The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-14

face, without sign of recognition and
Miss Elton, to whom he ventured, un-
thinkingly, TO raise his hat, took her com
panon's arm and hurried past, mutterlng
something about "the presumption of jail
birds daring 10 bow to her :"
Arkwright's heart sank within him. Af-
ter all, was such a life as this worth striv-
ing for? People believed him murderer
why had he endeavortd to escape mur-
derers doom?
Suddenly Miss Wilde came out of store
near by. Arkwright involuntarily recoiled.
He felt, instinctively, that a cold glance
from her eyes would be the last bitter drop
beyond endurance in his cup.
But, before he could rettel,, Virginia hur-
ried up to him, with crimsoned cheeks, and
eyes yelling over with tears, while she held
out both her hands.
"Oh, Charley Dear Charley"
"My Virginia :" he uttered, fairly un-
manned. "You believe in me still, then 2"
Il believe in you now, Charley" she an
swered. IL shall believe in you always" !"
"You do not suppose, dearest, that shall
hold you to your troth ?" he said, almost
bitterly.
"I don't know whether you will or not"
said Virginia Wilde, hslf-laughing, half
sobbing, as she clung TO his arm. "But
shall hold you to yours"
And to this Virginia adhered through all
opposition and remoustrance.
Mrs. General Wilde was shocked the
world in general was scandalized. People
we're hardly willing to believe that the beau
tiful Virginia Wilde was actually willing to
cast her lot with that of the imputed mur-
derer.
II love him, said Virginia, sand that is
enough !"
"And love her," said MIR. Arkwright,
''and that is the reason l will not marry
her."
In vain were Miss Wilde's pleadings.
mo, dearest" he said. firmly; "lt IS be-
cause do love you that am unwilling TO
unite you fate with mine. Some cay, per-
haps, when the world believes in my inno-
cence as firmly as you do"
"In that case," said Mrs. Wilde, taunt-
ingly, my daughter is cafe enough"
al think she Is, madam, answered Ark
wright, calmly.
-Four years passed away. Silver threads
began to glsten in Arkwright's raven hair,
although he was not yet thirty. And Vr-
ginia Wilde loet some of her fresh bright
ness and elasticity, but she never for mo-
ment wavered in her loving allegiance.
81 will wait for him, though it be a life
time," said she.
One day, a gentleman called at the court
TO see its gloomy and self-contained mas
"Did he send up card ?" asked Ark
wright.
"No, SIR" answered the man, who had
lately only entered service at Arkwright's
court.
"Then tell him that see no visitors"
"But, SIR pleaded the man, she said
his business was of special urgency"
Arkwright hesitated a moment then he
went down stairs, slowly and unwilling
ly.
"Great Heavens :" he exclaimed, start
ing back. "Adrian Harwood2
"Yes, old fellow, it is l." said Harwood,
airily. "Been all around the world. Just
returned from China And never once
dreamed, until heard of it here, that my
abrupt departure could make such an in
fernal whirlpool of mischief Forgive me,
Arkwright," holding out his hand, "for in
deed | meant no i'll. was angry with you
and meant to make you repent your lash
words and naughty airs-but never anti
cipated tbs Say that you forgive me
Arkwright !"
Charles Arkwright was silent for a mo-
ment. A suffocating sensation rose up in
his throat, as he remembered all that he had
endured in consequence of this mere whim,
this idle caprice of Hsrwood's fancy. But
it was only for a moment, and then he took
Adrian's offered hand
"Yes,' said he, forgive you :"
He was married to Virginia Wilde the
next week, and they were happy at last.
But it was not the fresh, buoyant happi-
ness that might have come with their ear
lier days. They had suffered and they
were at peace-that was all.