San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-10-18

"NO, HO-Ou, CTItu tuc girl ItCOlLs
ing. al could not-indeed could not,
Sir Philip. You must not ask me to ac-
cept such gift. Forgive me. A thou
sand times thank you; but indeed can
not"
Sir Philip looked at the sweet flushed
face, the trembling lips, the troubled tear
full eyes. Did she fear him, the accursed
Darrell? he wondered. Was her scepti-
cism more than shaken by what she had
seen and heard that day, so that she shrank
from taking gift, at his hands! There
was no fear in her features or her voice,
not look or tone that seemed to indicate
maidenly repugnance to an offer that only
her extreme youth and childlike manner
rendered possible. But perhaps Miss
Durnford would object to what might well
seem TO have certain significance. And,
If it had, what then? The mans wild
passionate heart rebelled against the fate
that had at first been accepted with reck.
less desperation which was very far from
resignation, and might indeed almost be
called its antithesis. What then? But
he must, he thought, crush down the temp
est that surged within him. He turned
aside, setting his white teeth like vice.
Well, he had made mistake; he must be
just to lima; he must not place her in a
Palhiul POolIlOh, hlu uC COulu llSh
having his gift returned as presumptuous
one.
every WELL" he said calmly, after mo-
ment's silence. 81 am sorry l wounded
you, when meant to do the very opposite.
Maybe your aunt would not like to have
the horse from me-though DarrelPs gift
carries no curse. l would rather you had
Zuleika than any one know; but, if you
prefer not to have her, or cannot, then
pardon me-"
"Nou do not understand me-" replied
the girl, cut to the quick. "Why should
aunt Rachael mind my having Zuleika?
If she were afraid of your gift, am not
and am bound only by my own feelings.
How could | take such 4 present rs if it
were flower, or something as trivial
You are so ready to give that. All,
YOU know what | would say, but cannot
find the words" she added with childs
innocent pleading, for Sir Philip had
turned to her and clasped her hand in his.
"Yes, l know it, know it," he replied
hurriedly. "Forgive me, lima, but did
not mean to seem unjust TO YOU"
lie bowed his head, but she had uncon-
sciOusly given him strength. Yes, it was
better so, he thOught-it was better that
She should regard it as only a gift to
charming chiId-only a"readiness to give"
The very question "Why should aunt
Rachel mind it?" showed that she did not
read between the lines, even if her man
ner had not shown that before; and that
innocence of hers was his safeguard. He
would leave Scarth Abbot, he said inward
ly, as he kissed the little hands before he
released them-leave it while she was
yet happy, and he could bear the curse
alone.
"Then you will do me this great grace,
Ilma-yOu will take Zuleika?"
GAS you wish it 50 much, what can say2
If could only thank you enough shall
seem SO ungratefu.'
care the mere words then, lima, worth
more than the emotion that checks their
utterance? think not!'
Ilma's golden head dropped; she hid her
face against Zulcika's glossy neck. Oh, il
she could but keep back the tears! Why
did he give her Zuleika as dying men be-
| stow gifts! 81 would rather you had her
than any one know" Why must any
one have her? True, he might only mean
that he was going away for an indefinite
period; but lima could not comfort her.
self with the idea that this was his mean
ing.
just then old Marsh returned, and al.
most Immediately afterward Roland and
Rose came up, and both went into raptures
over Zuleika.
But, later, when they had all returned
to the house, and were getting ready for
luncheon, Rose heard knock at the dress
ing-room door, and, responding "Come
In" Roland entered, almost banging the
door after him, and causing Rose to turn
round with start.
"My dear Roland-but what is the mat
ter?"-for the young Squire's face looked
as she had never seen it look before.
ga good deal is the matterr replied
Roland almost savagely. "What do you
think aunt Rachel has just told me -
That Darrell has actually given Zuleika to
Ilmaw
''HaS he:" exclaimed Rose, dropping
the brush with which she had been
smoothing her hair; and then, in a chang
ed tOne-'I am awfully sorry to hear
itw
"She doesn't understand, of course,o
continued Roland, in the same manner;
but he will soon teach her. Aunt Rachel
is mad to allow it. What are all his wealth
and noble blood and his accursed beauty
worth If he is only to bring misery and
death? L cannot bear to think of it. l de-
clare Pve half mind"
500 not say word to him or to her.
Roland" cried Rose springing to her
brothers side, with white face of terror.
"Remember, it is no concern of yours
whatever. We haven't even chaffed lima
about Sir Philip lately, for fear of putting
inf hnr hna