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

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face.
Captain Duinare was dead.
There was mournful time-the nee
essary inquest, the. death watch, and
the rather pompous funeral-but it
passed as all things OF anguish and
delight must pass In this world OF
chances.
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 Virginia a
terrible disclosure.
Captain Dulnare's large liabilities,
secured by heavy mortgages, and bis
floating debts, swallowed up everything.
The heiress in prospective was utterly
penniless.
But that was the smallest sorrow ;
for, by papers Of proof left, Virginia
was proved to be a child OF adoption.
She had been left when baby on the
rich mans doorstep, and he had reared
her as his own.
Aud, after three weeks Of grevious
embarrassment, Virginia was thrust
out into the world with no hope except
what she had fixed upon Sextus We'll
don. He only came once, and his tones
were altered and too supercilious.
No matter what he said
But Virgiuia's sweet face flushed, and
she tore the betrothal ring from her
shaking hand and gave it back to one
who was not 10th to receive 10.
Then she went into the world to win
her bread-not an easy task for one lux
uriously reared. She thought she could
do dress-making nicely but TO every
store and shop to which she applied 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"
It was from the doors OF one OF these
palatial places that she tottared one
day, weak from hunger, and on the
marble steps sank down in deathly
swoon.
4 lady in velvet and silk, with plumes
Of gray sweeping over her silvery hair,
had just descended from her coupe. She
saw the PROSTATE form, and, looking into
the drawn, white face, started.
'Put this child into the coupe and
drive home" she said, abruptly, to the
liveried groom.
The man obeyed, thinking that Of all
the mad freaks Of his honored mistress
this was the maddest.
So, when Virginia awoke from hei
long, still swoon, she found herself in q
quaint, old fashioned chamber, and not
alone.
"Where am I, aud who are you?" she
asked, family, Of the stately woman
who bent over the couch.
"You are with one who will nevel
forsake you, ms child, even If you hat
known sin and shame before 1 found
you" said the sweet-faeed woman
holding close the quivering hands.
81 have never siuned but I have beer
shamed to the soul by the frowns o
poverty" answered Virginia, while the
hectic grew hotter on her cheeks.
"Be calm, dear, and listen to what
1 have to tell you. When I saw you
first lying like one dead on those cold
granite steps, loved you You looked
Virginia, as my husband looked when
he lay ia his coffin. found your given
name marked on your clothes. It was
the name Of a ii.tle child stolen from
me years and years ago. While you
have been lying here i'll, have made q
happy discovery. Can you guess what
it is?n
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.
81 am your mother, my darling u
answered the lady; "and henceforlh
for Virginia Champney, there shall be
no more toll nor trouble, II can pre-
vent it."
And, only for the memory Of Hugh
Girard, she would have been quite
happy.
As the daughter OF one Of the wealth
lest and most aristocratic ladies Of the
city, she was perhaps more admired and
sought for than Virginia Dulnare had
ever been.
Aud so it happened ore day that Sex
tus Weldon came to WOO her.
at was very cruel for you to refuse
me as you did. Why did you break
our engagement, Virgie ?" lie asked
with mock sorrow aud humility. 81
want you for my wife, dear"
Aud with scorn in her eyes and dis
dsin on her lips the girl rejected bis
suit.
"The impotence Of the fellow is
amusing" laughed Mrs. Champney,
"When Captain Dulnare chose hus-
band for you, lie should have chosen
more wisely. 1 think shall be bet
ter matchmaker, Virgie."
"Are you so anxious to lose ne"
asked the girl, with humorous Rairete
Mrs. Champney smoothed her gray
tresses, soberly.
Virginia, you must marry some
time, you know. But there is no rea-