The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-03-23

the duchess, and Paul was thrown into
despair at sight Of her beauty and he,
alien magnifcence.
i Distressed by his grief and hoping
to cure him Of his false hopes. Mar.
guerite now told him that he was only
the illegitimate son Of a peasant, while
Virginia was the daughter Of noble
woman.
Paul. pressing her in his arms, as.
sured her that as he had no other
relative, he would love her the more
"But I see now why Madame de La
Tour avoids me-"
AS the thought Of losing Virginia
came to him. Paul lost control of him.
self. Clasplng her in his arms. he
said: II am going with you. Nothing
shall part us. I swear 1t by the sea
that I must cross, by the air, to which
have never breathed lie."
Nevertheless, Virginia was taken
away from him while he was wander
ing in the forest mad with his fears.
When he returned to the cabin and
found her gon', he rushed to high
point from w .ch the outgoing vessel
could be seen, and there he stood till
the darkness fell and the night winds
began to sing their songs in his ear.
Thereafter when lie saw the two
mothers weeping. he bitterly said.
"Seek someone else 10 wipe away your
tears"
At last he turned his thought to the
garden and to a new task. He de-
termined to learn to read. He wished
to be able to read Of the country to
which his love had gone. In a very
short time he was able to read, ano
when at last letter came from Vir
ginia he was able to read 1t for HIM
self. It was sweet letter, but not a
cheerful one. The girls heart was
in her happy island. and she asked
Paul to plant the flower seeds which
she sent, upon the spot where they had
last talked tOgether-a place she called
Farewell Rock.
AS the months passed, envious folk
began to whisper that Virginia was
about to marry a nobleman. and Paul
was prey to doubt and despair.
One morning at daybreak Paul saw
a white flag flying on Mount 4scovery.
1t was sign that q ship was in the
offing. A little later a letter from
Virginia to Madame de La Tour was
handed to Paul. RapturOusly kissing
it, he thrust it into his bosom and
fastened to his home! To all the
household madame read the letter.
/ fvNt0 fv,r hn
soon land. Masters and servants all
embraced.
my son." said Madame de La Tour,
"gc tell all our neighbors, Virginia is
coming home"
To this happy household a negro
messenger came to say that the ship
was in distress and firing guns for
help. A storm was approaching. BY
midnight the sea was hammering the
rocks with fearful roar. The sound of
the signal guns was dreadful in Paul's
ears. All night long he and his faithful
Domingo waited for the dawn in sill
ence and dread.
At dawn the governor with file
Of soldiers arrived at point near
which the ship could be dimly seen in
the fog. All signs pointed to hurri-
cane, and the people gathered in the
hope of assisting the ship to land its
passengers.
| At 8 o'clock whirlwind swept the
hSvbor clear Of fog and the ship was
seen moored near the rocks. Her head
was set toward the pillows which
rolled from the open sea.
Suddenly, in the midst Of terrible
rush Of sea. the cables parted. The
'ship was thrown upon the rocks. A
cry Of despair arose among those who
stood on shore. Paul, in frenzy, was
about to throw himself into the sea,
when strong hand prevented him. In
order to save his life, they bound him
fast with long rope and let him leap
into the water. He tried to reach the
ship. only to be flung back upon the
sands.
The crew threw themselves into the
sea. Those on shore saw a young
woman stretching out her arms in
piteous entreaty. It was Virginia. al.
most the last to remain on board. In
a moment she, too, was struggling In
the cruel sea.
Paul, unconscious and bleeding from
his last attempt to reach the ship, was
carried to a neighbJring house. while
old Domingo and other friends
searched the beach for the body Of
Virginia.
At last in despair they started back
to tell Virginia's mother Of the girls
tragic death. On the way some ne
grOes told them that wreckage had
been driven in at Palm River valley.
and so Domingo and his companion
turned aside to look once again for the
body.
There on the sand, half buried, yet
with serene and beautiful face lay
the maiden. richly clad. One hand
rested upon her gown, the other was
pressed to her heart and covered n
picture Of Paul.
Lifting her gently, the servants car.
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