The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-01-22
CHAPTER XVIII.

"And you intend to leave for Columbus
to-night~
And Pauline looked up wistfully into
Nirgil's face as she asked the question. 1t
was the day after Millions funeral, and she
and the young lawyer stood toge her at one
OF the parlor windows.
Yes, Pauline. | have nothing TO keep me
here longer than to-day, and ! think it best
for me TO return Immediately to Column
bus.
She again raised her eyes wistrully to his
''Do you think you would be happier in
Georgia = she asked.
'Oh, no! no! | cannot be happy any
where, he answered, in husky voice. "Ah,
Pauline, are we not two lonely creatures:
All our loved ones have been taken away
from us! Does it not seem hard, little sis
terW
She did not reply She could not. Tears
rushed to her ewes, and her lips quivered.
He turned and walked to the mantel,
above which hung an elegant llte-slze por-
trait of his brother He stood for five min
utes or more gazing at the smiling, beauti-
ful countenance of the boy. Then, bowling
his head upon the edge of the mantel, he
wept as if his heart would break.
The afternoon wore on. Tea was served
at s, and an hour later Virgil went up to his
room, or rather the one Milton had occu-
pied, made a hasty toilet, and came down,
valise in hand.
'The carriage is ready, Mr.. Paine" said
the driver, stepping up to him in the hall.
"All right, Hiram" and, handing his va
lise to the negro, the young lawyer turned
to Mrs. Winston, who stood by weeping,
and asked:
"Where is Pauline?'
"In the library, believe"
And thither he went He did not find the
girl sobbing, but, oh, looking SO pale and
unhappy
"Good-by, Pauline. he said as he tightly
clasped her hand within his own. IF we
meet no more in this sad world, hope we
shall meet in the happy home above,
whittier our loved ones have preceded us.
Good-by, little onel God bless you.
"Good-good- Virgil"
She could say no more, and, dropping in
a chair, began to weep. He stood for
moment regarding her with an expression
of ineffable tenderness. Then, with another
"Good-by,n he was gone. And, Oh, the
loneliness, the desolation that fell upon the
poor girl
y 4
Summer. with all its glory, had depart
ed. Autumn, too, was gon'. And it was
December-the evening before Christmas.
1t had been raining for several days; but to-
ward noon the sun had come out, and now
Un6 WeoC was all dSlOH WIFI us pdi ulllS
glory As usual, on Christmas eve, the
streets were thronged with people hurrying
to and fro in search of Christmas goods.
Pauline had spent most of the day i'll pur
chasing toys, books, confectioneries, fuel,
clothing aud provisions, and in ordering
them to be sent to such and such a family,
whose means she knew would not justify
them IN making such purchases.
Late in the afternoon Sue returned home,
ba front r,orlpr GanlK i11tn
the nearest seat. She was 50 weary! But
there was smile upon the sweet face, and
in her heart that peace which flows from the
consciousness of having gladdened the
hearts of others. But she felt a deeper,
sweeter peace than this--that peace which
God alone bestows upon the soul that bows
submissiveiy to His will and leans conf
IDENTIFY upon His strength.
Rising, at length, she approached the
mantel, and looked up lovingly at Milton's
portrait.
MY beautiful, blue-eved darlingm she
said Chow missed you to-day. Last
Christmas eve you were with me, and, oh,
where was there happier boy' How lonely
Miss Paulie is without her little brother
But she is not unhappy! She feels now
that God knew best. Your pure spirit is
forever at rest, and by and by Miss Paulie
will Join her darling in his happy home
feels to day as l do-if his heart, too, is
filed with divine peace. Ny poor Virgil!
If he only knew-the truth If he only
knew that he was dearer to me than all else
on earthl"
"Ah. he knows now. The scales have fall
len from his eyes, and the truth stands re-
vealed."
Thrilled by the loved voice, she turned
and beheld Virgil standing before her
. ba nd hof- fapa In
with joy.
"Oh, Virgil; 1 an so glad to see your she
cried. "When did you comeW
can hour ago. | was upstairs when you
came in, and, impatient to see you, came
down as soon as | could"
"And YOU heard what | saidp she cried
quickly. "Oh, Virgil thought you were
too much of a gentleman to eavesdrop! Oh,
metz and she hid her crimson face in her lit
tie palms.
Eyes, darling. heard what you said
but YOU must forgive me. My poor Vir-
oil Pauline, those are he sweetest words
that ever passed your lips, Now, come to
your Virgil and make him happy! He has
come all the way from Georgia purposely to
get a glimpse of your face"
She advanced a step toward him. then
shrank back as if ashamed of what she had
done.
He smiled, drew her to his bosom, and,
removing her hands from her face, kissed
her repeatedly.
my darling, oh, my darling" he muir
INJURED, presently, as he stroded the golden
head.
She looked up at him with countenance
radiant with trust and happiness, and in
her joy exclaimed:
"VirgIl-my own peerless Virgin
"My own little Paulinel How | have
longed for more than four years to hold
this dear form to my heart and 10 claim my
darling as my own. Look. dearest" rails
ing his head, chow our little brother is
smiling down at usl Oh, would he not be
happy now if he were livng"
Darling boy!" murmured the girl, in a
husky voice.
Christmas day was warm, cloudy and
foggy. The inhabitants of the good old city
were in high state of hiarity, particular
ly the boys to whom the Mayor had ac-
corded the privilege of blowing tin horns
and firing pop-crackers to their hearts CON
tent.
Shortly after breakfast Virgil and Pau
liue went out TO the emetery. Most people
wish TO get as far as possible from the
graveyard on so joyous day as Chri f.
mas but as the young lawyer and his be-
trothed wa ked along. the ce.netcrys quiet,
deer ed avenues, they felt an indescribable
peace stealing over their spirits They met
nobody except a grave-digger--an aged.
wlthered little Irishman-who, with
Good morning to ye,n lifted his hat and
r,.ft. I,IF L