The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-03-25
A SKETCH.

Had these been of regulation pattern,
there was nothing to distinguish her from
any dozen of her companions. But her
eyes, which were brown in color, were
large and lustrous, and had provoking
habit of dropping the lashes when she
looked at me. Whether calculated CO.
quetry or native-born manner were chiefly
concerned would have puzzled an expert
to decide. That it was fetching" few
men would have ventured to deny. Her
hand, small and well-shaped, boosted the
taper fingers and filbert nails generally
associated with birth and breeding.
She sold flowers in Chcapside. Her
station was the steps of the Peel statue;
and every morning. week i'll and week
out. as the clocks of the city were strik-
ing 10 she would deposit the basket at
the foot of the column and prepare for
the business of the day.
From 10 to 6 she piled her wares dill
gent Y, pushing the sale with all the tact
which life's experience had taught her
and all the Wiles which womans wit
could suggest. But each evening, when
the weary city was fast emptying and the
bell of the great cathedral was still echo
ing overhead, her eye would sweep the
long length Of crowded asphalt with
searching glances; and as she scanned the
tceming multitude pouring westward Il
spot of crimson would suddenly show in
the wan, white cheeks and the dark
brown orbs would flash and kindle with
curious, mystic light.
He always contrived to be in Cheapside
between 6 and half-past. 1t was their
custom to walk together down Queen Vic
this point they separated, she crossing to
the Surrey side, he taking turn
through Fleet street and the Strand be-
fore following in the same direction.
They had commenced the practice i'll mid
winter, had continued it throughout the
spring. -s>As -. e.... ..~,2>- ...4. .,,. 49,
From afar she could distinguish his bar
filled the thoroughfare. When he had
doubled the corner and got into the
comparative "slack water of the church
yard, she crossed over and joined him.
\ nod that was almost imperceptible, an
swered by smile that was bright and
sunny, was all the recognition that passed
between them.
The girls glance wandered involuntari-
" to the barrow. It was the season
for cherries and she noticed the long array
of empty baskets.
Been 'avin' good day, Joe, amt
'Middlin' like"
ivy, y'ain't On'y one molly left"
'P'raps l have been givin' 'em away"
The tone was Enthusiastically surly.
For the next thirty yards they walked
furtively, the man pushing the barrow Ian
guidly and staring strenuously at nothing.
''Ha' yer thort on wot l tole yer?'' hc
said presently, as the girl stepped off the
pavement to avoid collision with par
eel boy. The light that had lightened
them died out of her eyes, the color
which had come into her cheeks forsook
lost at once its youth and animation.
The man continued to stare into va
cancy and walk mechanically after his
barrow.
Il can't do ut, Joe. 1 can't do ut. 1
amt got no rest these two nights-but 1
can't do ut
The words came with difficulty and the
voice palpitated with emotion.
The man shrugged his shoulders i'm
patiently.
"Wot's the good Nv i'm, eh? A dod'rin'
ole lunetic. Wot's the use Nv i'm ter
anybody? He orter been dead years
ago."
Hes me father, Joe," she murmured,
reproachfully.
''Father be bowed. He's dun lot fer
you, amt he? Y'ort ter feel proud NV
III, u!un yer! flnchln MS Sal S money
-drinkin' till he's got the devils an
talkin' tommy rot bout bein' gen
'elman an the son NV a .genelman. wy,
he amt got no more decency an a pig.
When he can't gorge hisself no longer a
pig ill lie in the swill trough, and when
your genelman fathers had q skinful he'll
snore by the hour 'longside quart pot"
He stole glance at the girl out of the
corner of his eye. The busy busting life
OF London eddied round them; the roar of
the great Babylon was in their ears; but
not Strephon and Chloris in the sweet
seclusion of idyllic lanes could have been
more obliviOus to the passing moment
than this pair of city lovers in the hot
and crowded streets.
"Praps he amt as good as he might
be. But there's wuss about, an'-he
warn't allays so, joe"
"Oh! if you likes to put up wiz i'm,
Liza, SO do. 'Tain't no concern o mine
is it?' he added modify.
Il cant SEN m to the workus, joe"
but yer can SEN me to the devilv'
he snapped sharply; and an ugly look
lcapt out of his eyes.
They passed under the railway bridge
which spans the lower end of Queen Vic
tOria street and reached the point where
they usually parted. The girl stopped,
but the man went on.
Aren't yer goin' to sell out, Joe?" she
queried timidly, as he turned in the d.
rection of the river.
"Wot forY'
The tone and the manner puzzled her
more than the words.
For moment they stood confronting
each other; the face of the man working
convusive'y and the girls features con-
tracted with pain.
:Blackfriars bridge was crossed in ST
lence. Turning into Stamford street she
whispered hoarsely: 'sI'm sorry for yer,
Joe; but if it's hard on you it's rough OH
me. Anythin' as you ars'd .lne to do,
.Joe--anythin' as / cud do meself like
I'd do ut, mate, without sayill' why or
wherefore. But SEN the ole man to the
workus-I can't do that. lad. I know
yer think orter; but l can't, joel cant
do ut" III ,a s<@ =. s.. !.
"A pretty fool yer made o me now,
amt yer? / Civ up booze an cut TOM
mics wen | tux. up Wiv YOU Liza; but
you'd see me at blazes suner an give up
that drucken ole Wagahone wot lives on
yer, an perwents yer havin' a man us
I'd be good to YER S. l.Ssz:,@e@ e.
N ut nd break me. heart, Joe, ter are i'm
die in the workus." z5 /. s
rs" Yer thinks q bloonlin' sight more NV
wrong I'm than yer does NV a right
un. said the man saya gely. sss:* RE
She gave him a look which must have
convinced him Of bis error; but blinded By
passion ~ refused g sae. s..