Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-01-23
MisctllAMenMs.
ZATHOE.

suggests udncluS Dlhck eyes, Suu-DuVu
cheeks, jetty curls, cherry lips aud
brown, uneweled fingers
Well, my old housekeeper's grand
daughter, pretty Iathoe Lynn, possessed
them all
And she was II that summer; II
For two months and single day had
been the envied posscssor of Ilazelcroft ;
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 glorious
bunch of water lilies.
They're for you, Mr.. Rupert she
said, Offering them slyly.
pattcd the shnpely brown hand ex-
tended
Thanks, little zathoo. They are a
pretty parting gift"
Her black eyes were fixed upon the
carpet.
"You are going away, then? p
'Yes, to Europe" +"
But you will come back ?"
mot for three long years, at least. |
must see the world, Xathoc And now
good bye | shall not see you again be-
fore 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
before roturn," [ added, teasingly
She gently laid the lilies down
"Good-byo, Mr.. Rupert, shall not
forget you
And in another instant she had es
clpcd from the room like frightened
bird.
NV resolve to travel had been sud
den one. but by | o'clock I was ready
to 20. The day was perfect, so decided
to walk across the fields to lIazelcroft
station. The distance was scarcely a
mile. When just half way, and passing
through narrow lane, | suddenly heard
a moan. Then came some unexpected
impassioned words:
''Oh, Mr.. Rupert My dear Mr. Ru-
pert. I'll never sec him again !"
looked around, but there was no one
in sight. Then glanced over tho low
hedge. There, on the ground, with her
head pillowod on messy stump, lay lit
tie Xathoe Lynn
was at her side in d moment, but SO
intense was her grief, she had not heard
my approach.
Then knclt down and spoke her
name
She sprang up in bowildermont, but
drew her to me.
"You are sorry that | am going, Ia-
thoe 2"
eyes"
There was II world Of sorrow in the
out-spokeu word
took her teor-stained face between
my hands
"Zathoe Lynn, look at me; is it true
can you care for me p
She struggled from my grasp. 81 hate
myself! Oh, Mr.. Rupert | never meant
that you should know p
"Bnt am glad, very glad" an-
swercd, kindly. at is sweet to know
that YOU will miss me when far away |
am, as you have heard, an orphan. All
nv life, until now, | have been unlovcd
! | have never even had Il sweetheart.
You shall be my first and on y one"
She crept back to my arms with the
confidence Of a child aud smoothed her
damp curls and kissed her red lips. How
pretty and innocent she was
"nathoc " | whispered, 'arc you sure
that you love me =
She pnssionateIy flung her plump
arms around MY neck for answer. It was
her first pure caress
Then we sat down on'a fallen log to-
gethcr, and claspcd her hot. brown
fingers.
"How would you like to attend school
during my absence = asked pre- sently
Her tear-stained face frightened II
love books. Mr. Rupero, and would
study hard "
That is well Now listen, Zithoe.
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"
II promise" she said simply.
Remember" | added at parting,
you are still as free as the air you
breathe. But you will think Of me some
times 2"
Always, Mr.. Rupert" she corrected
Then kiss me goodbye"
Her trembling lips just touched my
check | returned it threefold, and put
her from me. Then hurried away with
out once looking back. But my love for
Zathoc Lynn began that day.
We did not meet again for four long
years But often heard from my little
portege. Her letters fill my desk IT,
day, a sweet record of the gradual uu.
! folding of her heart and mind.