The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1914-01-02
The Scheming Of a Desperate
Woman For the Sake of a
Profligate Brother and the
Resulting Adventures Of
Winsome Virginie Ferrier:

Il nave always been IN lOVe With
YOU" he replied. with Il frankness
which did not displease her. She was
accustomed to be loved and regarded
the professors assurance in much the
same light as if it came from her
guardian. Not that presume upon
that fact. 1t is a beautiful thing for a
man like me to be in love with a girl
like you. l am proud of it and, l as
sure you. grateful to Providence for
the magnificent privilege OF being in
love with such a girl as YOU"
What have l DONE" she asked. that
you and Tom should both say and
think such kind things about me?"
The professor shook his head.
She was very young, and she was
very innocent. Toms W Ids had not
been understood by her in the sense
he intended-that is. not in their full
es; sense: not in the sense which we
who read them give to them. In 9th
er words. this child had no thought
whatever of lovema king, courtship and
such things.
Il remember perfectly what Tom
said.' she replied. considering a little.
Don't tell me-" he interrupted hasti-
ly. IF YOU REMINDER them it is
enough. You are going into Il strange
world: you will get new ideas and see
new people and learn to think differ
emily in many ways. and YOU will be
far from your old friends. Wherefore.
remember Tom always. and if YOU
want counsel think of me and let me
help if l can"
And then the squire appeared. and
the professor presently took his leave.
Six days later the mail steamer, ly-
ing in the harbor with her steam up,
ready for her start, presented at )
O'Clock in the afternoon an animated
and lively appearance.
The departure of every mail is at
tended with plenty Of hustle and
crowds Of visitors, but OIL this occa-
sion, when. in addition to certain
French families, thu departures of Vir-
elnie Ferrier, her cousin and the pro-
lessor were all to take place together,
it seemed as if the whole island were
going with them. so crowded were
deck, companion lcddors and the sd
loon. On deck there were gathered lit
Tie groups OF sympathetic friends. a
little court surrounded \irginie.
The girl was flushed with the OK.
element and the emotion of leavetak-
ing. h was in charge of a French
lady. who was going all the way to
London. All the farewells had been
aid but one. There only remained of
the home circle her guardian. Her
cheek was flushed and her eyes were
bright and tear stained. She had no
heart for the compliments and pretty
things which one after the other came
to say to her.
At last there came the time of dc.
parture.
y beautiful gralation marks the Ger
emony Of leayetaking on board the
mail. First. tho" comparative stran-
gers: next. the friends: then the init
mate friends; last, the members Of the
household.
Thus. when the officers and the mer-
chants and those Of the French people
who knew her had offered their ha nds
and wished Nirginie bon voyage and
all. even tn" padre and the pink boy,
were over the side Of the ship and j II
their boats. there remained the hard
est parting of all-that with her fond
and faithful guardian.
He kissed her forehead. cheeks and
lips.
my dear he said. taking her in
his arms. "it is best for YOU. 1t is what
your father would have wished. Why
should VIC repine: Yet, it will be sad,
indeed. without yorl."
So they parted, Captain kemyss
was the last to leave the ship before
the bell rang. The whistle shrieked,
the screw turned and the great ship
began once more to drive it's long
white furroW on the main. But the
old mans eyes We're dim. and for
awhile he could not see anything.
When they cleared he became aware
that Nireinie was standing aft beside
the steersman. and behind her were
the professor and hcr cousin, and she
was waving her handkerchief and cry
ing.
1t was then 6 o'clock and it wanted
nearly an hour to sunset.
AS for Tom, the reasons why he
was not on board were perfectly we'll
known to every one. and there was Il
general feeling that they did him cred
it. If people are in love and are soft
hearted and canno trust themselves
to say goodby in public. then people
had better stay ashore, which Tom did.