The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-10-09


apparently sincere application for the
hand of his ward. The suitOT, the Hon.
Henry French, was of good family and
moderate prospects. | had noticed he
was very attentive to Z.llIh at the ball,
and on some occasions since: still | was
a 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 al his face.
well, Cassia. he said after pause,
and with an appearance of gayety
what Is to be done? You women are
the best coUnselors in these matters"
| smiled, but both he and | very soon
became grave once more.
1t is a 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 =
reminded 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
whether | thought she was likely to ac-
cept Mr.. French, or had hitherto formed
any attachment. But probably deica-
cy withheld him. for he suddenly
stopped and omitted the question.
Soon he went on in the same steady
tone:
Il think Zillah ought to be made ac-
quainted with this circumstance. Mr..
French states that this letter to me is
the first confession of his feelings.
That was honorable on his part He is
a gentleman OF good standing, though
far her inferior in fortune. People
might say that he wanted her property
to patch up the decayed estates at
WestOn-BrOOk."
This was spoken bitterly, very bitter
ly for man of such kind nature as
Andrew Sutherland. lie seemed con
sciOUs of it and added: Il may wrong
him, and if so / regret il. But do YOU
not think, Cassia, that of all things it
must be most deSpICable, most mean
most calling to 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 shield to his crumbling hon
or? | would die a Thousand deaths
first"
In the passion OF the moment the red
color rushed violently to his cheek. and
then ne became more Pa3lid than ever.
| watched him, my eyes were opened
aOw. / held fast bv the marble Chin
ney-piece, So that | could stand quite
upright, firm and quiet. lie walked
AUIrIedly to the window. and flung it
open. saying the scent of the lilanS was
too strong. When he came back, we
were both ready TO talk again. l be
Heye spoke tISt-tO save him the pain
of doing so.
Il have no idea. '' said I. and I said
truly. what answer ZiIl3u viii give to
this letter. Hitherto I 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. IDTent on:
MIR. French is very agreeable. and
she seems to ike 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 T."
GO you and do it-a woman can best
deal with a 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 rs any WOman'S, tell Ziilah
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 mercenarv offers to
which an helreSS is so cruelty exposed
still. both now and at all times. | leave
her TO the dictates of her own affections
and her happiness viii ever be my chief
consideration i'm life
He spoke with formal serenity until
the latter words when his voice faltered
little. Then he led me to the door
and | went out
ZIllah lay on a sofa reading a love
story. Her crisp black hair was tossed
about the crimson cushions. and her
whole figure was that of rich Eastern
luXTIance. She had always rather a
fantastic way Of dress, and now she
looked almost like a princess out of the
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 very
beautiful woman. | felt it-saw it
knew it,
After a minutes pause l went to her
side; she jumped up and kissed me. as
she was rather fond of doing. | half
shrank back-her kisses We're very pain
ful 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
threw the letter on my lap. and said alb
ruptly, We'll, and what of that?''
began few necessary explanations.
Zillah stopped me
"Oh, heard something of the sort
from Mr.. French last night. l did not
believe him. nor do | now. He is only
making a jest of me-"
| answered that this was impOSSibIp
In my own mind | was surprised at I'll
lah 5 having known the matter before.
and having kept it so quietly. Mr..
French 5 statement about his honorable
retlcence toward the lady of his devo-
JlOnS must have been untrue. Still this
was not so remarkable as Zillah's own
secrecy about her having a lover
hy 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 l spoke Zillah hid her face
among the cushions. and then drew it
out burning red.
He thinks l am going to accept the
creature then? He would have me
marry a cOnceited. chattering, mean
looking, foolish bOyi' Now Mr.
French was certainly twenty-five.)
'One, too, that only wants me for my
fortune and nothing else. 1t is very
wrong. cruel, and heaTtless of him. and
you may 60 and tell him So"
Tell whO?" said l. bewildered by this
outburst of indignation, and great con-
fusion of personal prOnOuns.
Mr.. Sutherland of coursel Who
else would tell? Whose opinion else
do l care forY Go and say to him
No" she added, abruptly; mo, YOU
needn't trouble him With ANYTHING
about me. Just say 1 shall not marry
Mr. French, and he will be so kind as to
give him his answer and bid him let me
alone"
Here. quite exhausted with her
wrath, Zillah sank back. and took her
book, turning her head from me- But
| saw that she did not read one line,