Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-06-19

crimson velvet, framed IN a blOOdless
rigid face.
Captain Dulnare was dead.
There was mournful time-the
necessary inquest, the death-watch, and
the rather pompous funeral-but it
passed as all things of anguish and de-
light must pass in this world OF
changes.
Then came the reading of the dead
mans will, and the settlement of his
financial affairs.
And with thes gross matters of busl-
ness and lucre there came to the pale,
stricken Virginie terrible disclosure.
Capt. Dulnare's large liabilities, Sc
cured by heavy mortgages, and his
floating debts, swallowed up every
thing
The heiress in prospective was utter
ly penniless.
But that was the smallest sorrow.
For by the papers of proof left,
Virginie, was declared to be a child of
adoption. She had been left, when a
| baby, on the rich mans door step, and
had reared her as his own.
And after three weeks Of grievous
embarrassment, Virginie was thrust out
into the world with no hope except
what she had fixed upon Sextus Wei
don. He only came once and his
tones were altered greatly.
No matter what he said.
But Virginie's sweet face flushed, and
she tore the bethrothal ring from her
shaking hand and gave it back to the
man who was not 10th to receive it.
Then she went out into the world to
win her bread-not an easy task for
one luxuriously reared
She thought she could do dress max
ing nicely; bnt at every store and shop
to which she applid she was greeted
with the one answer:
Work is rather slack just now, and
of course what we have to give is given
to the employees who have been with us
longest"
1t was from the doors of one of these
palatial places that she tottered one
day, weak from hunger, and on the
marble steps sank down in dea thly
swOon
| A lady in velvet and silk with plumes
of gray sweeping over her silvery hair,
had just descended from her carriage.
She saw the PROSTATE form, and looking
into the drawn, white face, started.
'Put this child into the carriage and
drive home," she said abruptly to the
liveried groom.
The man obeyed, thinking that of all
mad freaks of his honored mistress this
was the maddest.
So, when Virginie awoke from her
|
| quaint old-fashioned chamber, and not
| alone.
"Where am I, and who arc you?"
she asked family of the stately woman
who bent over the couch.
"YCu are with one who will never for.
sake you" said the sweet-faced woman
Even if you had known sin and shame
before [ found you"
81 have never sinned, but have been
shamed to the soul by the frowns ofpov-
erty," answered Virginie, while the hec-
| tic flush grew hotter on he1 cheeks
Be calm, dear, and listen to what /
have to tell you. When I saw you first,
| lying like one dead on the cold marble
steps, I loved you. You looked, Vir-
ginie, as my husband looked when he
| L
marked on your clothing. 1t was the
name of a little child who was stolen
from me years and years ago. While
you have been lying here i'll, I have
made a happy discovery. Can you guess
what it is ?"
Virginie could not mistake the express
sion of the fond, sweet, handsome face
bent so close to her own.
"You are my MOTHER" she said.
am your mother, my darling," an
swered the lady; and henceforth, for
Virginie Champney there shall be no
more toll or trouble, if can help it."
And only for the memory of Hugh
Girard, the girl would have been quite
happy.
As the daughter of one of the wealth.
est and most aristocratic ladies of the
city, she was perhaps more admired and
sought for than Virginie Dulnare had
| been.
And so it happened that one day Sex.
tus Weldon came to WOO her.
4" 1t was very cruel for you to refuse
me as you did. Why did you break ou1
engagement, Virgie?' he asked, with
mock sorrow and humility. 81 wanted
you for my wife, DEAR"
And with scorn in her eyes and disdain
on her lips the girl rejected his suit.
"The impudence of the fellow is anus
ing" laughed Mrs. Champney. "Wher
Captain Dulnare chose a husband fol-
you he should have chosen more wisely
[ think shall be better matchmaker
Virgie."
Are you so anxious to lose me p
asked the girl, with humorous noiuet.
Mrs Champney smoothed her tresses
soberly.
"Virgie, you must marry some time
you know. But that is no reason why
you shall not still remain my daughter
only hope that your future husband
may prove as good and tender and faith
full as your father was. And now pu
on your hat and shawl, for [ am goin&
to take you to see the hero of 70
nance. He is the son of one of the
friends of my schoolgirl days. Once