The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-02-01
KISS AND MAKE It UP

Its good to get home,' I said to my
wife, as hung my coat in the hail, "and
jolly to have a fire and a pretty little
wife to come to. I've invited a chan
home to spend the Christmas holidays
with us. | hope you wont object, Alilly.
thought it would be real Christian
act"
How like you, John, dear"' said my
wife, giving me kiss.
Well, the fact is the poor fellow would
have a beastly depressing time of it
alone. Fred Mathers-'
Fred Mathers!" gasped my wife. ''You
Don't IT, mean to say you have invited him
YES" I replied: "Why not? You have
nothing against him?''
My wife sank into an helpless attitude
on the sofa and stared at me.
..Oh, John, how could your she said.
He can't come here-he can't, really:"
And why. not, pray?'' I asked again in
some irritation.
,,'Because-because-Oh, John, l have
asked 1sobel Chanerton. I thought she
would be so sad and lonely, and
well, then, all I can say u.s." I re-
turned. you've spoilt my little plan.
Why, they haven't spoken to one another
since their engagement was broken last
SPAtAS" AAO" Coulu you Uc So lOUliSu
Me- indeed" said Milly, holly. IL
asked Isobel week ago. It is you that
have been idiotic enough to spoil Christ
mas for u.s.
What are we to do?" I began anx-
iously.
"Do?" said Milly. "You must make
some excuse to Fred. Say we have got
anything, so long as you send him home
again.
Il can't, Milly," I answered. indignant
". Its impossible. You must explain
t to 1S'o9bel' and ask her to postpone her
Il shall do nothing of the kind!' said
well, shall certainly not ask Fred
You must do as you please" she said.
Certainly shall in this matter"
agreed. ~
She inclined her head.
Then l hope you will enjoy your
word to him: He was entirely to
hear, he behaved shamefully."
"Well, then, you heard wrong" I be-
gan. Fred told me all about it, and
from first, to last Isobel was in fault"
sneered Milly.
We'll, it's a change to hear you side
with woman, at any rate" I retorted.
"a few weeks ago Isobel was your dead
liest enemy"
1T isn't true,' said my wife. "She
has always been my dearest friend.'
Didn't you say she was a f1irt, and
that she had such fearful temper that
you ys,aa 8; wonder Fred and she quar-
II don't remember" said my wife, in
differently. But there's the bell. It
must be-. Yes: it is Isobel."
There was the frou-frou of feminine
draperies, little scream of delight, and
the two dear friends We're locked in each
oh, Isobel. I'm so glad you have
come" cried my wife.
1T was so sweet of you to ask me.
dearw gushed Isobel
The maid will bring up your trunk
said Milly, after another close embrace
And now come and see your ROOM"
With this my wife threw me defiant
visitor, talking and laughing all the way
But she came running quickly down
again at the sound of another loud ring
at the door.
"Oh, john she cried. "that must be
Fred! For goodness sake do get rid Of
him somehow! 1sobel will never forgive
II shall do nothing Of the kind" 1 re-
marked calmly. You deliberately vel
coined Isobel here when you knew what
was in store for her. shall do the same
with Fred"
My wife could scarcely speak for an
ger, and stamped her pretty little foot.
At that moment the door opened, and
Fred was ushered in, followed two sec.
onds afterward by Isobel, who had dis.
carded her travelling clothes for a smart
pink tea gown. Pale and red by turns,
they faced one another. and neither
spoke.
Fred drew me aside.
You must get me out Of this, old
man." he said, breathing. quickly. mo
Won't do. Where's my hat and coat:"
You don't go out of this house to-
night" I returned desperately, thinking
of Milly's triumph in such an event.
Stay, if it's for my sake. We can
keep to the smoking room as much as
possible. The fact is. I've had a few
words with Milly, and 1 can't be. left
deed: You don't know Milly. She's 60,
And you don't know 1sobel." sighed
Fred, giving way, to my delig ht. MY
dear fellow, can sympa thize, if any one
can: and if 1 can benefit you by staying
let Isobel glare her worst"
II.
Shall I ever forget the discomfort of
that long dinner? Milly and I never
addressed one another the whole time;
neither did Fred and Isobel. They might
have been perfect strangers, dining at a
restaurant, for all the notice they took
of each other.
When I spoke to Isobel she answered
me in cold monosyllables; and when Fred
addressed Milly she was polite to a dis
agreeable degree. The end Of that din
ner was marked by absolute silence, and
relief as when we rose and adjourned "a
the drawingroom.
But here it was worse still. What q
mockery those Christmas decorations
were. and how utterly depressing the at-
mosphere seemed! My wife felt it, too.