FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2015, 19 June 1875, Page 4

FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

A STORY OF TO-DAY. BY MES. MABY A. DENISOff. Chafer XII. BTEICKEN ANt» AFFLICTED. When Parker went from the party that night, his blood was boiling. Florida, both by manner and speech, had insulted him, and Virginia—could she deceive him ? He could not believe" that: what Florida had said was but to wound and mislead him. Walking rapidly on,' almost without thought or purpose,-he knew not whither, only that he must go, a sudden sense of utter prostration came upon him. He leaned for a moment against the railing of the bridge which he had gained, with the impression that he was dying. If so, he could welcome death, . for he was weary of the long struggle against fate. Growing fainter as he stood, he gradually slid down upon the wooden planks. It was midnight, but just over him a lamp sent down a dim 'ray,'sufficient to disclose him, should a chance passenger go by. The cold wind blew from the river, and lifted the damp locks from his white forehead, but he knew it not. His hands hung nerveless, his face looked blue and ghastly in the wavering light. Some minutes elapsed, but the stillness was unbroken by the foot of man. A little gurgling ripple told that the waters were rising to cover the weedy beams beneath. Mingled with this came /the rumble of slow wheels. A teamster who had taken advantage of a good bargain to visit the theatre, was making his way homeward. Full of the startling scenes that had passed before him,' he was not a little frightened, as he entered on the bridge, to see, as he thought, a dead body lying not two feet from his cart. At first he was for applying the whip and driving on; but a feeling of humanity impelled him, upon second thought, to get down and see if there was life there, or if the man had been foully dealt by./ He went cautiously forward, then, with a spring and a bound, he was at the side of the fallen man.

"By the living hbkey!" he soliloquized, in tones of astonishment^ if there isn't the schoolmaster I poor fellow I —and dead as a door-nail, I do believe." He touched him upon the cheek—shook him by the shoulder, but there, was no sign of animation, .v.. 1 „ "WhaVain I to do?^muttered-the man, looking uneasily around. "If I had some one to help me, how—but the poor fellow! he's light enough, I'll warrant," I'll get him in the cart, and" stop at the doctor's over.the bridge. Maybe he's only in a faint, like." •

, Depositing the body upon some straw in {the Bottom of his .waggon, the kindhearted teamster jogged along, every now. and then bending down close to the head of the schoolmaster. As he stopped in front of the doctor's house, a mile from the bridge, he heard a faint groan. " Well, weil, Mr Parker," he said, leaning over, "you're come to, are youP " " Who is it—rand where am I! "was the faint response.^ , "Jim Cuttle—in A——," said the teamster. " Found you on the beginning of the bridge, putty well done for. Ain't been drinking too hard, I hope P" he added, in a jocular tone. ; , "You have stopped-—where are we now P " asked the invalid, feebly.

"Well, we're to the doctor's—l was going to put you aboard of him." . ; " No— -if you please, Jim, take me right home. I know what to do for myself when I get. there." "Anything to suit," replied the man, gathering up the reins. "How are ye, now? Grot any pain in particular ! Pretty sick, ain't ye P" ; ; ; " I'm weak, Jim, and my head aches. I shall feel'better, however, as soon as I'm at home." .

"Well,; I hope so," replied the man, and his horse jogged on. Parker persisted in being left -at the door, m no* disturbing the family, which was none of the pleasantest, and the good teamster gave him a lift, so that he gained the shed-roof with apparent ease, and in a few moments was in his own room. Here, again, he felt, entirely prostrated—-aburningfever rioted through his veins, a blinding pain in. the temples' almost deprived him of reason. Besides there were the old difficulties— the strugle for breath, the cruel pain at his heart. All night he lay in agony, and the morning brought him no relief. The

struggel.with the deadly, disease hadtaken all strength from him, and he was so J utterly ill that, he did not attempt to leave his ted the whole of the following day. Virginia, on that same morning awoke, a sad depressing weight upon her spirit. Again and again she thought over the events of the past night. Parker had left her suddenly, but not in anger with her— that was impossible. She knew not how to account for the darkness that seemed spread over her like a gloomy pall. All night she had dreamed of Parker, but they were together 'in fairyland, wandering among flowers, eating fruits, singing, smiling and dancing. Of what had happened after lie had gone she had, of course, no recollection, save that she had entered the brilliant room and emerged therefrom thoroughly exhausted. Continual sighs rose to her lips, and, the weary thought was ever uppermost, "What shall I do for Parker?"

