The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-10-31
HER BLUNDER

~ ARoLYN VERNET was of that
Il. n order of women to whom their
~ admirers are wont to apply such
adjectives as regal" ''magnificent,"
Imperial"
Many lovers sought to win her, and
many were. disappointed when rumor
announced her engagement to young
Frank Reade.
To be sure, Frank was handsome as
Prince and brilliant as to wit and
talents, was poor, hadn't even "expec-
tations."
Early orphaned of both his parents,
he was educated for the: law by rich
uncle; who made it understood that
said education was all he meant to give
Frank. -, 80
His presumptiye heir was another
nephew, Franks cousin.
Well, these considerations had their
weight with Miss Vernet, and she had
hcsitated before accepting the young
lawyer, but his attraction of mind and
person proved too much for her world
" wisdom, and it was an engagement.
Only she stipulated that it should be
no more until Frank should have suth-
cient income to support her in good
style. =.
or course, Frank must needs so
away to seek his fortune. He went to
Europe. There was tender parting
between the lovers, at which Carolyn
was fearful and respondent, Frank
brave and hopeful.
Don't think Of my absence, dearest"
he urged cheerfully. ''rhink of the
time when 1 shall return with a for
tune to offer you.'
Return when you will, Frank" Sob
bed Carolyn, "you shall find me true.
will wait for you faithfully"
Frank Reade went to Europe, and
for a month Carolyn was inconsolable.
However, this did not last long, and
at the end Of a month Carolyn had so
far recovered from her grief as to &C.
cept an invitation to Mrs. De Smiths
soiree.
At that soiree she met Albert Reade,
that fortunate cousin Of Franks.
Mr. Reade was a rather good looking
young man. She saw at once that he
was destined to become her adorer Be-
sides he was Franks cousin-reason
enough why she should like him.
Still she did not speak to him Of
Frank; neither did Mr.. Reade allude to
his cousin, but Albert was ignorant Of
Miss Vernet's engagement to Frank.
He began from their first meeting to
devote himself to her, and Miss Vernet,
not being blind, especially to such at
tentions, did not mistake it, yet she
did not discourage him.
And when occasionally she heard
some comment from 'society' not fiat
| tering to her constancy she said indig-
nantly:
"Of course she must so about with
| some one, and who could be a more
proper escort than Franks cousin?''
| So she continued to ''go about" with
Albert Readc. OF course, you see the
sequel. Carolyn loved Frank. Under
the fascination of his presence she had
yielded her sel6shness, but now thai
he was gone, worldliness had resumed
it's sway. and ambition began to sug
gest that Albert was a better match
than Frank.
"Society," that astute and consider
ate body, had long foreseen the event
and was not in the least surprised
when Miss Vernet authorized the in
formation that she was soon to marry
Albert Reade, and society thought it 8
sensible proceeding.
And Carolyn married Albert Reade
They went to live. with Uncle Jenkins
who gave the bride set of diamond:
and did the handsome thing generally
and somebody was good enough to sent
to Frank in Europe paper containing
the marriage notice. What a crushing
blow to all his hopes that notice wa
he never told any one. He did not re
turn home, and society was left to for
get or remember him as it would.
1t chose to remember him, for Caro-
Ign, riding on a ferryboat about tw'
years after her marriage, heard lad,
and gentleman at her side conyersin,
as follows:
Il suppose Maria told you about he
friend Frank Reade's good fortune :?
queried the lady.
mo. What about him? I under