The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-09-26
Her STORY.
By WILLIAM II. MAKER.

Il almost wish was dead.''
MY dear!'
II dc, indeed. know it is wicked,
but if am never to see my father |
would rather be dead.
''Then Mr.. Fox will give you no in
formation!
mot word. lie says his orders arc
positive, and he seems to think it his
sole duty to obey those ORDERS
81 am very sorry for you, dear, but
l cannot help being glad that you are
not going away from us
81 know how kind you have always
been to me, Miss Malabone, and love
you dearly, but when l see other girls
going to their homes and surrounded
with their parents love my life looks
uninviting and miserable
The speaker was about 20 years of
age and her share Of the conversation
had been carried on between sobs and
tears. This was Virginia Mason, the
belle of Brightwood, the most envied
girl of the school.
Miss Malabone, the principal, not the
stern angular famale Of novels, but
sweet, motherly woman who,no having
children Of her own, loved all these who
were entrusted to her with mothers
love, was trying to comfort her.
Upon this morning Of which we write
Brentwood seminary was in a flutter OF
excitement. The young ladies ran
from room to room chirping and twit-
tering to each other much as sparrows
gossip when they meet around the edge
Of the fountain. Miss Malabonc had
confessed to feeling Of nervousness,
and Kitty, the cook, told the butcher
even she was mot herself
The study hour had come and gone
but no bells had been rung, nor were
any Of the pupils prepared to recite.
Each one had made an errand that com.
PEELED her to pass the reception room
door, and had fingered there as long as
she dared, but had to confess she could
only hear voices, but was unable to
distinguish a word. But when Miss
Mason rushed out Of the parlor with
eyes swollen with tears, and went to
her room without saying word to any
of those who threw themselves in her
way, as if by the merest accident, the
tongues ran faster than ever and the
suspense became at once both painful
and full of delight.
Virginia Mason had been a member
of the seminary so long that she seemed
to have been born there. She possessed
an unusually kind disposition, quick
perception, money allowances equal to
her most extravagant desires, and 81
face and figure that were almost per-
feet. am aware have given her a
greater measure oil attractions than
usually falls to the lot of mortals. 1t
is seldom, in real life, that ga quick
perception accompanies "a perfect
face.' Mother Nature is so impartial
that she gives the peacock handsome
tail, but reserves the sweet voice for
the nightingale; and when she is send
ing human being into the world with
out the full measure of brains, she adds
a touch here and there, to the face, if
the child is to be woman, or, if a
man, allows the head to be so soft that
the hair can be parted in the middle.
But Virginia Mason was, as have de-
scribed her, something more than the
average young lady. Above and aside
from her personal attractions there was
fascinating air of romance about her
history, as it was known at Bright.
wood, that made her welcome in all the
school circles.
More than ten years before the date
our story opens Miss Malabone re-
ceivcd long and wretchcdly written
letter signed 81. Fox" stating in the
worst Of English that his master would
like to send his young ''missus' to the
Brightwood seminary for an indefinite
time; that she was only 10 years cd,
but that special teachers were to be
provided for her, and ''eggspens wer no
obgick.' A few days after this, Mr..
Fox introduced himself in person and
delivered his charge. He informed
Miss Malabonc that Col. Mason was
the last survivor of one of the oldest
and wealthicst Mississippi families
that he had lost his wife when "Miss
Ginny' was but baby. and the loss
was such blow to him he had sold his
estate and left the country. Fox, an
old servant Of the family, had carried
out all orders in regard to the child
and any communication for the Colonel
must be sent through him. His where
abouts appeared to be very uncertain
but letter addressed to Is, Post place
St. Louis, would always reach him first
or last. He was instructed by the Col
onel to say that no expense should be
spared in giving Miss Ginny thorough
as we'll as polite education. He left q
check for goodly sum and said more
would be sent as needed. He appeared
to worship his young mistress and
kissed her hands score of times be.
fore leaving her. Regularly since that
time check had been received, and
with every remittance an injunction to
keep Miss Ginny we'll supplied with
pocket money.
As year after year passed away and
the young girl grew into womanhood,
she began to sigh for some one who was
nearer to her than the school people
around her. She built air castles, in
all of which she was to dwell with her
father and repay him for his love for
her mothers memory. In all her
dreams she was going to her father,
finding him a melancholic reclusc, and
Frightening his life with her tenderest