The Morning herald., 1876-08-29

B0ck 20 ml0O t0ot room ana tneS Ooys k1e
aaid: II have had letter to-day on which
| / wish TO consult with yon before showing
| ii to lie Poer." I was rather startled by
the formal word, since he usually y said
"Zillah," a. was natural, ut 10 . letter.
scarcely surprising- lin fact to be expected
after what noticed at the dinner-party
yesterday; in fact-But you had better
read it yourself" He took ths letter
from his desk, and gave it to me. 1t was
IN earnest and apparently sincere applica.
tion for the aand Of his ward. The suitor
was Of good family and moderate pros
poets. I had noticed he was very asten.
tive 10 Zillah at the ball, and on some oc-
casions since; still / was good deal sur.
prised, more so even than Mr.. Sutherland,
who had evidently watched her closer than
I. I gave him back the letter in silence,
aud avoided looking at his face.
"Well Cassia," he said after a pause,
and with an appearance Of gayety, "what
is to be done? You women are the best
counsellers in these matters" l smiled,
but both he and / very soon became grave
once more. 1T is thing to be expected"
continued he in voice rather formal and
hard. with Zillah's personal attrac-
tions and large fortune she was sure to re-
ceive many offers. Still it is early to be.
gin these affairs" ] reminded him that
she was twenty.one. "True, true. She
might, under other circumstances, have
been married long before this. Do you
think that she" suppose he was going
to ask me whether she was likely to ac-
cept Mr.. French, or whether she had
hitherto formed any attachment. But
probably delicacy withheld him, for he
suddenly stopped and omitted the ques-
ton. Soon he went on in the same steady
tone: 81 think Zillah ought to be ac-
q snin ed with this circumstance. Mr.
french states to me that this is the first
confession Of his feelings. That was hon.
orable on his part. He is gentleman Of
good standing, though far her inferior in
fortune. Preple might say heNwanted hel
fortune to patch up his decayed estate Al
Weston. Brook" This was spoken bitter
", very bitterly, for man Of such kind
nature as Andrew Sutherland. He seemed
conscious of it, and added: II may
wrong him. and if so I regret it. But do
you not think, Cassia, that Of all things il
must be most despicable, most mean, most
calling to a man Of any pride or honest
feeling, the thought Of the worlds saying
that he married his wife for money, as a
prop to his falling fortunes, or shield ia
his crumbling honor? IT would die a
thousand deaths first"
In the passion Of the moment the red
color rushed violently to his cheek, and
then he became more paid than ever. ]
beheld him; my eyes were opened now.
held fast by the marble chimney-piece, SO
that / could stand upright, firm and quiet
He walked hurriedly to the window, and
flung it open, saying the scent of the lilacs
were too strong. When he came back we
were both ready to talk again. | believe
I spoke frst-to save him the pain of do
ing SO. II have no idea" said I, and
said truly, "what answer Zillah will give
10 this letter. Hitherto have known all
her feelings, and am confident that while
she stayed with me her heart was un'
touched" Here I waited for him tc
speak, but he did not. I went on: Mr.
French is very agreeable, and she seems
to like him: but a girls heart, if Of any
value at all is rarely won in three meetings
think, however, that Zillah ought TO be
made acquainted with this letter. Will
you tell her, or shall I?'
TO BE CONTINUED.