The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-03-03

"As I learn that you have decided
not to return here, suggest that you
authorize me to sell the plot Of ground
and what remains of the tomb to Mr.
Bolton.
IF you consent, will negotiate
price with him, and will inform you of
the result. With much esteem, yours
very truly, F. L. SANDERS,
NOTARY Public.".
In going far away from their old
home Allen knew that no one would
connect them with that of their grand,
father, Honore de Beaupre, or with the
old escutcheoned tomb, where so many
!. of his ancestors rested.
How everything appertaining to the
ancient race from which he and Aurore
were descended had crumbled and gone
to decay.
Ruin and oblivion had swept out of
existence fortune and the old home
stead-and even the ancient tomb,
which was now a pile of broken rub
Dish, brick and marble.
Well and escutcheoned and crum-
bling tomb are worthless possessions
for man who makes his daily bread
by the sweat Of his brow, at least the
sale of the green sod under it could
serve to give Aurore the education she
ought to have.
Allen wrote with curious mixture
of sorrow and at parting with the last
link binding them to former days and
gladness, that a chance was given him
to do for Aurore what he so longed to
accomplish.
So he wrote :*se]l the tomb and felt
that his father and mother would ap-
prove.
He was destined to life of arduous
toll, in remote parish, but at least
Aurore, on whom he had lavished such
care and devotion could be sent to
some fine college. She would make
friends and learn what life is in great
Cities
The old tomb breathed sigh of sor-
row when the workmen came to de-
mOlish it, and the sweet wild rose
growing over It and clinging so tena-
ciously to it's side wept many a tear,
and dropped and withered as the work
went on.
Courage, courage, little Rose"
whispered tie old Tomb as it lay dis
mantled of it's marble shield and coat
ofarms. "8c not too sorroWful. MY
destruction will mean happiness for
the last descendants of the old race,
who, from what gathered by the talk
OF those who have come around me of
late, are IN sore distress and poverty.
So am willing to pass out of exist
ence
"The chevalier's jewels in the casket
l have SO long guarded will go to re-
lievc their sorrows and will bring
them joy. So I do not repine, sweet
Rose, and you-they will not harm
you. They will surely care for you
and tend you, and you will grow lux
uriant and blossoms will bloom under
the sunshine and dews, the gentle rain
and soft chill mists of winter.
"Adieu, little Rose, my mission is
over. I am only an empty shell,
crumbling mockery, and I obey the die
tate Of ruthless man and majestic time.
Adieu."
The old tomb fell apart with
crash.
why, look at that box: How
strange. wonder what it contains"
said the lawyer to Mr.. Bolton, picking
up the little casket.
Two days later Allen was notified
that jewels and most precious stones
had been discovered in the old tomb
when the debris was being cleared
away.
isis. dear, our old ancestor, the
chevalier has left us legacy. We will
go abroad for year or two" Allen
said, kissing Aurore, who gave a sigh
OF bewildered Joy.
The rose vine in its grief fell pros
trate over the shattered remnants of
the once solemn and beautiful old
tomb, and would not be comforted.-
N. O. Times-Democrat.