The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-03-01

that the frock Of Indian muslin, albeit
homemade, fitted Miss Sally's figure
perfectly-from the azure bows on her
shoulders to the ribbon around her
waist-and that the hem of its billowy
skirt showed foot which everybody
knew was the smallest foot south OF
Mason and Dixon's line. But 1t was
something more intangible that this
which kept courtland breathless and
silent.
'I'm not Miss Miranda Dows," said
the Vision, with a franlness that was
half childlike and half practical, asshe
extended little hand, but ] can talk
.fahm' with yo' about as well as aunty,
and reckon from what Maj. Reed says
heah," holding up the letter between
her fingers, "as long as yo' get per
simums yo' don't mind what kind o.
pole yo' knock 'em down with"
The voice that carried this speech
was so fresh, 80 clear and sweet that l
am afraid Courtland thought little Of
its oddity or It's dialectical transgres-
sions. But 1t brought him his own
tongue quite Internationally and quiet
ly. 'T don't know what was In that
note, Miss Dows, but can hardly be-
lieve that Maj. Reed ever put my pres
ent good fortune quite in that way"
Miss Sally laughed. Then with a
charming exaggeration she waved her
little hand toward the sofa: "There!
Yo' naturally wanted little room for
that, connie, but now that yo've got 1t
off-and mighty pooty it was, togo
can sit down. And with that she sank
down at one end of the sofa, prettily
arranged a white billow Of skirt so as
TO leave ample room for CORTLAND, and,
locking her fingers over her knees,
looked demurely eXpectant
but let me hope that am not dis
turbing you unseasonably," said Court
land, catching sight of the fateful little
slipper beneath hen skirt and remem'
bering the window. II was so preoccu'
pied In thinking of your aunt Us the
business manager of these estates that
I quite forgot that she might have
lady's hours for receiving"
1--WE haven't got any company hours,
said Miss Sally, land we haven't jus'
now any servants for company man
ners, for we're shorthanded in the field
and barns. When yo' came was nail
ing up the laths for the vines outside
because we couldn't spare carpenter
from the factory. But" she added
With faint accession Of mischief in he
voice, "yo' came to talk about the farm2
"Yes," said courtland, rising, "bu
not 10 interrupt the work on IT. WI
You let me help you nail up the laths OF
the wall? have had some experienc
that way-and we can talk as we work
r Do oblige me-"
The young girl looked at him brightly
"Well, now, there's nothing meal
/, about that. Yo' mean 1t for sure9'
. Perfectly. shall feel 30 much les
as II I was enjoying your compan
: uuder false pretenses-" li5e5IH I.i
"Yo' just wait here, then"
!. She jumped from the sofa, ran out
the room, and returned presently, tyin
4 the strings Of long striped cotto
/. blouse = evidently n habilimenS {
!. Sophy's-behind her back rs she n
= turned. It was gathered under he
: oval chin by tape also tied behind he
j while her fair hair was tucked und'
= the usual red bandana handkerchief
;, the negro housemhid, 1t Is scarcel
y necessary to add that the effect was b
:. witching.
l. But" said Miss Sally, eying h
. guests smartly- fitting frock coat ''yo'
a spoil yo'r pooty clothes, sure Take 3
\ yo' coat--don't mind me-and work
Il yo'r shirt sleeveGv Ilffa
Il Courtland obediently flung aside b
Il coat and followed his active hoste
4. through the French window to the pla