The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-04-11

said. II foresee a disgraceful future for
you. You and Alymer will be compan-
ions in inQuity-or rather boredom-and
will be Stunned by the rest. But at
least, thoughtfully; lit will be Alymer's
gain
"Madge, dear, l am 50 sorry you had
such bad luck. That is the worst of
drawing for partners, people are shuffled
and paired just in the wrong way"
The ladies were alone in the drawing
room after dinner. Madge looked up in
perplexity.
What do you mean by my bad luck?'
why, drawing Alymer. I told You
before what a bore he Was"
''What?'
Madge's tone was very awful.
ut was so hard on y0u,' went OH Mrs.
beverley alphabetically.
do you mean to say that it was
Lord-Alymer who took me in?' Madce
asked in an ominously calm voice.
'Why, yes; the man hold you who
interrupted a meeting of Minds to 90
and fish. 1 am afraid you must have
had dreadful dull time"
He was the horridesr man,! cried
Madge wrathfully. 1.-The meanest man
ever came acrossv'
"Well. it shan't happen again." sooth-
ingly. Il will arrange differently an
other time. [ had so hoped you had
drawn George Lorrimer. | know you
would have got on so we'll"
Lord Alymer made toward Madge the
moment the men came in.
You might have told me YOU were
the bore!" she cried, looking at him
with big. resentful eyes,"
Il should have thought such a thing
ought to be sufficiently Obvious he an
swered calmly, and sat down on the
sofa beside her.
In spite of herself she smiled.
II never knew dinner to pass so
ure crossed his face at her words.
1T is not a good qualification for 4
Mind to enjoy the society of bore.'
he answered. shaking his head.
but l said so many horrible things;
l gave so many secrets away!' she cried,
her dismay returning. you must for
get everything-you must imagine I was
dumb all through dinner"
He laughed.
Il am afraid can't do that" he an
swered. "Do you know, never had a
desire to marry until tonight?'
''Oh, don't"' she cried. what would
Laura say?"
He continued as if she had not spoken.
And Knowing he went on, that
women are always supposed to excel as
matchmakers, l thought I would ask
you to help me in the realization of my
desire.''
"Whatw Indignantly. 'Do you want
to make me traitor in the camp?'
lie smiled.
Il am afraid you have gone too far
already--you can't go back. You are in
my power-1 can make what conditions
l like to you"
'"This is not fair" she cried. ''You
are ungenerous. Besides, what do you
act as gooseberry with you and any OF
the girls here?' with a comprehensive
wave of the band.
NO." decisively. II do not want to
marry any Of them. According to you,
they are all examples OF boredom, and it
would never do for bore to we'd BORE
SO l must prefer the celebrated excep-
ton: 1t will then be a case OF extremes
He watched her as the color mounted
into her face.
'How silly you are!" she said, laugh
ing VIGOROUSLY. why can't you talk seri-
ously?"
But I am quite serious,' he answered.
Il mean every word I say. Love at first
sight is not quite obsolete even in these
degenerate days, though naturally don't
N-ApCNI SOu ~ 4CcA Tic J0CSIuCS,
am not unreasonable. I won't ask too
much. All want you to do is to arrange
meetings between me and the exception
to let me see as much of her as possible,
to promise to let ME talk with her and
walk with her-in fact, to give me every
chance of getting to know her better.
Will you do this for me?'
She twisted her fingers in and out of
each other, but did not answer.
You ought to act up to your creed"
he persisted. 1T is your first article Of
belief to make others happy"
You want to make me martyr to my
faith?' she said, laughing.
Not a martyr; no~.yOu have done bet
ter than that, for goa have made a con-
vert-1 would give my life to make you
happy He leant little closer.
please" he entreated. Il only ask you
to give me 4 chance"
She raised her eyes then, and looked
at him.
Eyes, she said in low voice, Il will
help you all cam
And 4 week later the hair snapped,
and the sword Of Damocles came down
with a crash On Roberts and Laura's
heads-Cleveland Plaindealer.