The anti-monopolist., 1874-10-08

that the girls father was really educat-
ing her from sense Of duty, but had
no intention Of ever seeing her or car
ing for her personally. The picture
she drew of him was of man over
whelmingly selfish; so selfish that he
nurtured his sorrows and disappoint-
ments, and occupied so much time in
pitying himself, he had neither sym.
pathy nor love for any other being.
I Fox had another interview with Vir-
ginia, but this time In the presence Of
the preceptress. He reiterated his re-
mark that her father would never let
her come to him, and tried to make her
understand that Brightwood was to be
her home.
When he had gone, the school rou-
tine was resumed, all-both teachers
and pupils-happy that their favorite
was to stay with them. But it was
soon noticed that Miss Malabone even
ings came much more frequently than
had been the habit of old, and Bright
wood came to look upon these enter
tainments as gala occasions. Of course
the young men of the village were con-
slant attendants, but Miss Malabone
was careful to show those of the fast
set that her ssevenings'' were not for
their benefit. She had a duty to the
children's parents, she observed to a
friend, and must not admit any young
men to her parlors whom she could not
wholly endorse.
In all these gatherings one girl was
re.eminently the most beautiful, the
most accomplished, and the most ac-
cessible. Miss Malabone was trying to
fill mothers place to Virginia Mason,
and was determined she should have an
opportunity of seeing the world, or at
least that much Of it that was to be
seen at Brightwood. Special efforts
were made to gain the interest of the
best people for her, and to have her
place in society assured. Of course her
story was we'll known. and consequently
society received her with open arms.
often wonder how the Lady Tippinses
of society can continue to gush as they
do, but it is fact that they can call
up any amount of latent enthusiasm
whenever anything in the line of senti-
ment is whispered in their ears. They
'sdote on sentiment long after the
time that they should be telling theii
beads.
And Miss Malabone was destined te
| be successful much sooner than she
hoped. She was gratified when, 8
year later, Morton Lowe, only son o
Judge Lowe, came to her with hi'
story of love, which was reciprocatec
i, by Virginia, and asked her to commu
t nicate with Colonel Mason upon th'
subject. .
, She wrote to Fox, and that gentle
/ man answered that he had orders t.
settle fifty thousand dollars on Vir
: ginia whenever she made marriage
| which Miss Malabone approved, ant
| consequently there was no need, al
: there would be no good, in writing tt
t him.
! But Virginia could not let the mattel
D drop thus. Her own happiness bu
4 made her fathers life seem more miser
able. She could not think of giving he
! life into the hands of another withou
!, at least one word from her father. HI
S was in her thoughts morning and even
e ing, and at last her lover set out to fnt
n him.
r 1t was vague search to start off up
r on. The only clew he had was Fox
+ St. Louis address, but when he callet
:. at IL Post place, he was confronted
d with the information that the famil,
It who lived there refused point blank t.
s tell where Mr.. Fox was to be found, 0
If to give any information regarding him
o None Of the neigh bors had ever see,
= man coming to the house who woul
|. answer to the description of Fox, 50
l. was evident the letters came there an
d were then forwarded. He might be il
'e another part of the city, and he Nigh
be thousand miles away.
Lowe finally wrote letter to Foa
:. giving him his address and asking hir
,. to como and see him. 1t was thre
;. weeks before an answer reached him
- The lett r was without date or addres
= and the post-mark was so badly blurre
it was impossible to make it out. Th
;, letter read:
= Dear Sir: Their is no yuse Of yur
: trying to fin out wher col mason is TO
:; no won nos it but me an I wont tel t
: : no won. he nos about yu an is satus
- fyd. will pay the money when mis-
- ginny is marryd. yurs ]. Fox.
:. Lowespent menth in fruitless effort
.. to get at Fox but was compelled to 6
Is home without accomplishing anything
r Virginia was not discouraged by hl
:. failure but determined she would Al
IA tempt to unravel the mystery herself
D. Her lover attempted to dissuade hel
\. but neither his nor Miss Malabone S eI
treaties were of any avail. She CON
to pleted her preparations and set on
er alone.
ID Her inquiries at l3 Post Place wer
a as unavailing as her lovers. Fro'
there she went to New Orleans an
e. made inquiries at the bank from whic
ID Miss Malabene's drafts came. Sh
X there learned that the drafts WEI
N brought by man named Lamar. ba
they could tell her nothing more
to letter was written Fox at St. Louis ar
in few days he called upon her. b.
he he was obstinate as mountain;