Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-06-11

There sat near her young gentle
man, but little her senior in years, whom
the reader would have recognized as
Horace Gray. He was reading to the
beautiful Hindoo; and they were alone
together, save the female servant who
sat at her mistress's feet-or rather slept
there for sleep seems to occupy nearly
the undivided attention Of the entire Nu-
bian race.
Enough, enough" said Famine, at
length, with a languid toss Of her fam
= We can finish it at another time, Ho-
race, for the hour has now arrived for
my new teacher TO meet me"
do you mean that hump backed
Arab"
Yes, he is hump backed, to be sure,
but one forgets it when he is present, he
is so entertaining, SO very agreeable -
You seem to be much attached to
your new friend 2" said Horace Gray,
half inquiringly and half sarcastically.
Who would not like him, Horace :
He is so quiet, so thoughtful, and SO
wise withal, almost fear him."
An uneasy shadow passed over the
face of her companion, who could hot
patiently hear Famine praise any one,
so jealous was he of her smiles. At
that moment, as he was taking leave Of
her, there entered the apartment the
person referred to. At fsrt sight there
was little to strike an observer 10 his
general appearance, beyound the mani
| fest fact that he was an Arabian, and
one who, had nature not disfigured his
form by hump or protuberance over
the region of the left shoulder blade,
would certainly have been finely form
ed and handsome man. He bowed first
respectfully to Famine, and then her re-
treating companion, who returned the
salute distantly.
Punctual to the very moment," said
Famine, consulting tiny diamond-cased
watch, as she addressed the Arab.
at is wholesome virtue" said the
teacher, mildly, as he drew towards his
pupil light stand for the books he
brought with him. He moved so grace.
fully, in spite of his delormity, did every
thing so noiselessly and easily, that there
was a charm in watching his thoughtful
and prompt procedure.
Had he been English, one would have
set him down as some forty years Of age
but the bronzed hue of the desert sat SC
well upon his handsome face that ht
looked like one who had hardly passed
half thai number of years. His finely
turned f1gure--aiways excepting Tht
single deformity already referred to
was that of youth also, or at least not o
maturity, and he could not be more thar
ten years older than his fair pupil.
I'm prepared for scolding," begar
= Famine, as he sat down by her side.
- For what, fair Famine? p
| Because l have not even looked a
that lesson you gave me to study" sht
: replied.
{" Why have you not ?" he asked, il
, gently reproving tones.
f " 1t is 10 tedious TO study"
' " But you told me only yesterday tha
S you liked it WELL"
80, I mean when you are with m
S to explain"
i The Arab turned his soft blue ey
t, quickly towards her then slowly open
b ed his books, as he said It shall be a
: you wish; and if you prefer to stud
: only when l am present, we viii acquir
: the lessons in that manner, and l sha
still fulfil my trust to your coniding fatf
n er"
!, Famine smiled her gratitude, and th
+ two were soon busy over the task befor
II them. The Hindoo girl was lost in the
= occupation, each thought and each prir
n ciple was so readily elucidated, so plea
y antly impressed upon her mind and I
y each moment she realized such new ray
ot of light and Intelligence radiating be
20 only half-cultivated mind, that her plea
ure was unmistakable The Arabs voic
le was so low, SO gentle, blending the ell
% ments of frmness and tenderness
ID equally, that Famine really half felt ii
Is fear she hinted as to her English friend
v, At length, the lesson being finishe
IS the Arab prepared to leave his pupi
le bat this purpose Famine frustrated
D. begging him to tell her some legend
b. the desert where his life had been pas
ed To this proposal he aeceded read
" ly, and with ready wit and charmir
to ease, related one Of those poetical stori
eel in which Arabian literature is SO rich
ed Famine drank in of every word, al
Id found strange pleasure in listening to h
at tutor, whose enthusiastic eloquence
in dwelling upon his country's beauty, al
eh in describing her famous places, W
a. most captivating.
al And this was not alone the routine
q, to-day it was the constantly rccurriI
Gu scene of each successive day. Zami
was changing rapidly in her name
~ habits, Intelligence; her tutor lent
he best energy 10 instruct her, and that
ID was thoroughly capable was eyineed /
yond doubt. A bright new world seel
ed to be opened to the Hindoo girl.
ry to this period, her education had been
lie the most superficial character, but ~
ne she exerted herself willingly, assiduol
ed ", and found rich reward IN the satisti
ise ton that was the immediate result.
ll- Horace Gray had but one character
Ise tic to recommend him TO Famine, a
m, that was his entire devotion to her.
De- had striven to please her in those era