The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-11-29

SA~>AI " tuc lI1ulS anu fluctuations L
does not enter his Office until next Jan
his temporary headquarters and make
Low beng tackled by two not-to-b e-den
norant of his presence in the vicinity:
turned his head aside. Nevertheless her
beauty entranced him more and more.
and for the first time in his life he felt
that he hated Herman, though never
once did he see him in her company.
Three evenings later he remained on
the pier until 9:3O and then started for
walk. 1t was a lovely night. and the tide
was was low. Instead of walking along the
cliffs, as usual, he followed the narrow
edge Of wet sand that ran under the
great chalk powders.
For two miles he walked steadily for
ward, and then sat down on q projecting
rock to ponder over his shattered hopes.
Perhaps, after all. there was some hidden
power for evil in the Beauty Stone. Why
had misfortune dogged him 50 persistent
~ of late, when prior to becoming the
possessor of the gem he had been consid-
cred the luckiest man in the world? But
the sound of voices not far away caused
him to forget his thoughts and listen.
"And you think l could get that enor-
nous sum for the stone?"
""At Cairo. m'sieqr; nowhere else:''
place as two dark forms outlined in the
moonlight came into view. The voices
he had heard caused his heart to throb
with excitement, for one of them he rec
ognized as Herman's. He saw they were
walking slowly side by side,r and when
about ten yards from where he lay con-
cealed Herman stopped short and touched
his companion on the shoulder.
"You are prepared to stand by me over
this iob?" he asked.
"Of. course, m'sieur.'
Very well. I'm going to PROFOUND a
scheme, and if you carry it out you shall
have two-fifths Of what the stone realizes
in Cairo.
ION your oath, m'sieur?'
ION my oath" repeated Herman, "Now
listen to me. I had it from his own
lips the other day that he walks along
the cliff above here every night at TO-
1t is not rallied in, and-it's difficult to
see in the dark! He-might- fall-over!
You nnderstand|
II don't like it, m sieur'
Don't be fool. People fall over
there every year, numbers of them. There
are plenty Of bushes where YOU can hide
and-a little push at the right moment
will suffice. A paragraph in the local
paper will record another fatal accident
on the Cliffs
"Guarantee me two thousand pounds
and the accident shall take place." said
the foreigner, in the tone of one who is
striking an important bargain.
Every we'll; will. And mind you
don't middle up the job like you did that
shooting business If it hadn't been for
me you would have had the whole of
Littlesea's Scotland Yard down upon
you. Make it tomorrow night if you
can"
Thus the compact was sealed, and they
walked on in silence, until their forms
were blotted out in the night
III.
Midwinter tossed sleeplessly on his bed
that night. and rose early the following
morning, with throbbing head and brain
on fire. He left mis- breakfast un-
touched, and at o'clock put on his straw
hat and walked across to the East Coast
hotel, where Herman was staying. That
individual happened to be enjoying his
morning meal when Midwinter entered
the room.
You're an. early bird. Thought you were
never on view before 1O.''
Generally, but l have had bad
night"
Heart wrong, perhaps?''
Don't joke because you've licked me
in fair fight" replied Midwinter, bitterly,
as he dropped into a chair. Then, draw
ing the Beauty Stone from his pocket, he
threw it on the table. you can have
that. II! make you present of it," he
added. It'll be the death Of me sooner
or later"
Been doing the target again:'' j.:
.Oh, dear, no: But suppose 1 shall
fall over the cliffs, or something, if l
don't get rid of the beastly thing"
III Herman St star t;d You're out Of sorts
sOda?'
mo, thanks. I'm off to battle. See
you later"
Don't know about that. The fact of
the matter is, Horace, I'm thinking Of
going back to town today"
II shall miss you, I'm sure" said Mid
winter. -,
."Oh, no, you won't. I've had a letter
from my solicitor this morning telling me
to go and see him at once. may run
down again, or may not. It all depends
on Minnie, because 1 don't think Little
sea suits me-
Probably not; it becomes too tropical
here sometimes. Why not try sea trip:
to run up to Cairo" ...- 80 =
Herman dropped his eyes quickly, and
fidgeted with his fork. ''Not half bad
idea, Horace he replied, decisively. "1'll
try it."
gushing at AlttleSed, ledIHcu INA! TIT
man had taken his advice and sailed in
the Castillian. The presence of the Da-
yenports in the town alone sufficed to
keep Midwinter there also, for now that,
he. and the Beauty Stone had parted
company he confidently looked forward
to turn in his fortunes.
81 With the departure Of Herman the
genial summer weather departed also.
Storms sprang up that drove the sea-
horses across the rolling waters, and
kept all holiday makers within doors.
Gales ensued, and the wind, racked to.
fury, swept with loud meanings along
the shore. and hurled the sea birds
away like fragments of tissue paper.
II Four days after the Castillian sailed,