The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-04-07

known sin and shame before I found
YOU" said the sweet-faced woman,
holding close the quivering hands.
81 have v sinned; but I have
been shamed to the soul by the trowns
of poverty" answered Virginia, while
the hectic grew hotter on her cheeks.
"Be calm, dear, and listen to what l
have to t~elf-youJ When I saw you
first living like one dead on those cold
granite steps, I loved you. You looked
Virginia, as my husband looked when
be lay in his coffin. I found your name
marked on your clothing. It 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 @p discovery. Can you guess
Virginia could not mistake the ex-
preston of the fond. sweet handsome
face bent so close TO her own.
you are my mother" she said.
liam your mother, my darling" an
swered the lady; land henceforth, for
Virginia C%hampney, there shall be no
more toll nor trouble, il | can prevent
it."
And only for the memory of Hugh
Girard, she would have been quite
happy.
AS the daughter of one of the wealth.
est and aristocratic ladies of the city
she was perhaps more admired and
sought for than Virginia Dulnare had
even been.
And so it happened that one day Sex
fms Weldon came To woo her.
1T was very cruel for you to refuse
me as you did. Why did you break
our engagement, Virgie?" he asked.
withrmock sorrow and humility. Il
want you for my wife, dear"
And with scorn in her eyes and dis
dain on her lips the girl rejected his
suit.
1.-THE impudence of the fellow is
amusing" laughed Mrs. Champney.
when Capt. Dulnare chose a husband
for YOU, he should have chosen more
wisely. I think I shall be a better
matchmaker, Virgie." -.
Are you 20 anxious to lose me?'
asked the girl, with humorous naiuete.
Mrs. Champney smoothed her gray
tresses, soberly.
Virginia, you must marry sometime,
you know. But that is no reason why
you shall not still remain my daughter:
/ only hope that your future husband
may prove Us good and tender and faith
full as your father was. And now put
on your hat and shawl, | am going to
take you to see the hero Of a romance.
He is the son of one OF the old friends
of my schoolgirl days. Once upon a
time we made a foolish compact, that
our first son and daughter should be-
cone husband and wife. ,
"Oh!" gasped Virgie, thinking, OF
Hugh Girard, and wondering. with a
shudder, if she was to be the victim OF
matchmaking all her life.
"Well, this poor fellow fell in love
with q beautiful girl, who loved him,
but she rejected him for a richer lover.
In his despair he left his native place.
and in California-that land of gold
he made a fortune. But with money
came misery also. He came home, and,
it is said, to die; Virgie, you are so
sweet and winning that / think you
can catch this desolate heart in the
response, you know. Then the old COM
pact shall not have been made in vain.
Virginia listened with a sinking
heart.
Il can't marry this man unless he
asks me-" she returned, bitterly:
He will ask you,"was the decisive
response, as the big, piebald roam was
refined up before a fashionable boarding
house.
Mrs. Champney led her daughterto =
beautiful room on the second floor.
LISTEN" sue said, pausing before
the door, that was slightly ajar.
"yirgie, my lost love! Virgie-oh'
nv Virgie!"
The color few into the white cheeks
of the astonisted girl. w
God bless you for this, mother" she
said, rushing into the rooA where Hugh
Girard lay sick almost unto death.
II am here. Hugh" she cried.
What words were said in that cham
Der of illness may not be told.
Virginia came out after halt an hour
with a contented smile on her sweet
young lips.
ing the biushing face.
eyes," answered Virgie, she will
live for me-"
And somebody who witnessed the
grand wedding that occurred . month
later spoke ofthe lovely Lride, Virginia,
rs a heroine of romance.