The anti-monopolist., 1874-10-08


distinguish 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 9
face and figure that were almost per-
feet. | am aware have given her a
greater measure OF attractions than
usually falls to the lot of mortals.' 1t
| is seldom, in real life, that "a 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,
the child is to be woman, or, IT a
man, allows the head to be so soft that
the hair can be parted in the middle.
But Virginia Mason was. as l 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-
ceived a long and wretchedly 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 we're 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 Malabone that Col. Mason was
the last survivor of one Of the Oldest
and wealthiest 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, ar
old servant of the family, had carried
out all orders in regard to the child
and any communication for the Colone
, must be sent through him. His where
abouts appeared to be very uncertain
but letter addressed to l3, Post place
St. Louis, would always reach him tirst
or last. He was instructed by the Col
onel to say that no expense should b
spared in giving Miss Ginny thorough
as well as polite education. He left {
check for goodly sum and said more
would be sent as needed. He appeared
to worship his young mistress ant
kissed her hands score of times be
fore leaving her. Regularly since tina
! time check had been received, an.
with every remittance an injunction t
keep Miss Ginny we'll supplied Will
pocket money.
As year after year passed away ant
the young girl grew into womanhood
she began to sigh for some one who wa
; nearer to her than the school peopl
around her. She built air castles, il
all Of which she was to dwell with he
father and repay him for his love 70
her mothers memory. In all he
dreams she was going to her father
finding him a melancholic recluse, an
frightening his life with her tenderes
j, love and devotion. But the year
brought her no nearer a realization {
3 her dreams. OF the letters sent t
her father, and their number was Il
, gion, no word had ever been returned
She wrote to Fox for her fathers &C
dress and months sfterward receive
the following badly spelled and wors
worded letter:
New ORLEANS, (no date
ssOnord miss; Yure letter onley Jus
got me. Yu want yure fatherses direcl
shuns but it cant be dun, he ses don
Civ it to no won and concekent l dom
|, respeks to yu onord miss and hops y
| air vel. j. Fox
In her disappointment at his refuss
/. she wrote for him to come and see he
or she would go to him, and now Fo
G was here, had been with her for sever,
IS hours, but we have seen, from her tear
that she was no nearer the father sh
t loved.
e Miss Malabone did her best to con
fort her, and finally, at Virginia s r.
81 quest, wen, down to Mr.. Fox. He Wa
e not particularly pleasant looking pc
Is sonage, and could not be easily forgo
d ten. His speech is not what one woul
IS expsct from his letters; it was the idi'
matte talk of the Southwestern
I'll cultivated but nothing more.
N "What does Col. Mason want me
a do with his daughter!" she asked, aft.
le the few commonplace remarks that hs
d to be made. "She will graduate in
few months: what will she do thena''
he s'He says she d better stay right her
a ma am. he dom t want her near him ,ar
ls allows you could board her and loc
10 after her if he d pay you lib'r'ly for q
$ ct ccteras.
"Then he does not intend ever
te take her to live with him!
afi ssThat,s inst the point. ma am.