Joe lu pay his l':""'““:'”~“'f‘i‘h‘Wl‘H‘ Eur“IW- “9 spects to his mistress. .1‘”f”“"‘;t"‘i“5“ “'H' “he “"3” “01“ Sybil sprang at the preposal. and Joe, “'I‘l“ ‘g' I‘lllbmlmn-i‘ Pill" I'llt‘l‘"llml._ was duly summoned from his seat on!I ,"“' “9:3”, "-Mltf'u-WHS \\"L‘l‘c destined [he box of the Carling“ “pl-m... “u. war-I Olin .tivibvtiddl It was ll0\\ pidlli l0 Sim- He came into the garden. but in hanl,‘ I l: 'IE‘qml‘g “11 M“ B“"““l'5 DMWI‘S and bowed gravely befoie ti!» unfort:i-‘0 é." form“ to “('3’ ‘I'Ci’lllll demeanâ€" natc mistress. 0" “l “t0 iI'l't'seiilrr of his iiiisnspicious I 'I 'l - I . And when she, asked litlll many t]ll(‘S-l“l["‘ “9 11““ CUletllll} licpt from the hr". the weather was too cool and often .im in.) damp to make it prudent for the par [visonor to spends so inanj.‘ hum- I‘I tli-‘ [.rls‘iiii gurdt‘n. ns slit‘ i::i-_i liiielv Sunday rifle." you come home. \\lll\']l we all at [Ilia-ll i'iull hopes. as the wab rs of this here tililrr'iled spring l?.:~‘.' soo‘i mslore your health. and sand yuz. tank to iis Sam. I up! pup-y: >;-'.i .‘ a. 3!. been girmi'trd to do. She Nd much in "H. '.,_,.|.;. 3‘,“ of h , g - .‘- “MAM jg, rd. and. silent. and brooding. “thanks. )0“! I ll.- 1! i . urn “.».‘.:;it is tl-i matter will: you. very sin. re and ' l". «x ‘ goat cixri m", 1‘" flivpila‘ed ileilrix l'endle‘on t. mar l-id r.i;c il'iy. when they sat together 5} liiizie ."' iizu an I‘miv'». :\:‘211_\ It s .‘:t soul, how came you to be so coll. Beatrix sewing diligently on t lions about lha| Ili‘l‘tll'llli.‘lll or ihefi‘”ll .H'W-V mp3" ‘7” ‘1 ““W-"l'filbt‘l‘ that domestic economy of mm.- Il-ill iii.-ii:*‘°,“”””“i “‘3' “MW”! ‘0 “'0 cOmlumml ' {en “WM. his 0m] 5.1.1..,l.\i5;0.,_ 3w! lfrisoiii'r and her eircunistiinc.»r. and m». answ cred all her questions subside-l“!d [Iii-5 tU livep Beatrix. as well as 101.“... “.th1” on... my... mm“; mm. bit. ignorant of the iii'ipendmg doiim: the unlucky blilllilt‘l‘s that had iiiarredflfll'w'!“ “""m‘l I't'MHV l" I'l‘i‘SOFYe in Miss 'l‘abb)"s coninuim aliens. ;-5."l”l‘ 01"‘P~'l‘30 “19 L‘llr‘l‘l'i'd counte- “Your [MOI-“,1 mar... Dam“ i; m lltlll-v? that she never could wear it 5!... prin‘lp 0,~dn,-_ mam“. and mi; 3.. mislmntd discover the thundercloud of do. ‘Ylhlnf‘vel‘ you comp hum" “5..., 3;. !-,l_\,\' sti-ueir'm that loweli‘d darker anil' your rides in the \dlley. \viI cur lli'fi‘ill'l‘. dit!" by (liti- over the head i.i couch hat-N5. (:lqlnl- in, ‘l\:_,l:t‘l' il-iuId-‘Ll (‘Ufllf‘ulllOlL ma'aiu. couldn‘t be in L 1” ':~ii:i l PM Sybil herself was losing: her good shall take pride III di'Iil': e! _‘.'(.'i :i spirits. the autumn had .30! iii \i‘l'j»’ church he " .: than. :I thtfil lia‘ first nan-‘3‘: and ituugli now it was but om... t .attendance upon the agonized woman. infant's robe. and Sybil. with neglected needlework lying on her hip, and her head bowed upon her hand. “What is the matter with you. Sybil?“ “Oh. Beatrix. I don't know. But the: autumn weather. it saddens me. Oh. more than that~woise than that, it hurrif‘ies me so much. It Seems associ- ated withâ€"â€"l know not what of anguish and despair. And I want to leave his desolate and gloomy place. It is so lonely. now that all the visitors have gone. but ourselves. flow can you bear it. Beatrix?" “Very well, dear; so long as I have your company." answered Miss I‘endle- ton. wondering that Sybil should miss ltho throng of visitors that had existed only in her own imagination. “ hit I am homesick. Beatrix. Oh. Beatrix! I am soâ€"soâ€"homesick.” said Sybil. [)lilllllIVt‘lV. “Never mind. dear. Try to be pa- tient. It would not do for you to under- take the, journey now, you know." said Miss I’eiidleton. sootliingly. “Oh. but. I‘fealrix. I ind so w ant to no at home to welcome my first dear child! her Angel There was never a llcrners