Wichita eagle., 1888-06-23
ZATHOE.

suggests QaDciug UIsch eyes, oua ouuut
cheeks, jetty curls, cherry lips and brown,
unjeweled fingers.
Well. nay old houeekeeper's randdaugh-
ter pretty zathoe Lynn, possessed them
all.
And she was II that summer; 81.
For two months and single day / had
been the envied possessor of "Hazelcroft.
She had grown up with the other wild
flowers On the place. herself the widest
flower Of them all
One remembered August morning she
stole into the library with 3 glorious bunch
of water lilies.
They're for you, Mr.. Rupert" she
said. offering them slyly.
l patted the shapely brown hand ex-
tended
Thanks, little zathoe. They are q
pretty parting gift.
Her black eyes were fixed upon the car
pet.
You are going away, thenT'
Eyes, to Europe"
"But you will come back?"
"Not for three long years. at least. I
must see the world. Zathoe. And now,
good-byi l shall not see you again before
starting"
She looked up then. her eyes seeming
two Goals of living fire. | wondered why
/ had never noticed how beautiful they
were
You'll be married and settled long be-
fore return" added, teasingly.
She gently laid the lilies down.
"Good-by. Mr.. Rupert. shall not for.
get your
And In another instant she had escaped
from the room like frightened bird.
Ny resolve to travel had been a sudden
one, but by II o'clock was ready to 60.
The day was perfect, so decided to walk
across the fields to Razelcroft station.
The distance was scarcely mile. When
Just half way, and passing through
narrow lane, suddenly heard a moan.
Then came some unexpected, imprisoned
words:
''Oh. Mr.. Rupertl My dear Mr.. Rupertl
I'll never see him again.
looked around, but there was no one
In sight. Then | glanced over the low
hedge. There, on the ground, with her
head pillowed On q messy stump, lay little
Zathoe Lynn.
| was at her side In a moment, but so
intense was her grief. she had not heard
my approach
Then knelt down and spoke her name.
drew her to me,
You aresorry that I am going, Zathoe?"
eyes"
There was world of sorrow In the out
spoken word
hands.
''zathoe Lynn. look at me; It is true
can you care for meT"
She struggled from my grasp. II hate
myself Oh, Mr.. Rupertl / never meant
that you should uowl"
But am glad, very glad, I answered,
kindly. ut is sweet to know that you
will miss mo when far away | am, as
you have heard, an orphan All my life,
until now, have been unloved. have
never even had sweetheart. You shall
be my first and only one
She crept back to my arms with the con-
fdence of a child and smoothed her
damp curls and kissed her red lips. How
pretty and innocent she wasl
''Zsthoe." whispered. ARE you sure
that you love met"
She passionately flung her plump arms
around my neck for answer. 1t was her
first pure caress.
Then we sat down on fallen log to-
gether, and | clasped her hot, brown fin
gers
How would you like to attend school
during my absences" asked presently.
Her tear stained face frightened. II
love books. Mr.. Rupert. and would study
hard"
That is well. Now listen. Zathoe.
Three years from this day. if you still
love me. you shall be my wife. But the
mistress of Hazelcroft must be cultured
and refined. Promise that you will try
to become all could desire.
Il promise. she said simply.
Remember" added at parting. You
ere still as free as the air you breathe.
But you will think of me sometimesf'
Always, Mr. Rupert. she corrected.
Then kiss me good by"
Her trembling lips just touched my
cheek. | returned it threefold. and put
her from me. Then hurried away with
out once looking back, But my love for
Zathoe Lynn began that day.
We did not meet again for four long
years. But often heard from my little
protege. Her letters I'll my desk today,
q sweet record of the gradual unfolding
of her heart and mind.
Old Mrs. Lynn died soon after my de-
parture, and then. at my earnest request.
Zothce entered neighboring seminary.
Nobly did she keep her promise, gradu-
sting with honor at the completion of her
three years course / would have re-
turned to her then, but she would not
permit IL.
Give me another year." she wrote.
II want to be perfect In your sight"
And so yielded
But she sent me her portrait. Oh,
what a face It was Fer dark. rich beauty
had grown glorious
The picture reached me while in Lon
don. walked the streets all that night,
for was too restless to sleep. WANTED
to go to her at once. But she said no.
During the last year of waiting began
to think that it was who would prove
the unworthy one Zathoe would find
me wanting. 1t was indeed a foreshad.
owing of the bitter truth
But at length her last loving letter
called me home.
had begged that she would meet me-
1t the Eazelcroft- So with Margaret
Lynn. widowed cousin. she went down
and reopened the old house which had
once sheltered Us both.
1t was dark when reached is- half
fancied she would be waiting for me at
the gate. forgot that she was no longer
he passionate child had left weeping BY
he hedge
The low windows were all open. and !
oeered into the room. It had but one co.
,upant. q tall, stately woman She stood
by the table. her gaze fixed upon jar Of
water lilies.
It was Zathoe Lynn. ] entered softly,
md stood before her. ] could frame but