FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2009, 12 June 1875, Page 4

FLORIDA; OR, THE IRON WILL.

A STORY OF TO-DAY.

By MES. HABY A. KENISOK.

CiAPTEB "Si.—Continued

" Yes; but Jam g<jmg!" This impressiTe sentence gave a chill to the heart of the young girl, that seemeel as if a waTo<from the cold waters of death had sfruck her. Yes, he was going; she saw it in that unearthly lustre —she saw it in the burning hectic ; she clung to him—in tears, now, in wild, unbounded distress.

" You shall take me with you, my husband! Parker, don't leave me—you are all, erery thing to me now; I shall die if you go without me."

"Virginia; "he cried, brokenly. " Xes, Parker, your home shall be mine, no matter how humble; if a garret, I shall share it with you. Your claim stands first; lam nearer to you than any other, before God. My mother will be cared for; she will mourn a little while, and then forget me. Besides, she will see me, sometimes ; Florida would let me come to my own mother, cold-hearted as she is.'' .;..-,.

As.- Virginia, began this passionate entreaty, there was a stealthy footfall near by, which she heard not. Florida impelled by ah irresistible curiosity (to give the action its best interpretation) had stolen from the refreshment-room, and now stood concealed where .she could hear much that was said. : ;

" Virginia—ncH-not yet," he said, in a broken Voice; "I—am not able," he groaned, as if-the confession were forced from him; "perhaps, as you have said, in a ; few,. weeks, even days, better times may coinp let us wait, darling." .'. 1 Virginia, had moved from his shoulders. She waVpale but tearleis " Well, Parker, I will wait, since you decide that it is best; but remember, it trill, be ; only for; a little while. And, if you are ill, promise you will send for me, Parker.. Will you P": "Yes, Virginia—but it will be only to say a final farewell," he added, under his breath.

.;; Q?herej;was ;a (stir; the - people were coming from, supper. Virginia quietly led the way into a room that was little frequented. r _.. - • A-"Sit down arid rest," she said; "you have been standing too long, and I too thoughtlessly allowed it;" ■ - He. sunk down with a sigh of relief upon craei of the crimson couches. Virginia stole away and returned with some softlyEerfumed lotion, with which she bathed is brow ; then going again, she playfully bade him sleep for a moment till she should, return. A delicious sense of ■ rest prevaded his whole!being—how seldom Bad he been thus cared for. It brought hot tearsto his eyes, the thought of his loneliness.' " \ :

. Again Virginias.step broke upon his repose. She carried a china plate, beautiful with its broadband of gold—the color of the tempting pears that lay grouped like a picture iri\its midst. From her other hand swung a small silver basket, heaped with, luscious grapes, shining like emeralds. \ " You are ithirsty, I kno,w," she said, quietly placing them before him. *' Now eat, and be thankful/ she adde^, with a light laugh, that came only N from the surface of her heart, for its depths were troubled. \

"If you will help me," ho made reply ; and they sat there like children^ each .pleased because the other was. v "You are not so desponding now," murmured Virginia. '" Not quite," he answered, pleasantly. " And you will believo.that better days are coming ?" "Iwill—when! see them," he added, with a faithless smile. " Don't let me put the light of your hope quite out. Virginia; as;l told you. before, lam en-\ yeloped in clouds; I can't see a way .anywhere." , ; ' ' " Not even there ? " whispered Virginia -softly. He glanced toward her. Her hand and her eyes were elevated to heaven, and a s^eet and; serene grace shone on her features.

"Virginia,-you are too good for me,", Wd Parker. " I have no trust—no faith" in. any; thing. _ God does not care for mo I."'"'""''"','' " : ■."'■■"■ ;

"Has He not sant me to be yqur comforter? " asked Virginia, reprovingly.

"Yes,. yes, darling, and I thank and bless Him for it." His face brightened ; he, arose, a,nd, drawing her towards him, kissed her again and again; " Yes, darling, my courage is rising. I shall have strength given me—we shall perhaps be happy together, yet." '■* " And then the book.'' ,

"O! ; yes, the dear "book. Do you "know, in the midst of all my mental anxiety, I hare written nearly a hundred pages." . .:■■.:-.,. •?Tkis is beautiful! "cried Virginia, clapping her hands together. "If I could only hear you read them! But the time will come. Now about home. Do you see the dear old cottage often P " "Every day," he replied; "and of moonlight nights I always walk round there, and fancy you at one of the windows, or. sewing inside, if the blinds are drawn.; You know,' of course, thatßartol, the gardener, has hired tho place- I expect ho will make it a little paradise. I half like Florida for her determination not to sell.it." ! "If mother was only herself," said Virginia, sadly, with £ deep sigh. * ■ •• And what then ?.•" "She would give me that little cottage, then you and I could keep school together there." : •■ Parker's face said, " How pleasant it ■would bo!" bufhc did not speak. " I know mother loves me dearly," Virginia said; "but Florida has supreme control; poor mother is as passive in her hands as a child, and, I hate to say it, but she seems afraid of her. To change the subject, however," she added, making an effort to be gay, "you look after Bennie, I suppose." " O ! yes ; I visit the good creature for your sake, and talk to her too, I am not ashamed to add." ■, •• .; ■ _ " To be sure—why not ? Many is the pleasant chat JKennie and I have had together. I believe she understood half " Uncle Barby is one of the most grateful creatures I ever saw. ' I tell you what,'he said to me the other day, 'when you git so that you can bless tho Lord for nothing, He'll give you something to blesUibim for;' and he went on, giving thaukV after his fashion."