born out if Black Hat! since the building was first i‘I't‘t‘lCll." she pli‘tldt‘d. “Never mind. dear. Everything now must give way to your health. you know. \\’e could not endanger your health by taking you over all these rougii roads to “litt‘lv' llall just how." said Miss l’cndleton. gently. “Ah. well. I will try to content. my- self to stay here in this gloomy place. But, oh. Beatrix. after all. I may die. and never see my home again. My dear home! Oh. if I should die licrc. Bea- trix, I should be sure to haunt my home I" “But. you will not die. You must put away such gloomy fancies." As Miss I‘endletoii spoke. the Cell door was opened. and the warden ap- peared. bearing in the tray containing the supper service for the two ladips. It was not usual for the warden to wait on them in person: and so, to Miss Pen- dlcton's silent look of inquiry. he answered : “You must excuse my daughter ’Ol‘ .fliis once. ma'am. as she has gone to a merry-making in the villageâ€"this, you know. being Hallow Eve." "Ilallow Eve !" echoed an awful voicr. Both the warden and the young lady started. and turned around to see whence the unearthly sound came. They beheld Sybil fallen back in her chair. pallid. ghastly. and convulsed. Beatrix seized her vial of sal volatile .and flew to the relief of her friend. “What l.\ it. dear Sybil? can you tell me ‘3" she anxioust inquired. as she held the vial to the nostrils of her friend. “Hallow Evol IIallow Eve I" she re- peated. in a terrible lone. “Well. dear. what of that? nothing I" “Oh. yes. yes, it is horrible! it is hor- rible !" “Hush. posed." “black night! firel bloodl (l ICI'I‘i’iI' I" “It was only a dream. dear. It is over now. and you are awake. Look up I" “Oh. no! no dream. Beatrix! an aw- ful. an overwhelming reality 2" ex- claimed the. awakened sufferer. Then suddenly. with a shriek. she threw her hands to tier head and fell into spasms. “lv‘or Heaven‘s sake. run and fetch a doctor." exclaimed Beatrix. in the ut- most distress, appealing to the terrified warden. He immediately hurried from die room to procure the necessary medical attendance. Beatrix run after him, calling loudly: “Send for her husband. and her old nurse from Black IIall. also. I know it is after hours. but I believe she is dy- ing.” The warden nodded assent, andghur- ried away. leaving Miss Pcndlcton in That is hush. dear! try to be com- Oh. what who recovered from one convulsion onEy to fall into another and sevcrer one. u n g a n a It was midnight. and a sorrowful and anxious group were gathered in Sybil‘s Cell. She lay upon her bed. writhing. with agony, and upon the very verge r,[l di'atli. Near her stood her old family physi- cian. Dr. Ilart. her old nurse. Mrs. \\'iiitcrose. and her faithful attendant. All->3 Tubby, In the lobby. outside the cell door. sat her husband, with his face buried in in his hands, wrestling in prayer with lleaven. \\'hiit was he praying for? That his idolized young wife should be spared fit this mortal peril? No. no. and a thou- sand times no! \\'ith all his heart and son! he prayed that she might dieâ€" that she might die e‘ci‘ that dread war- rant. which had arrived from llicliiiiond onlv that morning. and which fixed licr execution for an early dry. Could be curried out! this agony of prayer was interrup- led. The doctor came out of the cell. and whispered: “It is m er. litlle girl." 'l‘liei‘i' no: no e\pi'essini of parental joy or thaiikfulness on the father's part. Ul!l_\' the breathless question: "_\nd she‘.‘ Can she suriive‘f' She is [lie mother Of (1 CHAPTER XX. “flan she lei-iii-r_<_ perceiving lirsitiili-d (I) reply. survive?" repeated Lyon that the pliysiciani “If she must die. do not fetii‘ to tell “:0 n‘l. I. who love lll'l' best. would say. "thank (it'll !’ can! she .si_ii"vi\e‘."' I “Mr. Burner». I do not l.ini'.\_ Herr S:lliil‘ti)l"i is \~‘:_\ v‘riti-L'Iil. >7.- l.:i~ liii l; cifiiiviilsi:'iri\_ Sh» n iv. pi is'ruzmtl .‘ilbl C.:Iii;it~\-‘.” ‘ "_\ i :~'.\>‘ii‘l 'l.-" ili‘:.;liil‘. “then there is got-l llllu‘ that llivf| of Death may take her home now 1‘” "There is strong choose, to call it “.»\h, lir. know «Av “That death in same case; n blessingwthat death in tainly would. Yes. my bouiideii duly hope. since you hope instead of fear.” “all. you know~you might be this ruse cer- I know. And yet it is to do what I can to saw life. so I must ietiirii to NH pa- tient." said the physician. laying his hand upon the latch of the door. “When may I see my wife?" inquired Lyon Berncrs. “Now, if you please; but she will not konw you." said the doctor. shaking his head. “I shall know her. however." mut- tered Mr. Berncrs to himself. as he raised his hat and followed the doctor into the cell lemiiig Beatrix alone in the half. It was near midnight. and Miss Pen. dlcton. having been very properly turn cit out of the sick-room, and having been then forgotten, even by herself. had no place on which to lay her head. When Mr. Berners. following the doctor. entered the cell. he found it but dimly lighted by one of the wax can- dies with which his care had supplied his wife. In one corner sat Miss Tabby, whim- pering. with more reason than she had ever before whinipercd in her life. over the newâ€"born baby that lay in her lap Near by stood old Mrs. \Vintcrose. busy with her patient. The patient lay. white as a lily. on her bed. “flow is she 7" inquired the doctor. approaching. “\\’hy. just the, sameâ€"no motion. no sense. hardly any breath." answered the nurse. “Sybil. my darling! Sybil F' mur- mured her heartbroken husband. bend- ing low over her still and pallid faCe. She rolled her head from side to side. as if half-awaken d ~y some familiar sound, and then lay still again. “Sybil! my dearest wifet Sybil! again murmured Lyon Berners, laying his hand on her brow. She opened her eyes wide..looked around. and then gazed at her hus- band's face as if it had been only a part of the wall. “Sybil. my dear. my only love! Syâ€" bil!" he repealed. trying to meet and fix her gaze. But her eyes glanced off and wander- ed around the room. and finally closed again. _ “I told her she would not know yefii," sighed the doctor. “So best. so best. perhaps. Heaven grant that she may know nothing until her eyesshall open in that bright and blessed land. where ‘The wicked cease from troubling. And the weary are at rest I’ ” said Lyon Berners. bowing his head. But he remained standing by the bed- side. and gazing at the pale. still face of his wife. until at length Miss Tabby came up to him. with the babe in her arms. and whinipered forth: 'Oh. Mr. Lyon. won’t you look at your little daughter just once? Won't you say something to her? \V'on’t you give her your bleSsing? Nobody has said a word to her yet; nobody has wel- comed her; nobody has blessed her! Oh! my good Lord in Heaven! to be born in prison, and not. get one word of welcome from anybody. even from her own father I" And here Miss Tabby, overcome by her feelings. sobbcd aloud: for which weakness 1. for one. don‘t blame her. “Give me the. child." said Mr. Ber- ncrs, taking the babe from the yielding arms of the nurse. “Poor little unfor- tunate!" he Continued. as he uncovered and gazed on her face. “May the Lord bless you, for l. wretch that I am. have no power to bless. At. this moment Mrs. “interose came up. and. addressing the doctor. said: “Sir. I have done all I can do in this extremity. Tabby is fully equal to any- thing tliut may happen now. But as for me. sir. I must leave." Leave? What. are you thinking of, woman ?" demanded the doctor. almost angrily. “sir. I left. my poor old