The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-07-05

But in this case, at one glance, even
if | had not caught the silly phrase,
INV angel.n-the same heard in the
wood tah, that wOod.)-I or any one
would have detected the truth. II came
upon me like a thunderbolt; but know
ing Zillah's disposition, had just wit
enough to glide back unseen, and re-en-
ter, talking loudly at the door Upon
which found the lieutenant tapping
his boots carelessly, and Iillah shrink
ing into a corner like frightened hare.
He went off very soon--he said, to an
engagement at Belfast, and we started
for our ramble. | noticed that Zillah
walked alongside OF Caroline, as ii she
could not approach or look at me.
| know not whether | was most
shocked at my poor girl, or puzzled to
think what possible attraction this
young man could find in such a mere
| child-so plain and awkward-loooHlng
too. That he could BE- in love with
/ her even in the lowest sense Of that
phrase. seemed all but an impossibility,
and if not in love, what possible pur-
pose could he have in w0oing or want
ing to marry her?-fOr | was simple
enough to suppose that all woolng must
necessarily be in earnest.
| HAN DtWIlutItu Will
| fears and doubts as to what course |
must pursue, did | walk on beside Ma
tilda, who, having quarreled with her
sister, kept close to me. She went chat
| tering on about some misdoingS OF Car
oline. At last my attention was caught
by hearing Zillah's name.
81 won't bear it always said the
angry child; IN only bear it till Zillah
comes of age"
Bear what"
why, that Garry should always have
two new frocks to my one. It's a
shame!"
But what has that to say to Zillah's
coming of age!"
Don't you know. Miss Pryor?-oh,
of course you don't, for Carry wouldn't
let me tell you, but | WILL she added
maliciously.
hardly knew whether | was right or
wrong III not stopping the girl IS tongue,
but could not do 1t.
do you know" she added in sly
whisper, Garry says we shall all be
very rich when ZllIah comes of age. Pa
and ma kept it very secret; bat Carry
found 1t out, and told it to brother Au-
gustus and to me-"
Told WHAT said |, forgetful that ]
was prying INTO family secret, and
stung into curiosity by the mention OF
Augustus
That Zllah will then be very rich,
as her father left her all he had and
uncle Henry was great nabOb, because
he married an Indian princess and got
all her money. Now. you see, she con-
tinued with cunning smile. shocking
on that young face, I'VE must be very
civil to Zilah, and of course she will
give us all her money. Eli, you under
stand?"
stood aghast. In a moment all
came clear upon me; the secret of Mr..
Sutherlands guardianship-of his letter
to me intercepted-of the money lately
sent-of Mr.. lie Peers anxiety concern
ing his niece's life. and his desire to
keep her hidden from the world, lest
she might come to a knowledge of her
position. The whole was tissue OF
crimes. And, deepest crime of all.
now guessed why Lieutenant Augustus
wished. unknown to his father, to en-
trap her still childish affections, marry
her, and secure all to himself.
never knew much Of the world and
it's wickedness; / believed all men were
like my father or Mr.. Sutherland. This
discovery for the time quite dizzied my
faculties. have not the slightest rec
objection of anything more that passed
on that seaside walk, except that, COM
ing in at the door of the cottage,
heard Zilah say in anxious tones,
"What ails Miss Pryor, | wonder?' |
had wisdom enough to answer, Moth
ing, my dears!" and sent them all to
bed.
shall you be long after u.s." asked
Ziilah, who, as | said, was my chamber
companion.
An hour or two" replied, turning
away.
went and sat alone in the little par
lor, trying to collect my thoughts. To
any governess the discovery OF clan
deStine and unworthy love-affair among
her pupils would be most painful, but
my discoveries were all horror together.
The more thought it over, the more
my agonized pity for Zillah overcame
my grief for her deceitfulness. Love is
always so weak, and girlish love at tif-
teen such fascinating dream. What
ever thought of the lieutenant, he was
very attractive to most people. He was,
besides, the first young man Ziilah had
ever made acquaintance with, and the
first human being except myself who
had treated her with Kindness. But
what opportunities could they have had
to become lovers? recollected Zillah's
wanderngs, evening after evening, in
the grounds of the deserted estate. She
must have met him there. Poor girl!
| could we'll imagine what it must be to
be wooed under the glamour of summer
twilight and beautiful solitude. No
wonder Zillah's heart was stolen away!
Thinking of this now, feel am
wrong in saying heart of what at best
could have been mere fancy" Wom-
ems natures are different; but some
women have been gravely, mournfully,
fatally in earnest, even at sixteen.
However. in earnest or not, she must
be snatched from this marriage at all
risks. There could be no doubt Of that.
But to whom should / apply for aid?
Not to Mr.. lie Poer certainly. The
poor orphan seemed trembling between
the grasp of either villain, father and
son. Whatever must be done for her
I must do myself of my own judy
ment, and on my own responsibility.
1t was a very hard strait for me. In
my necessity instinctively turned to
my best friend in the world, and-as |