Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-03-07

not comprehend syllable you have
uttered" said Mrs. Varley "nor
shall [ be likely at once. Come,
Dick, you seem least excited. What
is the meaning of all this %
"What means, may / venture to
ask" /" said Dick, 'did yon undertake
to ascertain the character and ante.
cedents of the young woman at
present sheltered beneath your
roof2"
"Why, none," replied the good
lady. "Her young end truthful
face were recommendation enough
on which to give her trial"
.We have ascertained her to be
most abandoned creature" pro-
ceeded Dick, "and have deemed it
proper at once to apprise you OF
the discovery. Should she deny the
accusation, we are prepared with
abundant proofs
And the two cousins took their
leave with an air of exalted virtue.
Mrs. Varley was a lady of the
strictest prorriety and severest
morals. Much as she pitied this
poor and friendless girl, she must
be promptly freed flom this foul
and dreadful charge, Or cross her
threshold never to return.
She went directly to Hester's
| chamber.
"You must tell me yonr past
history, child" said Mrs. Varley,
in determined but not unkindly
tone.
"Oh madam 1 pray you pardon
me; but | cannot, cannot tell it."
''Then it has been one of shame
and guilt z"
''For time of shame, madam %
answered the young girl, with
flushed cheek, "but never of guilt
What was it that caused Mrs.
Varley to start SO suddenly, and
stagger half fainting to a seat at
Hester's dressing table +?
whose likeness is that ?''
she exclaimed, in scarce articulate
voice, pointing to an open miniature
on the table.
"My mother's," Hester answered.
"Then you are Florence Mar
wins child 90
"That was indeed my mothers
name.'
"More, you are the daughter of
my only brother, George Hay wood,
for Florence Marvin was his wife. .
With a tritied cry, she who had
believed herself alone and trenches
in the world fell on her kinswoln~
ans neck, and wcpt tears of mingled
gladness and sorrow.
Her story, which Hester had re-
fused to contide to strangers ears,
size now willingly impaired to one
from whom she felt she had no
longer right to withhold it.
That her brother had married in
opposition to her fathers wishes,
and had been dIsinherlted in con-
sequence, was already known to
Abigail Varley but what distant
spot he had selected for his home,
aud what had befallcn him there,
she had never learned.
The story was sad enough
After few toiisome, but not
unhappy years-for they were
spent in the loved society of his
wife and child-a dire calamity
had fallen upon George Hayward.
He came under suspicion of fear
ful crime. A network of circum
stances too intricate for mans wit
to disentangle environed him, and
he was condemned TO die. The
stern judgment was carried into
effect, and the executed murderer's
despised widow sought concealmcnl
for herself and child in a change oil
place and name. Long, long:.years
afterwards, the truth was discover
ed; but the Judicial murder had
passed among the things irrevoca
cable. Tie poor widow died al
lsASL--dlCu UiOhCIl DSttI tC'ts Uul
with one consolation, she had livco
to see her husbands innocence vim
dicated.
"And this, my poor child, is the
shame Of which you spoke z"
"My life has known no other"
Not many days after, Hester was
sent to one of the first seminaries
in the land, for she had yet time
enough to avail herself of opportn>
mites Of culture hitherto beyond
: her reach. Her aunt and she kept
their counsel. Cousins Roger and
Dick only knew that the object oil
their solicitude had disappeared
and probably congratulated them
selves on the success of their virtu
oEs stratageln.
After time, Mr.. Parker, Cousin
AbigaiI's lawyer, was sent for, and
after that the good lady seemed won
derfully revived in health and spirits
At her next birthday, the prospect oi
"many happy returns" produced any.