The Concordia sentinel. (Vidalia, Concordia Parish, La.) 1882-current, 1921-01-15

TN THE year 1928 a young man of
Normandy brought to the Isle de
- 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 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, a 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, he-
came fast friends, although they had
been of different stations in life.
Marguerite's servant, named Domin-
go, 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 togetb-
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 1t known. When they
learned to speak, the first names they
learned to give each other were broth
er 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 rwo OF Niobe's
children escaped from the marble.
AS Madame de La Tour saw the IN
folding charms of her daughters slle be-
came alarmed for her future and hum
bled herself to write 10 an oil aunt I'm
France asking for aid for virgInia's
sake.
The aunt replied coldly, 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
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.
1t was wise Marguerite who said
let us marry our children. Soon
Paul win be a man, and then we will
have much to fear"
Madame de La Tour hesitated. "Tet
Us wait. Let us send Paul to India
Tor a time. There he will be able to
earn money with which to provide a
home for himself and Virginia"
To this plan Paul would not consent.
Z am needed here. Domingo Is old
md our mothers are alone. 1 shall
Jtay."
At this moment came another letter
rom the aunt in Normandy asking
hat Virginia be sent to her for edu-
alton. "If she follows my wishes"
he stunt wrote. "she may look forward
0 being my helress.'
Virginia was alarmed at this offer
nd Paul was angry. The madame de-
fded against 1t.
The governor Of the island now
rged that Virginia be sent.
A missionary of the island Joined the /.
oyernor in urging that Virginia go to-
er kinswomar, and at last with a ,
cart filled with anguish. mother and /.
aughter, thinking it Gods will, con-
ented.
Paul was puzzled by all this secret
ouRcil
Meanwhile. Virginia's consent had
rought from her aunt gold to nav for