The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1900-09-21
MANS INGRATI1UDE.


might
tie women who, petted and spoiled all
their lives. always depend on others ir
trouble. and are never capable in any
emergency OF thinking or acting for
themselves So when the parting came
she gave way utterly, cried her pretty
eyes dim, and declared. with sobs which:
shook her slight frame, that the blow
would kill her
Don't cry so, my darling!" pleaded!
poor Tom. BE Il brave little woman for
my sake. Remember you are a soldiers
wife, and face trouble with courage and
cheerfulness."
II can't! I can't she sobbed.
Ihink Of baby, Maggie"
replied
''Ncnsense! she will be comfort to
YOU. and remind you of her father,' urged
Tom.
LAS if should need reminding. AS if
YOU would be out Of my thoughts night or
day, sleeping or waking. | shall miss you
every minute Of my life," and the poor
child, she hardly seemed more in spite of
her twenty-five years, chung to- her hus-
band and cried as if her heart would
break
He begged her to try and bear up and
look forward to tie happy time OF his
return with glory and honor.
Try to occupy your mind healtilily.
dear; take up a study or pursuit, or 20
down into the country with baby and stay
with your mother"
Mother would drive ME mad with her
fussy sympathy she answered petuant-
~. Il want to be a;one, TO think Of you
my dear onev'
But you mustn't, darling. You'll only
none STAY hero IL, TOWN Won Ii1.n ito
livelier; but 60 about and see all the
friends you ca:;: 80 everywhere, dear
old Dick is always ready to escort you,
and he loves you like sister. You can
trust him entirely, dear, and he will
come con! to you at once IN any TROUBLE =, or
difficulty. Promise me to trust Dick!'
She promised, and then the parting had
to come, and to both it was more bitter
than death.
= =
He was gone, and Aladge lay on the
couch in her dressing room for an hour
in the abandonment of a grief which she
felt that nothing in the world could
soothe.
Then spent with weeping she lay quite
life without the tender solicitude and low
ing care of the husband she adored
Presently her maid, Bates, crept softly
in with a cup of tea, and asked ii she
should light the gas
Madge nodded assent. and, when the
girl had gone, reused herself and went
to the glass.
What fright?' she exclaimed. Il
mustn't cry any more, or shall lose my
good looks, and then Tom won't know
me if-when he comes Dack!'
Her lips quivered. bur she checked her
tears and bathed ner eyes in cold water
for half an hour, with wonderful effect
Grief doesn't make the; ravages ON the
young that it does on their elders.
She took up the latest novel, but it
failed to interest her. Then she fell to
turning over the dresses in her wardrobe
"a, to her, always interesting occupa-
ton. In the midst of it Bates returned
and handed her a card.
oh. Dick" she exclaimed. glancing at
it. Tell Mr.. Denver l can see no one
SO soon-so very soOn!'
He said ma am, that he knew you'd
see him, SO old and intimate Il friend Of
the masters. You needn't dress Or any
thing, and he's come straight from see
ing the master off. and has message
for YOU"
Madgc no longer hesitated. With the
woman's nelp she slipped on a handsome
uld-gold dressing gown trimmed with
black Spanish lace, brushed back her
wavy hair. and with a last look ut the
toilet glass, slowly descended the stairs
~ lue id"lIlS iCO11l.
Young Denver's tall form rose from the
couch to meet her. and as he took her
hand with tender sympathy and drew
her to the seat beside him, he said, in
tone of brotherly authority:
IL knew you were all alone, and want
ed cheering. Tom gave me my orders,
and they were strict. I shall obey them
to the letter.
Madgc smiled family and shook her
head.
Dick, always the brightest and wittiest
of companions, started off, in his usual
rafting way, with lot Of society and
club gossip, and scandal, such as Madges
amused her so we'll that presently she she
found herself laughing heartily.
She checked herself, and then Dick
scolded her.
''Such rot," he exclaimed. "Dear old
Tom would be only too glad to hear you
and grateful to me into the bargain.
He wants you to be as jolly as little
sand boy-girl I mean. Now, what form
Of wild dissipation can we indulge in to-
night? The first evening is always the
worst; once that's over you'll! soon get
used to his absence. Don't spend it at
home where things remind you. Try
quite new scenes Let's go out to a the
alter, concert, or gaff of some kind? ?"
"Oh," protested Madge weakly, would
it be quite the thing so soon-the very
same day."
"Quite." he assured her. ats his
wish. You'll be pleasing him. Now
what do you say to the Empire? You've
have your
ooh. no. I couldn't!'
'Why not?'
IL scarcely know! Are they quite
proper? Tom never took me!''
80 much the better. Lots Of ladies
20; there is nothing in the entertainment
the least offensive to the most refined
taste. and it will be a novel experience
for you."
Il should feel quite dissipatedr