Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1873-03-29
A Brothers Sacrifice.

Argemorne Renaud wasof French rsrentage
on her fathers side, Iu, her lady mother was
a countess of England, aud tie heiress Of a
very large inheritanCe Castel St. Elmar was
the ancestral home, and for years it was noted
for the grandeur Of its appointments aud the
unbounded hospitality Of its occupants.
Here Argemornes childhood aud early
youth were passed. iu the enjoyment of every
luxury which wealth to whom the highest
wish Of the inperious little beauty was law
Monsieur Rsnaud was one Of those rolling
stones whose great misfortune lies in the fact
Of their having been thrust into existence, no
body could reasonably have expected them to
gather moss"
Reuaud never made a cen. o. money in his
life, but lie fancisd that he had wonderful
genius for bargain driving, aud his wife was
TOO much Of fine lady, and too little of a
trsdeswomau to see that he got cheated in ev-
ery bargain he made. He embarked largely
in speculation, involving his wile's property to
such an exten. that everything had to go to
satisfy the rapacious creditors, and Castel St
Elmar with all its untold wealth Of rare and
beautiful things, the work OF centuries to col
lect. passed into the hands Of careless strangers
This terrible blow was too much for the
naughty pride Of the countess; she died Of
brain paralysis in less than a week, and after
her death Renaud did the only sensible thing
be had done or years-puuged into the river
and the next day was the subject Of an inter
esting post mortem and cotonor's inquest.
Aud Argemorne, at ls, was left an orphan,
with only a small annuity and no expectations.
She was one Of the proudest women in Eng
land, and her ill-fortuue CALLED her sorely, but
she was too proud to make it manifest by
word or deed All her friends called her cold
AMI souess, and wondered if aught on earth
could touch her heart which she had ever kept
hidden.
She found a home, after the death Of her
patents, with little cousin, but there was liz
tie sympathy between herself and the Hon.
Mrs. Montague. Mrs. Montague had been at
St. Emar, and she gave Argemorne home,
solely because her family pride could not bear
the modification of seeing relative in the
house Of a strangst
Near Montague House was the fine estate Of
Maltravsrs Abby-the seat Of old Lord Asltra-
we're. The old Lord had two Sons, Louvain
and Gerald. Louvain was the heir to the
title, The Abby, and the bulk Of The large es-
tate. Gerald, as the younger son. had only the
family name Of Rossiment, and an income OF a
; thousand pounds a year
Both the young men were noble and hand
some, and both lsved Argemorne Renaud-
each in his own way.
Both were courty in bearing, aud as devot-
ed to.hef as even her exacting nature could re-
qure, but, loved only one Of them, and un-
fortunately for her that one was Gerald, the
young son. With all the depth OF strongly
! impassioned mature SHE lovol him, but never
FIR momrnt lid she dream Of beins governed
nv that love, for witt her pride was stronger
than love
z The lofty oil turr~ts Of Mdtraver Abby
were to her too powerful temptation to b'
/ resisted and FIR l1I time she h%d make NJ
f her mind to becom- Lrdy MAltfavers He
q mother had been preresS and from childhn"c
Argemotne had heen trained tn believe that the
great end If her life would be Eccompshe,
, when she was led to a man Of rank.
5 Aud me rily rang the village church bell
one bright June morning when Argemorn
WAS welded to young Lord MAitravers, an,
went home to the Abby as his h nored vile
= For the old lord was dead. and Louyain wa
in undisturbed possession.
r The festivities were great and continuous
: but Gerald WAS not seen ut any Of the merrl
; makings. He had taken enough to stan'
: calmly by and see this girl whom lie worsbipe'
. made the bride Of another even though tia
other was his only brother.
j The night after the bridal, driven fnrth b,
y some wild unrest, Argemofne threw a shaw
over her shoulders, aud through the whit
moonlight went out to walk away the fever il
her blood beneath the tall old trees IN Maltrs
= vers Park, and Gerald, led back to home b.
some uncomfortable impulse, met her there
4 stormy scene ensued, for both were high
r spirited, aud each one was well aware Of th
u state of the others affections.
He accused her Of coldness and deceit h
said she had never loved him-tbat she wa
incapable Of loving anything but herself. II
exhausted himselfu fierce Gnd bitter reproscb
es, and downcast eyes She let him finish
, and when from sheer exhaustion be was silent
she spoke
. Gerald" said she, fieavsn is ny witness
love you with my whole soul love yot
q still sha. love you forever Better thai
earth, better than my hopes for Heaven
e to-day, my choice rested between eternal per
diiion with you, and Paradise without you
would choose the first | am your brother
WIFE and Il is a sin for me to say this, but 70
= once my tongue shall speak the thoughts 0
my heart " Lord Mal,ravers," she spike III
name with naughty uplifting Of the head
remembering the proud little. d" is JUS; and no
! bic, and will be true to him. but while bein,
; true. I shall never feel for him one thrill Q