The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-01-09


1t was certainly relief to all when
the head of the family again departed.
We usually kept his letters for him, he
not being very anxious about them; for
which indifference, as afterward COM
pretended, he might have good reasons.
Once there came letter. knew from
whom-marked in the corner, IF alb
sent to. be opened by Miss Pryor. "
Greatly surprised was | to find it con-
tanned bank-note, apparently hurried
ly Enclosed, with this brief line:
IF Zillah requires more let me know
at once. She must have every luxury
needful for her health. "A. 81
The initials certainly meant his name
Andrew Sutherland could be
mistaken in the hand Yet it seemed
very odd, as had no idea that he held
over her mOrethan nominal guardian
ship, just undertaken out of charity to
the orphan, and from his having slight
" known her father AT least SO Mr..
lie Poer told me. The only solution
could find for his sending Zillah the
money was the simple one of its being
a gift, springing from the generosity Of
a heart whose goodness knew but too
well.
However, to be quite sure, | called
Caroline into counsel; thinking. silly as
she was, she might know something of
the matter. But she only Uttered, look
ed mysteriously important, and would
speak clearly on no point. except that
we had perfect right to Use the money
--pa always did; and that she wanted a
new bonnet very badly indeedn
A day or two after, Mr.. LIE Poer, re-
turning Unexpectedly, took the note i'm
to his own possession, saying, smiling
ly, THAT it was all right" and | heard
no more.
pleSt woman in the world | should Ger.
tainly have suspected that things were
not "all right Nevertheless, [ do not
now wonder at my blindness. How
could think otherwise than well of a
man whom innocently supposed to be
a friend of Mr.. Sutherland?
So matters went on at Hollywood for
a little time longer.
"Zillah, my dear, do not look so dis
appointed. There is no help for it,
Your uncle told me before he left us
that we must go home next week.
So said | one day, trying to say it
gently, and not marveling that the girl
was unhappy at the near prospect of
returning to her old miserable life. 1t
was a future so bitter that | almost
blamed myself for not having urged our
longer stay. Still human nature is
weak and did SO thirst for home-my
own home. But 1t was hard that my
pleasure should be the poor child's
pain.
Don't cry, my love-" went on, see-
ing her eyes trimming, and the color
coming and going in her face strange
changes which latterly, on the most
trilling occasions, had disturbed the APP
parent stolidity of her countenance.-
Don't be unhappy; things may be
smoother now: and am sure your cous-
ms behave better and kinder to you
than they did; even the lieutenant is
very civil to you"
A sparkle, which was either pleasure
or pride, flashed from the girls ewes.
and then they dropped, unable to meet
mine. Is
BE content, dear child; all may be
happier for you than you expect. You
must write to me regularly-you can
write pretty we'll now, you know; you
must tell me all that happens to you
/ anu remember mat IN everything you
can trust me entirely"
Here | was astonished by Zillah' s
casting herself at my knees as sat,
and bursting into Il storm of tears.
Anxiously asked her what was the
matter.
Notwithstanding! am so hap
py-so wretched! All! what must |
dor"
These words dubbed up brokenly
from her lips, but just at that unlucky
moment her three cousins came in. She
sprang up like frightened deer, and
was off to her own room. | did not see
her again all the afternoon, for Lieu
tenant Augustus kept me i'll the parlor
ON one excuse or another until was
heartily vexed at him and myself.
When | went upstairs to put on my
bonnet-we were all going to walk that
evening-Zillah slipped away almost as
soon as appeared. noticed that she
was quite composed now, and had re-
sumed her usual manner. called after
her to tell the other two girls to get
ready, thinking it wisest to make no re-
marks concerning her excitement of the
morning.
never take long in dressing, and
soon went down, rather quietly per-
haps; for was meditating with pain
on how much this passionate child
might yet have to suffer in the world.
believe have rather light step; at
all events was once told so. Certainly
did not intend to come into the parlor
stealthily or pryingly; In fact, never
thought of its occupants at all. On en-
tering, what was my amazement to see
standing at the window-Lieutenan
Augustus and--my Zillah lie was en-
bracing--in plain English, kissing her.
Now, | am no prude in such things;
| have oftentmes known IA harmless
father-like or brother-like embrace be-
tween two, who, quite certain of each
others feelings. gave and received the
same in all frank affection and simple
ity. But generally | am very particular;
more so than most women. often
used to think that, were / Il man, |
would wish, i'll the sweet day of my be-
was the first lovers kiss ever pressed
on the dear lips which then sealed as
wholly my ownl
But in this case, at one glance, even
if had not caught the silly phrase,
my angel!"--the same / heard in the
wood tab, that woodl)-I or any one
would have detected the truth. 1t came
upon me like 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 Zillah shrink
ing into corner like a frightened hare.
lie went off very soon--he said, to an
engagement at Belfast, and we started
for our ramble. i noticed that Zillah
walked alongside OF Caroline, as if 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 q mere
child-so plain and awkward-loooking
too. That he could be sin 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 wooing or want
ing to marry her?-for | was simple
enough to suppose that all wooing must
necessarily be In earnest.
ualf-bewidered with conjectures,
fears and doubts as to what course I
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. sTa
II won't bear 1t always said the
angry child: "I'll only bear 1t till Zillah