The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-08-25

it was your daughter-kindly told me
that you never transacted any business
at home.'
The two men laughed together.
But you told her who you wcre?'
mo, didn't" replied the young man.
Its business, you know, that brings me
to Cleveland.'
James Norcross laughed again.
y, She probably took you for a collector, y
he chuckled. But, here, we must be
off. We have to meet the others at the
square in just ten minutes
They were there and waiting when the
two men approached.
#s Ethel" said the older man, Il want
you to become better acquainted with Mr.
James Protheroe of Kansas, whom you
have only met in business way, l be-
his father
The fair young girl, with just slight
flush, extended her hand.
The name of Protheroe is a household
word with u.s." she said, with smile
that Jim Protheroe thought the sweetest
he had ever seen. Then she presented
him TO sFraeuIein Mayer, and made him
acquainted with Mr.. Hosmer and Mr.,
Darlington
You We surely heard of Mr.. Barring
toh' one Silu. ne was on the Var
ward football team of 90, and Mr.. Hale
is the champion sprintcr of his college
Dung Protheroe bowed grayely in ac-
acknowledgement of the honor conferred up-
on him in coming in personal contact with
such special distinctions.
are you college man, Mr.. Profile
'oc? inquired the eminent B;,rrington.
YES replied the Kansas youth, "Ad-
ans, 81"
The. young men looked at each other
They had never heard of Adams
Just then the car got under Roadway
and Ethel's father called Jim to step to
the rear door and have look at the
roadbed. Ethel had surprised the glance
that passed between Hosmer and Bar.
rlngton. It made her feel little cha.
grlned: They were evidently sneering at
the Western young man. Really, there
was something different about MIN. His
clothes were not quite like the other
mems. He didn't wear them with lust
the same nonchalance. E1e appeared
rather heavy and slow. Very likely he
was as dull as he acted. And vet he
certainly seemed very presentable
youth. Some people might even cali him
handsome.
Her train Of thought was interrupted
by her fathers voice
why, bless my soul, boy" he was
saying, you know more about railway
it up?' ~ r'N''
Helped lay out road in western Kan.
sas, replied Jim. That's one of the
things we learned at Adams. believe
have the right to put civil engineer af.
ter my name.'
So he did know little something,
thought the girl, but it seemed like such
nnlnteresting knowledge. Truly. he was
decidedly different from the Eastern
boys.
Then her father and Jim came into the
car and the conversation became gen.
eral ON
Ethel noticed that Jim held his own
pretty we'll when he did talk, but for the
most part he was but a listener. There
was one thing she was grateful to him
Tor. She knew that he admired her. His
frank, open glance told her that. But he
had the good sense not to annoy her hy
any special attentions.
Pretty soon the little party scattered
Jim and the young men going out on tho
rear platform to smoke, leaving father
and daughter and chaperon in the car.
What do you think of Jim?" said the
capitalist '"e
Rather strong of Kansas. isn't hep
"Oh, l don't know" said her father
HE doesn't make any parade of his tai.
cnts. He's just like his old dad. There
wasn't kccner boy in town. We wore
chums, you know. and both of us started
in without dollar. l fancy we've hoth
done pretty WELL"
us Mr.: Protheroe's father man Of
property?' inquired Ethel.
Il should say ne was! The last T
heard about him, he owned the onera
fhn
residence in town, and held a first mort
gage on the biggest Westinghouse. Jim's
financial future is all right. He's an only
child, you know"
mo, l didn't know" said Ethel.
The big hamper turned out to be most
bountifully loaded, and everybody
brought along picnic appetite. Then
they rolled into Bennington, and, leaving
the ladies' IN charge of the two Eastern
men, james Norcross took the Kansas lad
and started to keep an engagement with
the local townsman. 1t was not n long
engagement, and at l o'clock they were
back in the. car, and the capitalist sig
nailed the motormOn to go ahead OH the
return trip.
I'VE should be able to- run the thirty
two miles back to Cleveland nicely in two
hours he said to Um.z Il must be there
at o'clock and we have clear track ali
Tie way. w eve Hau litigation over this
road and it isn't doing regular bust.
ness yet, but we'll be running on sched-
ule in day or two"
They were out of earshot of the 9TH
ers, and Jim leaned toward the capital
list. = :.
"Mr. Norcross," he said, "have you no.
ticed that the motorman has been drink
ing heavily.?;.
idiot started one of his periodical sprees
Best man in my employ when he's so.
Der. When he's drunk he's stupid log
Keep your. eye on him, JIM"
The young man nodded and started
down the aisle to the inotorh1an's vesti-
bule. !. :. ...~sss. K. IL. s~.:.s -.