FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1961, 17 April 1875, Page 4

FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

a sto:ry of to-day. BY MRS. MART A. DEXISOK. Chajteh VII.— Continued.

"On!}' two. hoars," Florida said, glancing at the clock, a-; Virginia entered. "You must have had a pleasant time. Did you call any where?," • " I met a friend," said Virginia quietly. "O! a drar friend, I presume. Is the schoolmaster at homo ? " " Yes.:' This time Virginia looked full in her.sister's fp.ee. Florida.met the glance wish somcihing like surprise. "I supposed so," t>he replied. By the way, I've a long s'lory to toll of him, but I will postpone it (ill some future time I am goirg to tho city to morrow." " To tlie city ! I thought you could not go till Thursday." • "And so I shall not—that X to take mother and you—the goods and chattels ; but I.have received letters 10-night that makes the duly imperative." Virginia..did not mind; other matters claimed all her thought. She sat ,i 3owu to her knitting, after visiting her mother's bedside to sec if she slept well, and hardly thought of Florida.' But, as hi-r

busy fingers Ao\r, her thoughts grew confused. It'seeaicd as if some irresisti- '• ble impression drew her toward Florida. She turned slowly and in a aort of maze, and beheld the large, plowing eyes of her half-sister, larger, brighter than ever, fastened upon her with a sort, of. hungry, eager glance. - " '."What did you look at me for?"' queried the latter,, a flash of triumph and a peculiar smile crossing her face. "I don't know, I'm sure,'' replied Virginia, who was ■in a vague •wonderment. "I felt as if I must, that was all; but you were looking at met" " Tour slow movement made me," said Florida, the strange smile not yet gone from her lips. "I was busy with my book before. Are you frightened ?" Virginia laughed a little as she resumed her knitting. "Frightened—no," she said, and yet she wondered what had come over Florida. That, site was not like herself she had seen in that glance. There was an air almost exultant—the bearing was 3 more queenly than ever—the red lips ■worked restlessly. A perceptible uneasiness destroyed the self-poise so remarkable in her usual nifanner. She kept her eyes fixed upon I,lie J"book,"smiling now and then to herse/f. At last, risiogi she left the room. Some moments passed,! and Virginia wondered whether she would return. It was la^e—-nearly ten—a late hour for the cottage-inmates, and the candle was burned almost to the socket. Virginia prepared to put network aside. Smiling a bright;\secret, hopeful smile, •he arose and threw the loose curls from her temples. Qudetly moving to the place occupied % Florida, she cast a glance toward the book. It was a volume she had never seen before. " I wonder what it is ? " she queried to herself, and turned the pages, running their headings over in a low voice : " 'Fascination—Attraction ! Animal Magnetism! The Magnetic Force in Metals!' "What a queer taste !" she ejaculated; " but she is strange in every thing." Three little rapi. sounded at the window. Startled, for her nerves -were not on the nicest balance, she turned toward the sound, and there saw a face looking in—pale but beautiful. Sprining forward opened the win dow. " jLJarling* you see how I dread to lose gigut of you," paid Parker, ."■■il have been watching here almost since your return. Don't be frightened, there's a stationary light up at the window of the * ogress. I wish I could see you morrow." " You can, Parker. Florida is going to the city/ "And, of course, will stay all day.' O ! darling, what a happy time we'll have; We'll be" two children, and play keep house." "Go a^ay, you silly boy," said -Virginia, blushing and laughiDg, and still looking over her shoulder. " You forget my new dignity, 'madam. Mrs Virginia, if you please, I am a married man " "O ! the idea !" laughed Virginia. " But, Parker do go—-Florida would think it so improper." " Florida may go to—Florida," he retorted, with merry impatience. " Hare you a butterfly's joint that you could broil in a minute or two ? I feel hungry. " Poor fellow!—but then it's your own fault. You'll have to fast now, unless I can get you a glass of milk and a wafer." "No, no~-I was only jesting. By the way, what -book was that I saw you buried in—or rather, that I saw Florida buried "in, and you &'kimmed over ? You did not look particularly pleased with it." "It is nothing I care about or understand," replied Virginia. "Some work on some science, about: magnetism and metals, I believe." •' Magnetism—hem! " he said, smiling to himself. " Site's s; tremendous magnet, of one kind. I shouldn't want her to hate me very much, or love ditto." - " Hush I for mercy's sate, don't let her hear you. Are you aware that it is getting late, myyoung friend, and that at such rin hour the schoolmaster should not be abroad ? " :| . "The schoolmaster will not be abroad much longer," said IParker, catching her hand and holding it to his lips. " Wait a day or two, and I'll carry you off in triumph ; then see if you dare say saucy words to me .when I am your lord and master." . ; "Virginia!" was heard from the top of the stairs, " is there a window open ? " " I'm just closing it, Florida," said Virginia, hardly able to speak for laughing at the pantomimic gestures of Parker outside, and yet feeling a sort oi halfguilty terror, mingled with admiration of the face now fading into the darkness. v The draught whs terrible," said Florida, as Virginia made her appearance. " Why in the. world did you want the window open now P Were you moongazing '?". " I didn't know there was a moon," said Virginia, pausing aghast, as she saw her half-sister on her knees before a great camphor-chest, unrolling bundles of old papers that looked*as if they had never seen daylight, and very rarely any other. " Why, what are you doing ? " ,-■ " Looking for some documents of importance," said Florida, rising and placing a stained pile on this table beside her. '- "Now I am going to get every thing i

