Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-04-24

sand times thank Won; hut indeed CALI
| not.'
sir Philip looked at the sweet flushed
face, the trembling lips, the troubled tear
| full eyes. Did she fear him, the acoursed,
Darrell? he wondered. Was her scepti-
cism more than shaken by what she had
seen and heard that day, so that she shrank
from taking gift, at his hands! There
was no fear In her features or her voice,
not look or tone that seemed TO indicate
maidenly repugnance TO an offer that only
her extreme youth and cllildlike manner
rendered possible. But perhaps Miss
Durntord would object to what might well
seem TO have a certain significance. And,
If it had, what then? The mans wild
passionate heart rcbelled against the fate
that had at first been accepted with a reck-
less desperation which was very far from
resignation, and might indeed almost be
called its antithcsls. What then? But
he must, he thought, crush down the temp
est that surged within him. lie turned
aside, setting his white teeth like vice.
Well, he had made mistake; he must be
just TO lima; he must not place her in u
painful position; and he could not risk
having his gift roturnedas ptesumptuous
one.
every WE'LL he said calmly, after mo-
ments silence. 81 am sorry 1 wounded
you, when meant TO do the very opposite.
Maybe your aunt would not like TO have
the horse from me--though DarrelPs gift
carries no curse. l would rather you had
Zuleika than any one know but, if you
prefer not to have her, or cannot, then
pardon me-"
"You do not understand me-" replied
the girl, cut to the quick. "Why should
aunt Rachael mind my having Zuleika?
If she were afraid OF your gift, am not
and am bound only by my own feelings.
How could take such u present as if it
were flower, or something as trivial
You are so ready TO give that. All,
you know what L would say, but cannot
tnd the wordsw she added with a child's
innocent pleading, for Sir Philip had
turned TO her and clasped her hand in his.
ayes, know 1t, know it," lie replied
hurriedly. "Forgve me, lima, but did
not mean to seem unjust TO YOU"
He bowed his head, but she had uncon-
sciously given him strength. Yes, it was
better so, he thought--it was better that
she should regard It rs only a gift TO
charming child-only a"readiness to give"
The very question "Why should aunt
Rachel mind itg" showed tnat she did not
ner had not shown that before; and that
Innocence of hers was his safeguard. lie
would leave Scarth Abbot, he said inward
ly, as he kissed the little hands before lie
released them--leayc il while she was
yet happy, and he could bear the curse
alone.
"Thon you will do me this great grace,
Ilma-you will take Zuleika?"
GAS YOU wish IL so much, what can 1 say?
II L could only thank YOU enoughI l shall
seem so ungraterul."
care the mere words then, lima, worth
more than the emotion that cheeks their
utterancey l think not"
llma's golden head dropped; She hid her
face against Zucika'S glossy neck. Oh, if
she could but keep back the tears, Why
did he give her Zuleika rs dying men be-
stow gifts? al would rather you had her
than any one / know" Why must any
one have her? True, he might only mean
that he was going away for an indefinite
period: but lima could not comfort her.
self with the idea that this was his mean.
ing.
Just then old Marsh returned, and al.
most immediately afterward Roland and
Rose came up, and both went into raptureS
over Zuleika.
But, later, when they had all returned
to the house. and were getting ready for
luncheon, Rose heard knock NJ the dress
ing-room door, and, responding "Come
In" Roland entered. almost banging the
door after him, and causing Rose to turn
round with 4 start.
"My dear Ro!and--but what is the mat
ter:"-for the young Squire's face looked
as she had never seen il look before.
"a good deal is the matterw replied
Roland almost savagely. 'What do you
think aunt Rachel has just told me -
That Darrell has actually given Zulcika TO
Ilmav
"Has he!" exclaimed Rose, dropping
the brush with which she had been
smoothing her hair; and then, in a chang.
ed tone--"T am awfully sorry to hear
itw
"Shc doesn't understand, OF course"
continued Roland, in the same manner;
but he will soon teach her. Aunt Rachel
Is mad TO allow It, What are all his wealth
and noble blood and his accursed beauty
worth If he Is only 10 bring misery and
deathy / cannot bear TO think Of it. i do
clare Eve half mind"
..Do not say word TO him or to her,
Rolandw cried Rose springing to her
"Remember, il is no concern Of yours
whatever. We haven't even chafed lima
about Sir Philip lately, for fear of putting
ideas into her head. She would never
have accepted the horse if she had thought
he had meant anything by it; and ] don't
believe he does. At any, rate" added
Rose, with tine stroke of feminine STRAIT.
egg, sif you say a word TO Sir Philip, he'll
simply think you're in love with lima
yourself. All, you may start, and say
sPshawv but he will think so; and you
ought to know how he would take such
meddling."
elbow you run on, Rose-just like n wo-
manW said her brother, angrily shaking on
her hand from his arm. al never thought
of speaking to Darrell; and to suppose Pm
IN love with a harun-scarum girl of Sax
teen because don't want Sir Philip Oar.
rell to make love to her is equally alb
surd."
I'll don't see why it is more absurd" re-
torted Rose, "to imagine that you might
be in love with her than that Sir Philip
Is. You have both known her only u few
days, and you are not n man for 'love Mt
first sight certainly, while he is; and, be-
sides, see what a loveless life he has led!
But, on the other hand, lima, child though
she is, is quite out OF the common way. l
shouQ fail in love with her the first time
l saw her IL 1 were Il man; and the most
deliberate of men couldn't be Indifferent
to her."
Roland had turned very red while his
sister spoke; but lie tried by abusing his
enemy to turn the points of weapons
which he felt were giving home-thrusts.
"Poob, poohw hc said with an angry
sheer. "sLoveless life forsooth! You