Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-09-11

/ maidenly repugnance To an Offer that only
her extreme youth and chldiike manner
rendered possible. But perhaps Miss
Durnford would object TO what might well
seem 10 have II certain significance. And,
II IL had, what theny The mans wild
/ passionate heart rebelled against the fato
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
lac must, he thought, crush down the temp
est that surged within him. lie turned
aside, setting his white teeth like vice.
| Well, he had made "A mistake; he must be
just To Lima; lie must not place her in "a
painful position; and he could not risk
having his gift returned rs prcsumptuous
one.
"Very well" he said calmly, after mo-
ments silence. ~ am sorry | wounded
| you, when meant to do the very opposite.
! Maybe your aunt would not like TO have
the horse from me--though Darrell's gift
carries no curse. | would rather YOU had
Zuleika than any enc l know: but, if you
prefer not TO have her, or cannot, then
pardon me-
"You do not understand me-" replied
the girl, cut to the quick. "Why should
aunt Rachael mind my having Zuleika?
| III she were afraid OF your gift, am not
aud am bound only by my own feelings.
How could take such present rs If it
were n flower, or something as trivial
! You are so ready 10 give that. All,
| you know what 1 would say, but cannot
lind the words ~ she added with child's
innocent pleading, for Sir Philip had
turned TO her and clasped her hand in his.
"Yes, know il, know it," he replied
hurriedly. "Forgiyc 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 rs only a gift to
charming child-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 lie
! released them-leaye il 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!"
"As you wish IL so much, what can sayy
Ii could only thank you enough. ! shall
seem so ungrateful.'
'AIt the mere NOTus lutU, LINZ, worth
more than the emotion that checks their
utterancey | think notn'
llma's golden head dropped; she hid her
face against Zuleika's glossy neck. Oh, if
she could but keep back the tears! Why
did he give her Zuleika Us dying men be-
stow giftsy al would rather YOU had her
than any one I know" Why must any
one have her? True, he might only mean
Ia. ntt.er for Ipfi nj "a
period: but lima could not comfort her.
self with the idea that this was his mcan-
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 ali returned
to the house, and were getting ready for
luncheon, Rose heard knock mt 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
rs she had never seen il look before.
ga good deal is the matterr' replied
Roland almost savagely. .'What do you
think aunt Rachel has just told me -
Ilmaw
"Has hc?" exclaimed Rose, dropping
the brush with which she had been
smoothing her hair; and then, in a chang
ed toned am awfully sorry to hear
it,"
"She doesn't understand, OF course"
continued Roland, in the same manner;
but he will soon teach her. Aunt Rachel
is mad 10 allow it. What are all his wealth
and noble blood and his accursed beauty
worth II he is only TO bring misery and
death? l cannot bear to think Of il. | de-
clare I've half mind"
''Do not say word TO him or TO her,
Rolandn' cried Rose springing TO her
brothers side, with white face OF terror.
"Remember, il is no concern OF yours
whatever. We haven't even chafled lima
about Sir Philip lately, for fear of putting
ideas into her head. She would never
have accepted the horse if she had thought
he had meant anything by IL; and don't
believe he does. At any rate" added
Rose, with Il fine stroke OF feminine STRAIT
egy, "if you say word TO Sir Philip, he'll
simply think you're in love with lima
Yourself All, you may start, and say
Pshawv but he will think SO; and you
ought to know how he would take such
meddling.'
"How you run on, Rose-just like a wo-
man !" said her brother, angrily shaking off
her hand from his arm. IL never thought
of speaking to Darrell; and to suppose I'm
in love with IA harum-scarum girl of six
teen because | don't want Sir Philip Oar
rell to make love TO her is equally alb
surd."
al don't see why il il more absurd" re-
torted Rose, "to Imagine that you might
be in love with her than that Sir Philip
is. You have both known her only few
days, and you are not man for .loye nc
first sight certainly, while he is; and, be-
sides, see what loycies, life he has led /.
But, OH the other hand, lima, child though
she is, is quite out OF the common way.
should fan in love with her the first time
i saw her il ] were Il man: and the most
deliberate Of men COULDN'T he indifferent
to her."
Roland had turned very red while his
sister spoke; but he tried by abusing bis
enemy to turn the points of weapons
which he felt were giving home-thrusts.