The Morning herald., 1876-08-24
THE HALF-CASTE.
an Old G0VERNEss' TALE.
FOUNDED ON FACT.

FOUNDED ON FACT.
Selected for The Morning Herald.
coyrISuED FROM Yesterdays EDITION.
"Nothing--every thing! l I'M SO hap
py-so wrctched! Ahl what must l do?"
These words bubbled up brokenly from
her lips, but Just at that unlucky momen.
her three cousins came in. She sprang up
like a frightened deer, and was off to her
own room. did not see her again all the
afternoon, for Lieutenant Augustus kept
me in the parlor on one excuse or another
until was heartily vexed at him and my
self When went up stairs to put on my
bornet--we were all going to walk that
evening-Zillah slipped away almost as
soon as Iappeared. I noticed that she was
quite composed now, and had resumed her
usual manner. / called after her to tell
the two other girls to get ready, thinking
it wisest to make no remarks concerning
her excitement of the morning.
lnever take long in dressing, and soon
went down, rather quietly perhaps; for l
was meditating with pain on how much
this passionate child might yet have to
suffer in the world. I believe l have
rahera light step; at all events I was once
toldso. Certainly I did not intend to
come into the parlor stealthily or pryingly;
intact, | never thought Gifts occupants at
all. On entering, what was my amazement
to see standing at the window--Lientenant
Augustus and-my Zillah! He was em-
erscng--in plain English, kissing her.
Now, am no prude; I have sometimes
known harmless father-like or brother
like embrace pass between two, who, quite
certain of each others feelings, gave and
received the same in all frankness and
simplicity. But generally ! am very par
Ocular, more 30 than most women. often
yed to think that, were / a man, would
sSh, in the sweet day Of my betrothal, to
Know for certain that mine was the first
19yer's' kiss ever pressed on the dear lips
snct then sealed as wholly my own.
but In this case, at one glance, even if |
asa not caught the silly phrase, "My
Msel the same heard in the wood
lah, That wood -Ior any one would have
uelected the truth. 1t came upon me like
s'aunderbolt: but knowing Zillah's dis
P@illon, had just wit enough to glide
aeK unseen, and re-enter, talking loudly
y S'ae door, Upon which / found the
9Tsldlenant Tl1le tapping his boots carlessly, and
,al slla' shrinking into ccrner like frigh-
s'ga w, hare. He went off very soon-he' /
'a %u, c % an engagement at Belfast and We
%ed s'I Tor our ramble. / noticed that
~ 1''an walked alongside Of Caroline, as if
'4f I1uld Iould not approach or look at me.
H. Knew not whether was mos, shocked
%aeF, Or puzzled to think what possible
s'a MN''oh this Young man could fod in
lavll an. a mere child--so plain and awkward
"a S;h'ng too. That he could be .in love"
,nn her, even in the lowest sense Of thett
r1ase, ,"1 :t, seemed all but an impossibiiity
m,l na i not IN love, what possible purpose
n,,. "u ne have in wooingSor wanting to
snn: n1s l'er?-for ] was simple enough to
ip0se 'hat all wooing must necessarily
M ssli'ddll.11ewildcred AL with conjectures, fears,
NJ suvaols ~ as to what course | must pur-
Su@ h,u | walk on beside Matilda, who,
~, J.",s qnarrclled with her sister, kept
M. rSe 70 me. She went chattering on about |
,t.s, as insdolngs Of Caroline. At last my |
TT,on q Won was caught by Zillah's name.
SidS won't IN bear it always" said the angry
,,sS %' Ill only bear it till Zillah comes Of
Be! Bear WHAT"
No nny NAVY IT, shat Carry should. always have
aR" aRn, !, ifocks to my one. IFS a shamew
"a'n19g Of agew
auns nen NJ you know, Miss Pryor?--oh, Of
n M ts,iy you don't, for Garry wouldn't let |
Ih"u. you: but l willw she maliciously. |
hons ia'y y knew whether / was right or |
NJ enn,l m not stopping the girls tongue,
slsn,. s you know" she added in asly
Nh sI' w. osarry says we shall all be very |
aken",' k"'; !. 1l'lah comes Of age. Pa and
sp! w, 1t very secret but Garry found It |
eneS0 0 'old it to Brother Augustus and
Nina i NV. Nhat?' said T, forgetial that / was
lIio,Gi.s. ,.so ~ family secret, and stung into
"lba' y, " the mention Of Augustus.
aa' Zillah will thor ~ ,,a.., .:a,.
sprv 1ss wa left her all be had and gUncle
an Tas Tas; great nabob, beoanse he mar /
basy '1Slan M princess md got all ahsrsk
N o, WOW, You ~ She copli inTef /
'unning snils spoE Eina s