The Ottawa free trader., 1884-07-19
THE HALF.CASTE.
AN OLD GoVERNESS'S TALE
FOUNDED ON FACT.
BY MIS- MU oCK.
[Concluled trom Alal neek. !
BY MIS- ; MU OCK.

and Mr.. sutherland nau Salu SHllllnply
that he was glad it was only goodnight,
not good-bye-when the whole house
was quiet and asleep-to use the psalm
lists solemn words, AT night on my
bed communed with my own heart in
my chamber, and was still"
"Cassia. want to speak to you par
ticularly," said Mr.. Sutherland to me
one morning, as after breakfast he was
about to go into his study. Zlllah
placed herself in the doorway with the
pretty obstinacy, half womanish, half
girlish. that she sometimes used with
her guardan--much to my surprise.
Zillah was on excellent terms with him,
considering their brief acquaintance Of
three weeks. In that time she had
treated him as in my whole lifetime
had never ventured to do-willfully,
iestingly, even GROSSLY, yet he seemed
to like it. They were very social and
merry. for his disposition had apparent
" grown more cheerful as he advanced
in life. Their relation was scarcely
like guardian and ward, but that Of per-
feet equality-pleasant and confidential,
which somewhat surprised me, until |
recolIected what opportunities they had
of intercourse, and what strong friend
ships are sometimes formed even in a
single week or fortnight when people
are shut up together in rather lonely
cOuntry-hOuse. This was the state OF
things among us all on the morning
when Mr.. Sutherland called me to his
study. Zillah wanted to 90 likewise.
Not to-day" he answered her, very
gently and smilingly. ~ have business
to talk over with Miss Pryor" Il knew
he said Miss Pryor out of respect,
yet it hurt mel had been ''Cassia"
with him so many years. Perhaps he
thought | was outgrowlng my baby
name nOw.)
The business he wished to speak of
was about Zillah's coming of age next
week, and what was to be done on the
occasion. "Should he, ought he, TO give
ball, dinner, anything of that sort?
Would Zillah like it?'
This was a great concession, for in
old times he always disliked society. |
answered that did not think such dis
play necessary, but | would try to find
out Zillah's mind.
| did so. 1t was an innocent, girlish
mind keenly alive to pleasure, and new
to everything. The consequences were
natural the bah must be. A little she
hesitated when | limited at her guard
ian's peculiarities, and then she offered
cheerfully to renounce her delight But
he, his eyes beaming with deeper de-
lght still, would not consent. So tn
thing was settled.
II was very brilliant affair, for Mr..
Sutherland spared no expense. Ile
seemed to show restless eagerness in
providing for his young favorite every
thing she could desire. Nay, in answer
to her wayward entreaties, he even con-
sented to open the ball with her, though
saving" he was sure he should make
an old simpleton of himself" That was
not likely
watched them walk down the room
together, and heard may people say
with smile what handsome pair
they were, notwithstanding the consd-
erable difference OF age.
It was very quiet evening to me.
Being strange to almost everyone there,
sat near old Mrs. Sutherland in cor
ner. Mr.. Sutherland asked me to dance
once, but did not feel strong, and in
deed for the last few years had almost
given up dancing He laughed, and
said merrily: at was not fair for him
to he beginning life just when l ended
it A true word spoken i'll jest
But only smiled.
The ball produced results not unlike
ly, when one considered that it was
meant for the introduction into society
of a young woman, handsome, attract,
i've, and an heress. \ week or two af'
ter Zillah's birthday Mr.. Sutherland
called me once more into his study.
noticed he looked rather paler and
less composed than usual. He forgot
even to ask me to sit down, and we
stood together by the fireplace. which
remember was filled with great vase
OF lilacs that Zillah had insisted on plac,
ing there. 1t filled the room with a
strong, rich scent, which now | never
perceive without its bringing back to
nv mind that room and that day.
lie said: II have had letter to-day
on which | wish to consult with you be.
fore showing it to Miss lie Poer." u
was rather startled by the formal
words, since he usually called her 'Zil-
lah, as was natural,)
ut is a letters scarcely surprising
in fact to be expected after what | no
tiCed at the dinner-party yesterday; in
fact-But you had better read 1t your
self"
lie took the letter from his desk and
gave IL to me. 1t was an earnest and
apparently sincere application for the
hand of his ward. The suitor, the Hon.
Henry French, was of good family and
moderate prospects. | had noticed he
was very attentive to Illah at the ball,
and on some occasions since; still | was
good deal surprised, more so even than
was Mr.. Sutherland, who had evidently
watched her far closer than |. gave
him back the letter in silence, and
avoided looking at his face.
"Well, Cassia," he said after pause,
ami with an appearance Of gayety,
"what is to be done2 You women are
the best counselors in these matters"
| smiled, but both he and very soon
became grave once more.
1T is thing to be expected" con-
tinued he in voice rather formal and
hard. with Zillah's personal attrac-
tions and large fortune she was sure to
receive many offers. Still it is early to
begin these affairs"
Ireminded 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