After breakfast, she took the morning paper and looked its colums listlessly through; . One notice attracted her atten.tion. It read thus: "Office of Gerald Le Bog, number 19 Dnpo?it buildings." It flashed across her soul like a ray of "blessed light that to 'him she might apply with safety. She had long seen how intensely he loved Florida, and if he thought a visit unmaidenly, her motive would excuse her. She already looked upon him as a brother, hoping that Florida would "be his wife, and she determined to find him, and lay the case of Parker (it should never come to his knowledge) before Mm. Ho was a rich, powerful man, and the rich and powerful should help the poor and humble, she reasoned. This decision, lightened somewhat, the weight in her heart. After carefully attending to her mother, who did not seem as well as usual, , having been under the influence of strong opiates all" night; after arranging the flowers for the little stand that stcod always near the sick chair, she arrayed 1 herself for a walk. " See here, Jenny," said hciv mother, | childishly. # Virginia lifted her vail and went towards her mother.

" See, child—l havn't written my name before for so many years. Pretty good for an old sick woman, isn't it ? " "Yes indeed, mother—but what set you to writing ? " •• O ! Florry did it, dear—she wanted me to put my name to something, I don't know what, and so set me to practising, as if I was a child, Jenny, as if I was a child;" and a little feeble laugh accompanied the speech. "And do you know what you signed, mother ? " asked Virginia, who, little as she knew of such things, felt that a signature of that kind was too important to be given lightly. . " Bless your heart—no, darling, I don't know as I do. Florry explained, and said something about property; but —my poor memory—-I forget." " And did any one—-I mean, was anybody here, at the time ? " " Only Sarah, and the other woman—they wrote their names, too ; but I don't believe 'twas as good as mine, do you, Jenny?" ; Virginia did not answer. If Florida wanted witnesses for the signing of the signature, why did she not call her, or some more responsible person? Clearly, this must be a plot of Florida's to obtain absolute command of the business or control of the property. She felt hurt to think she had not been trusted, and her dislike to her half-sister took a deeper coloring than before. Still, having no councillor, she knew not what to do in the case. She was too proud to let Florida know that she suspected her, and too innately delicate to take any roundabout way to ascertain the facts. She kissed her mother, and, accompanied still ;by her thoughts, left the house and walked onward rapidly. It was a long distance to the Dupont buildings. Virginia had seen them—a row of grimy houses built of brick and stone, in the rear of a Gothic church. *v She lessened her pace as she drew near, andthe dread of what he would think began to oppress her.

"It is my duty," she said bravely to herself, " and I know he is; good.; and kind. I will not fear, but go forward in the.strength of God." ; - , v t . So she passed the rows of dirtbeplastered children, engaged in the laudable occupation of making pies of sand, and wat!er, and baking them in the sur—hurried'by the little pedlers with their lozenges and ginger-nuts and apples, and gained the door, where, after passing through the vestibule, she entered, a handsomely-carpeted hall. A servant in waiting took her name and almost ; immediately came out again to usher her :in. "'■'.■ '..'-'■■

