The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-04-11

nubS uPOA tuS WoA'
 "That is a beautiful painting, Miss Mess"
 "Yes, it is a master. piece"
 "An old heirloom, I suppose%
 "No, it is a comparative stranger in our family"
 Bought il, doubtless, at some great art saleT
 "No."
 "May ask where you got t9'
 She blushed and changed the subject. saw it all. Her father lad robbed my father and, proud of the theft, had told his family how he secured the painting. l was in a most unenviable position. What to do did not know. loved Zllda, and almost knew that she loved me, but could l, in justice to the memory of my father, marry the daughter of a man who had insulted and robbed him. My manner toward Zilda must have changed, for the conversation during the entire evening was constrained. was glad when bedtime arrived. As lay in bed, tried to decide upon some plan of action. Would it be right to confront Mir. Moss and demand the picture? No, could not mortalIy offend the man whose daughter I devotedly loved. l would go away and try to forget it all. CHAPTER ".
 The next morning told Mir. Moss how sorry was that could not longer re- main, that a business letter received sev- eral days before and thrust, unread, into my pocket, had, upon being read, in- formed me that a certain law suit de- manded my immediate attention. MT. Moss was very sorry. Mrs. Moss ex- pressed deep regrets. Zilda was out in the garden. would see her alone.
 Miss Moss, shall leave today"
 "WhatP' she exclaimed, dropping a handful of roses.
 "Yes, business calls me away"
 "I am very sony," she said, looking down. "It cannot be helped"
 Tears were dripping from her long lashes.
 Why can't it be helped ?" she asked. Let us sit down here moment"
 We sat down. She clasped her hands. "You made me very unhappy last night" she said.
 q never spent more miserable night" replied.
 "You seemed to get mad with me as soon as you began to talk about that hateful old picture. wished, an hour afterwards that had told you all about it."
 "Tell me now," eagerly replied.
 We'll, will. Shortly after quit school, became engaged to man, who, with papa's consent had addressed me. did not love him, but to please papa, agreed to marry him. One day he brought me that picture. He bought it at an art sale in New York. Finding that could not love him, and becoming more aud more mortified at the thought of marrying him, broke the engagement. offered to return the picture but he would not take it. Now, is there any thing so bad about it2"
 Then told her my story.
 "Oa l oon't blame you" she said. "I take your arms from around me. We are not engaged. You haven't even teld me that you love me"
 "If have not, it was because deep love cannot be lightly expressed; but do love you-love you devotedly."
 She began to untangle herself from my arms. Looking up saw MT. Moss. began to stammer an apology when he said
 "Zilda, have often told you not to sit out here without anything around you and see that you have followed my ad- vice."
 The girl blushed and felt the blood rush to my head, but managed to say: "l was determined that she should not take cold, sir"
 "Yes, you are quite comforter. Well, don't let me interrupt you"
 "Our arrangements are very nearly completed" said l. "Have you any ob- iections to our marriage?" "None whatever"
 
 The grand old painting hangs on my wall.
 "Look here," my wife said to me the other day. 1 "Well."
 "Did you know that you never asked me to marry you?
 "I don't believe did"