Zula Part 33

Scott had read the letter, and as he placed it in the desk before him, the door opened, and Mr. Le Moyne entered the room. Scott gave him a cordial welcome, and Mr. Le Moyne said in a low tone:

"I have had a long and fruitless search. I have been from one end of the city to the other, and I can find nothing satisfactory."

"I have just now received a letter," said Scott, "which may be of some use."

He then handed the letter to Mr. Le Moyne, who examined the paper while a pallor spread over his face, as he said:

"Good Heavens, it is the very same."

"Are you sure?" Scott asked, starting to his feet.

"As sure as that I live. Here is positive proof," he said, taking a letter from his pocket and pointing at the bottom.

"Yes, it certainly is," said Scott. "Well, that is worth a great deal."

"Yes, providing we can find the balance, and that may be the hardest part."

"At all events we will not give it up yet," said Scott.

"Give it up! I shall not give it up as long as I live."

"There is but one thing to do. I cannot just at present tell you how it came in my possession any more than I have already told you, but, leave the matter to me for a while, and I will make you acquainted with the first important facts I may obtain and please leave this with me," Scott said, taking the paper.

Mr. Le Moyne soon took his leave.

"It is all very strange," thought Scott. "I do wonder where the boy came across it. He is a shrewd lad, at all events. How I do miss him.

I wonder where he is. He will probably let me know, when he has accomplished his purpose." Here his thoughts fell upon his wife. He wondered where she was, and why she had acted so foolishly. His heart ached when he thought of her, but he had no desire to look upon her false face again. His love was dead.

As he closed the door of his office he was met by Guy, who had just stepped over to consult him on a matter of business. As the two stood for a moment on the broad steps, an elderly woman stopped before Scott and inquired if his name was Lawyer Wilmer. He replied in the affirmative, and, giving him a letter, she hurried away. Scott placed the letter in his pocket, thinking there was time to read it when he reached home. Guy had asked Scott to go with him to his place of business and together the two started on.

CHAPTER XXIV.

A SCENE ON THE WATER.

"How lovely," exclaimed June as she stood one moonlight evening on the bank of Clear Lake. "Look! Scott, is it not beautiful?"

"Its quiet grandeur can hardly be expressed in words," said Scott.

"Look at that lovely island!"

"It is beautiful," said Scott, looking out over the water.

He had taken a seat on the beach, and thought the scene was the loveliest he had ever beheld. The trees overhanging the water cast broad shadows on the silvery surface under the bright light of the moon.

"Listen," said Carrie, who had just stepped up beside him. "Mr.

Wilmer, is not that beautiful?"

Every voice was hushed to catch the sound of music which came floating over the water.

"It is a band just nearing the island," Guy said as he stepped down to the boat which lay at the water's edge.

June entered the boat, and calling to Carrie to come, she sat down and dipped the clear water, throwing the bright drops high in the air.

"How lovely it is, Guy; who could fancy a scene more beautiful than this?"

Guy dropped the oar that he held, and taking June's little hand within his own, said in a low voice:

"June, my darling."

"Hush, Guy, Scott and Carrie will hear you."

"Well, what if they do? It is no disgrace to call you that name, is it?"

"No, but it is foolish."

"Haven't you studied my character yet enough to know your own heart?"

Guy asked as he pushed the boat from the sh.o.r.e, leaving Scott and Carrie still on the bank.

"I do not know. I have studied your ways, but really I have failed to find many faults. I do not see you using tobacco, and----"

"Oh, June, I do not care a penny for the weed, and now when I come to think of it, I do not wonder that you dislike it, for it is a filthy habit, but about my other faults, June?"

"You must have overcome them or----" she stopped speaking and looked down into the water.

"Do not be afraid to say it, June, darling, either I have improved or you are learning to love me in spite of my faults. Is not that it?"

"I guess so," said June, without raising her eyes.

"June, my little darling," Guy said, leaning nearer, and speaking in a low tone, "will you not say, now, that you will take me as I am?"

June's delicate hands were folded, and her eyes were looking far out over the water. It seemed to her that a little fairy world had opened before her, and a king, with a heart full of love had bade her enter.

The lovely moonlight, the soft dip of the oar, and the strains of music which came floating over the water, falling in such melody on her ear, gave a bright halo to the little fairy world she was just entering. She could not have told why she was happy--so very happy.

"I am waiting, very impatiently," Guy said, "just as I waited once before, and have waited ever since."

"Guy," she said, "it is a very grave question that you have asked. It is a question of a lifetime."

"But you can love me, June, can you not?"

"Yes, without trying," she said, honestly.

"G.o.d bless you, my darling; you will promise me then."

"No, I will leave my answer with Scott. If he consents I will be your wife. His experience has been a sad one, and he will never allow me to make an unhappy marriage, if he can avoid it."