"That's a lesson for you, Parker," Virginia said.

" I know it;" and the old. unhappy look came back.

" I must go," ho added rising, " while lam in this mood. They are dancing, I suppose. _ Shall you join them ? " " No, indeed," responded Virginia, " I never dance. I shall go straight to mother's room, and then to bed."

"Good-night, my blessed, blessed wife."

" Good-night." One moment they were folded in a close embrace ; the next, Florida was looking in, a strange gleam in her eyes. "O! here you are, Virginia; I've been looking for you eveywhere. Goodevening, Mr Parker; you are better, I hope. Virginia, Mr Leighton says you must remember your promise to him." " My promise to him," murmured Virginia, bewildered; " I did not promise him anything." " You know best what I mean. lam sure you do-not wish to provoke remark; but this withdrawing yourself to the remotest part of the house may occasion talk. Were you going ?" she- asked, turning to Parker. " You see I have my hat in my hand," he said, casting an angry look at her. As for Virginia, she stood trembling under tho influence of a strange spell—a feeling of helplessness that came over her if Florida disputed her will —a numbing sense of her faculties ; she stood, now and then looking imploringly at Parker. " Good-night, sir," said Florida, coldly. "Good-night," he answered, between his teeth; and he rushed from the room like one in a sudden rage . "O, Florida! how unkind! how cruel you are ! " cried Virginia. "And you— -1 am surprised at your want of propriety," exclaimed Florida, sternly. "It is perfectly proper to stay with my—" she dashed the tears from her eyes —stopped short; she dreaded to commit herself,yet. . " Your lover, I suppose you would say," replied Florida, with a sneer; " perhaps, betrothed. If so, T wish you joy of. your (future) penniless and nameless husband. A pleasant lot for a young lady to look forward to. Virginia, let me tell you, in a few words, that misery and misfortune will attend you if you marry' that man; And further, Horace Dudley loves you— ■ Horace Dudley, the very pick and creaia of B——society, with a fortune at his command. Mr Le Roy told me; he knows, for he corresponds with Mr Dudley. Come, there's a sweet morsel to dream on. ; They are asking for you, and you must go with me." , "I cannot," : murmured Virginia; " don't urge me, Florida. Let me stay here, and retire quietly to my room." "I wish you to go, Virginia; come." She laid her hand on her shoulder. Virginia shuddered—strove in vain to bring forward a claim to resistance—looked once in Florida's eyes; and'followed her with the instinctive dread with which a noble hound follows a cruel master.

In the different rooms, varied amusementi were in progress. A charming balladist had sung ; the " stars " of music had thumped the piano out of tune; several recitations had given unalloyed pleasure; and the lecturer on science was holding forth to a select few. Magnetism was the subject under consideration, as Florida and Virginia entered the room, i " Suppose you give us some exhibition ot your skill," said a short, thick-set, curly-haired individual, who, from his extreme inelegance and laughable dignity,, was often called the Duke of Somerset — plain Harry Somerset being his name. At that moment the lecturer caught the eye of Virginia. Completely in the^power of one positive nature as she \was, the passivity of her system felt the -will that was being silently exercised. Left.to. herself, she wed* slowly up to the pror fessor, ?nd stopped short a few paces distant. He motioned her to sit down, and she obeyed him. She was in precisely the'circumstances to bo acted «pon by a powerful mmd —wearied with her struggle to maintain a .calm exterior in the presence of Parker -fearful of Florida, feeling an opressive weight on her heart, little short "of. "despair, as she thought of his manner when he left her—longing for rest, ■ let it come in what shape it would. There was something soothing in the glance of the professor—her eyes dwelt upon his and brightened, as if they had received power in the look, Hejmotioned her to a seat. With an innocent smile she obeyed him. He advanced and fixed his gaze steadily upon her. The crowd was hushed —Florida stood by, breathless and eager. Virginia sunk back, still smiling; and, closing her eyes, with an occasional struggle against the drowsiness that was fast creeping over, she was soon asleep. t: This is a splendid subject," said the professor, looking eagerly round. " The whole thing has been done almost wit Lout the consent of either. Madam," he added, addressing Florida, "perhaps you will prefer to bo put in communication with your sister," Florida shrunk back for a moment; then, with heightened' color assented. She stood before Virginia, who shuddered a little, but soon gave &igns of being entirely under her control. "With the help of directions from the professor,; Florida made the. unconscious girl respond to her thoughts. •■.. ' '■'.' V - ■ " It is wonderful," said the professor ; " a case of true clairvoyance. In timcj if. you wished to make a scries of experiments, you could send her to the ends of the earth—a splendid subject," he reiterated.

Florida's heart boun led with a secret exultation, as she thus found herself in a way to use the power she had felt herself abundantly provided with. She waked the sleeping girl, and together they left the room—Virginia to retire, wholly unconscious of what she had said or done.

[To he continued J