The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-10-04
THE MAN FROM THE EAST.

THE MAN FROM THE EAST.
Mrs. Rodney Garland was giving an
at home, and her house in Dareston
square was thronged with a crowd OF
smart people. In an alcove at the far
end of one of the rooms stood little
group Of four-two men and two girls.
II had no idea that you two knew one
another" exclaimed Hilda Burnaby.
Lord Algie Grenton smiled. He was
good-looking, sunburnt young man of
about eight-and-twenty.
Rather! Eston and I were at the
same college together, and rafting
good time we had of 1t in those days,
hadn't we?' he cried.
Eston nodded. He carried barely a
year more than the other, yet his strong,
active face bore the imprint Of far
older man.
The fourth member of the party, Miss
Celia Erskine, turned to Lord Gren;on
with a quick, impulsive movement. She
sharp-featured, and had green eyes.
Come along, Algie!' she said. 81
want to introduce you to pet man Of
mine. And, besides," she added, with a
laugh, Or. Eston would like to talk over
old times with Hilda; they haven't met
for years, you know"
'Well?" said Hilda to Eston, when the
two had disappeared. Shall we take her
"Ah!'' he answered, with sigh, as he
seated himself by her side. 1T wasn't
bad, that old life at Baristoke. l.. the
country doctors son; you, at the vicar
age next door. Yes, think we were
happyv' he added, in a tone OF reminis-
cence.
Il am sure we WERE" she murmured.
a PARKWAY look in her eyes. There was q
moments silence; then she broke into 4
laugh.
And now?'
Now" he echoed. "Now, by a turn
of fortunes wheel, you are an exception.
ally wealthy young lady, a sensation Of
the London season." He paused and
glanced at her. "And more perfectly
lovely than ever!' he finished, with 4
laugh.
A slight blush crept over her cheek.
And you?'
"Oh. an outcast, as far as society is
concerned!'' he said with a shrug.
Merely struggling doctor in the East
End"
why didn't you settle in the West?'
she asked.
Because couldn't: Better to live in
the Fast than st :or in the Weft;a He
know. Hard work, but it's interesting,
and like it. Yes, it's my life!' he fin
ished. and there was a ring Of enthusi-
asm in his voice.
II think it's noble life," she said
gently. "Yet. until now you have never
come to tell me of it,"
He looked her frankly in the face.
Il dared not trust myself he said sim
ply. even though the turn in the wheel
look came into his eyes again. But
have got over it now, little girl! don't
grudge another man what l know 1 can
not have myself" His glance rested on
Lord Algie's figure at the other end of
the room. You see, know your Sc
cret!' he continued softly. Mrs. Gar
land told me Of the thing that is going to
just imme> ELY happy!' he finished
abruptly.
She made no reply. and they sat in
silence for few moments. Then sud
to his feet.
1.-The East is calling; have to be ba ok
to case by 1917 he said, holding out his
hand. "Goodby: shall take to reading
the society papers just to hear Of Lady
ly:
Then he turned away, and she watched
him disappear in search of her aunt. She
sank back in her seat, and sense Of un-
utterable loneliness crept over her. A
dramatist came up and began talking t.
her OF bis plays, but she hardly heard
him, and answered in monosyllabes.
Presently Lord Algie found her alone
once more: She glanced mp at his face
and saw Immediately what was in his
m'nd-that which her aunt had schemed
for necessarily. the thing to which she
had been driven to give her consent.
He leaned trihe nearer to her. and
there was pleading look on his careless.
handsome face. He did not love her. she
knew: He was an attractive young man
with title and nothing else beyond a
moderate allowance from a relative: she
mad money, and the combination would
mean an agreeable arrangement for car
rylng on successful social campaien-
She, felt slight shiver run through her
at the prospect. He moved to speak.
Not now, Algie." she said hurriedly.
Another time-.tomorrow, perhaps!'
Almost at the close of the evening.
few minutes quiet talk with her. ~
II was wondering, DEAR" she began
softly. whether you knew DR.. Eston
might possibly have been a DISTINGUISHED
West End physician by now had it not
been for little incident in his youth.
You. of course. know his father left him
several thousands?''
He could have bought good practice
Will. that she continued meditatively.
land with his cleverness-''
Quite artlessly, the girl with the green
eyes chatted on: gradually unfolding a
sto-y As she listened Hilda went a
shade paler. and leaned back in her seat
At the conclusion Celia rose and held out It
her hand to her. '"'
What made you tell me that?'' asked
Hilda in low voice.
The girl with the green eyes smiled.
osts Gh' ! only 9TH thought you'd be inter-
Z
The residents Of Dinton street east
were considerably astonished the neyt
afternoon at the spectacle of smart
brougham passing through their soualid
midst. They were still more interested
when they saw it draw up before the
tall, gloomy house in which fha Sootn.