Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-07-04

~ tnG O9&f a0u t6en the lair
child threw herself again on her knees
ADD aafped her face in her hands. After
silence Of some minutes. broken only
by isint sobs, she sung once more ID low
aud iFemulous tones, the hymn. which
seemed to her . dalisman Tor all evil. and
then calmly lay her head on the pillow
and, marmarlng The name which was mu.
SIC 10 her soul, suck in,oihs sof, and deep
slunber Of innocsnce and youth.
For nearly yeaEhsd ,he Young libef.
line, Howard Grey. pursued her with his
untallowed passion aided as be vainiy
imasiaed By his costly and tasteful gins;
but there seemed amsgic halo around The
yoOns Virginla, through which no shadow
u eyii eoe4S penetrate Besides The Ea-
tive Eufiis and delicacy Of her mind.
there were two other influences at work
10 The beau,itul web Of hei destiny, 10
prevent any coarse or dark thread IRON
tniDgllng 10 its tissue; one was her spirit.
ual communion with her mother, and The
other, her afeclionste remembrance OF
Russell Hartly--lhe only beng IA whose
eyes she had ever read the sympathy for
which her lonely and loving heart yearn-
ed always.
Il v as evening again. The young la.
dies had assembled, dressed for the ball.
10 The drawing-room-al all but VirgiHia.-
Where as The sweet chlds' asked an in.
valid lie acher, 10 whom she had endeared
herself BY her graceful and affeciionate al
tentrons.
She was SO long helping me and sister
dress said little shy-looking girl, that
she has been beIated.'
Twill go and assist her myself, said the
principal OF the school, pleased with this
proof Of kindhe artedness on the part OF her
new pOph.
She softly opened The door Of Virginia's
room. and almost startled at the charming
picture which met her eye. ROBBED in
white, with her singularly beautiful hair
falling IN fair soft carls around her face,
which was lifted up by smile Of almost
raptHFous hope and Joy, the young girl,
stood in an attitude OF enchanting grace,
raising up both hands 10 adjust, amid the
braids behind, half wreath of glowing
and richly tinted autumn leaves.
Let me arrange it Tor you. my child,
said The principal approaching, and yir-
GINA ben: her fair head modesiy 10 The
lady's bidding, and then. hand in hand
they descended 10 the drawing room -
Many OF the company had arrived 1.-The
doors leading 10 The ballroom had been
thrown open, and Virginia " as almost dag
zled by the splehdour of the scene into
which she vas thus suddenly ushered.-
She hlushed beneath the eyes that were
rlveted Upon her as she passed.
An angeiE "a grace = A muse
whispered The gentlemen TO each otber-
cb4Sa&lr- Booking man @no .dTd NOT SPEAK
bis admiration. An indefnsble some
thing 10 The heavenly beauty of that face
had touched 10 bis soul. chord which
had not Sibraied for many years before
Virginia knew him al once. The rich
chestnut eurls Of the boy Of twenty had 4
now assumed darker linge the eyes
somew hat softer FIRE. and the youthful and
fexile grace had given place TO manly
dignity Of mien + but there vas no mis- j
taxing the soul ID The glance If Russell !
Harlly.
And Virginia was decidedly The bellel
of the ball. Gay. but gracefully So for
her shortive mood was sol,ened and re-
strained by charming timidity that en-
HANGED her lpvelness ienfold, she looked
and moved like one inspired. She had
met Hsrtly's sdmiring gaze, she was al
most sure he would ask an Introduction,
and She felt as il her feet and heart were
suddenly gifted With wings. She foaied
down the dance like peri through the
air, ADD then Hardy approached. and be
was ietfooueed.
The sunny emile Of The little match.
girl shsne In her eyes. as she accepted
his arm for promenade. Surely have
seen thst look Somewhere before 7 be
exclaimed half aloud. Matches! matches
Six. for 6pp murmured Virginia, look
ing arrhly up 10 his face. and the mysie4
~ was at once explained.
Imogene Grey's diamond necklace was
worthless 5ross 10 comparison with The
wreath Of autumn leaves, which Harlly
laid beneath his pillow that night. aud all
her brothers costly offerings could not
have purchased The smile which accom-.
panied The gift
Reader. if you should ever go 10 Ken
lucky, come 10 me for letter Of intro
ducion TO Mrs. Russell Harily. She is
looked up TO, respected and beloved BY
the country round. and lam sure you
will enjoy her graceful and cordial alien
lion. and the lnxuFies Of her elegant
home all the more for remembering that
the distinguished and digni6kd women 70
whom you are niaking y our very. best
bow. vas once the little nalcb4girl 1t my
story. /,