The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-06-10
A HEROINE OF ROMANCE.

his ualE was Wulle as snow, Uut his
round visage was ruddy still, aud his
black, besd-iike eyes g!iltered as with
the IRE Of youth.
captain Dulnare, will you never
grow old?" said his friends. which say
ing interpreted, meant that he would
be hale and hearty to the lass, when
dea.a would take him suddenly, with
no worrying prelude of heightened
helpless decline, as might reasonably
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.
Virginia Dulnare was shapely in fig
ure, aud not too tall Her features were
exquisite, her lips scarlet, her eyes large
and brown, and her silky hair like a
fleece Of gold. Just now the young
and flushed face was hidden on the old
mans knee.
"Do you really love the poor fellow
whom they call Hugh Girard ?n asked
Captain Dulnare in a fond, disappointed
whisper.
every dearly, papa" was the smOth-
cred reply.
With both his white withered hands
he lifted the dainty, blushing face, and
looked steadfastly into the big, wistful,
brown eyes.
"Virgie," he said, in those firm, stern
tones that no man ever dared to disobey,
cit is my wish and will that you marry
Sextus Weldon. You think you love
another, but at your age love is but a
lightning flash Of passion and fancy. 1
know best what will make you happy.
Therefore, I have chosen your husband
for you"
81 distrust and despise Sextus We'll
don," returned the girl, passionately,
springing to her feet. at is your
money, not me, be cares for"
A strange look wavered over the
round, ruddy visage Of the old gentle
man.
"Anoiher romantic hallucination, my
child" he said. "The young man idol
izes you. Do you think your old father
does not know the signs Of love? Aud
Sextus is very rich, and l would like to
have you the wife Of worthy man when
am gone"
81 had rather be poor aud eontented,
papa" sObbed the child.
Then the old mans eyes grew stormy
with the anger she feared.
"You ungrateful girl how migrate
fll, you will never know till am dead.
Have I not been kind to you? Have !
ever asked you to do anything that
was not for your welfare? Have You
not been happiest when you pleased
me most? What is the experience Of
twenty compared with seventy? Vir-
ginia, promise me that you will give up
Hugh Girard, and pledge yourself to
Sextus Weldon when be asks you?n
81 PROMISE" answered the awed aud
weeping girl, and then with q tender
kiss Captain Dulnare sent her away,
being well pleased.
What varied and momentous events
are ofttime crowded into a single hour of
lifetime.
Before the sun of that day set, Vir-
ginia wore on one lily-white, rose-tipped
hnger magnificent diamond ring
the - % OF ser bethrothal to Sextus
Weldon. Aud scarcely had the cold
yellow eirclet grown warm on her fin
ger before Hugh Girard I, ne for the
decisive answer he Lai exrac,ed for
many weeks. There WEE q sionata
words on the bearded lips OF The h.-d-
some, blue-eyed man, but a single res.
ture Of that sealed hand stopped their
utterance. He looked into her face
That face was icy white, and the brown
eyes were like stars Of fire.
81 understand, Virginia." be said
slowly; Hthey have sold you for gold
You loved me, but you were weak. Go.
help you, darling"
And so Hugh GiraTd went his way
and Virginia Dulnare fell on her knees
weeping piteous tears in the twiligh
dusk.
A strange sound aroused her. Thel