Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-09-11

seem 10 have certain significance. And,
If IL had, what then? The mans wild
passionate heart rebelled against the fate
that had ut first been accepted with reck-
less desperation hich was very far from
resignation, and might indeed almost be
called its antithesls. 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 Luna; he must not place her in q
painful position; aud he could not risk
having his gift returned as presumptuous
one.
every WE'LL" he said calmly, after mo-
ment's silence. al am sorry 1 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 enc know; but, if you
prefer not te have her, or canhot, then
pardon me-"
"lOu do not understand me-" replied
the girl, cut TO the quick. "Why should
aunt Rachael mind my having Zuleika?
Ii she were afraid OF your gift, 1 am not
and | am bound only by my own feelings.
How could take such present as if it
were a flower, or something as trivial
You are SO ready to give that. All,
you know what l would say, but cannot
find the words !" she added with n child's
innocent pleading, for Sir Philip had
turned to her and clasped her hand in his.
ayes, know it, know it," he replied
hurriedly. "Forgiye me, lima, but did
not mean to seem unjust to you."
He bowed his head, but she had uncon-
oaianolu sriy ina az
better so, he thought-it was better that
she should regard it as only gift to
charming chid-only a"readiness to give"
The very question "Why should aunt
Rachel mind it?" showed that she did not
read between the lines, even IL her man.
ner had not shown that before; aud that
innocence of hers was his safeguard. lie
would leave Scarth Abbot, he said inward
ly, as he kissed the little hands before lie
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 SO much, what can sayY
II could only thank you enough! 1 shall
seem so ungrateful."
"Are the mere words then, lima, worth
more than the emotion that checks their
utteranceY l think not 20
Ilma's golden head dropped; she hid her
face against Zuleika's glossy neck. Oh, il
she could but keep back the tears! Why
did he give her Zuleika as dying men be-
stow giftsY al 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 a 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 q start.
"My dear Roland-but what Is the mat
ter"-fOr the young Squire's face looked
as she had never seen ii look before.
"a good deal is the matterv replied
Roland almost savagely. "What do you
think aunt Rachel has Just told me -
hNN bSAiNAA has aNbhelil given 6ulNAha W
Ilmav'
"Has he?" exclaimed Rose, dropping
the brush with which she had been
smoothing her hair; aud then, in chang
ed tone-'H 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 to allow 1t. What are all his wealth
and noble blood and his accursed beauty
worth If he is only to bring misery and
death! / cannot bear TO think of 1t. de-
clare Tve half a mind"
ado not say word to him or to her,
Rolandp cried Rose springing to her
brothers side, with a white face OF terror.
"Remember, 1t is no concern of yours
whatever. We haven't even chafed 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 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
'Pshaw = but he will think so; and you
ought TO know how he would take such
meddling."
"How you run on, Rose-just like wo-
man % said her brother, angrily shaking OFF
her hand from his arm. al never thought
of speaking to Darrell; and to suppose Pm
In love with u 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 1t is 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 slovc ut
first sight certainly, while lie is; and, be-
sides, see what a Iovcless life lie has led
But, on the other hand, lima, child though
she is, is quite out of the common way. l
should fall in love with her the first time
! saw her il were "a man; and the most
deliberate of men couldn't be Indifferent
to her"
Roland had turned very red while his
sister spoke; but lie tried by abusing his
enemy TO turn the points of weapons
which lie felt were giving home thrusts.
"Pooh, pooh ~ lie said with an angry
sneer. "'Lcyeless life forsoothl You
women are always ready TO sentimental
lie over "a handsome man. l happen to
know something about my lord, aud lie has
tried to amuse himself while he has let So