The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1920-12-03
N THE year 1726 a young man of

- France his young wife, whose fam
lily was Of noble blood. Shortly after
ward he was taken with the fever and
died, leaving her alone on the isle.
Estranged from her family and with
out means, the young widow made heI
way to an ~uninhabited island where
she could cultivate the soil without
the payment of rent, and there She
built a rude home for herself and her
little child, q daughter whom she
named Virginia.
at the same time another woman
with a son named Paul settled on the
same island, and the two women, mu-
tually grateful for aid and comfort, be-
came fast friends, although they had
been Of different stations in life.
Marguerite's servant, named Domin-
go. q powerful black man, was the
husband of Marie, who was Madame
de La Tours hand maid. Bound to
each other by similar needs the two
lonely women spent much time togeth-
er, and the two children were almost
inseparable. Their attachment was
very marked even from the cradle. If
Virginia was in trouble, the cries Of
Paul made it known. When they
learned to speak, the first m they
learned to give each other were broth
er and sister. For the rest, they went
almost naked. and could neither reai
nor write.
From the beauty Of their bare limbs
one might fancy them two OF Ni0be's
children escaped from the marble.
As Madame de La Tour saw the un-
folding charms Of her daughter she be-
alarmed for her future and num-
Dled herself to write to an OLD nunt In
asking for aid for v~irgInia's
sake. |
The aunt replied colby commencing
her to the governor Of the island, add.
ing: "Your ~disgraceful marriage has
brought its righteous punishment"
Deserted by her kinsfolk, the poor
widow took Paul and Virginia to her
lrms.
Paul became a planter, busy and
while Virginia spun or tended
he goats and helped in the house.
thus passed their innocent youth.
To them Madame de La Tour read
stories which time had hallowed,
eaching them to find their happiness
q serving others.
Their lives seemed bound up In that
I the trees. They knew no historical
pochs. no chronology save that Of
heir orchards. No care wrinkied their
rows. no intemperance poisoned their :
lood. They had all the freshness of ;
morning Of life. They loved each
Their naturally and purely. I.
1t was wise Marguerite who said: I
Let us marry our children. Soon :
will be a man, and then we will !
v much to fear" .
Madame de La Tour hesitated. "Let u
, wait. Let us send Paul to India !.
r q time. There he will be able to y
I'm money with which to provide a
for himself and Virginia" :,
To this plan Paul would not consent. .
am needed here. Domingo is old :
Id u mothers are alone. 1 shall =
ay." y
AT this moment came another letter :,
pm the aunt in Normandy asking !.
at Virginia be sent to her for edu- :"
ton. "If she follows my wishes"
e aunt wrote, "she may look forward !.
being my heiress." =.
Virginia was alarmed at this offer :"
d Paul vas angry. The madame de- -
led against 1t. "
The governor Of the island now
ged that Virginia be sent. -
missionary of the island Joined the :.
vernor in urging that Virginia go to :.
r kinswoman, and at last with a =.
art filed with anguish, mother and -.
lighter. thinking it Gods will, CON =.
lted. :
Paul was Puzzled by all this secret
lncil.
Virginia's consent had ,
'ught from her aunt gold to pay for /