The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-03-15
CHAPTER IIL-CoNrINuEp.


and there that he would have been
content If those bright, beautiful eyes
had never kindled with anything but
love or womanly aspiration; that that
soft, lazy, caressing voice had never
been lifted beyond the flreside or domes-
tic circle; that the sunny, tendriled
hair and pink ears had never inclined
to anything but whispered admiration,
and that the graceful, 1.-THE, erect figure,
so independent and self-contained, had
been satisfied to lean upon his arm for
support. He was conscious that this
had been in his mind when he first saw
her; he was equally conscious that she
was more bewilderingly fascinating to
him in her present inaccessible intelli-
gence and practically.
~ confess" he said, looking into her
eyes with vague smile, 81 did not eX-
pect you would be so forgetful of some
one who had evidently cared for you"
Meaning Mr.. Chet Brooks, or Mr..
Joyce Masterton, or bothl That's like
most yo' men, Connie. Yo' reckon
because q girl pleases you she ought to
be grateful all her life, and yo'rs, tool
Yo think different nowl But yo' needn't
act up to it quite 80 much" She made
little deprecating gesture with her
disengaged hand as II TO ward off any
retaliating gallantry: 81 amt speaking
for myself, connie. Yo' and me are
good enough friends, but the girls
round here think yo're trifie too much
takenfup with rice and niggers. And
looking at II even in your light, connie,
Il amt business. Yo' want TO keep
straight with Maj. Reed, so it would
be Just us well to square the majors
woman folks. "a Ivy and Cassie Reed
amt exactly poisbnous, connie, and yo'
might see one or the other home from
church next Sunday. The Sunday after
that, Just TO show you amt particular,
and that yo' go in for being a regular
beau, yo' might walk home with me.
Don't be frightened-Tve got better
gown than this. It's q new one-just
come from Nashville-and I'll wear II
for the occasion"
He did not dare say that the quaint
frock she was then wearing-a plain
checked" household gingham used for
children's pinafores, with its ribbons OF
the same pattern, gathered in bows at
the smart apron pockets, had become a
part Of her beauty, for he was already
hopelessly conscious that she was love-
ly in anything, and he might be i'm
PEELED to say so. He thanked her grave
ly and earnestly, but without galIantry
or effusion, and had the satisfaction OF
seeing the mischief in her eyes increase
In proportion TO his seriousness, and
heard her say with affected concern'
"Bear up, connie. Don't let 1t worry
yo' till the time comes" and took his
leave.
On the following Sunday he was pres.
ent at the Redlands Episcopal church,
and after the service stood with out
ward composure but some inward chat
ing among the gallant youth, who
after the local fashion, had ranged
themselves outside the doors OF the
building He was somewhat surprised
10 End Mr.. Chnmpney evidently as much
out Of place as himself, but less self
contained, waiting in the crowd Of OK
pectant cavaliers. Although convinced
that the young Englishman had come
only 10 see Miss Sally, he was glad 10
shnre his awkward isolation with an
other stranger, and greeted him pleas
antly. The Dows pew being nearer n
the entrance than the Reeds, gave ur
tts occupants Arst Col. Courtland
lifted his hat TO Miss Miranda and hei
niece, at the same moment that Champ
ney moved forward and ranged him
self beside them. Miss Sally, catching
Courtland's eye, showed the whites ot
her own In o backward glance Of mis-
chievous significance 10 indicate the fol
lowing Reeds. When they approached
Courtland Joined them, and finding him
self beside Miss 0ctavia, entered init
conversation. Apparently the sup
pressed passion and Bardonic melan
choly Of that darls-eyed young ladJ
spurred him 10 q lighter, gayer humol
even In proportion as Miss Sally's good
naturcd levity and sunny practicalit,
made him serious. They presently fel
TO the rear, with other couples, ans
were soon quito alono.
Alittle naughty, but tall and erec
in her well preserved black grenadin,
dress, which gave her the appearance o
a youthful but implacahle widow, Mis-
Reed declared she had not seen th
connie for 81 coon's age" and Ger
tainly had not expected 10 hav
the honor Of his company rs lopi
na tbe,,e tvc,A Y,ivonra IA Ia clevated a