FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2003, 5 June 1875, Page 4

FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

A STORY OF TO-DAY.

BT MBS. MAST A. DENIBON.

Chapter XI.

THE FABTY. AST TTNBXPBCTED VISIT. At last Florida's ambition was satisfied. She had'lent out cards of invitation to the choice and select few, and none of them had returned regret*. Her first part was therefore. to hj^a success. Jsbrida's taste was of a nflfpptfej&fined, so subtle in its'alchemy, that she tfeeded neither decorator nor French cook. The parlors were spacious, the drawing-rooms elegant, and, with a grouping of pictutes and statuary, with free access to the con- % seriatory, she managed to turn every apartment into a sort offairybower. The eiFeei was almost magical, when the gas wa^ lighted F orida herself was not the least iittractive among novel sights. She knew she was beautiful,' and, better than that, just what her beauty needed. Her dress for that, occasion made her regal— crimson end black, with a very few and well arranged ornaments. Her loveliness, i >-uch an alt re, nas almost startling, and left an impression on the beholder that dd not soon wenr 'ff. The effect produced on some persons was more like a sh< c'k of fine, penetrating electricity ; though with many it left an unpleasant sensation, X verybody of note had heard of Florida, the handsomest woman in the city, and, of course, all the world was on the gui vioe to see her in the capacity of hostess. Many expected to be amu«ed with a bona fide specimen of rusticity suddenly elevated, and imagined that their benevolence would be called to undergo very severe rubs and stretchings for excuses of her mal intendres. Others expected simply to be amused with country-talk, and aping of stylish manners. Consequently confusion and ennui were confidently relied upon for the programme of the evening s entertainment.

> ever did well-bred guests betray astonishment more unexpectedly than they. Florida, in the expressive phrase of a foppish youth, "took them down." Her innate elegance surprised them into reverencer-rthe costly materials of her dress, and her exquisite finish, in every dcs gn, betrayed them into unequivocal compliments. Virginia did not come downj in her soft, sunny beauty, till quite late, having found it impossible to leave her mother. Her restlessness and. brilliancy made her very noticeable. She was arrayed, like the pure water-lily, in the snowiest white crape, and moved among the glittering crowd, gathering smiles and pretty sayings as «he went. It was very cruel of Florida to force her into that crowd, she said, but Florida's will was law, and someway, of late, she had not frit inclined to resist her influenr-e in the remotest manner. It seemed as if she must do as Florida said—mustgo whereshe appointed—must be the passive unresisting follower. Her judgment, however clear before, seemed clouded the moment she "eh the atmosphere created by Florida's presence, t*he often attempted to resist, but as often found herself powerless. If it had not been for the letters of Parker, ■who seemed on tfie way of success, she would have been wretched indeed. " Slie is unquestionably a superb woman," sa;rl a tall, mustaehed gentleman, a foreign author, and of course the lion 1 ,_of the hour. '1 he man at his side was a person of some renown, known as' .'a ■ifcttTrPr on different sciences. He spoke of Florida. . • •£; .■■"Sire i'sfja. most powerful magnet," muttered the latter. "Good heavens! what a positive*cfcatNre ! she could magnetize a crowd. I wislil could see her mental organization—it a^stufly." " At your old pet theory jßuP'- -$ yen a lovely woman can only ifllffestf vpu as she shows capacity for science^or an ayent for science to work upon. You " had better got acquainted; she would make a capital lecturer. What a pity, now. lhat some reverses will not come, and you two, joining i> Wests, go out into the world and astonish the natives! You would make money hand over fist, as they lay." . ' "That's a delightful little creature," said the lecturer, nodding towards Virginia, who stood now in perfect repose, listening: to some low spoken words, but whose mind seemed to be far a™ ay. " She is as passive as her sister is positive. I'll vei ture to assert that she is the meek Cinderella of the household—whose godmother gives her delightful dreams, but whose sister tyrannizes over her to her heart's content. If you look closely, you'll observe a weary, care-worn look 'that doesn't come all out on the surface. It is rather introverted, as if the heart ■were prone to gather its sorrows into a place for nursing. I really pity that girl if she is sensitive—and with that complexion and those eyes she can hardly help being so." " Hers s a very peculiar style of beauty," said the author, surveying her more intently. I have often described it, but, upon my word, I don't know I ever saw it in its purest type be'ore. That girl is not aware of her own ''worth."

