The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-12-28

! expect him to suddenly become amenable
to persuasion on my part. Can we?'
NO." she said. II suppose not. And if
he ever finds out whyI talked to him so
| long at the reception at the Millers that
| afternoon, my goose"-I suppose she was
short there and then went on. The only
other way would take so long. Never
mind. I'll have it all done by Christmas
or perish in the attempt
What is the only other way?'
asked.
You'll see in good time.'
One good thing came of that trip: Polly
wrote to Elise and made her take me
back into Strongs favor. I helped them
to find really snug little fiat, and when
after that. deserted by my former bache-
lor chum, l felt lonely in my own rooms,
l often went and talked with my new
married chum and his new wife.
l must say the obstinate refusal of her
father to be reconcied to them cast
October faded into November and Eovem-
Der blew into December, and still there
seemed no sign of forgiveness
On the Odd day of December Strong
came to my office very much excited.
Look at this he said, pulling letter
from his pocket.
1t was another of Miss Harkins' let
tiers, and it ran something like this:
"1ou and your husband must positively
abandon ali preparations for Keeping
Christmas in your own fiat I have been
as busy as beaver. Do just as tell
you. Pack up and come here Get into
hack and drive straight to your faith
er's house, SO as to be there between 1
and p: m. Christmas day. Do exactly
as | tell you. | know what I am talk
ing about. 1t will be all right-Polly."
h0f 10 i,,1- re- 4
Strong.
Il expect she knows what she's talk
ing about"
But what's haappened?'
Don't KNOW, I said. "If she had
married the old gentleman We would
"Oh, don't talk nonsense" said Strong.
He isn't such fool. at his time of life.'
Are you going?" I said, avoiding ar
gument.
Yes; we are he said. This letter
mas ; done Elise more good than anything
II suppose So ! said. "But you for
get that l was to have eaten my Christ
mas dinner, with YOU. What are you 60
ing to do about it?
'Youll have to come along, I sup
pose"
Mr. Bertshaws house is one of the
few in that city that have brick wall
hack turned in to the private drive an
| other carriage was standing before the
| door. Somebody had just alighted, and
the carriage did not keep us long wait
| ing for our turn.
AS We three entered the door we ran
| into Polly Harkins, who was just drop
ping her wraps into the hands Of Mr..
BertShaW himself. Her mother stood by
| her.
"Hnrrah" said Polly. "Mcrry Christ
mas'' and she kissed Elise. Then. nod
ding to Strong and Inc, she added:
What did l tell you?"
Mrs. Harkins seemed astonished at her
daughters friyoity. 1T was al! very
quiet,' she said to me in low voice.
SO it was, very quiet, indeed. But just
think. Of it-Elise Strong actually looked
the gift horse in the mouth. for her first
words to her father were: "Father, how
could you?"
'Well, my DEAR he answered, eff you
choose to please yourself why shouldn't
|? You forgive me and I'll forgive you.'
THAT was my plan," said the second
Mrs. Bertshaw to me-
''EXcellent,' I said.
And they let me stay to the Christmas
wedding dinner-St. Louis Globe-Demo-