The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1891-07-01
CHAPTER VII.
A VERY QUIET PATTY.

matron SO young and pretty that one
could see at glance that the honey
moon had not yet reached its wane.
"Why, Of course do, and II you'd
taken the trouble to read my letters you
would have discovered that ! consider
Mrs, Besant the quite too sweetest
thing in the way Of widows | ever saw
or read about. What the men are
thinking OF TO let her wear her weeds
so long I'm sure don't know. If |
were man"
(Which, thank goodness, you're not"
manly voice interrupted. "The fact
is, Mark, somebody once told Flossic
that there is strong resemblance be-
tween her and Mrs. Besant, and ever
since she's done nothing but rave about
her perfections.'
"0h, Harry Burrows, you wicked
story-teller" the little lady flashed in
dignantly. 81 only wish were like
Mrs. Besant. Now, Mark, don't pay
any attention TO his interruptions do
know this lady very well, and I think
her as near perfection as It is possible
for woman to be. She might be little
too old for you-but, don't know-she
doesn't look half her age-ard, oh,
wouldn't it be nice, IT,"
A roar Of laughter from her husband
interrupted the current of her remarks.
"Well," he cried, "if that isn't the
boldest flight Of feminine imagination l
ever listened to! Why, Mark, Mrs.
Besant is forty, II she is a day, and
much too sensible woman to encour-
age Irritation with man younger
than herself, even II you were epris
with her undcniable charms"
"Now this comes of visiting pair Of
spoons like you two" Henderson said,
with assumed regret. 81 can not ask a
simple question about a neighbor, but
off you fly into the realms Of romance
and matrimony. See, didn't even ask
after the widow at ALL said tho Be-
SAINTS, as plain as. ] could speak. Now,
do you think you can come down from
your stills long enough to tell me who
the Besaiiss are?"
"But, Mark, there are no Besants
but Mrs. Besant," Mrs. Burrows
pleaded.
"She Is widow with some means" :"
her husband explained, "who lives In
the best house in the village, and is de-
cidedly Tho person of the place, as you
will find out before you have been here
very long. She has only one child, q
son, who is now covering himself with
glory on the battle-helds."
Eyes" Henderson interrupted. ~
spent the evening with him few nights
ago at Sedalia"
"Whatl' Mrs. Burrows ojaculated.
"You have been all night in the house
and never told us this. Why, Mrs. Be
SAINT will be wild 10 see you. Get ready
to go with me at once, sir, or shall
never be forgiven for having kept her
80 long from seeing you"
81 object" ruthlessly declared DR..
Burrows. mark Is IN invalid and
wants rest" Then, seeing the pout on
his'wife's pretty lips, headed: "But I'll
propose an amendment TO your propo-
sition. We've never attempted to give
party since we were married. Now,
suppose you go to the Walnut House
and invite Mrs. Desnnt to tea tonight.
You can then trot round to the parson-
age and ask Mr.. brentwood and his
women-folk, and
won't that be perfectly splendidw
Flossie Burrows cried, and as Mark la
lilly accepted the plan it was forthwith
carried out.
But Mark Henderson was fated TO
meet Mrs. Besant before the evenings
festivities, for in the carly afternoon a
note came round from Walnut House
to say that that lady's niece had just
arrived from Chicago, whereupon the
accommodating officer was commits
stoned by his sister TO call and induce
both ladies 10 honor them with their
presence. aas.s,i srlfaalssat
"You know didn't dare 10 say that
You were friend Of Franks this morn
ing, or we should have had the widow
down here long before this, interrupt
ing my immense preparations for sup
per--simply an army officer, my dear
boy--so while you're there you can
just let the fiood-gates Of your informa-
tion flow, or you'll be boring us to death
this evening with It ALL" the volatile
little lady suggested. te
"And this niece-do you know any
thing about her?"
'oh, suppose'she Is lady who was
visiting Mrs. Bcsant two years ago,
whom met at the Brcntwoods, when l
first made Hnrry's acquaintance
at all good looking and rather passe--
not bit your style, my dear; but, as
she'll be up 10 her eyes unpacking, you
may rely on having the fair widow all
10 yourself"
Henderson was fine, handsome fcl.
low, with q distinguished military bear
ing, and had often been the cynosurc oi
admiring eyes on the parade ground
and In the drawing-room, but he had
never known what II was to be stared
ut as he was by tho gaping rustics on
his way through the village, and vel
they might feast their eyes on his gal
liant figure; for Meltonburg was err q
thcac Gnli;.f r tsya y,,iY.s
svl,.t, ~ l. 4. ~ n. W. a. 49,. !. i......