The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-09-28
her studio The house was built in two

wings, a great hall and staircase sepa-
rated them. AS he opened the studio
door and crossed the threshold, Murray
felt he was. entering a strange region:
It was the first time he had ebeen there
at the further. cndf of the room he saw a
large pirturt-it Was already framed. HI
crossed quickly to it and stood gazing at
1t mutely. Even he, the man Of science,
could tell that it was a wonderful piece
of work-destined perhaps to achieve
fame. He realized that she had thrown
her whole being into it-that it meant as
much to- her as his book to him.. Vet he
had hardly known Of it's existence.
Hrth was right: he saw it all. He
had neglected her-neglected her cruelty.
he strobe hurrieuly out Of the room, down
into the street. He felt he wanted to be
IN the cool air. wanted to think. She
had loved him He felt sure Of this
Did she nov? Or had she killed every
1 GSs 6v Of @x:t aDe elise f y* S xsf*
rang through his head. The very thought
cat him to- the quick. \ sudden intense
craving to SEQ her eyes light up again
with the old joyous smile, to feel her
arms Irvine round his neck. took possess
sion OF him. His love. which had been
asleep. suddenly awakened and spruny
into a fierce passion. Could he win back
her love-or was II too late? And with
this maddening thought he trudged for
miles, until at length. wealled and foot
sore. he turned and made once more for
his home.
1t was dusk. and the London streets
were already twinklinS with their thou
sand lights. In a cab that was rolling
swiftly along on the wooden pavement
sat Wonan-a young and pretty won-
an, hardly more than a girl. In one
hand she held a letter tightly. She
sncothed 1t out and looked ut il again.
''Iomorrow ! must have your answer.
HcmtHbtr. your love il all have to live
for:: she read in Il low, trembling tone
she |eant back. and sat staring ahead
OF her with a dazcl expression on her
young face. Then her eyes filled with
tears. and she gave Il little sob
"Oh. Geoffrry'' she mur1nurcl pitc,:,7s
", why couldn't you have given me
Suddenly there was a lou'! shout in
the street, then a quick rattle, and a fire
engine dashed by. It turned down She
first street to the right. which led to tho
quiet square in which the Murr;ys lived
The cab followed. and the cirl gave y; a
gasp a. q blaze Of light broke before her.
eyes. a house was Oh fire the other side
CT the square, house standing by itself
the girl uttered little cry-,hcir
house. She paid the driver and got out
CT the cab. The square was full Of p:c-
pie She pushed her way through thcm
round TO the other side, where the fire
engines stood, their horses painting an,.
icaming at the mouth. The door of the
flames leapin% up the staircase .As yet
the fire seemed to be only in the center
OF the house.
In the little circle, kept free Nv the
ponce, she could see her husbands tall
figure: y fireman. apparently the S1lu'r-
lntendent. was pointing to the house. ANA
talking to him. She tried to get through,
but Il policeman stopped her.
lie is my huSband-it is our house,"
She crept up to within two or three
PAGES Of him.
"By d'voting all our energies to one
wing we can save it, the supprntend-
cnt was saying. 1.-THE other will have
to go: Have you any choice rs to which
One?'
Murray's face was pale and drawn. In
the right wing was everything that had
been dear to h1m-the great Work, the
soul. In the left wlng-a studio and a
picture. Three hours ago he would not
have hcsitated single moment \ mere
picture in the balance against such /,
work as his!
Behind stood the wife. Her eyes were
riveted on Murray's lips. There was a
cold feeling at her heart-thc picture,
which was almost Of her own blood. to
perish like this! Yet she had no ho;,e-
ne took no interest in her or her work
hardly knew that she was an artist.
The woodwork of the stairs Kissed and
cracked, and the flames licked the bal
cony that divided the two wings.
"Which? said the superintendent.
sharply.
The words that had been haunting him
throughout his walk were whirlns
through Murray's head Could he win
back her love? He Strengthened HIM
self with sudden jerk.
''Save-Savc the left wing!" he cried
h0arsely.
An hour later Murray and his wife
were standing Oh the ground floor Of the
left wing. The right was a mass of
smoking, charred bricks, en- which even
now the firclnen were pouring streams
of water.
What made you make such sacrifice
your lifc's work. she said in low
tone.
lie led her into a room. His face
there-a look that made her heart beat
quickly.
Sir Roland's words came back to him.
MY lifc's work." he cried 1T shall
he to make You happy asain--to win
back and keep your love- He held out
his arms. ''Oi, my darling, | have been
selfish, cruel! l gave up everything to
my work, even that which should have
been yours. But it is al over now.
Can YOU forgive me: It's not too latr?"
lie looked pleadingly at her. He saw
her bright eyes glistcn, her lips part in
wonderment. But it was the VOL
derment of a new and sudden joy;
the knowledge that she had been saved
from an act she would have regretted
all her life-that, after all, he loved her.
lie took step forward, and she crcpt
into his arms.
oh. Geoh, Gcoff.' she cried in pure
happiness: II thought your love for
me was dead! acknowledgements mel
that even my love for you was killed.
Thank God, we've found out the truth
in time"'
He pressed her almost ficrcey to him.
AYE. thank God' he said fcrvcntly.-
Mainly About People.
No Dull Winters.
\ certain Massachusetts staining
ground for the summer visitor is for
three months in the year uncomfortable
oyercroWded; for nine months it's noDn