Virgies Inheritance | Page 5

and periodicals.
But for more than a year past, Mr. Abbot's health had been failing. The
change, however, was so gradual that Virgie did not observe it until the
disease had fastened itself so firmly upon him that he was beyond all
human aid. The man himself fought against it for months, striving to
prolong his life for the sake of his idolized daughter, although,
personally, the world had no longer any charms for him; but it never
relaxed its fatal hold, and at last, at the time of the opening of our story,
he felt that the time had come for him to give up labor and lay down all
burdens, for he knew that his days were numbered.
The question of providing a home and protection for Virgie had long
agitated his mind.
They had no relations or friends to whom he could confide her. There
were reasons why he was unwilling to appoint a guardian and send her
back to their former home, and so, at last, he resolved to commit her to
the care of his early friend and college mate, Laurence Bancroft, a
wealthy merchant of New York city.
But the matter was to be taken entirely out of his hands, and the
beautiful girl's destiny settled in a way wholly unexpected by either
father or daughter.
* * * * *
When Mr. Heath, the benighted and storm-delayed traveler, threw back
his dripping coat, and seated himself at the invitation of his host, before
the blazing fire, Mr. Abbot thought that he had seldom seen a more
attractive young man.

He was apparently about twenty-five years of age. His dark eyer were
full of intelligence, and fringed with long silken lashes. His features
were clear cut, as if they had been chiseled in marble. A dark brown
moustache shaded, but did not conceal, a sensitive mouth, from which
there flashed the gleam of brilliant teeth whenever he spoke or smiled;
his nose was well formed, and his smooth, rather massive chin betrayed
strength of purpose and decision of character.
His address was very courteous, even fascinating, and his voice
possessed a rich, mellow tone, with a sympathetic ring in it, to which it
was a delight to listen, and which won at once upon the hearts and
confidence of his entertainers.
"You are unfortunate to be obliged to traverse our rough mountain
roads on such a night as this," Mr. Abbot observed, with a shiver, as he
drew nearer the fire, and laid another heavy oaken stick across the
glowing blaze.
"That is true, sir," responded his guest, yet the glance, which he
involuntarily shot at Virgie, bending gracefully over her work, did not
betray an overwhelming sense of his misfortune.
"I Am On My Way To Join A Party Of Sportsmen At Humboldt," He
Continued. "I Was Detained At Virginia City Upon A Matter Of
Business, And They Went On Before, Promising To Wait There For
Me Until To-Morrow Evening."
"Are you traveling on horseback?" Mr. Abbot asked, with some
surprise.
"No, sir; but the train on which I started met with an accident this
morning, which was liable to detain it several hours, and being
impatient of the delay, I procured a horse at Oreana, thinking I could
easily reach Humboldt by evening, when I could return it by rail. But
the unfortunate beast sprained his foot on a rolling stone, as I have
already told you; the storm and darkness overtook me, I lost my way,
and my courage was just about failing, when I espied the friendly lights
of this settlement, and I resolved to stop at the first house I came to and

ask where I could find shelter for the night."
Mr. Abbot had been studying the young man's face attentively during
this explanation.
He liked his appearance exceedingly; his countenance was honest and
true, his story straightforward and well told, and some unaccountable
impulse prompted him to take measures to become better acquainted
with him.
"If you are going to Humboldt, you should have taken the turn to your
left five miles back on the mountain," he said. "It would be impossible
for you to reach it to-night, even if you could be set right, for you
would be sure to lose your way again in the darkness. The only public
house--if you can call it such--in this region, is at least a mile from here,
and far from inviting or comfortable at that; so allow me, Mr. Heath, to
offer you the hospitality of our home for the night, and to-morrow you
can start afresh and refreshed upon your way."
The young man looked up with a glance of surprise, while a quick flush
mounted to his brow, at this unexpected and rather extraordinary offer,
for he well