The Ottawa free trader., 1884-07-19

might say That he wanted neI property
to patch up the decayed estates at
Weston Brook.
This was spoken bitterly, very bitter
ly for a man of such kind nature as
Andrew Sutherland. He seemed con-
scious of it and added: II may wrong
him, and if so | regret it. But do you
not think, Cassia, that OF all things 1t
must be most despicable, most mean,
most CALLING to a man Of any pride or
honest feeling. the thought OF the
worlds saying that he married his wife
for money, as prop to his falling for
tunes, or a shield to his crumhing hon
or? ! would die thousand deaths
first"
In the passion of the moment the red
color rushed violently to his cheek, and
then he became more pallid than ever.
| watched him; my eyes were opened
now held fast by the marble chin
ney- piece, 50 that | could stand quite
upright, firm and quiet. He walked
hurriedly to the window, and flung 1t
open, saying the scent of the lilacs was
too strong. When he came back, we
were both ready to talk again. | be-
leve | spoke first-to save him the pain
Of doing so. 49,,
81 have no idea" said |, and l said
truly, what answer Zillah will give to
this letter. Hitherto | have known all
her feelings, and am confident that
while she stayed with me her heart was
untouched"
Here | waited for him to speak, but
he did not. went on:
"Mr French is very agreeable, and
she seems TO like him; but girls
heart, if of any value at all, is rarely
won in three meetings. think, how
ever, that Zillah ought to be made ac-
quainted with this letter viii you tell
her, or shall II"
"Go you and do it-a woman can best
deal with q woman in these cases,
And" he added, rising slowly and look
ing down upon me with that grave and
self-possessed smile which was likewise
as sweet as any woman's, "tell Iillah
from me, that though | wish her to
marry in her own rank and with near
equality Of fortune, to save her from all
those dangers of mercenary offers to
which an heiress is SO cruelty exposed,
still, both now and at all times, leave
her to the dictates of her own affections
and her happiness will ever be my chief
consideration in life"
lie SpDhb WIFI lblllldl OtltlllJJ ullI
the latter words, when his voice faltered
q little. Then he led me to the door
and went out.
Zllah lay on a sofa reading love
story. Her crisp black hair was tossed
about the crimson cushions, and her
whole figure was that Of rich Eastern
luxuriance. She had always rather a
fantastic way of dress, and now she
~, Ia n of 10
Arabian Nights. Even though her skin
was that of half-caste, and her little
hands were not white but brown, there
was no denying that she was a very
beautiful woman. | felt it-saW it
knew it,
After minutes pause | went to her
side; she jumped up and kissed me, as
she was rather fond of doing. | half
shrank back-her kisses were very pain
full to me just then. came as quickly
as possible to my errand, and gave her
the letter to read.
AS she glanced through it her cheeks
flushed and her lips began to curl. She
ruptly, "Well, and what Of that?"
/ began few necessary explanations.
Zillah stopped me
i
from Mr.. French last night. | did not
believe him, nor do now. He is only
making jest OF me-"
answered that this was impossible.
In my own mind was surprised at Zil-
lah's having known the matter before,
and having kept it so quietly. Mr..
French's statement about his honorable
reticence toward the lady Of his devo-
tions must have been untrue. Still this
was not so remarkable as Zillah's own
secrecy about her having lover.
"Why did you not tell me, my dear?''
said |; "yOu know your happiness is of
| the first Importance to me as well as to
your guardian" And, rather hesitat-
| ing, repeated, word by word, as near
as could, Mr.. Sutherland's message.
While | spoke ZilIah hid her face
among the cushions, and then drew il
out burning red.
"He thinks am going to accept the
creature then? He would have mt
marry conceited, chattering, mean
looking, foolish boy" tNow Mr.
French was certainly twenty-five.
"One, too, that only wants me for my
fortune and nothing else. IT is very
wrong, cruel, and heartless of him, anc
you may go and tell him So"
"Tell who?" said |, bewildered by this
outburst of indignation, and great CON
fusion of personal pronouns.
MIR. Sutherland, of course! Who
else would | tell? Whose opinion else
do | care forp Go and say to him
No." she added, abruptly; mo, you
needn't trouble him with anything
about me. Just say shall not marry
Mr.. French. and he will be SO kind rs to
rive him his answer and bid him let me
| llone.'
Here. quite exhausted with her
wrath, Zillah sank back, and took heI
book, turning her head from me. But
| saw that she did not read one line,
that her motionless eyes were fixed and
full of strange deep expression. | be-
gan to cease wondering what the future
would bring
Very soon afterward went back tC
Mr.. Sutherland and told him all that
had passed; Just the plain facts, With
out any comments Of my own.
He apparently required none. found
him sitting composedly with some pa
pers before him--he had for the last
few DAYS been immersed in business
which seemed rather to trouble him; ht
started little as entered. but imme
1iot.l,, oap,a forward and listened witt