Virgies Inheritance | Page 8

you were
desirous of disposing of your claim," he remarked.
"Yes; my health is too poor to admit of my working it any longer, and I
should be glad to dispose of it to the right person," Mr. Abbot replied.
"I think I know of some one who would like it, if it is still a promising
one," the young man said, but a conscious color flushed his cheek
slightly as he felt Virgie's eyes turned upon him.
"I honestly believe that it is richer to-day than when I began to work it,"
Mr. Abbot asserted confidently. "However," he added, "I do not ask
you to take my word for it. If you know a party who would like to
purchase, tell him to bring an expert and examine for himself; and even
then if he is not satisfied to buy outright, he may work it upon shares
until he is convinced of its value."
"That is fair, I am sure," said Mr. Heath.
"Perhaps you would like to take a look at it before you go?" suggested
his host, who was eager to dispose of his property.
"I would, I assure you," was the reply; "but there is hardly time this
morning, for I feel that I must join my party immediately, else they will
be anxious regarding my safety. We are bound upon an excursion
through the northern portion of the State, and intend to be absent a
week or more; but after that, if you will permit me, I will return here

and investigate matters--that is, if you will give me the refusal of the
claim until then."
As the young man said this, his glance involuntarily wandered again to
the beautiful face of Virgie.
There must have been something magnetic in his gaze, for she raised
her white lids just then, and met the earnest, wistful look bent upon her.
A flush leaped to her cheek, and her violet eyes dropped instantly upon
her plate again, while her heart fluttered like a caged wild bird.
"I will gladly wait your time, Mr. Heath," Mr. Abbot responded, in a
satisfied tone. "I begin to think that your losing your way and falling to
our care last evening was providential."
"I have no doubt of it, sir," was the grave and reverent reply. "I believe
that all our ways are ordered for us; that everything is arranged for us
by an All-wise Power."
Something very like a sneer curled the almost colorless lips of his host
at this unexpected assertion.
Mr. Abbot was no believer in the individuality of God, and had spoken
both lightly and at random when he had referred to the young man's
visit as being providential.
"What do you mean by an All-wise Power?" he asked, skeptically.
"I mean God, sir."
"You believe there is a God, then?"
"Certainly; do you not?" and Mr. Heath's kind, grave eyes looked
pityingly into the haggard, sunken face before him.
They seemed almost to say, "If you have not this belief to comfort you,
with the hand of death laid upon your very heart, I grieve inexpressibly
for you."

"If there is, I imagine He must allow Satan to have the control of some
of our lives," was the evasive and bitter retort. "Virgie, Mr. Heath's cup
is empty."
But his face flushed and his hands trembled as he thus abruptly turned
the topic, showing how deeply the subject moved him; notwithstanding
his pretended unbelief.
"Thanks; no more coffee for me," Mr. Heath said, with a smile and a
bow to his young hostess, as she offered to replenish his cup; but he
noticed that there was a troubled, anxious look in her eyes as they
rested upon her father.
He made no reply to Mr. Abbot's remark, although he looked a trifle
hurt.
He simply said, as he folded his napkin and pushed back his plate:
"I must ask you to excuse me and my lack of ceremony if I bid you
good morning, and take French leave. I feel that I ought to get on my
way as soon as possible; and believe me I am very grateful for your
hospitality and courtesy."
Virgie arose as he spoke, and like the true little lady that she was,
assured him that it had been a delight to entertain him, and she should
look forward with pleasure to his return.
He thanked her, shook hands warmly with her, and then left the house,
followed by Mr. Abbot, who watched him depart with a feeling of
regret such as he had not experienced over any one during all the years
of his exile.
Still he pleasantly anticipated his coming again, when he meant to
make him remain several days.
He had been strangely attracted toward him from the moment when