The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-22
A HEROINE OF ROMANCE.

His hair was white as snow; but his round
vissge was ruddy still, and his black, bead
like eyes glittered rs with the fire OF youth.
Captain pulnare will never grow old"
said his friends which meant that be would
be hale and hearty TO the last, when death
would take him suddenly, with no worry
ing prelude of heightened, helpless decline,
a. might be expected, as he had already
passed his allotted term of three score years
and ten.
The beautiful girl at his side was known
as his daughter and prospective heiress.
Yirginie Dulnare was shapely in figure,
and not too tall. Her features were exquis
ite her Inns scarlet her eyes large and
brown, ana her silky hair like fleece of
gold.
Just now the young. flushed face was hid
den on The old mans knee.
DO YOU really love the poor fellow whom
they call Hugh Girard?' asked Captain Dull
mare in fond, disappointed whisper.
Very dearly, papa" was the smothered
reply.
With both his white wlthered hands he
lifted the dainty, blushing face, and looked
steadfastly into the big, wistful brown eyes
s'Virgie" he said. in those firm, stern tones
which no man had ever dared to disobey, 1T
is my wish and will that you marry Sextus
Welden. You think you love another but
at Your age love Is but lightning flash of
passion aud fancy. | know best what will
make you happy. Therefore have chosen
your husband for you"
Il distrust and despise Sextus Weldon"
returned the girl passionately, springing 70
her feet. 1t is your money. not me- he cares
for
A strange look wavered over the round,
ruddy visage of the old man.
Another romantic hallucination, my
child. The young man Idolizes you. Do
YOU think your old father does not know
he sfr nf nd lam
Sextus is very rich, and would like TO have
YOU the wife of wealthy man when | am
gone.''
II had rather be poor and contented,'
sobbed the child.
Then the old mans eyes grew stormy with
the anger she feared.
You ungrateful girl, How ungrateful
YOU will never know until am dead Have
not been kind to you? Have / ever asked
you to do anything that was not for your
welfare? Have not you been happiest when
you have pleased me most? Wha. is the
experience of twenty compared with that of
seventy? Virginie, promise me that you
will give up Hugh Girard and pledge your
self to Sextus Weldon when he asks you"
Il promise you," answered the awed and
weeping girl, and then, with tender kiss,
Captain DulnaTe sent her away, being we'll
pleased.
What varied and monnentous events are
oft times crowded into single hour of a
lifetime
Before the sun of that day set, Virginie
Dulnsre wore on one lily white, rose tipped
finger a magnificent diamond ring-the SYM
bol OF her betrothal to Sextus Weldon. And
scarcely had the cold, yellow circlet grown
warm on her finger before Hugh Glrard
came for the decisive answer he had expected
for many weeks.
There we're passionate words on the beard
ed lips of the handsome, blue-eyed man, but
single gesture of that sealed hand stopped
their utterance. He looked into her face
The face was icily white, but the brown eyes
were like stars OF fire.
Il understand, yirginie" he said slowly
'they have sold you for gold. You loved
me, but you were weak. God help you, my
darling"
And so Hugh Girard went his way and
Nirginie Dulnsre fell on her knees weeping
pit;eous tears in the twilight dusk
strange sound aroused her.
They were calling her to her father
chamber.
Trembling shivering. heartsick with a
stIaoge, Oortentous dread heavy upon her
heart, she at once arose and obeyed the sum-
mons.
Captain Dulnare sat as she had left him.
IN MS easy chair; but the frost.white locks
that struggled over the crimson velvet,
framed in bloodless, rigid face.
Captain Dulnare was dead.
There was a mournful time-the necessary
inquest, the death-watcb and the rather
pompous funeral-but 1t passed as all things
OF anguish and delight 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 these gross matters Of business
and lucre there came to the pale stricken
Virginie terrible disclosure.
Capt Dulnare's large liabilities, secured by
heavy mortgages, and his floating deots
swallowed up everything
The heiress in prospective was utterly pen
niless.
But that was the smallest SORROW.
For, by papers of proof left, Nirgine was
had been left, when a baby. on the rich
mans door step. and he had reared her as his
own.
And after three weeks Of grievous embar-
rassment. Virginie was thrust out into the
world with no hope except what she bad
fixed upon Sextus Weldon. 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 betrothal 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 10 win
her bread-not an easy task for one luxur-
iously reared.
She thought she could do dress making
nicely; but at every store and shop to which
she applied she was greeted with the one
answer:
'sWork 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 pal