The Virginia enterprise., 1900-10-26
BEAUTYS POWER
~~~~~~~

new summer boarder comm and
he'll be here fer SUPPER" said Farmer
Brown to a beautiful girl who stood on
the doorstep of the old farmhouse.
How exciting! Who is he?"
"Never saw him. He wrote that his
name was Rex Carl-Carlisle-or suth-
in like that"
Three hours later, when the bell rang
for supper, Margaret put few "fnish-
in touches" to her hair and went into
the dining room, where the farmers
family and the new boarder had al
ready assembled.
Margaret took her place without look
ing at the young man opposite.
Let me introduce you to Margaret,
Mr-er--'
"Carlisle."
Yes. yes-Carlsle. Never was good
at remembering names," stammered
the old farmer Mr.. Carlisle-Mar-
garrett and with that informal intro
duction he turned his attention to
"dishing up"
Rex Carlisle watched Margaret from
under his lashes.
"A perfect little beauty" he thought.
''SAe would grace any New York draw
ing room-but such name!"
Margaret did not once look up after
their Introduction, and at the close of
the meal she quietly slipped from the
room.
But, living under the same roof, She
and Carlisle often met Many after
moons found them together and all the
long evenings, while the afterglow lin
gered IN the west, were spent in each
others society.
Carlisle was society man. He told
Margaret much Of his life in the city,
to all of which she lent willing ear.
He was looking over the society notes
in big New York daily one after
noon.
''Hello!" he said suddenly. "Marjory
Atherton makes her debut in October.
This paper says she will be the bud of
the season, if only because of her great
beatty"
Carlisle laughed heartily.
Il wonder how much her father paid
for that 'ad.'" he exclaimed. "Marjory
Atherton's great beautyv Now that
just shows how much you can believe
what the papers say. She is the plain
est girl have ever known. We were
schoolmates and were graduated the
same year. Marjory had red hair and
treckles. But she was clever. The
cleverest scholar in the whole class.
was only eighteen then, and imagined
that she favored me more than she
did the other fellows. But not being 4
susceptible youth to anything but beau
ty, Marjory's red hair and freckles did
not appeal to me-"
His companion arose and uncon-
sciously dropped the bunch Of flowers
that had filled her lap.
The days flew on. Carlisle's vacation
was nearing a close
He found himself wishing that he
might remain forever near the farm
er's daughter. He marveled at the
power exercised over him by this sim.
pie little country girl.
One evening as they were sitting on
the piazza he remarked:
''There is something about you that
reminds me Of some one I have
known"
Margaret looked up at him curiouslv.
1T seems that l have known YOU for.
ever" he went on.
''Yet you have only been here three
weeks" she replied
'Yes, but I have not reckoned time
by days or weeks, Margaret. You can
never know how I have enjoyed your
companonship,"
He would have taken her hand, but
she arose as if not noticing the gesture
and wandered into the sitting room.
She took a seat ut the little old-fash-
oned organ and began playing. She
started an old song, one that he had
so often sung in the old days at the
high school. He began the song with
her, then stopped and listened to Mar
garet. How strangely familiar her
voice, and how sweet.
He went back to the piazza and lis
tened to her sweet girlish tones. She
wondered at his abrupt leave taking.
Quitting the organ she went out on the
porch. Rex came toward her.
margaret" he faltered, Il love YOU;
can you give me one little word Of hope
that my love is returned? am going
away tomorrow"
Margaret stepped back and looked up
into his face in astonishment.
He saw the look
Il know that you are surprised" he
said eagerly. II have only known you
three weeks. Yet l love you. VIII
you be my wite?"