The Wrangell sentinel., 1921-10-20

NOTludlluy DTOuSut lO tllc 1SiC uS A France his young wife, whose fam fly 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 her way to an uninhabited island where she could cultivate the soil without the payment of rent, and there she built rude home for herself and her little child, 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 lad been of different stations in life. Marguerite's servant, named Domin- go, a 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- CT, 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 names they learned to give each other were broth CT and sister. For the rest. they went almost naked, and could neither read nor write.
 From the beauty of their bare limbs one might fancy them two of Niobe's children escaped from the marble. As Madame de La Tour saw the un- folding charms of her daughter she be- came alarmed for her future and hum- bled herself to write 10 an old aunt in France asking for aid for Virginia's s sake.
 The aunt replied coldly, commenting 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 arms.
 Paul became a planter, busy and skilful, while Virginia spun or tended the goats and helped in the house. Thus passed their innocent youth.
 To them Madame de La Tour read the stories which time had hallowed, teaching them to find their happiness in serving others.
 Their lives seemed bound up in that of the trees. They knew no historical epOchs. no chronology save that of their orchards. No care wrinkled their brows, no intemperance poisoned their blood. They had all the freshness of the morning of life. They loved each other naturally and purely.
 It was wise Marguerite who said :: Let us marry our children. Soon Paul will be a man, and then we will have much to fear"
 Madame de La Tour hesitated. "Let us wait. Let us send Paul to India for a time. There he will be able to earn money with which to provide Il home for himself and Virginia"
 To this plan Paul would not consent "I am needed here. Domingo is old and our mothers are alone. shall stay"
 At this moment came another letter from the aunt in Normandy asking that Virginia be sent to her for edu- cation. 'If she follows my wishes" l" the aunt wrote. "she may look forward to being my heiress."
 Virginia was alarmed at this offer and Paul was angry. The madame de- cided against 1t.
 The governor of the island now urged that Virginia be sent.
 A missionary of the island joined the governor in urging that Virginia go to her kinswoman. and at last with a heart filled with anguish. mother and daughter, thinking 1t Gods will, con l sented.
 Paul was puzzled by all this secret council.
 Meanwhile Virginia's consent had | hrOu 0ht from hor aunt cold to nay for