Cruel As The Grave

"I should not like any visitor coming to stay with us and prevent our

tête-à-tête," said Lyon, gravely.

"I thought of that too, dear, and with a pang of selfish regret; for of

course I would much rather that you and I should have our dear old home

to ourselves, than that any stranger should share it with us. But then,

oh, dearest Lyon, I reflected that we are so rich and happy in our home

and our love, and she is so poor and sorrowful in her exile and

desertion, that we might afford to comfort her from the abundance of our

blessings," said Sybil, earnestly.

"My angel wife! you are worthier than I, and your will shall be done,"

he gravely replied.

"Not so, dear Lyon! But when you see this lady in her beauty and her

sorrow, you also will admire and pity her, and you will be glad that she

is coming to the refuge of our home."

"I may be so," replied Mr. Berners with an arch smile, "but how will

your proud neighbors receive this questionable stranger?"

The stately little head was lifted in an instant, and-"My 'proud neighbors' well know that whom Sybil Berners protects with

her friendship is peer with the proudest among them!" she said, with a

hauteur not to be surpassed by the haughtiest in the Old Dominion.

"Well said, my little wife! And now, as this matter is decided, I must

see about taking additional places in the stage-coach. How many will be

wanted? What retinue has this foreign princess in distress," inquired

Lyon, rather sarcastically.

"There will be three places required, for the lady, child and nurse."

"Whe-ew! My dear Sybil, we are collecting a ready made family! Does the

child squall? or the nurse drink?" inquired Lyon, with a laugh, as

without waiting for a reply he rang the bell, and gave the order for

three more places to be taken inside the Staunton coach for the morning.

And soon after this the young pair retired to rest.

Very early the next morning Sybil Berners came out of her chamber,

looking fresh and bright as the new day itself. She wore a close-fitting

travelling dress of crimson merino, that well became her elegant little

figure and rich, dark complexion.

She glanced around the room to see that everything was in order. Yes;

the fire was bright, the hearth clean, the breakfast-table neatly set,

and the morning sun shining through the red-curtained windows and

glancing upon the silver tea-service.

With a smile of satisfaction, she tossed back her raven-black ringlets,

and passed from the room and through the hall, and rapped at the door of

her new acquaintance.

Mrs. Blondelle herself opened it, and stood there quite ready to

accompany her friend to breakfast.