Meanwhile, Florida 1 *wasr going from one to another,' dispensing graces, smiles and Words, ana, whether unconsciously or not, bringing scores under her influence by 'the irresistible attraction that seemed to floW out from her presence. She was the observed of all observers, the closelyfollowed by more than oije man of note and health.,JJhe- mfJst favored of the gentlemen, iowever, was undoubtedly Le'Koy, who was thoroughly in love, and ■would scarcely have 'given a straw for existence if assured that she was indifferent towards him. But for some reasons, that \ lorida knew best, she was unusually attentive. Everybody saw, arid not a few laughed over, his infatuation, as they called it. "An old fellow like him !" sneered the young<men, though they knew that his •personal.appearance and vast wealth were a powerful counterbalance in the scale of a woman's preference, especially such a Woman as Florida. y iie smiled on him. however, and he felt, diffident though a sincere affection might '• make him appear, that he was not uaattractive to her. He had told himself that to-night he. would propose; but when near'h^r, something m her manner forbade, him to approach, the subject, -although she treated him with marked ■ consideration. : • -- ■ Virginia had lost her interest in the 'scene', c-lie still addressed .others and and* listened with apparent / pleasure ■vvlien they spoke'; but her brain and her

heart felt a longing for rest, that had, of late, become nlmost painful.

Suddenly she was aware of an unusual stir. A thrill ran through her frame, for which she could not account, till,' raising her eyes, she found herself in the presence of Parker. His appearance and entrance seemed to have made something of a sensation.

"Tell me, who ia that beautiful creature?" exclaimed one lady, gazing at him with her soul in her eyes. "If that is not some poet divine, then forever after let my penetration be> at fault." Virginia was too little schooled in the ways" of "the fashionable world to keep her delight and her surprise to herself. "0, Parker!" she said, her eyes overbrimming with delight, "you hereP"

"I would not have come, for the world, in an assembly like this," he answered, in a low voice, casting a glance along his threadbare but well-kept clothes, "but your servant, thinking I was one of the latp guests, I suppose, ushered me right in."

"You look as well as any of them," whispered Virginia.. " Better," her heart said, as she glanced in his face and marked the handsome features, the bold, bright forehead. "O ! I'm so glad to see you ! but—" at that moment she caught Florida's^ eye; It was fastened with a curious expression upon Parker Was it hate ?—-or—a thrill of new terror raii through Virginia's veins—was it love ? Something unusual was revealed to her inthat glance. As I said, Florida, had stood for a moment, her eyes transfixed as the youth met her gaze. For a moment her cool, habitual indifference was gone, and, had an interested person been looking on, traces of a struggle, almost deadly, might have been seen in that beautiful face.

Another had seemed evidently agitated when Parker entered—it was Le Eoy. "Kver on the watch, he might have followed Florida's glances ; and if he did, he saw enough to make his heart beat with more violence than it ever had before. For that face just come upon the stage was no common one. Beautiful as it was, it might have parted with the clear outlines »nd graceful curving and still have been a most superior countenance. The features were a little sharper than usual, but a royal soul looked forth from the large eyes, expreisive of every emotion that might ennoble a man's nature. There was a certain stern pride, too, in that look with which he regarded the festiyities, that stiangely became the youthi It seemed to s<ay, " I am above you all yet — for my furnishing is that of the soul—my ornaments these of the mind." Certain it was thatthree of that brilliant company were startled if not pleased with the new arrival. Le Roy watched Florida keenly —as keenly watched Parker. Indeed he chose a position from where he had the lattT in full view, and, folding his arms, his lips set tightly, he divided his glances uneasily between Florida and the young man. He had grown pale, and the color did not return to his dark cheek. After some moments of anxious %az\ng, he managed to gain the side,of Florida. "1 see we have a new-comer here," he said, in a low voice.

