The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-04-26
T "a q III AL r. G A S T q,
All doIo o5obrr,ress's { GaI..

4 /.
[Conclnded.1 |
The ball produced results not unlikely, when
it was meant for the introduction into society
Of young woman, handsome, attractive, and
an heiress, A week to two after Zillat's birth
day Mi. Sutherland called me once more into /
his study, noticed he looked rather paler
and less composed Than usual. He forgot even !
to ask me to sit down. ana we stood together |
| by the fireplace, which I remember was filed
with great vase Of liacs that Zillah had irisd
sisted on placing there. TITLED the room with
q strong, rich scent; which now / never per- |
ceiye without its calling back to mind that
room and that day. He said: g have had
letter to-day on which wish to consult with |
you before showing it to Miss lie Poer.n
was rather startled by the formal word, since
he usually said aZillab," MS was natural. at
is letter-~-scarcely surplising--in fact to be
expected after what / noticed at the dinner
party yesterday; in fact-- But you had
better read it yourself" He took the otter
from his desk, and gave il TO me- 1T was an
earnest and apparently sincere application for
the hand Of his ward. The suitor was Of good
family and moderate prospects. | had noticed
he was very attentive to Zillal at the ball, and
on some occasions since; still was d good
deal surprised more so even than Mr.. Suther-
land, who had evidently watched her closer
than |. gave him back the letter in silence,
and avoided looking at his face
"Well, Cassia," he said after pause, and
with an appearance of gayety, "what is to be
/ done? You women are the best counsclors in
thcse matters" smiled, but both he and
i very soon became grave once more. !" 1t is Il
thing to be expected continued he in a voice
rather formal and hard. with " Zlahs per-
sonal attractions and large fortune she was
sure to receive many offers. Still it is early to
begin these affairs" / reminded him that she
was twenty-one. "True, true. She might, un-
der other circumstances, have been married
long before this Do you think that she a--
I suppose he was going to ask me whether she
was likely to accept Mr.. French, or whether
lshe had hitherto formed any attachment, But
probably delicacy withheld him, for he sudden
ly stopped and omitted the question. Soon he
went on in the same steady tone !: 1T think
zillah ought to be made acquainted with this
circumstance. Mr.. French states that this
letter to me is the first confession Of his feelings
That was honorable On his part. He is d
gentleman Of good standing, though fhr her in
ferior in fortune. People might say that he
wanted her property to patch up the decayed
estate at Weston Brook This was spoken
5 bitterly, very bitterly, for d man of such kind
mature as Andrew Sutherland, He seemed
conscious of it, and added g / may wrong
him, and if so / regret it. But do you not
think, Cassia, that Of all things it must be
most despicable most ,l0Nn, most CALLING to a
man Of any pride or honI kleeling, the thought
!; of the worlds saying thatMe married his Wifi
a for money, as a prop to his falling fortunes, OF
shield to his crumbiing honor? would die
o thousand deaths first
In the passion Of the moment the red colot
rushed violently to his cheek. and then he be
came more pallid than ever Ibeheld him my
D eyes were opened now. I held fast by the marbl,
q chimney piece, so that ] could stand quit,
=. upright, firm, and quiet. IIewalked hurried,
1 to the window, and flung It open, saying th,
c. scent Of the lilacs was too strong When HI
'r came back, we were both ready to talk again
~ believe spoke iirstto save him the pain .
s. doing so, /" l have no idea, said !, aud sa
a. truly q what answer Iiah will give to Til
y letter. Hitherto have known all her feelings
AN and am confident that while she stayed vii
me her heart was untouched Here / waite
:. for him to speak, but he did not. i went on
Is !" Mr.. French is very agreeable, and she seem
~ to like him but girls heart, if Of any vail
u atslll, is rarely won in three meetings. thinl
however, that Zillnh ought to be made a.
H. quainted with this letter. Will yon tell her {
-- shall II"
"Go you and do it--a woman can best dc,
with n woman in these cases And,n he adde,
= sisiAg slowly and looking down upon me frol
N his majestic height with that grave and sci
ne ~ possessed smile which was likewise as sweet
t.. any woman's, g tell Hillah from me, that thoup
lys | wish her to marry in her own rank and vii
Ses near equality Of fortune, to save her from n
Oh those dangers Of mercenary offers to which .
ina heress is so cruelty exposed still, both no
,oi- and dt all times, leave her to the dictates
her own affections, and her happiness will cy
be my chief consideration in lite.' He spoil
: with formal serenity until the latter wore
when his voice sank little Then he led i
= to the door, and went out. Zillah lay on
,,n safa reading loye-story. Her crisped ba,
the hair was tossed about the crimson cushio,
eed and her whole figure was that of rich Eastc
in luyuriance. She had always rather o fentasi
ma. nat way Of dress, and now she looked almost like
tie princess out, of the arabian Nights. Ey
, in though her skin was that of " hafeaste, a
and her little bands were not white, but brow
,s o. there was no denying that she was very bea
''"' tifol woman. / felt it--saw it--knew
(. After minutes pause / went to her side /
10. Jumped up and kissed me, as she was ratl
No no fond Of doing. Her kisses were very stran
mat TO me Just lben. cilie Us Gackly as pos
9 to Bile to my errand, and gave her the letter
, read. AS she glanced through it her ehee
= flushed. and her lips began to curl She thr
= the letter on my lap, and said abrupt
'A1, SIC aWell, and what of that" ] began (
'Ph, necessary explanations. Zillah stopped me.
lout "Oh, heard something of the sort from
French last night. | did not believe him, !
the do now He is only making a Jest Of me.
,,ve answered that this was impossible. In
' own mind was surprised at Hiah's hay
er it known the matter before and having KEEP
so quietly Mr.. Frenchs statement about
ead and honorable rsticence toward the lady Of his
"'' votions must have been untrue. Still this
have not so remarkable as Zillah's own secrecy
past the subject -" Why did you not tell me-
~ dear ?n said /; you know your happines
= ali Of the first importance to me as well as to
,ings guardian" And, rather hesitating repe'
E i'm word by word, as near as ] could, Mr.. Sut
TEN lands message Zillah halfhid her face wi
III, Ill the cushions, and then drew it out burning
the "He thinks I am going to accept the
ture, then? He would have me marry a
,tton ceited, chattering mean-looiing, foolish bt
iNow Mr., French wes certainly twenty