The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1893-06-14

quickly that North almost doubted
whether she had changed at ala cold
stateliness came into her manner, a
touch of hauteur that made him feel as
II an impossible distance had suddenly
been put between them; as, ,acknowledg-
ing his greeting with a gracious formal
ity, she said, in her low, flexible tones:
SIS It possible, Mr.. North2 You
never came more opportunely. l am
suffering from ennui."
"You, Mrs. Maynard?" cried North,
in gallant amazement. "Surely you
should be exempt from that affiiction;
thought 1t was the peculiar privilege
of commonplace mortals like myself"
Together with humility and all the
other graces of character?" queried
Mrs. Maynard, as she motioned to him
TO be seated and sank back languidly
into the crimson depths of her iauteuil.
81 always knew, Mr.. North, that the
latter were your peculiar privilege and
possession"
SIS sarcasm an infalliblc antidote for
ennui?" inquired North, as he wheeled
chair forward slowly and seated him
self near Mrs. Maynard, while his eyes
held hers steadily for a full moment by
their direct, quizzical glance. IF so,
Mrs. Maynard, proceed. Your most
cruel satires will sound in my ears like
sweetest music"
"Then shall have no inducement to
utter them. You quite disarm me, Mr..
North. Besides, some mysterious In
tuition warns me that you have come
this morning for something of far
greater Importance than a mere pas
sage at arms. What is IL, Mr.. North2
Word from New York at last2 All! I
see that l am right Tell me at once,
please, is the news favorable9 Oh, il
must bel cannot endure the thought
Of disappointment
The delicate color that had flushed
into her cheek deepened now and her
dark eyes were sparkling with excite
ment as, clasping her hands daintily,
she looked up at North with bewitch-
ing expression Of hope and suspense.
A peculiar emotion which was neither
pity nor remorse, yet curiously re-
sembling both, held North silent for
brief time; then, with his grave, keen
glance resting on Mrs. Maynard, he an
swered, in low tone:
"Unhappily for me, Mrs. Maynard, II
has been beyond my power TO control
this case or determine the results 10
suit ourselves. But, whatever we may
have to regret, our suspense on at least
one point is ended, and on this we may
well congratulate ourselves."
An expression Of dismay, succeeded
quickly by incredulity, swept over Mrs.
Maynard's countenance. Leaning for
ward In her chair, she exclaimed, I'm
periously: t.r......
"You are speaking In riddles, Mr..
North Pray tell me, TO what impor-
tant announcement are these vague and
general observations the preludep'
"Why-ah--in fact, Mrs. Maynard,
nothing could be worse, and North,
after vainly casting about for somo
happy phraseology by which to soften
the intelligence, now plunged reclrlessly
into the explanation. Nothing could
be worse than the news that Hopkins
and Shepherd have sent us. II Is my
duty TO inform you that decision was
reached In our case on Wednesday"
"a decision, at lastl and what is it?"
"a deathblow to your hopes and 10
mine, Mrs. Maynard. We have suffered
Q total defeatp
As he spoke, in cool, deliberate way,
Mrs. Maynard sank back in her chair as
II quite overcome by the announcement.
Quickly rallying, however, she OK.
claimed, in resolutely incredulous tones:
"Then we have lost our casep Oh,
Mr.. North, how can this have happenedp
We were 30 well fortified at every point,
even granting their claims concerning
the niece TO be correct; 30 you have re
peatedly assured me yourself, Mr.. North
80 Hopkins and Shepherd have reiter-
ated again and againp'