The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-06-18

ancc as woll as tho right eye Of the
man who received it,1 lIe,staggered to
his feet, growlod something about the
police and walked rapidly away, lj,..f
Mr.. Drane turned to the lady's maid,
who, very pale, was leaning heavily
against tree. ta iHAa IfI.f fIi
81 trust that l did not frighton you"
he said. Perhaps / should have been
less violent" ..r.I
The maid did not reply at once. She
looked at Mr.. Drane In daze Of sur
prise until faint color crept into her
cheek and suspicion OF smile crossed
her lips. Then Mr.. Drane remembered.
He glanced at his remnant Of hat
which he held In his hand, and his eyes
Immediately fell, but he found no COM
fort in his boots, whore they rested. AL
his gentility departed on the instant,
and he shifted awkwardly, trying TO
speak and merely mumbling. With the
same irresistible gauoherie he passed
his hand over his chin, and the rough
stubble there gave further evidence OF
his absurdly miserable situation. The
young woman seemed to realize some-
what of his emotions, for her face In
stantly became serious and she said,
softly:
~ am sure owe very much 10 your
kindness, your courage, your muscle.
Truly am very grateful"
Mr.. Drane knew that no was blushing,
| opd bo y,ond arad u,batha nv hia faca Nuana
clean enough to show it. He looked up
and saw the young woman's blue eyes
regarding him compassionately.
81 feel as II | must apologize for ad-
dressing you at all, miss" he half stam-
mered. 81 forgot my-wcll, my loath-
some appearance. 1t isn't mine, 1t
isn't my fault; in fact, am not exactly
the thing you soe."
''0h, forgive mo II have appeared to
notice any thing but your goodness,
SIR" exclaimed tho young woman, ap-
preaching him impulsively as she spoke;
"you have doubtless been unfortunate,
perhaps seen better days. l am sure
you are gentleman at heart, and am
grateful, indeed am, believe me" and
without further ado she took his hand
and pressed 1t warmly in both Of hers.
Mr.. Drane WINGED. There was the most
delicate condescension in her manner
and tone; her action said what words
would have rendered offensive: "See, /
recognize your nobility Of character, no
matter how ugly iS your disguise, and |
am not ashamed to acknowledge It," To
be thus treated by servant
Yesterday this interesting young per-
son would have stsmmercd in his pres
ence, hung her head. and would have
been overwhelmed at receiving serv-
leo at his hands. Now, forsooth. she
speaks grandly, airs hor superiority,
condescends TO grasp Mr.. Lawrence
Drane's hand! The unhappy man began
to experience profound resentment at
this conceited ladys maid when sur
prising change in her manner aroused
his curious interest. Sho let fall his
hand as impulsivcly as she had seized
1t, blushed painfully and looked at her
white little hands which she folded be-
fore her.
"Alas! forgot" sho said, and her
lips trembled. "You can not under
stand, OF course. Oh, deari oh, deari
You see, l, too, am not at all what you
see me, or what you think am"
Mr.. Drano hastened to givo the lie to
his recent emotions.
81 am sure, miss" no declared, gal
lantly, 81 have seen you and thought OF
you only as lady in distress to whom
1t has been my unalloyed pleasure to
render some small assistance"
The young woman looked up again.
Her eyes were brimming with tears,
nevertheless she laughed softly.
81 can not holp II, miserable as am"
sho said; "for your words do sound 30
incongruous, and she glanced as II In
spite Of herself at Mr.. Drane's tattered
clothing.
"Yes, miss" responded Mr.. Drane,
humbly. Then gathering courage from
tho remnants Of his pride no added:
"And do you know, miss, have thought
tho same about your Words" and he
made no disguise Of looking at the big
cuffs, the omblem Of her social position.
~ do not wonder" sho replied, calm
ly, "for / am not miss at all. am Q
widow"
81 am deeply grievedT exclaimed Mr..
Drane, hastily. IA blow Of that nature
coming upon ono 80 young must be Sc
we're indeed"
There was most improper twinkle
in tho young woman's eyes as she re-
sponded:
"Pray do not distress yourself. Ny
widowhood camo so unexpectedly, was
suoh q surprise, in fact, that It was
more OF shock than blow. There
wero certain oomponsating circum-
stances, but, Of course, ] ought not TO
speak OF such q matter lightly"
mo, suppose not" admitted Mr..
Drane, rather dubiously. Even In his
wretched situation he felt an extraor-
dinary interest in this young widow,
and he wondered again vaguely how II
camo that she was away from her en-
ployment at daybreak. She was tapping
the ground with her foot thoughtfully,
evidently hesitating about continuing
her explanation. Mr.. Drane was nat
urally curious Circumstances had
brought them strangely together What
could be botter than TO exchange con.
Hdenoes7 He began:
"You have been so good, madam, as