The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-04-25

as siiI elaEg 70 her memory with their
everlasting prick and thrill? Her peaceful
heart was all a-fiuster with It's new awak-
ensng life.
"A good time? l don't know. I've never
lived
Well. se do live some orr the other
side. ] rather think you won't be exactly
zoophite In Chicago. Now. look here.
darling I've got TO go and set fire to this
mine under the feet Of your poppa and
nomma- Do ssu think the explosion will
take of the Abboy roof English parents
don't seem to be exactly like the ones I'm
used to-
Let me go first said Enid. She smiled
securely, remembering with what views
ne had beer asked 10 the Abbey. Il can
ten them little. and then you can come
and finish Tou had better stay out here
III / cough. and then you will know I
want you. | won't really tell them. you
know. you must do that. but I'll say some
thing TO make them know what's COM
ing"
''Whstu you say? Do / need to be bro
ken TO them?'
She kissed her hand 10 him with an en-
chanting little turn Of her neck, and went
In az the open window.
The evening post had just come in and
Lord and Lady Brockhurst were deep IN
their letters. AS Enid stepped over the
threshold her father looked up from his
with snort.
What's this from Spendlover he called
out in deep Indignation. "He says he's
gone into that fellows relationship. and
after ali there's nothing to be afraid Of.
He's descended from Us, it's true; but it's
by cadet branch-a younger son who
went TO America in James the Seconds
time. Here's been a tempest in a teapot.
Spendloye is a fool, and / shall tell him
nay opinion. To give us all an alarm
beastly alarm-without any grounds for
ii. Well. it's all right now, anyhow, thank
heaven, There's Enid. Ha Enid. it's all
right. there's nothing to be afraid OF
from the man from Chicago. Send him
packing as soon as possible, He can't hurt
u.s.
MY dear Brockhurst, what a reliefr'
Her mother let her long-handled eyeglass
fall into her lap on top of her rupture5
envelopes. HE really has been on my
nerves: he is quite impossible I'll write
to Sir Charles tonight, and tell him
we're quite ready for his visit. That ter
rible man from Chicago can be got rid
OF at oncew
Enid had stopped short where she stood.
Her face had a strange look in 1t. Her
mother had seen her pale, she had seen
her startled, but never before, in the
eyes of her well-brought-up daughter had
a look like this one met her.
you need not write to Sir Charles"
she said
What was this ring Of decision In the
voice of the submissive Enid?
II shall have nothing to say to him if
he comes. I am going 10 marry the man
from Chicago"
You are going-Eh? What?" cried
Lord Brockhurst, unable to believe his
ears. What way is that to speak 20 you-
father? You going 20 marry! Is that the
way you've brought up your daughter.
my lady, to say whom she'll marry and
whom she won't?"
Hush. pray. Brockhurst The child
does not understand. You nave confused
her. You don't understand your father.
Enid. This Mr. Percy. this man who
makes sauce"-she turned and felt for
the huge bottle of lavender salts On the
table at her elbow-"We have no more
need Of him. He has not the faintost
claim on the title and estates as Mr.
Spendlove foolishly fancied. He need not
appear TO you any longer in the light of
duty. He can be asked to go at once, and
Sir Charles Harrington will come, 1 feel
very sure, as soon as he gets my letter"
But / love Mr.. Percyr' said Enid.
There was that in her slightly raised
voice, in the color that deepened suddenly
in her cheek that filled her parents with
absolute bewilderment. She gave her foot
a little stamp on the carpet. 1t was a
well-shaped foot, though not as small as
those across the Atlantic. "And if l did
not, do you think | would be so mean, so
cowardiy, to ask him here. TO be kind TO
him, when We were afraid Of him, only
to fling him over as soon as we knew he
could not harm US? Oh, he has taught
me better things than that. He who is
so brave ard honest, and not afraid of
anything, Tho does not mind what people
think as long as he is doing right, who be-
lieves that all girls ought to have their
own opinions about things and choose
their own husbands"
She had not given that cough that was
TO be the signal for the man from Chicago
10 come in and make his suit. but he
caught the sound of her raised tones, and
his figure suddenly filed the window be-
hind her. She saw him as she turned her
head, and she ran to him and caught his
hand.
Il love him and viii marry him. and
not million Sir Charles" she said. He
flung a strong arm around her slender
waist, and its clasp made her feel she
could defy the world.
Enid!' thundered her father in
voice before which his world was used 20
tremble. Come herei How dare you? Do
you know what you're saying? Marry that
man and I'll cast you off. You'll never
see penny of my money"
My child, my poor deluded chiidl' Her
mothers tones were full of plying mai
esty. You little know. A tradesmani
Your name on bottlesr'
at win be delightful said Enid Her
laugh had the excitement of one who en-
ters the den of lions out of pure daring.
Her face glowed and her eyes sparkled.
only think OF giving ones name for once
to something useful. Papa. mamma, I'm
SORT il I'm veXing you. but | cane telp
1t. I'm going TO try what it's like to live
my own life like girls In America. You
never trusted my judgment or thought
had anv. I've got 10 show you it's worth
trusting. I'm going to be a happy girl
YOU needn't be afraid Of that. | know, in
spite of your not thinking / can choose n
husband for myself, you want me TO be
happy. I'm going 10 live, my own life IN
my own way and some bne is going 10
help me-"
And Amen" said the man from Chi
cago.
(THE ENID