" Yes—one of Virginia's old acquaintances—a schoolmaster, and really quite an amiable young man," " Yes, I .should judge him to be one of Virginia's friends," said Le Eoy with a meaning smile. He m»rked the color come high and quick in the already flushed cheeks before him, and thought it was caused by mortification, for-he saw how painfully the shabbiness of the young man's dres3 contrasted with the rich garments near. It might have been that thought that made him offer his arm to Florida, and conduct her to another part of the room.

Meanwhile, the fashionables had dropped off from the small area occupied by Virginia and Parker, though many a glance was cast toward the young man, of haughty curiosity mingled with admiration.

" How can you bear all thi3 glitter, Virginia P" asked Parker, after a moment of silence.

"I don't like it, Parker—it confuses and annoys me Among all the faces I don't see one that my heart goes out toward; and the whole is something so little in accordance with my taste that I often long—oh! you can't tell with what pain at my heart—to get back to our dear old cottage—yes, even to be a child again and go to school in J'unny >'ook. O, Parker! I was not made for such living as this."

" I beard it only a few days back. They are going in to supper," he said, pausing a moment. " Let us remain h- re in some of the rooms—or will they miss you?" " Let us remain, Parker," said Virginia, eagerly; "ir seems so-good to see you after such a long, long time! ,\ They'll not miss me." '.. ' v r " I was going to saf-?'' 1 began Parker, standing back as the throngs filed by, "that I only heard this newi a few days tie o—and it electrified me. ' Virginia rich ?' I thought—"

" I have nothing to do with it," spoke Virginia, hastily. "I am as dependent as ever, living upon my mother's bounty. That is the same as .deferring ;my blessings to Florida, for she rules here as well as elsewhere."

"Be that as it may," said Parker, "the information made me unaccountably sad. You seemed, from, that moment, lost to me, darling."

At that he made the gesture that Virginia had learned to know, and that be tokened severe physical pain. Virginia's heart sunk. .

" "What shall I get for you, Parker ? " " .Nothing—it is over; but it is strange —the least mental excitement is followed by that terrible throb, as if the pulse of my heart was wounded." ; . "I did not notice at first—but I think you are in trouble, Parker." " Trouble ! I waß born for it," he muttered. " I thing, darling, that I am expiating, somewhere about the fourth or fifth generation, for the sins of my.fathers. I haven't any buisness yet. What shall I do?" ,

" Don't despair, Parker." "I 1 have despaired already!" The voice was so heart-broken that Virginia shuddered.

" You may think me weak-minded to a degree, when, you see how my ill-fortune affects me; but oh 1 it is utterly useless for me to try to keep up. Virginia, I must go, before your proud, sister returns. She is ashamed of me. lam theunsightly blot upon this fair company." He spoke with such bitterness, in tones so utterly hopeless, that for a moment paralyzed Virginia, voice and will.

"Parker," she said, when her emotion would allow her, " you will spoil all the

happiness this meeting has given me. I never saw you in such a mood;. There is surely room for you in the ranks of the world' ? workers, and remember that it is always the darkest just before day." ♦•An eternal night has settled upon me," he said. " You cannot understand —oh! my God!" and he turned from her, almost writhing with his soul's anguish; "you can not understand. I am shut out from health, from occupation —and from you." " Parker " —she laid her hand on his feverish palm—" Parker, take me with you. I will desert all for you—God will give me strength. Let me go where you go, and—" "Poverty forbids," he cried, almost fiercely. " What! I take you from such a home as this P I darken your young life with hardships, and curse it with regrets and reproaches? Never! I'll die first —and God in mercy take me soon ; " "You are cruel," she said, sobbing. "O, Parker ! you do not know, me; you treat me like a child."

" I am causing you to suffer," he said, a tender regret in his voice. " Why am I doomed to bring misery upon all who know me? Virginia,you must make allowances ; I am hardly" v myself now. Perhaps, perhaps, better times may come" —even as he spoke he shook his head doubtingly. " They stay long at supper," he added, attempting a smile ! but there was neither life nor hope in it. " Parker, don't give up yet; wait—" " I have waited Virginia."

"A little longer, Parker; you are young, so am I; some good fortune will come. Let mo prophesy—there's a good time coming." [To he continued.]