The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-01-21
She looked curiously into his face.

SAID, AWkWarQly. II s, r. II q SSI:sEy5 {sa &84
Then =, that was how you first knew
"Long before that" he returned. "We
have always been excellent friends, al
though | can't always approve of his con-
duct. However, now, thanks to you, he
proposes to amend it." ~ =
'That is nonsense" she exclaimed. II
have never seen Mr.. Marston. But
suppose, as a matter of fact, he has sue
ceeded in forgetting at last
II don't think he will ever forget" was
the answer; and his voice was full Of sad.
ness. Then, a minute later, In brighter
tone, he asked: II have been wondering
whether You would give me your advice?
| should like to show you the plans I
have prepared"
but I understood nothing whatever
about plans" she said, adding, with an
abrupt glance: "You have never told me
your name"
Would you mind coming into the
| clerks otfice?" he asked, ignoring her
question: and with an expressive smile on
her lips, Christine accompanied him into
| the small, temporary wooden building
| which was devoted to the clerk of the
works.
Upon the sloping ledge lay the plans of
the building, and taking pair Of COM
| passes he began to explain them to Chris
| tine, as she stood by his side, her arms
resting on the ledge.
! What do you think about il? p he asked
presently. Does it seem to be con-
venient arrangement of rooms? Is it pre-
self?' ~ ' '
And he appeared to await her answer
i never expect anything nearly 50 elab-
crate" she said. This house would con-
tain three or four Of ours
STILL" he suggested, "you hardly in
your life. No young lady Of your age
would deny the, possibility of forsaking
the parent nest"
".Certaiinly, I shall not deny it," she
5 sried with somewhat embarrassed
"should you,'' he saitl solemnly, think
me extremely itnpertineht If were to in
9uire, whether there is. at present any-any
likelihood of Sour-of your
He staninereq, and finally broke. down;
and it were difficult to shy whether his
face or hers wis the deeper crimson. She
lowered her eyes, appearing to study the
pllits more. intehtly. But she did not
offer the information desired.
| DO the arrangements meet with your
entire apprOval?'' he asked, after he, too,
had made an exhaustive study of the
drawing.
Oh, "o ,fn} course everything is very nice"
| SIZE replleu. buJ-
pray tell me if there is anything you
If | had anything to do with it," she
said, II should make the drawing room
larger: At least, suppose it is too late
now, but the room is rather small for a
house of this character. If Mr.. Marston
comes he will be compelled to entertain a
great deal. Where is he at present?"
she inquired, cycling him little mis-
chievously.
"He-he has come back to England
! was the answer.
THAT sounds vague she said.
He is in Surrey
Near to us, then?"
joined.
81 cannot conceive why Mr.. Marston
should try to be so mysterious" said
Christine. "Don't you think it is the
least little bit in the world absurd:''
mo doubt" was the answer; che has
done one or two ridiculous things. You
see, when a man shuts himself off from
his fellows, he is apt to become morbid
Short
Now it is you who are severe on him.
Not harder than he would admit that
he deserves: And YETI he added, lean
ing forward toward her. II should not like
|
A week later, Christine, looking in at
the gate to see how the building was
progressing, and, perhaps, to ascertain
whether her new friend-who was, how
ever, beginning to appear like an old one
might be about, perceived that large
gap had been made in one of the outer
walls, which had looked for some time
What: is that for?'' she asked as he
| came to her side,
an II am enl :Eg the drawing room," he
| explained. we are throwing out small
conservatory"
IF 1 had imagined that" she cried, a
little petulantly, Il should not have ex-
| pressed an opinion"
But" he insisted, tiny chief desire is
to make the house in every regard agree
able to your wishes; Or, at least, Mr.. Mar
| stOn-''
Oh she cried. "pray don't try to
maintain this ridiculous deception. l have
seen through it for weeks. OF course, /
knew, long ago that the house was your
| own"
| You see,,' he explained, more painfully
embarrassed than she had ever seen him
before, when the fancy first seized me to
| come here again, I wanted to remain un-
known. l took advantage of my agents
absence. l had not been to Hunter
combe since the time of my great be-
|
few hours-until I saw you. For many
years l haye lived a life of misery. 1t
was YOU who showed me it was capable
| of improvement"
And in return for all this she re-
Joined, laughing somewhat constrainedly,
| you try to deceive me; though, it is true
you did not succeed for very long,
Having led you to believe I was not
Marstoh in the beginning" he said, Il
| shrank from enlightening you later on.
Perhaps" he added, Il rather enjoyed the
mystitication::, But can promise you one
t this Time f %! be perfectly candid from
'There is nothing left to be candid
about she said.
All! now it is you who are less than
frank" he continued. Because, guessing
l was Marston, you can scarcely have
failed to perceive my object in completing
the house."
''You have told me that" she returned.
AT least, you almost said you intended
to occupy it yourself"
Like my own life," he said, "for many
years it has been ruin. 1t has merely
numbered the earth, wasting the ground
it stood upon. Until two months ago I
did not dream it was possible ever to love
another woman. I began to build the
house for one who was inexpressibly dear
to me, and until came here I had not
realized that she had become merely q
memory. l, myself, am hardly any longer
the same person. The best part of my
life has gone"
"Oh, no. she murmured. 'T hope that
is not true. do not think it need be
true"
II know it is a fact,'' he continued,
"that you have it in your power to make
what is left supremely happy, if yon
have courage to try the experiment."
AS they talked they had sauntered
away from the workmen toward the Of
flee of the clerk of the works. On reach
ing its open door Marston entered, and.
after a moments hesitation. Christine fol-
lowed him.
Taking her right hand. he leaned for
ward toward her, looking longingly into
her eyes.
II have finished the house for you," he
said: UNLESS you consent to live in it,
shall shut it up and go away once more.
But hope-1 hope more than words can
express, that you will consent to share it
with me-"
"You have never seen nv father" she