The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1898-01-21
THE building Of THE HOUSE,

and, falling back few PAGES. ztooi! by
her side, staring up at the half-iinishcd
house.
For many years. ever since Christine's
coming to Huntercombe, it had been an
eyesore to the neighborhood. The house,
or the portion of house, was surrounded
by dreary waste, originally intended
for Il garden, now inclosed by the high
oak paling over which Christine had in
vited her companion to climb. From her
bedroom window she could see the rank
weeds and grass which fourished within !;
indeed, she had observed the stranger
struggling with the gate before she came
forth this morning.
His appearance had Interested her. He
was tall, erect and slightly built. While
his hair was almost white, his NOUS
tache was still of dark brown color,
and his long, sun-tanned face forbade
the opinion that he could be over 40 years
of age.
1t was distinctly handsome face, with
small, almost delicately formed features
and fine dark eyes, which, now that
Christine had drawn near, seemed to wear
an expression of intense melancholy.
1T is not an easy fence to climb he
said. in a plea SAINT, low voice, as he re-
garded the obstacle critically.
II don't think you would find anything
to repay your exertion," she answered.
the house up with dynamite or anything
% remove it from the face of the earth.
It is really almost criminal to leave it as
il is
The four walls resembled an empty
she'll. The unslazed windows were
stopped with rough deal boards. In the
absence of Il roof, the rain penetrated to
hoe &c x1e
and fungi grew unhindered. The red
bricks We're covered by whitish, pow
dcry substance, repulsive to look upon.
Il suppose he suggested, 1.-THE owner
ing the building az it is7''
"A purely selfish reason can't be very
good one" she rejoined. ITO let it re-
main like this is a disgrace. Children
shut their eyes as they run past it. Be
toms property. Everything is equally
neglected. He never comes near it"
But if it is properly looked after
IF you take half an hours walk yo,,
will see it isn't looked after at ALL said
Christine. There is nothing l should
like 50 much us the pleasure of person
ally conducting Mr.. Marstoh over his es-
if he is not beyond blushing-but probab-
ly he is
Her present companion, at all events,
still retained the faculty. His face be-
came darker brown color. and he began
to dig his cane into the path in manner
of extreme embarrassment
Il don't fancy he is quite so hardened
as you appear to imagine" he said, meet
ing her eyes-large, blue eyes, dark in
comparison with her wealth of faxen
hair.
You know, Mr.. Marston, then2' she
exclaimed evidently taken by surprise.
''Ye-es--oh, yes; know him very well, -
was the answer.
Il am sure he must be an extremely dis
agreeable person." she said. ''Then, if he
is not aware of it already, you will be
lects his duty, that his cottages are death
traps, that his unfinished house is a dis
grace to himT'
DO you know how it came to be left
in it's present condition. he asked depre-
catingly.
''Of course" she admitted, Il have
heard the story. So, probably. have you,
since you know Mr.. Marston.'
II should like to have your version of
it, he returned.
'He began to build the house for his
BRIDE" Christine continued. "She was
very young, very beautiful, SO the legend
saith. She died within two months of
the wedding. Mr.. Marston refused to al
low another brick to be added. Every
thing was left just as it was on the day
of her death, and so it has remained until
now. He never comes near. His agent
collects his rents, and that is all. For all
Mr.. Marston cares, his tenants may die
like rats"
THAT is a serious Indictment" he said,
after long silence.
Il should like the opportunity of read
ing it over to the principal" Christine
retorted. Il know these people. 1 visit
their cottages"
II can promise you that your words
Il may undertake to say that Marston
shall examine the state of affairs for him
SELF
With that he lifted his hat and turning
from the gate walked slowly away.
After going to the town and transact
ing the business which had brought her
forth, Christine went home, and during
luncheon Informed her father of what
had passed. Mr.. Williamson objected to
her conduct in addressing the man, to be-
gin with
II had watched his attempts to open
the gate for at least ten minutes" she ex-
planned, land it seemed only charitable to
warn him Of their futility.''
The kind of charity which ought not
to extend to a stranger, Chris" said he1
father; land as to expecting any inn.
provement, that is only the glorious hone.
fulncss of youth. Is the man a gentle.
man!''
swered. "A remarkably l HANDSOME u1 man am
though he looked so melancholy"
1t was impossible for Christine to reach
the town without passing the uncomplet.
ed house.
One morning, about week after he,
conversation by the oak paling, she per.
ceived, for the first time within her exDe.
rience, that the gate was open. Curiosi.
ty would not allow her to pass without
stopping to look in, whereupon the grave
looking man, with the gray hair and the
youthful face, came quickly toward her.
"You see that /! have succeeded in open.
ing the gate at last" he said, solemnly
as he b Pais eaa his hat ,o 1T crafty
has had you reproaches in his mind all the
week.
Il WISH" she rejoined, 'they would
bear fruit: l wish they would cause him
to finish the house and occupy it,
Don't you fancy he might find it Just
little dull?" he suggested.
HE need not necessarily live alone
she said.
Il will tell him what YOU propose." be
answered. with the faintest of smiles.
II have no objection to that" she said
$50 that you don't tell him it came from
me. Is he going to repair the cottages? p
she added, cor will his own house exhaus,
his efforts?'
II have carte Blanche" was the answer
II shall do everything needful without the
loss of day"
There was great excitement in the
neighborhood when, at last, it could NO
longer be doubted that Marston's house
was actually to be rooted in and finished
At first many persons declined to believe
the news until a small army Of workmen
appeared on the scene to put an end Ia
every doubt. " ;.
Christine began to feel quite personal
interest in the operations. She never
passed the gate, now constantly open
without looking in, and usually she saw
Mr.. Marston's representative super;n.
tending the works. On such occasions
they sometimes had long converse tons
and often on subjects quite foreign to
building. :: ~, a., :. :.
Anyone would imagine you were an
architect" she said, after she had known
him about a month. "You seem to man
age and direct everything. = IS.
I'll { Is fact that I served my ARTICLES