The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-04-18
A SACRIFICE.

back to the fire and his hands
thrust into his trouser pockets.
Mrs. Langley sat on the lounge sob
bling Historically. Her husband, Col
onel Langley, strobe up and down the
room, angrily dsplacing various chairs
and tables, while the boys cousin. for
he was not much more than a boy in
years, tried to pacify the trio.
"All right, sir; go your own way; go
your own way and be -" The last
word was lost as the door slammed be-
hind the irate Colonel
30, Ted! How can YOU be so fool
ish?" said Mrs. Langley, brolenly.
How can you dream Of marrying Il
vulgar, uneducatel dancer?"
'Mother," replied the boy, sterniy,
II love Madge Baptiste, and whether
she be a dancer or duchess, a million
airess or a retired shopkeeper's daugh-
ter, it can matter to no one but my
self if l really love her."
The mother recommended her hys-
terical cries. The cousin, a fair, pretty
girl about his own age, went to him
and rested her hand on his shoulder
Teddy. say no more now, but cone
with me. Let us think the matter over
calmly"
The next evening Gwendoline stole
quietly from the house and drove to
the theater where Madgc Baptiste
danced nightly.
1t was dusk when she arrived. She
sent up her card. telling the commits
sionaire that her business was urgent.
He returned with the information that
Miss Baptiste would see Miss Harper
Tor a few minutes. Then she found
herself in small and dainty dressing
room. Clouds of soft, silken pettlcoats
lay here and there 4 large jar of
flowers stood on the mantelpiece, and
the dressing table was covered with
silver powder boxes, scent bottles, and
makeup utensils. Photographs of
actors, painters. and poets stood in
every available corner; old programs
in wooden frames and one or two etch-
ngs hung on the walls.
Before large mirror stood Miss
Aadge Baptiste arranging her hair.
''Ah, come in. Miss-Harper. Excuse
the untidy state Of the room. I think
?ou'll find chair. Let lne see, don't
think l have met you beforeperhaps
you are a journalist, Or
mo, haven't ever met you before"
stammered Gwendoline, "I--came--I
ley" She felt her face growing red.
She did not know why she blushei,
but this viyacious, beautiful girl fright
cned her. She had expected to find
such a different woman-a vulgar, ILL
bred woman.
"Mr. Langley? Teddy. 0. yes,
know him we'll. So you are his cousin?
Pleased to meet you-he is not ill, 1
hope!'
mo, he is not ILL.,"
80, that's all right. Ted and 1 are
fond of each other, you know; in fact,
we think Of getting married soon-at
least, he thinks Of it. I didn't know
he had a cousin, such a pretty cousin,
too" with q laugh; che kept that a
secret
II really came to speak about it
about this marriage" said Gwendoline,
nervously. "You know his people,
"Q! Madge Baptiste turned sharply
from regarding herself in the mirror.
20, I understand! They have heard
perhaps he told them; he said he
should. They object-ah? And you?''
She drew chair opposite the girl, and
sat down, and rested her arms on her
snees with her face between her hands.
II am only his cousin-we have been
chums always. said l would see you,
and tell you that his father and mother
were angry; that he was merely q boy
and -"
Eyes, yes-I know-don't go on" She
looked Gwendoline up and down. She
saw her YOUTH she guessed the real
reason of her visit. Ted is a boy in
tyears, 1 know, but he is a man for all
that. He is % and I am %. Besides,
I am only a dancer, and he is Colonel
I.angley's son. Please understand l
i have-no-wish to-marry him-if his
. parents object. I will tell him he must