The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-29

chilling the little creature whose arms
were about his neck, and she too became
hushed, as it were, by the gloom into
which he fell. During several minutes
the father and child remained thus
wrapped in silence. At last he spoke in
a low and troubled voice, kissing the
forehead of the child.
"Myra, do you love me9"
Indeed, indeed, do" said the little
girl, laying her cheek to his. Better
almost than anybody else in the wide
world, if you are only my godfather
"And whom" Mr.. Clark's voice fal
tered-"and whom can you love better
MyraY
.'Oh," " said the child, shaking her head
with a pretty mysterious air, there is
somebody that love so much, a pretty
beautiful lady, who comes TO me sc
often, and so strangely, Just ike one oi
the fairies nurse tells me about. Some
times she will be long, long time, and
not come at all. Then, while am play
ing among the trees, she will be close tC
me before | think of it. She kisses me
Just as you do, and once-that, too, wa:
so like" the child paused, and seemed
pondering over something in her mind
What was so like, Myra2 said Mr.
Clark, in a faint voice, for his heart
misgaye him.
"Why, was Just thinking" said the
child, thoughtfully; "this pretty lady
wanted me to call her mamma, Just as
you wanted me to call you papa, you
know only in fun"
"And did you call her that?!'
"Yes, but | never will again-uo
never in the world; for, do you think
she began to cry like anything the mo-
ment | put my arms round her neck and
said Mammal You can't think how
she did cry, and after asking me, too.
Mr.. Clark turned away his head; the
child's earnest look troubled him.
''She knew well enough that it was al
in fun" persisted the child, ''and ye'
she kept on crying all | could do
ooh, such words are bitter, bitter
fun" muttered Mr.. Clark, tortured by
the innocent prattle of the child.
II did not mean any harm; the lady
asked me 10 call her mamma, but
never VIII again." said Myra, dropping
under what seemed to her the displeasnrt
of her best friend.
ooh, yes, Myra, you must love this
lady; YOU must call her anything she
pleases," said Mr.. Clark, with a burst OF
emotion that startled the little girl. BE
good to her; be gentle and loving AS if
as if it was not fun when you call hei
mamma. You will be good TO her
promise me, my darling, that you will. =
"Rut she will not ask me again. 1t is
long, long time since the lady has
-. -, ,,,,,raraJ tba child tboueht
fully. Perhaps she will not come any
more"
Perhaps" said Mr.. Clark, with a
voice and look of painful abstraction,
A slight noise in distant part of the
garden drew the child's attention. She
started, and bending eagerly forward
looked down a winding path sheltered
by the orange trees.
'Seep' cried the child, pointing down
the path with her finger, while her eyes
sparkled like diamonds; didn't / say
that she always came like a fairy
Didn't l tell you so?
Clark followed the child's finger with
his eyes, and there, coming up the path
rapidly, and with eager haste in her
look and manner, he saw Zulima, the
wife of his bosom, the mother of his
child. For the world, that proud man
could not have risen TO his feet; his
strength utterly forsook him; he at
tempted to remove Myra's arm from
his neck, but even that he failed to ac-
complish, so profound was his astonish-
ment, so overpowering was his agita-
tion.
A tree stood close by the fountain,
overrun and shadowed by the convolu-
lions of a passion-hower vine, that fell
like curtain around it, concealing the
father and child as ZuIima came up
Thus it happened, that, without any
preparation, the wronged wife and the
deceived husband stood face to face
breathless and pale as statues in a grave
yard. The child clung to her fathers
neck. Her large eyes dilated, and hei
face grew crimson with fear. She was
heightened by the terrible pallor oi
Zulima's face.
Mr.. Clark arose, pale as DEATH and
trembling in every limb, he placed the
child gently on the grass, and approach
ing Zulima, held forth his hand.
She took it, but her fingers were like
marble; and like marble was the colo
smile that went in a spasm of pair
across her lips.
"Zulima, will you not speak to meY
Oh, what food of bitter waters did
that gentle voice unlock in Zulima'.
heart. Her limbs began to shake, bel
hands quivered like aspen leaves, and {
look of unutterable distress fell upOr
her face.
''To what end shall l speak % she
said, in low and husky voice. Il have
no wish to reproach you, and what bu
reproaches can you expect from me"
A bitter smile disturbed the pallor o
Daniel Clark's face, and bitter intona
ton was blended with the mournfu
cadence of voice
"Reproaches, Zulima, are for Sigh
| wrongs; but slight or deep, I deserv'
none at your hands. While you-oh
woman, woman, how have you betrayed
the deep love, the honor which l CAV,
you in holy trust. Neither will re
proach; but when look upon your face
still young, full of beauty, and bearing
the old look of innocence, it forces m'
to think of the VOWS you have broken
the mockery you have cast upon GU
marriage"
"Our marriage" repeated Zulima
Again her lips were distorted with ;
smile, mournful and bitter, and clasping
her hands she wruDg them nervousl!
together.
fWhy do you smile thus why d.
repeat thus bitterly the words that
have spoken ?" said Clark, regarding he
wild agitation with wonder. 'sWhen
speak of our marriage, you do no
shrink or tremble as one who has pro
famed holy writ, but your eye is full
of scorn, your lips curl with bite
smiles. Zulima, are you indeed so los
that the mention of ties that bound u
once, and that legally bind US yet,-tie
that you, unhappy woman, have broker
and dishonored, can only awake smil'
of scornp
Zulima stood motionless, her hand
clasped, her eyes dilating; the truth wa
struggling at her heart.
"Speak to me, speak to me again,
she cried, extending her locked hand
| imploringly. "That marriage you know
you know well, it was all false, all
deception. | never was your wife"
/ Mr.. Clark drew back-he breathe,
with difficulty; the truth was breakin
upon his soul also-the cruel, terribl
truth.
sSpeak to me, speak to me-" erie
Zulima, in voice of thrilling anguish
81 never was your wife,
''The God of Heaven, at whose alta
we were united, can answer that yo
were my lawfully welded wife, that 20
are so now!"
| A sharp cry broke from Zulima, sh
staggered forward pace, and sat dow
upon the grass close by her child; cover
ing her face with both hands, she ben
it down to her knees, and remained thu
motionless, and absolutely withou