ready for my journey to-morrow, for I must start at six."

"Virginia's heart pare a great bound of relief at the prospect of a whole day to herself. She quietly hummed a little air as she adjusted her hair for the night. " I always had an impression," said Florida, in slow, even tones, " that I should be rich yet." . " Vm sure I hope you will," responded Virginia. : '

"And for yourself—have yoix no ambition ?" queried Florida, turning half round.

" Not. to be rich," replied'•"Virginia. " I don't think I have any taste for splendor or show of any kind. 3 should always be; contented to live in this d*ar little collage/ ",You think so now. .but wait awhile You will bo as fond of pleasure, even of gildings and trappings by-and-by. as any one. You don't know yourself. Virginia. Wait till you stand where I can place you —it will be a giddy height, but I'm not afraid of your falling." :

Virginia su-ponded operations to gaze upon Florida. Her manner so absolute' in its self-command—her voice so even in its low, firm tones—her air, regal as that of a princess, and correspondingly patronising, as she seemed] to look down upon Virginia, quite bewildered the young girl:; Surely Florida was in a. strange mood, for, pausing a ..moment, she took Virginia by the hand, and, without speak-" ing, led her to the old mirror.

Conscious of the wonderful beauty that there gazed at her with startled eyes, with a dim perception also of her halfsister's motive, Virginia blushed and smiled. .

" There, child, you see what you are, and what I think of you," said Florida. " Now go to sleep and dream as strange things as you may. I will show you something stranger when you are wide awake some day." Aud with this quaint prophecy ringing in her ears, Virginia sought her rest.

Chapter VIII. A VISIT TO THE LAWYEE— AHD A HAPPY DAT. The next day Virginia was awakened by an impatient call. It was. scarely light, but remembering what was before her, she sprang hastily'up. Florida was already dressed, and-held a packed carpetbag in one hand and a bonnet in the other. "I thought you had best get up, for I've made the fire," she said. "Of course you'll attend to mother, and to getting all the meals. You needn't expect me home till after dark; to-night, for I have a great deal to do. Goodmorning, now you are thoroughly roused." Another moment, and Florida and. |»rpet-bag' were both gone. N ; ' It was a walk of nearly, an hour to reach the plac^.'foß- which the coach started on its ten miles' jaunt. The air. was cool, and the drops lay like showers'of silver on the path by ,the house, and • covered the fields far and near with a white splendor. Florida walked on with a quick step and an animated face. She did not heed the faint twittering of the birds, now few in number (for the fall had set in,) nor the soft flushing of crimson just lighting up the westward gates, where; the sun was preparing. to enter. It was not the glory of nature that gave her face such an exultant beauty, but ever and anon she would glance at the carpet-bag in her hand, and murmur, "I knew it would come, some time."

