The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1901-09-13

ting alone in the long dining room of the
hotel; He had not tasted the tea she
had handed to him, but was looking at
her intently, his eyes taking in all the
moved her hat and coat, and sat before
him: a smiling vision of magnificence.
And what has happened to you?" she
asked quickly.
He gave little sirug Of his shoulders.
Nothing; l all wnere l was a dozen
years ago: except that now-I know"
He paused: then he looked across at her.
"And you?'
She bent trife over the table toward
him.
II came down to tell you"' she said in
low tone. ''Eansittart has been dead
two years. l am free again, and a
wealthy woman"
and he gave a slight start. Uttering a
soft exclamation, she rose from her seat
and stood by his side
Yes, in those old days, Austin. you
loved me-" she cried quickly. You
thought me heartless, but that wasn't
quite the word. loved you, but knew
my my temperament W:fa aa wasn't borp to be
would have made me miserable; we
should both have been extremely I'M
happy. | did what you know-married
rich man. Now l am free, I come to
YOU again; it isn't 100 late, Austin-we
are almost young STILL"
He passed hand over his forehead.
You would be willing to marry me-
have me live on your money!"
She laid a hand gently on his shoulder.
Money is absolutely of no conse-
quence to me; that part of the arrange
ment would never cross my mind. We
may not love as we did. yet think what
it would moan, Austin! l should have
IL hn nd 1loo
some OF your dreams realized. Every
thmS that lies at rich mans hands
Viii be yourS-you can leave this narrow
life forever"
He did not speak. The suddenness of
the thing mad sent his brain in a whirl
she said softly. In the days when we
were together. you gave up your last
penny, to satisfy my whim; now let
met show you the beauties of the world
let us enjoy them together 1t is not
fo *; to 9; see ), you here with all your am
So she talked, and he listened with the
emily she had to 60. and he accompanied
her to the station. Then, when the train
had finally vanished from sight, he
turned and walked down to the seashore.
If he consented, he was to go up to Lon
don TOMORROW, they were to be married
| through Italy
He strobe up and down the lonely sands,
fighting the thing, out. 1t was all SO curl
| Gus, so unutterably strange He knew
! that the love he had once felt for her was
dead. stamped out-the marriage with
Vansittart had done that. He mi ght like
| her, ne could never love, her again. But
she did not ask that-she was prepared
| to be satisfied with an "artistic COM
| radeship"-she had said so herself.
He made up his mind with jerk, and
walked swiftly back to the little house.
He found Joan alone, and sudden hest
| tatiOn seemed to creep over him.
JOAN he said. awkwardly, 81 an,
| going to London tomorrow-must leave
you!'
She bent over her book.
For good?' she said, in a quiet tone.
He gave little nervous laugh.
to the door. She knew what had hap
pened-guessed instinctively who the
woman at the hotel was.
you will like to get into the big world
again." she said, with brave smile. II
| must tell aunt"
ure. Joan had somehow mistaken the
time. and was nowhere to be found when
| he left the house. With a curious feel
ing of depression he made his way to the
station and took his seat in an empty
third-class compartment. Almost as the
train was on the point Of starting he saw
a slight figure appear on the platform. 1t
was Joan, and she came breathlessly up
to the carriage.
"Goodby," she faltered, holding out her
hand to him.
He reached out, and, grasping it,
looked down on the upturned face. The
whistle sounded. and she withdrew her
hand gently.
Il hope you will be happy she
breathed TREMENDOUSLY. He saw the gray
eyes fill with tears, and, suddenly, as if
a curtain had been swept away from his
brain, he knew.
The train moved slowly from the plat
form and he stood at the window, gaz-
ing mutely at her. As the station final
" vanished from sight. he sank down on
the seat, dazed with his discovery.
=
It was near 8 the same evening, and
in the sitting room Of the little house
Joan was sitting alone, very white, very
miserable. Presently the clock struck
the hour, and as the last chime died
away the door opened and man en-
tered the room quietly. he looked pale
and tired, but a quick light came into
his eyes as he saw the girl. He came
sc1,f n hxar