The office- of' Mr Le Roy was very beautifully furnished, with rose-wood, marble, and paneling a la fresco, with tapestry, carpetj and gilded chandeliers. Le Eoy himself was already coming toward the door. He met her with a cordial smile, led her to a seat, and, observing her gaze warily round, assured her that no one was present but a deaf clerk, who scribbled away, his back toward them. " I—don't knew whether I ought to have come," said Virginia, looking up "and then down in an embarrassed way, " but I thought of you, and that you would do me a favor if you could." " Certainly, Miss Virginia; you coun-! ted upon me rightly there. Anything in my power I will do to serve you. What is it—one or five hundred dollars for some sweet charity ?" Virginia glanced up in amazement. Money offered her by the hundreds ? Why, she had scarce ever had so many cents. " O ! you are very kind, Mr Le Boy; but'it was not money I wanted. I came for a friend—though that friend knows nothing about it—and if you can do what I wish, please consider it a great secret." He smiled at her in a half-childish, half-dignified manner. "You may depend upon me, Miss Virginia/ he said. " Well thenr—" her color grew high— after all, it was not as easy a matter as it had seemed. " Perhaps,. Mr Le Eoy," she said, beginning again— '■" perhaps you noticed the young man—the stranger that. icame in last.night." Le Eoy started to his feet —said, "Please excuse me for a moment, Miss Virginia," and went to His desk, remaining fully a mompnt fumbling among and turning over papers for which he seemed to have no earthly use. When he* came back he seated himself very slowly, half turning away, however, so that but a part of his face was in sight. Virginia was so intently occupied with her thoughts, however, that she noticed only" how pale he had grown. "Well—about this young man?" he said, and his voice seemed altered. " If you would only "get a situation in come school for him, sir. He is not well —not fit for the exertion of finding the place. I think perhaps, he would like a clerkship. O ! sir, you must not think strange that I, a young—woman, plead for him. He was my teacher in the town where we lived before we camo to the city, and he has been very unfortunate all his life long.? I ask for hiniTas I.would for a brother." Her voice rung musically sad and low through the large room: "What does Florida think of him?" asked Le Roy; he waited eagerly for an answer. " Florida—Florida—she —sometimes I think she—don't like him very well—but —but maybe,it's because he is so very poor," she added timidly. • . He drew a long breath', as if the news relieved him. . ■ " How old is this young teacher ? " he asked, after a pause. "Old?—not quite twenty-one, I bolieve." " Does he want a situation in the city?'" ' ■ ;

"I think he would prefer that." " Has he—any—parents living ?" Virginia crimsoned to the temples as she answered, " His mother in dead, I believe." : "Ah !" exclaimed Mr Le' Roy, turning hastily round, " who told you that ? " "He told me sir," she said. -s -: He looked at her keenly, then threw himself back-in his chair. After a pause he said, slowly?: / . • "I think lean serve you—serve this young friend of yours, Miss Virginia." " O ! you are so kind !" she exclaimpd breathlessly. " How happy it will make him. But you'll never tell," He smiled again. "ZNo, I will never tell," he said gravely. "Suppose I get him a good place, and then suppose I put the task of disposing of it upon you ? " ■ "I am entirely willing," she said, simply. "Very well. I will get the place, and a tip-top place it shall be, too. I love lo oblige my friends, so you may set the

young man down for a thousand dollars a year, certain— perhaps fifteen hundred." O ! how the blood surged all over that young face ! how the eye sparkled with the fullness of delight! how she felt, for the moment, as if ho was like a dear, dear father, and the wild thought came to tell him all—then she was sure he could not think her unmaidenly. She was too glad to speak for a time—there was so much gratitude in her heart, so much admiration for this man. " I do thank you so much, Mr Le JRoy," she said, her eyes showing the gratitude she felt.

" You are entirely welcome, Miss Virginia. I never did a favor with more pleasure in my life. I assure you lam quite happy that you came, and at any time, when you are on your rounds of charity, call upon me. Stop—l have by me a littla money unappropriated. I always delegate my friends to do my charitable acts, for I confess to no discrimination of that sort. Please accept this fifty dollars, and make some sad heart happy." Virginia could not refuse—she was so much astonished by this magnificent liberality. She took the note mechanically, wondering in her mind to what she should apply it. " I really don't know any very poor people," she said, timidly. I "O! you'll find them," he replied. "They swarm here; and I'm always ready to help if I find them worthy; but I don't like the trouble of going to see about it. JN Tow for you it would be a nice little exercise;" and he smiled, making •Virginia's heart leap at the fancied resemblance in his face to another she had certainly seen and loved. He bowed her out, bewildered and happy, questioning if she were indeed the same girl who had entered trembling and fearful. She went home on wings, keeping her great gladness to herself, and only wishing she had asked him not to tell Florida. That she could easily do, however.

A note was immediately despatched to : Parker, and, occupied in the duties and lessons of the day, Virginia enjoyed it i moment by moment. JSow and then she ! would be lost in the sweet anticipation of : what Parker would say, how he would; look, and with what an ecstasy of delight she should meet him—for that he would come directly there she was certain. Florida regarded her with curious eyes. "Your walk seems to have done you good," she would say, whereupon Virginia, with heightened color, answered as best she could; ; > : ''.>." X ; All that day and all that evening was the expected note anxiously looked for, but vainly—and the, poor giri retired to rest with sad forebodings. : ; [To be continued.']