Cruel As The Grave

Deserted rooms of luxury and state,

Which old magnificence had rudely furnished

With pictures, cabinets of ancient date,

And carvings, gilt and burnished,--HOOD.

The carriage drew up at the foot of a flight of stone steps, leading to

the front entrance of the house. The double oak doors stood wide open,

showing the lighted hall and a group of people waiting.

Sybil looked eagerly from the carriage window.

"I do declare," she exclaimed, "if there is not, not only Miss Tabby,

but Miss Libby and Mrs. Winterose besides; Mrs. Winterose," she

explained, turning to her guest, "is the widow of our late land steward.

She is also my foster-mother, and the mother of the two maiden ladies,

Miss Tabby, who is our housekeeper, and Miss Libby, who lives with the

widowed parent at home. They have come to welcome us back. Heaven bless

them!"

As Sybil spoke, Mr. Berners dropped down from his perch on the

coachman's box, and opened the carriage door.

He assisted first his wife, and then their guest, to alight. And then he

took the sleeping child from the nurse's arms, while she herself got

out.

"You know the way, dearest Sybil! Run on before, and I will take charge

of our fair friend," said Mr. Berners, as he gave his arm to Mrs.

Blondelle to lead her up the steps.

But Sybil had not waited for this permission. Too eager to meet the dear

old friends of her childhood to care for any one else just then, or even

to feel a twinge of jealousy at the words and actions of her husband,

she flew past him up the stairs and into the arms of her foster-mother,

who folded the beautiful, impetuous creature to her bosom, and welcomed

her home with heartfelt emotion.

Miss Tabby and Miss Libby next took their turns to be embraced and

kissed.

And then the old servants crowded around to welcome their beloved young

mistress; to every one of them she gave a cordial grasp of her hand, and

loving words.

"It is very delightful," she said, with tears of joy in her eyes, "it is

very, very delightful to be so warmly welcomed home."

"Everything as well as everybody welcomes you home, Miss Sybil! Even the

Black Torrent! I never heard the cascade sing so loud and merry as it

does to-night!" said Old Abe, or Father Abraham, as he was called, for

being a full centenarian, and the oldest negro, by twenty years, of any

on the estate.

"Thank you, dear old Uncle Abe! I know you all welcome me home! And I

love to think that my torrent does too! And now, Miss Tabby, you got the

letter I wrote from Underhill, asking you to have the spare rooms

prepared for the visitors we were to bring with us?" inquired Sybil,

turning to her housekeeper.