The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-11-09

time, He laughed as he spoke and
looked at Spencer with such a comical
expression that it instantly recalled to
the latter some amusing experiences of
the dear old school days.
What mischief are you up to-" he
crled. but here. In in the way. Don t
let me bother you. I'll see you in the
! morning."
Hold on cried Jim, with plunge at
him, You don't get away from me to-
night. You stay right here until can
property dispose Of you.'
Spencer noticed that his friend had a
crurnp1ed telegram in his hand, but he
thrust it in his pocket as he drew Spen-
Ger into the room and forced him. into a
corner: A moment later there were some
hurried introductions, and then Spencer
found himself with his hand on the arm
of Palmyra's mayor, following closely in
the footsteps of Jim Robbins and the dis
tlngu'shed guest of the evening as they
passed down the long aisle to the table
reserved for distinguished guests. The
Hon. Jack Speed was seated at Jim's
right, and Spencer at his left, much to
the latter's increased nneasiness Then
the banquet commenced, and for an hour
the clatter and chatter continued with
out break. Jim was as delightful as of
yore, dividing his attention very equally
between the guest of the evening and
Spencer, but the latter's heart was filled
with vague distrust.
raped on the tables and in nice little
speech told of the purpose of the ban
Quot. He introduced the mayor who
briefly welcomed back the Hon. Mr..
Speed to Palmyra. Then the Hon. Mr..
Speed responded in brisk speech, testi-
flying to his delight in returning home to
such friends and such welcome. a sen
timcnt which was greeted with loud ap-
plause: Then Jim arose again, with a
crumpled telegram in his hand. He
much regretted, he said, to be obliged TO
announce that the Hon. Dwight Perkins
could not be with them. A telegram he
had just received announced railway
accident that blocked the road and held
back Mr.. Perkins sixty miles away.
Our regret, however, said Jim, lis
somewhat mitigated by the fact that we
fortunately have with lis as an honore>l
guest one of the most prominent of New
York S young political and social leaders,
Spencer Clifford, who will talk to us on
the questions of the hour
AS Jim sat down a patter of applause
ran around the hall and the long lines Of
faces assumed an eXpectant expression.
Spencer gave him horrible scowl us
ne rose to his feet. Then he turned to
the auditors with pleasant smile. He
put his teeth together hard. He wouldn't
be blutted. And dep down in his soul
he felt gratifed that JiM-despite his
him. jim knew he wouldn't fluke As
his eyes roamed down the long table in
front of him they suddenly stopped
Ihey rested Ga a Woman's face. 1t was
the face of the woman whom above all
others ne was anxious to impress. She
was looking straight at him with such Il
friendly, encouraging smile.
IL fol ~ r.
meant to sit down at the end of his next
sentence. He kept right on. He talked
well. He talked still better as he warmed
to his subject. 1t was mostly tall,
about patriotism. He spoke OF the inspir.
ing effect OF the sight of the old fla?
when he saw it abroad. He told of the
American who had fallen while attempt
ing an ascent in Switzerland and whom
ne had helped to carry to the neares,
house where the hastily-summoned sur.
geon could set his dreadfuly- actured
limbs And how the surgeon had nc
chloroform when he came, and how tho
poor fellow, his vitality almost gone, had
went on, Ito drown his groans," he said
And how the three Americans had sung
The Star-Spangled Banner" the sufferer
,, presently joining in with shrill, quaver-
ing VOICE, and apparently forgetting all
about the grooming. And how he after
Ndiu lOOkeu up WIN DrlSnt smile ana
whispered, BET you an even hundred !
see the old flag again." and then Spencer
took occasion to say something pleasant
about the men who were upholding the
dignity of the flag at home and abroad
with handsomely indirect compliment
to Jack Speed.
When Spencer finally took his seat the
applause was vigorous and long drawn
out. and Jim, his face flushed and his
eyes sparkling, grabbed Spencer's hand
under the table and squeezed it hard and
said: "Great. my boy, great!'
Spencer looked down the long line
again. But she had drawn back and he
could not see her face. He wondered
what she thought Of it ALL
Presently Jim's fingers rested on his
arm.
1T is all oyer,' he said. "and we mus!
get our coats and hunt up Minnie. Min
ME is Mrs. Jim. BY the way, she has Il
young woman from your overgrown town
in tow tonight, :;.d we'n have to escort
her to her aunt's home. Know her
She's a Miss Anna Goldie'
a little later they were out in the omen
air, Anna walking with Spencer and Mr.
and Mrs. Jim going ahead.
1T was Splendid" murmur<d Anna,
splendid. You see, you can do some
| thing we'll if you really try
I'm sorry you doubted it," murmured
Spencer.