The humble tavern in which the postoffice was kept soon came in sight. A few persons stood on the steps, talking sleepily, asd watching the motions of a lazy^hostleir, whose steps were as uncertain as his temper. The men moved respectfully aside as Florida came in sight, and. she entered the little room set apart for the reception of letters. : " Good-morning, mann," said the postmaster, landlord of the "Irving." " It's a right pleasant day before U3,1 guess." " I should judge so," said Florida coldly. • '■ ■£,

" There's a furren letter come for^you last night, post-marked London, England. I sent my boy right away wih it—l'spose you got it last nigtit with with two other letter.^ ■ ■■&"' .„■ ' ..■/ ■ " I received them all/, repljpd Elorida. " ' Taint often furren letters from such a long distance comes to this office," said the landlord, evidently longing for some inkling of their contents—but he was doomed to disappointment. Florida preserved a dignified silence, and frowned at the man's impertinence. It seemed an unreasonably long time till the coach was ready, but at last the driver mounted the stepi, reins in hand. Florida was helped in, and away rattled the old stage, almost the only one that railroads had not superseded in that section of the country. The drive was a rapid but agreeable one; several ladies took the route at different points, and all were affable and conversational but Florida. She seemed wrapped ma pleasant, but, at the same time, far-off reverie, and^did not notice the questioning glances of her companion's, who wondered who that proud, beautiful creature could be. At last the vehicle rattled ;<|ver the stony streets. Florida was set'do<^n at the destination of the coach, and, after a fe# minutes of rest, took her way to the central part of the city. N

Walking rapidly onward, she did not pause till she found herself opposite a Hock of tall houses, ornamented with scores of signs set off by fiery colors. Attorneys at law, judges of courts, private offices of banks and railroads, conglomerated in gilded confusion. Seeking, for the name to which she had been! directed, she.was soon seated in a handsome office, waiting for the lawyer who was in rapid conversation behind his desk-curtain. Presently two gentlemen emerged from the niche in which the desk was placed. One of them was a thin, sallow-cheeked man, her lawyer; the other was^ tall, portly, and very handsome, thougth apparently over forty. Both started slightly, and gazed, and bowed with some confusion, the latter stealing stealthy glances at the dignified, dark-eyed woman who sat as if conscious of deserved homage, and, with wonderful self-possession, sustained the surpiused and admiring looks directed toward her. " Good-morning, Mr Burney," said the tall gentleman, as if suddenly becoming conscious of the fact that his business was over. He took a few steps; made a half-bow to the stranger, and vanished through tho doublo baize-door.

" This is Mr Burney, I presume." The lawyer bent his head in acknowledgment.

"I received a letter from you last evening. lam Miss Florida Owen, the daughter of Charles Wiston Owen, of Wiltshire, England."

"Alv!" the lawyer's face grew all alight. "I remember — the brother of Charles deceased, and left a large fortune. His lawyer immediately placed the business partly in my hands—he is a cousin of mine. I congratulate you, Miss Owen. But I understand that Mr Charles Wiston Owen left a widow."

"He has, sip; she is, however, most of tho time, bed-ridden, and so far gone in intellect,: in consequence of protracted illness,'that she is wholly inadequate to the transaction of business. I came myself, partly to consult you on that account, and to so« if any means could be taken that would put the burden of the trouble upon me, who am so much more able to bear it." .

" Is your mother incapable of signing her name ? " asked the lawyer. I (io not know, indeed sir. It is now sovon years that ,^she, has been nearly helpless." "'W^~'""'\ " Your best mfelbod, thenT would be to lay the mater before her, when she would undoubtedly b.e willing that you take the responsibility of!" her hands. There,are, however, very few steps to be taken to put; j rou/in possession of (his fortune. There is no need of rehearsing what I stated in'my letter. 7 You can probably procure your another's marriage-certifi-cate, and. if possible, that of your father's I mother, or documents equivalent." " I have them all here," said Florida, pointing to her carpet-bag." : Thejawyer smiled. "You have more forethought than some ladies,"; he said. " This business does not create any symptoms of nervousness, I see. NBe kind enoxtgh to let me examine the papers." [To be continued.']