The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-07-12
The HALF.CASTE.
AN OLD GovERNESS'S TALE
FOUNDED ON FACT.
BY MISS UNLOCK,
BY MISS MCiOCK,


bed Zilah was fast asleep. AS lay
awake, hour after hour, | thanked
Heaven that the poor child, deluded as
she has lbeen Iknew nothing Of what
love was in its reality. She was at least
spared that sorrow.
During all the week I contrived to
keep Zillah as near me as was possible,
consistent with the necessity of not
awaking her suspicious. This was the
more practicable, as she seemed to
cling to me with an unwOnted and even
painful tenderness. The other girls
grllmbled sadly at our departure; but
luckily all had been definitely ar
ranged by their father, who had even,
strange to say, given me money for the
Journey. He had likewise gracefully
apologized for being obliged to let us
women kind travel alone, as he had
himself some business engagements,
while his son had lately rejOined his
regiment. really think the deceivlng
and deceived father fully credited the
latter fact. Certainly they were a
worthy pair
made all my plans secure, and
screwed up my courage as well as
could; but | own on the evening previ-
Gus to our journey-the evening which,
from several attesting proofs, | knew
was still fixed for the el0pement-l be-
gan to feel a good deal alarmed. or
Mr.. Sutherland there was no tidings. At
twilight | saw plainly that the sole
hope must lie in my own presence OF
mind, my influence over Iillah, and my
appeal to her sense of honor and affec-
ton. sent the children early to bed,
saving | had letters to write, and pre-
pared myself for whatever was to hap
pen.
Now many may think me foolish,
and at times thought myself so like
wise, for not going to Zillah and telling
her all | had discovered; but | knew
her character better than that. The
idea of being betrayed, waylaid, con-
trolled, would drive her fierce Eastern
nature into the very commission of the
madness she contemplated. In every
thing must trust to the impulse of the
moment and to the result of her sud
denly discovering her own position and
the yillainOuS plans laid against her.
Never in my life do | remember a
more anxious hour than that | spent
sitting i'll the dark by the parlor win
dow: whence, myself unseen, | could
see all that passed without the house;
for it was lovely night, the moon
high up over the Tough, and making
visible the Antrim hills. think in all
moments Of great peril one grows quiet:
SO did |.
At eleven there was a sound Of wheels
on the beach, and the shadow of man
passed the window. | looked out. 1t
was the most unromantic and common
place elopement with an heiress; he
was merely going to take her away on
an outside car. There was no one with
him but the carman, who was left
whistling Contentedly on the shore.
The moment had come; with the en-
ergy of desperation, put off the shawl
in which ] had wrapped myself in case
had to follow the child, for follow
her had determined to do, were it
necessary. Quietly, and with as ordi-
nary manner as | could assume, |
walked into Zillah's room.
She was just stepping from the win
dow on to the beach. She had on her
best frock and shawl, poor Innocent
with her favorite white bonnet, that |
had lately trimmed for her, carefully
tied up in kerchief
| touched her shoulder. "Zillah,
where are you going?"
She started and screamed.
Tell me; must know" | repeated,
holding her fast by the arm, while Au-
gustus rather roughly pulled her by the
other
cousin, you hurt mel" she cried,
and instinctiyely drew back. Then for
the first time the lieutenant saw me.
| have often noticed that cunning and
deceitful people-small villains, -
great ones-are always towards. Mr..
Augustus drew back as if he had been
shot. took no notice of him, but still
appealed to Zillah.
Tell me, my child, the plain truth,
as you always do-where were you GO
ing?'
She stammered out; II was going
toto Belfast-to be married"
Married 10 your cousin?'
She hung her head and murmured:
Yes"
At this frank confession the bride
groom interposed. lie perhaps was all
the drawer for rejecting that he had
only women to deal with. He leaped
in al the chamber window, and angrily
asked me by what right interfered
Il Will tell you, said j, IF you have
enough gentemanly feeling TO leave my
apartment, and will speak with me in
the open air"
lie retreated, / bolted the window,
and still keeping firm hold on the
trembling girl. met him outside the
front door. II certainly was the oldest
place for such a scene; but | did not
wish to admit him inside the house.
Now, Miss Pryor" said he impera-
lively, but still politely-a LePoer could
not be otherwise-"will you he so kind
as TO relinquish that young lady, who
has coniided herself 10 my care, and in
tends honoring me with her handy'
rs that true, Zillah? Do you love
this man. and voluntarily intend To
marry him?"
Yes, if you will let me, Miss Pryor.
lie told me you would be so pleased.
He promises always to be kind to me,
and never let me work. Please don't
be angry with me, dear Miss Pryor!
Oh, do let me marry my cousinl"
Listen to me few minutes, Zillah,"
said /, land you shall choose" And
then told her in as few words as l
could, what her position was-how that
1t had been concealed from her that she
was an heiress, and how by marrying
her, her cousin Augustus would be
master over oil her wealth. So I'M