Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-05-30
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 80, 1914.

gus; but mere seemed magic halo
around the young Virginia, through which
no shadow of evil could penetrate. Be.
sides the native purity and delicacy of her
mind, there were two other influences at
work in the beautiful web of her destiny,
to prevent any coarse or dark thread from
mingling in its tissue; one was her spirit
ual communion with her mother, and the
other, her ailectionate remembrance of
I Russell Hartley only being in whose
eyes she had ever read the sympathy for
which her lonely and loving heart yearn.
ed always.
1t was evening again. The young la.
dies had assembled, dressed for the ball,
in the drawing but Virginia.
"Where is the sweet child 7" asked an in
valid teacher, to whom she had endeared
herself by her graceful and affec;ionate
attentions.
"She was so long helping me and sister
to dress" said a little shy-lookng g;rl,
''that she has been beated."
81 will go and assist her myself" said
the principal Of the school, pleased with
this proof of kind heartedness on the part
of her new pupil.
She softly opened the door OF Virginla's
room, and almost started at the charming
picture which met he! eye. ROBBED in
white, with her singuiarly beautiful hair
falling in fair, soft curls around her face,
which was lighted up by smile Of almost
rapturous hope and JOY, the young girl
stood in an attitude Of enchanting grace,
raising IN both hands to adjust, amid the
braids behind, half wreath of glowing
and richly tinted autumn leaves.
"Let me arrange il for you. my child"
said the lady approaching, and Virginia
bent her head modcsty to her bidding,
and then, hand in hand. they descended
TO the drawing.room. Many Of the com
pany had arrived-the doors leading to
the ballroom Rad been thrown open, and
Virginia was almost dazzled by the spen.
dour of The scene into which she was thus
suddenly ushered. She blushed beneath
the eyes that were rveted upon her as
she passed.
"An angel % "a grace !" ga muse p
whispered the gentlemen to each other.
There was one among them-a noble,
chivalric looking man--who did not speak
his admiration! An indefnable some.
thing in the heavenly beauty of that face
had touched, in his soui, chord which
had not vibrated for many years before.
Virginia knew him at once. The rich
| chesnut curls Of the boy Of twenty has
now assumed darker ,iage, the eyes a
somewhat softer fire, and the youthful and
flexible grace had given place 10 manly
dignity of men but there was no mistak-
ing the soul in the glance of Russell Hart
ley.
And Virginia was decidedly the belle
Of the bali. Gay, but gracefully so, for
her sportive mood was soflened aud re-
strained by charming timidity that en-
HANGED her loveliness tenfold, she looked
aud moved like one inspired. She had
met lIartley's admiring gaze she was al.
most sure he would ask an introduction,
and she felt as if her feet and heart were
suddenly gifted with wings. She ffoated
down the dance like peri through the air,
and then Russell. approached, and he was
introduced.
The sunny smile of the little match
girl shone in her eyes, as she accepted
his arm for promenade, "Surely have
seen that look somewhere before he ex-
claimed, half aloud. "Matches matches
Six for flip" murmred Virginia, look
ing archly up in his face, and the mystery
was at once explained.
Imogen Grey's diamond necklace was
worthless dross in comparison with the
wreath Of autumn leaves, which Hartley
laid beneath his pillow that night, and all
her brothers. costly offerings could not
have purchased the smile which accompa-
MED the gift.
Reader, if you over go to Kentucky,
como to me for a letter Of introduction to
Mrs. Russell Hartley. She is looked up
to, respected and beloved by all the coun-
try round, aud am sure you will enjoy
her graceful and cordial attention, and the
Injuries of her elegant home, all the more
for remembering that the distinguished
and digni6ea woman to whom you are
making your very best bow, was once
the little match girl of my story.