The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-09

Zachdriah Grit makes Con fession.
Mildred is still the guest of the Princess
Mathilde in whose elegant boudoir she is seat
ed, at this hour of noon, anxiously awaiting
visiter. Her countenance, habitually tinged
with so deep a melancholy, is singularly bright
and cheerful, as though her mind had been re-
lieved of some heavy load. She has been read
ing newspaper, which gives an account of the
escape of Mark Avelng from the Conciergerie,
and of his frightful death. In the fullness of
her gratitude to Heaven for removing out Of
her path so deadly prosecutor, she has no
room in her heart but for silent thanks; and
these she has offered up fervently. She has
been bordering over the recital, and upon the
singular chain of minor events by which her
deliverance has been brought about, and her
mind has been strangely taken up with the
part Zachariah has played in it. Leonard has
been to see her, and has informed her that
Zach purposes to call on her, for he talks of
leaving France, and must bid her good-by first
1t is him she expects this morning and when
he is at last announced, she bounds towards
but he gently takes hold of her hands, exclaim-
ing, in low, halfchoked voice
ooh, Mildred! Miss Wray: pray don't"
And still gently retaining her hands in his,
he leads her back to her seat.
He takes a chair opposite to her, and for a
silence.
Mildred observes that he has taken especial
pains with his toilet. He wears q suit of black,
admirably made, and which sets off his slight,
but well-knit and even graceful figure, marvel
lousy. From top to toe he is irreproachably
dressed, and she perceives he has submitted his
head-which, by the way, is adorned with lux
uriant growth of chestnut hair-to the skill of q
coi6eur, who has arranged his wavy locks
greatly to the advantage of his expressive face.
Nor is he, apparently, under the least con-
straint. Without being in the smallest degree
vulgar, he has an easy, at-home air, not inele-
CANT, yet sufficiently marked to make it pecu-
liar, and to impart to it that indescribable
something, which, for want of a more appropri-
ate term, the polite people amongst whom he
is stranger designate as "distingue." Mil
dred notes all these details at a glance, and
summing them up in her mind, thinks he is
greatly altered, somehow, and much for the
better"
$50, Zachariah," she says, presently, you
intend to leave us?"
any minds made up that way, Miss Wray,"
he answers, still in subdued tone.
"And you have come to say good-by to
me?" she resumed.
He makes an affirmative sign with his head,
but speaks not.
"You have proved real, true, good friend
to me, Zach, and to Leonard, and we shall miss
you greatly"
"There's taller folks than me, Miss Wray,"
he said, with an air of some bitterness, as will
soon help you to forget me-"
"Oh, Zach that is the unkindest thing
you have ever said to me" she exclaimed.
" How can we soon forget one to whom we owe
so much Indeed, indeed Zach, you wrong us
greatly"
ats my Experience of the world, Miss Wray,
and don't find fault with it. I've Parnt to
take it as find it. Most people wants to find
it made all 'cordn' to their own fancy, and gets
disappointed in course. When says you'll soon
forget me, l means jes' this that you don't kear
whether | stops or goes. And why should
your"
Because, Zach. what has passed has made
it impossible that your movements shall be to
us matter of Indifference. You do not ap-
preciate the services you have rendered u.s."
ave won't talk bout that, Miss Wray. Leon
ard served me many good turn, and on'y
took the first chance of payin' on him back.
mol We won't talk of that. Well come in
stead to the point Pve been tryin' to come
o.
He stops, gazing at her at first with so sim
gular an expression, that she feels compelled to
avoid his eyes. When she looks at him again,
they are moist, and she observed that his lips
tremble, as though he lacked the courage to
utter the words that are already on them.
Zach" she says, you are crying! What
is it SO moves your"
There is a tenderness in the tone of her
voice which brings the blood into Grit's cheek,
and forced heavy sob to burst from him.
"I amt ashamed on 'em," he remarks, brush
ing away the hot tears. My hearts brim full,
and it may better run over out of my eyes than
burst. 'Sides, tears is good for sofening man
when his feelings is getting hard. amt
cried for many long day. ] thought I'd lost