husband at the very point of death! I would not‘ have left him for any other cause on earth blit this. And now I must go back to him. or he may be dead before I get there," “Good Heaven. my dear woman. but this is dreadful l" "I know it is. sir. But I couldn't help it. My child here ill and in prison. and I Called to help her in her extremity, and my husband on his deathbed. \\ ell. sir. I couldn't. help my poor old man llllll‘ll. lit‘l'tlllSL‘ he was so low he didn't know one face from another. and I would help my poor iiiipl-isuiied. suffer- ing child; and so I left my dying hus- band to the care of my dartcr Libby. and I comes to my suffering child! But now she's over the worst of it. I must leave her in the care of Tabby and go bark to my dying husband Please God I may find him alive I" said the poor woman. fervently clasping tie! bands. ‘ “My good soul. here is, indeed. a most painful case, of a divided duty." said the doctor, in admiration. “Yes. sir; but the Lord fits the back to the burden." sighed Mrs. \\'iiiterose. resignedly. “Ilave you two banks?" wickedly in- quircd the doctor. “What was it. sir?“ asked Mrs. Win- terose. doubling her own cars. “Nothing. lint just see, what a storm is coming up. You‘ll be caught in it if you venture out." I “Law, sir. I'm not sugar. nor likewise salt. to get melted in a little water. And I must go, sir, please. if I am ever to see my old man alive again.” said the nurse resolutely. putting on her bonnet and shawl. "But how are you going through night and stonn‘l" “Mr. Lyon will not begrudge me the use of the carriage and horses and driver as brought me here. to take me six miles back to my husband's deathbed.l reckon." said the old woman. confl- dcntly. “No. indeed; nor any help I can give you. dear Mrs. Winterose." said Mr. Berners. feeling himself appealed to. “'I‘hanky, sir; I knowml it. And this I say: When the breath is ‘outen my poor old man’s body. I will come back to my child. holding it always more (liilifnl to attend to the living as can suffer, rather than to the (lead as are at rest. And. now. if you please. Mr. Lyon. to see me into the carriage. and order Joe, to drive me home. I will re oblceged to you." said the old woman. Lyon Berners gave her his arm. with as much respect. as if she had been a duchess, and led her from the room. When they reached the outer door. which the warden. in consideration of the necessity. ordered to be opened at this unusual hour. they found the rain pouring in torrents from a sky as black as pitch. “A wild night. to take the road. Mrs. Winterose," said Mr. Berners, as no hoisted a large umbrella over her head. “I don't know as I remember a wilder one. sir. since the flood of ninety, and that was when I was a yotmg ’oman, which wasn't yesterday. And you’ll hardly remember that. air?" i’I‘o be continued). +â€"-â€"â€" T0 SCARE AWAY THE DEMON. Chinese mothers are, as a rule. loving to their children. but superstition often makes them cruel. For instance. a for- tune-teller will inform a mother that her childâ€"usually a girlâ€"is inhabited by a devil. Then it becomes the duty of the mother to beat, starve. and even to put her hapless little one out of doors. Its little face may he blackened. and its hands cut off. in order to scare away the drawn. The child is left to die out side the dwelling. for the mother. he. lieving in the transmigration of souls, fears that this demon-child may be re born to her. NOT FOR HIM. lieâ€"“l believe you are ready to mar- iy the first too! who comes along." Sheâ€"“You have no right to say so." And she threw a strong accent on the “you.” 'I‘lll-I 'l'lttd'll DIS f'Ol‘lt'l'lIOI'S. x v I r “17- ll--.l.~~' l *llilll lv‘l'.’ . . .. i Id 'i'y mom}. \I -ll-':\ Ldt‘fl'ilut'! .ux iii‘i“ would have i lilv" [u know what you