The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-02-27

the latter words, when his voice faltered
a little. Then he led me to the door
and l went out.
Zillah 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
luxurianee. She had always rather a
fantastic way Of dress, and now she
looked almost like princess out Of the
Arabian Nights. Even though herskin
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'll
After minutes pause | went TO her
side; she jumped up and kissed me, as
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
threw the letter on my lap, and said alb
ruptly, well, and what Of thatY"
began few necessary explanations.
Zillah stopped me
ooh, heard something Of the SORT
from Mr.. French last night. ] did not
believe him, nor do / now. lie is only
making jest OF me-"
1 answered that this was impossible.
In my own mind | was surprised ut I'll
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-
tons must have been untrue. Still this
was not so remarkable rs Zillah's own
secrecy about her having lover.
why did You not tell me, my dear?p
said j; you know your happiness is OF
the first importance to me as well rs to
your guardian" And, rather hesitate
ing, repeated. word by word, as near
as / could, Mr.. Satherland's message.
While / spoke Zillah hid her face
among the cushions, and then drew it
out burning red.
HE thinks / am going to accept the
creature then? lie would have me
marry q eoneeited, ehattering, mean
looking, foolish boy' Now Mr..
French was certainly twenty-five. J
Zone, too, that only wants ms for my
fortune and nothing else. 1t is very
wrong, cruel, and heartless OF him, and
you may go and tell him 500
''Tell WhoD said ]. beWildefcd by this
outburst of Indignation, and great con-
fusion of personal pronoups.
''Mr. Sutherland, of Counsel Who
else would tell? Whose opinion else
do care for2 Go and say TO him
No." she added, abruptly; no. you
needn't trouble him with anything
about me. just say shall not marry
Mr.. French, and he viii be SO kinds 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.
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 to
Mr.. Sutherland and told him all that
had passed, Just the. plain facts, with
out any comments of my own.
He apparently requiredn9ne. found
him sitting composedly with some pa
few DAYS been immersed in business
which seemed rather t0 trouble him; he
started a little as | entered but jmmp-
diately came forward and listened with
quiet aspect TO the message | had to
bring. | could not tell whether it made
him happy or the contrary; his counte-
nance could be at times SO totally im-
passive that no friend, dearest or near
est, could ever find out from { anything
he did not wish to betray
1.-THE matter is settled then, said he
qrayely: II will write TO Mr.. French to-
day, and perhaps il would be as we'll il
we never alluded to what has passed
|, at least, shall not do ii; tell Zillah so
But in the future, say that ! eatreat
she keeps no secret back from yen. I{e-
member this, my dear Gassia; watch
over her as You love her--and goa do
love her?n continued he, grasping my
hand.
| answered that | did, and God knows
even then told no lie. She was a very
dear child to me always
Mr.. Sutherland seemed quite satisfied
and at rest. lie babe mo q cheerful
goodbye, which | knew meant that [
should go away, so accordingly | went.
Passing the drawing door, I saw
Zillah lying in her old position on tho
sofa; so | would not disturb her. but
went and walked up and down under n
clump of tlr-trees in the gardeD. They
made u shadow dark and grave, and
still: 1t was more natural than being
on the lawn among the flowers, the sun
shine and the bees. | did net come in
for hours.
At dinner there were, fortunately,
only ourselves. Just family party
Mr. Sutherland did not Join us until NO
reached the dining-Yoom door. / no.
ticed that Zillah's color CHANGED as he
approached, and that all dinner-time
she hardly spoke to him: but Inc behaved
to her as usual. He was rather thought.
full, for, as he told me privately. he had
some trifling business anxieties burden
ing him Just then. otherwise he seemed
the same. Nevertheless whether IL
was his fault or Zillah's, in q few DAYS
the fact grew apparent to me that thev
were not quite snch good friends ms
heretofore. A restraint. discomfort,
shadow scarcely tangible, yet still
real, was felt between them. Such Il
cloud often rises-a mist that comes
just before the day-dawn; or, as ham
pens sometimes, before night.
For many days-how many I do not
recollect, since about this time MI in HE
house and In the world without seemed
to 90 on SO str.ncely--for many DAYS
afterward nothing happened OF any con