The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1889-10-11

trining occasions, had disturbed the ap- |
parent stolidity of her countenance.-
Don't be unhappy; things may be
ms behave better and kinder to you
than they did; even the lieutenant is
very civil to you."
A sparkle, which was either pleasure
or pride, flashed from the girls eyes,
and then they dropped, unable to meet
mine.
"Be content, dear child; all may bs
happier for you than you expect. You
must write to me regalarly-yon can
write pretty well now, you know; you
must tell me all that happens to YOU.
and remember that in everything you
can trust me entirely"
Here / was astonished by Ziilah's
casting herself at my knees as l sat,
Anxiously l asked her what was the
matter.
Misunderstanding! I am so hap
| py-so wretched! All! what must I
These words dubbed up brokenly
from her lips, but Just at that unlucky
moment her three cousins came in. She
sprang up like a frightened deer, and
was off to her own room. | did not see
her again all the afternoon, for Lieu
tenant Augustus kept me in the parlor
on n excuse or another until | was
heartily vexed at him and myself.
When / went upstairs to put on my
bonnet-we were all going to walk that
evening-Zillah slipped away almost as
soon as | appeared. | noticed that she
was quite composed now, and had re-
sumed her usual manner | called after
her to tell the other two girls to get
ready, thinking it wisest to make no re-
marks concerning her excitement of the
morning.
l never take long in dressing, and
soon went down, rather quietly per-
haps; for l was meditating with pain
on how much this passionate child
might yet have to suffer in the world.
l believe l have rather a light step; at
all events l was once told so. Certainly
l did not intend to come into the parlor
%stealthily or p%ryingly: in fact, l neve
thought of its occupants at all. On en-
tering, what was my Amusement to see
standing at the window-Lieutenant
Augustus and-my Zillahl He was en-
b%racing-in plain English, kissing her.
Now, | am no prude III such things;
| have oftentimes known a harmless
father-like or brother-like embrace be-
tween two, who, quite certain of each
/ oobGl y lCSllIlSS. gay ttliu lCtSlNtd tlit
same in all frank affection and simple
ity. But generally am very particular;
more Sc than most ONE l often
used to think that, We're | II man. |
would wish, i'll the sweet day Of my be-
trothal, to know for certain that mine
was the first lovers kiss ever pressed
on the dear lips Which l then sealed as
wholly my own!
But in this case, at one glance, even
if | had not caught the silly phrase,
My angel!"-the same | heard i'll the
wood (ah, that woodN-t or any one
would have detected the truth. 1t came
ing Zillah's disposition, | had just Wit
enough to glide back unseen, and re-en-
ter, talking loudly at the door. Upon
which | found the lieutenant tapping
his boots carelessly. and Ziliah shrink
ing into a corner like a frightened hare.
He went off very soon-he said, to an
engagement at Belfast, and we started
for ramble. 1 noticed that Zillah
walked alongside of Caroline, as if she
could not approach or look at me.
l know not whether l was most
shocked at my poor girl, or puzzled to
think what possible attraction this
young nan could find in such a mere
child-so plain and awkward-loeaNing
too. That he could be Sin love- with
her, wen in the lowest sense of that
phrase. seemed all but an impossibility.
and if not in love, what possible pur-
pose could he have in wooing or want
ing to marry her?-for | was simple
enough to suppose that all wooing must
necessarily be in earnest.
Half-bewildered with cou~jectures.
fears and doubts as to what course |
must pursue, did | walk on beside Ma
| fJl1n yx-1N i, n1-t,,rr ,,,u,ratnl ,,i1I l,r,,
sister, kept close to me. She Went chat
tering on about some misdoings of Car
oline. AT last my attention was caught
by hearing Zillali's name.
Il won't bear it always said the
angry child; IN only bear it till Zillah
comes of age"
Bear WHAT"
"Why, that Garry shcald always have
two new frocks to H.. one. It's a
shame!'
But what has that to to Zillah's
coming of age?"
Don't you know, Miss /. .or?-oh.
let me tell you; but | Wilt" sha added
maliciously.
l hardly knew whether was III t or
wrong in not stopping the girls ton. &c,
but | could not do it.
"Do you know she added in a S,
whisper, Garry says we shall all be
very rich when Zillah comes of age. Pa
and ma kept it very secret. but Garry
found it out, and told it to brother Au-
gustus and to me-"
Told what?' said I, forgetful that 7
was prying into a family secret, and
stung into curiosity by the mention of
Augustus.
That Zillah will then be very rich.
as her father left her all he had; and
uncle Henry was a great nabob, because
he married an Indian princess and got
all her money. Now. you see" she con-
tinned with a cunning smile. shocking
on that Young face, I'VE must be very
civil to Zlllah, and of course she viii
give us all her money. Eli, you uader-
stand?"
l stood aghast. In a moment all
came clear upon me; the secret of Mr..
Sutherland's guardianship-of his letter
to me 1nterceptea-of the money lately
sent-of Mr.. LIE Peers anxiety concern
ing his niece's life, and his desire 10
keep her hidden from the world. lest
she might come to a knowledge Of her
position. The whole was a tissue of
crimes. And, deepest crime of all. |
now guessed why Lieutenant Augustus
wished, unknown to his father, TO en-
AeP IN VIZ pililAiSil tllttlltllS. many
her, and secure all to himself.
L never knew much of the world and
it's wickedness: / believed all men were
like my father or Mr.. Sutherland. This
discovery for the time quite dizzied my
faculties. | have not the slightest rec
objection of anything more that passed
on that seaside walk, except that, COM
ing in at the door of the cottage, /
heard Zillah say in anxious tones.
what ails Miss Pryor, | w~onder?'' |
had wisdom enough to answer. Moth
ing, my dears!" and sent them all to
bed.
Shall you be long after us2" asked
Llllah, who, as l said, was my chamber
companion.
away.
l went and sat alone in the little par
lor, trying to collect my thoughts. TO
any governess the discovery of q clam
destine and unworthy love-affairamong
her pupils would be most painful, but
my discoveries were allhorror together.
The more ] thought it over, the more
my agonized pity for Zillah oyereame
my grief for her deceitfulness. Love is
always so weak, and girlish love at eff