United States or Niger ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
'Come into the room, she said abruptly. 'Come, Virgie. 'I don't understand why has Alice come to-night? what's the time? Monica took hold of the tottering woman's arm and drew her out of the passage. The cold air had produced its natural effect upon Virginia, who now with difficulty supported herself. 'O Virgie! cried the eldest sister, when the door was closed. 'What is the matter?
She appeared stunned, crushed, and the kind-hearted creature who served her, and who, of course, had known that something was wrong, was extremely anxious about her. She begged that she might be allowed to send for Dr. Knox; but Virgie refused, with a shudder.
Custis's estate; no doubt, the administrator by will. He may have sent Joe Johnson to kidnap Virgie, under color of his right, and Johnson would abuse anybody. Vesta will never forgive us if we let Virgie go to him." "But I am a slave," Virgie sobbed. "Oh, my Lord! to think I am not Miss Vesta's, but a strange man's, slave. How could she give me away!"
He stooped and kissed her, then caught up Virgie for a last hug, burying his worn face in her curls. "Good-by, little one. Take good care of Mother. Good-by!" With one last grasp his wife caught his hand. "Herbert! which way do you go?" "Across the river to the Chesterfield side." "But the Yankees came that way, too!" "I'll circle around them.
Don't fire if you can help it on account of the baby. Now then! Steady, boys! Advance!" He led the way, six troopers following, while the rest remained behind to guard the cabin's open door. Virgie slowly turned her head, with eyes that watched the officer's every move; then presently she called: "Hey, there! That's my room an' don't you-all bother any of my things, either!"
Virgie started at these words, and would have asked the woman what she knew of her history, but she went on as if she had not remarked her emotion: "If Sir William had brought you here as <i>Lady Heath,</i> registered himself in his own proper character, and taken you into society thus, there would have been no room for doubt. But instead, what <i>has</i> he done?
"Are you fond of her poetry, Mrs. Heath?" "Yes," Virgie answered, "I think some of her poems are very sweet." Mrs. Farnum glanced absently at two or three, then turned to the fly leaf of the book, while Virgie's eyes mechanically followed her movements. The name of William Heath was written there. Mrs. Farnum looked up surprised, then smiled.
It must be freedom, Virgie thought, but why was she so cold? Her eyes, looking around the room, fell upon a lady in a cap, reading a tract to a large, shaven, square-jawed man, and this woman was of a silver kind of beauty, as if her mind had overflowed into her heart, and, not affecting it, had made her face of argent and lily, milk and sheen. "What sayeth Brother Elias, Lucretia?"
Farnum started, and bent a long, searching look upon her companion a look that made Virgie feel very uncomfortable and wonder what it meant. "Is is she still living?" the woman asked, still regarding Virgie searchingly. "Yes at least, she was the last I heard; but her condition was still considered so critical that she could not bear the least excitement."
You tech Miss Hallie wid dat ar stick an' I bus' you wide open!" "Oh, stop, Uncle Billy!" cried Virgie in dismay. "We're only having a play!" "Maybe you is; but I lay ef I wrop my carriage whip roun' her laig, des oncet, she'll hop all de way to de river." At this dismal prospect, which seemed much truer than the play, Sally Ann began to whimper loudly.
Word Of The Day