The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-10-18
the time when he was a grown man. and

/ a mere girl; now he looked d stately
gentleman in the prime of life, and l a
middle-aged. old-maidish woman. Per-
haps something Than years had
done this: yet il vas quite natural, only
| had never thought of it before.
So, when the first meeting was over,
with the excitement, ~pleasurable OF
otherwise. which as Il matter of course
it brought to us all-when we had sew,
orally hidden each other goodnight,
and Mr.. Sutherland mad said smilingly
that he was glad twas only goodnight,
not go0d-bye-when the whole house
was quiet and a~sleep-to use the psalm,
lists solemn words. AT night on my
bed | communed with my W heart i'll
my lumber. and was STILL
'Gassia. l want to speak to you par
tieulaiIy, said Mr.. Sutherland to me
one morning, rs after breakfast he was
about to go into his study. Lil!ah
placed herself in the doorway with the
pretty obstinacy. half womanish, half
girlish. that she sometimes used with
her guardian-much TO my surprise.
Ziilah was ON excellent terms with him,
considering their brief acquaintance of
three weeks. In that time she had
treated him as in my whole lifetime
had never ventured to do-willfully,
iestingly, even GROSSLY, yet he seemed
TO like it. They We're very social and
merry, for his disposition hadapparent,
lv grown more cheerful rs he advanced
in life. Their relation was scarcely
like guardian and ward, but that of per-
feet equality-pleasant and confidential,
which somewhat surprised me. until /
recollected what opportunities they had
of intercourse. and what strong friend
ships are sometimes formed even in a
| single week or fortnight when people
are shut up together in a rather lonely
comtry-house. This vas the state Of
things among us all on the morning
when Mr.. Sutherland called me to his
study. Zillah wanted to go likewise.
Not to-day he answered her, very
gently and smilingly. "Ihave business
to talk vel with Miss Pryor" Il knew
he said Miss Pryor" out of respect,
yet it hurt mel had been "Cassia'
with him SO many years. Perhaps he
thought l was outgrowing my baby
name now.)
The business he wished to speak of
was about Zillah's coming of age next
week, and what was to be done on the
occasion. "Should he, ought he, to give
a ball, a dinner, anything of that sort2
Would Zillah like it?'
This was II great concession, for in
old times he always disliked society. l
answered that | did not think such dis
play necessary, but | would try to find
out Zillah's mind.
| did 80. 1t was an innocent, girlish
mind, keenly alive to pleasure, and new
to everything. The consequences were
natural-the ball must be. Alittle she
hesitated when | limited at ller guard
ian's peculiarities. and then she offered
cheerfully to renounce her delight. But
he, his eyes beaming with a deeper de.
light still, would not consent. So the
thing was settled.
1t was a very brilliant affair, for Mr.,
Sutherland spared no expense. He
seemed to show a restless eagerness in
providing for his young favorite every
thing she could desire. Nay, in answer
to her hayward c%ntreaties, he even con.
scented to open the ball with her, though
saving he was sure he should make
an old simpleton of himself.' That was
not likely!
watched them walk down the room
together, and heard may people say
with n smile what n handsome pail
they were, notwithstanding the consid.
cradle difference of age.
1t was a very quiet evening to me
Being strange to almost everyone there
| sat near old Mrs. Sutherland in a cor
ner. Mr.. Sutherland asked me to dance
once, but | did not feel strong, and in
deed for the last few years | had almos
given up dancing. He laughed, ant
said merrily: sit was not fair for hin
to be beginning life just when ende(
it," A true word spoken in a jest
But l only smiled.
The ball produced results not unlike
ly, when II considered that it wa
meant for the introduction into societ,
of a young woman, handsome, attract
i've, and an heiress. A week or two af
ter Zillah's birthday Mr.. Sutherland
called me once more into his study.
1 noticed he looked rather paler ant
less composed than usual. He forge
even to ask me to sit down, and w
stood together by the fireplace. which
remember was filed with Il great vas
of lilacs that Zillah had insisted on plac
ing there. 1t filed the room with
strong, rich scent, which now | neve
perceive without its bringing back t.
my mind that room and that day.
He said: II have had a letter to-da,
on which l wish to consult with you be
fore showing it to Miss LIE Poer." {
was rather startled by the forma
words, since he usually called her vii
lah." as was natural.
sit is a letter-scarcely surprising
in fact to be expected after what | nc
ticed at the dinner party yesterday; il
fact--But you had better read it YOU
self"
He took the letter from his desk an,
!. gave it to me. 1t vas an earnest an
apparently sincere application for tn
hand of his ward. The SuitOr, the HoI
= IInnry Ernnnh uroc of rood family ~,
, moderate prospects. | had noticed h
r was very attentive to Zillah at the bal
!, and on some occasions since: still | wa
a good deal surprised, more soeyen tina
was Mr.. Sutherland, who had evidentl
watched her far closer than /. | CAV
him back the letter in silence, an
, avoided looking at his face.
{ We'll Cassia," he said after Il pause
/ and with an appearance of gayety
. "what is to be done? You women ar
i the best counselors in these matters.
/ smiled, but both he and | very 500
, became grave once more.
/ sit is a thing to be expected" cor
tinued he in a voice rather formal an
; hard. with Zillah's personal attra,
tions and large fortune she was sure [
7 receive many offers. Still it is early I
/ begin these affairs"
= IlCulllldtu I'LL lilttJ SllC WIS tNtllN
g one.
True, true. She might, under othe
\ circumstances, have been married Ion
) before this. Do you think that 81
/ suppose he was going to ask III
whether ] thought she was likely to a,
cept Mr.. French, or hadhi5herto forme
: any attachment. But probably delic:
cy withheld him. for he suddenl
stopped and omitted the question
Soon he went on in the same stead
, tone:
q 81 think Zillah ought to be made al
( quainted with this circumstance. NJ
q French states that this letter to me
the first confession of his feeling
5 That was honorable on his part. lie
g agentleman of good standing, thong
far her inferior in fortune. Poop
might say that he wanted her proper,
Q to patch up the decayed estates
8 Weston-Brook.'
This was spoken bitterly, very bite
g ly for a man of such kind nature
Andrew Sutherland. He seemed COZ
,, scious of it and added: Il may wroI
,, him, and if so | regret it. But do yc
! not think, Cassia, that of all things
! must be most d~espicable, most meaI
, most CALLING to a man of any pride
: honest feeling, the thought of IL
. worlds saying that he married his wi.
, for money, as a prop to his falling 70
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