The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-11-02

I lifted nv shoulders and looked out
of the window.
Il knew. YOU of course better than 9TH
er people," she persisted, anxious to -
strengthened by opposition.
Every woman knows the man sic
loves better than othe: people. Att,:-
they are married eight women ont O.: ten
find that they didn't know them at all.
In word, as much-quotel person has
said: Love is blind''
Constance smiled-;n q minute sac
grew grave again. "Oh, dear! | don't
know what to do. heard today that there
was something worsrthat even since he
has been engaged he has not been true
to Helen; thar perhaps after they are
married he will not be true
I looked at her without; speaking. Con-
stances eyes flashed fire. ''l'll go to her
and tell her what [ think, what we all
think"
she wouldn't believe you and would
hate YOU it she did
him.
L looked out of the window across the
bay. The water was turning to silver.
little fishing boat had come into the
picture. 1t was slipping over the waves
toward home, as light and graceful as
fine lady treading upon a polished floor.
The sun caught it's white sail and gave it
4 slight rose tint.
| was startled by a cough from the
piazza. and turned toward the door to
see a tall young woman in 4 blue outing
suit.
"Helcn"' said my wife, with the pocu-
liar pronunciation of the last syllable as
in, which makes the word SO fascinating
in the mouth Of an Eastern girl.
Helen Dorr came up to the room quick
~, her heels making an angry little tap
hn hnr For h; r!
there was a. little tired look about her
eyes, but she seemed a very stately young
lady as she stood before us and spoke
YEARLY.
The Blckhanls were coming. and 50 I
came day earlier than I thought. I
heard You talking as I came up the
steps, and | listened. She spoke very
condemnation.
'Helen!' said my wife again. and her
tone was sharp, with 4 mingled touch Of
scorn and sorrow
it was 4 bit confusing-the two women
there, facing each other. the one worn
and dusty with travel, the other fresh in
the GOODNESS of summer gown; the one
pardonable sin, the other flushed and an
CRY and confused at having been over
heard
Helen" I said. and heaven knows I
pitied her. let's talk it over" And l
made as though to rise, but she shook
her head, and turning to Constance and
speaking quick ", she went on: Il list
l couldn't help it. l heard what you
were saying about me- and I stayed to
hear it out. Oh, know it was terrible,
but l did it. and we might as we'll be
honest. 1t doesn't make any difference
to me hat people say. Do you suppose
haven't heard things? But do you
think l care for every little bit Of Cos
sip?"
I saw Constance's lips tighten at the
words. but Helen did not notice. 1nvol
unfairly | glanced out at the bay again.
The sparkle had gone out Of the water,
and it had begun to get gray. The h0at
was in full view, but it was moving
slowly. and | could see that the breeze
was dying out. Even as thought of it,
board tack, the white sail tapped twice
in tired way. and then hung limp while
the boat rocked in the swell. Helen was
talking earnestly.
Gam not better able to judge Of the
man I care for than a lot of people who
I would marry MIN if I didn't l""" him
and know that he is good and strong and
manly? And if some OF my friends
don't like him or have spite against him.
is that any reason why l should give
him up? If he needs me and I can help
him and make it possible for him to live
his life better, to be truer man to him
self and the world why should I care
what people say? You think you know
him, but you don't. l understand him.
I have seen him as You have not seen
him. I know his troubles and what he
has had to contend with as you do not.
and, above all that, and more than all
that. love him, and l know that he
loves me-
She stood up strong as she said this.
Her bosom swelled with her woman's
courage, and her eyes were lit with
fire that had never seen there. Surely,
if ever the love of woman could help
a man, here was the sort that could
And for the moment I had hope.
Outside the boat lay quiet; but sud
denly there seemed to come puff of
wind or the beginning of a breeze, for
the boom swung round, the canvas
rounded out and the little craft began to
move very slowly over the water toward
home. Helen was talking again.
I'm sorry this has happened the way
it did, but perhaps it is better to under
stand one another now. For myself,
haven't any excuse. and if I had you
oughtn't. to accept it. shall go back
tonight"
"But Helenv' and Constance started