The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-05-16


times every season, frequently On :.thrss
consecutive nights. Then he would dis
appear for months, subsequently turning
up at Ranelagh for the tournament s.
that there was nothing remarkable ab0u:
Lord Curtis visit to H2rschfeld, unless
it We're what happened to him there
and that was unforeseen.
and the sun was still casting lanky shad-
ows. From inquiry at the station he
learned that the most desirable abiding
place was boarding house called Chan
mel View. Now, he did not like boarding
houses; but reflection convinced him that,
as he was, doing something unusual, <ho
might as we'll do it consistently; so he
jumped into the solitary fly and gave the
direction. The vehicle ratified compla-
Gently along for ten minutes, then drew
up with jolt. -.
Everything was better than he had ar
ticipated. The house was on the topSof
hill; the village was far below. partial
~. blotted out by a. delightful grove or
willows. Away on both sides the chalk
cliffs shone in the sunset, the dazzling
white now minl;ling judiciously with the
crimson Of the sky: Away. to the left
the cliffs. .m aintaiHed a straight line It'll
they were lost in the haze; but to- the
right they became lower and lower, and
then, jutting out again, formed a de-
uSutIul nay, III Wulcn DrOWn-Salle0 1Sl-
ing feet lay at anchor. y
Unwillingly dragging his eyes from the
scene, Lord Curtis turned to 60 in. He
was met by benevolent-looking lady in
mauve silk and wearing earrings, whom
he took to be the proprietress, and who
welcomed him warmly. Would he prefer
a south or west aspect? First floor or
second? He said he didn't care q little
bit. Would he sign the visitors book?
I'LL h.
being mobbed by the dear old so,l, he
entered himself as Mr.. Curtis Of Lon
don"
He was ushered to his room by an ag-
gressively- c]ean chambermaid. whose
voice and rosy cheeks afforded an adj
mirable testimonial for some Sussex
farmer or other, and whose apron simply
bris1led with starch.
1t was lofty room on the first floor,
with a fine prospect Of the sea, now get
ting drab in the dusk. The windows
opened onto veranda which seemed to
encircle the house.
Having learned from the attendant
nymph some Of the customs Of the place.
he dismissed her with half-a-crown and
multiplicity OF curtsies, and dressed for
dinner.
The mauve lady was waiting for him
at the bottom Of the stairs.
Its a most remarka BILE coincidence
she said affably as they entered the
drawing room. We have a Mrs. Curtis
and daughter staying here. l wonder if
you- All! here is Miss Curtis. Here
dear! Let me introduce namesake
Mr.. Curtis-Miss Curtis: Miss Curtis
Mr.. Curtis; know one another?"
''Delightful old lady," thought Curtis,
but garrulous.'' And then ne Noked at
the girl. '
She was dark and petite. That was
his first impression. Then, as she glanced
at him with momentary interest, he saw
blue immortalized by the majority of
novelists, but the blue of the sapphire.
Further, her lashes aid brows were dark
almost black.
How strange to meet namesake-
down here she said. Her voice was
low, clear contraltc. She dropped her
book as she spoke. 1t was something of
Mrs Lovett CameronS.
"Strange,' he said. but it is trite to
say that the unexpected always happens
Personally, feel horribly disappointed
when it doesn't"
But still" She went on, lit isn't such
You will find several in the direc-
tory he said; and she, seeing that the
subject did not attract him, gave it up.
Just then the gong was sounded for
dinner. and at signal from his hostess,
he offered his arm to his companion.
The lady who entertains us, Mrs.
Mrs. O'Brien-a dear old soul. Yesr,'
She mentioned that your mother was
hcre:'
Yes. Poor mamma She is upstairs.
Her nerves are getting shaky. and"-she
lowered her voice to a whisper--"there
are one Or two people here she can't
stand.'
SO she visits the shortcomings of the
few, upon the many. and deprives us all
said Curtis.
His companion laughed Her laugh was
low-toned, like her voice, but it was sin
cere and contagious.
And Mrs; O'Brien is so good,' she
went on. Nothing is too much trouble
for her; because, as she says, they both
come from the same unhappy coun-
three"
There was just touch of merry MINI
icry in her which fascinated him.
so you, too: are Irish?' he said
"On my mothers side only. Ny father
is English.
Il see.'
He was once in the navy
Curtis dropped his knife and fork and
stared at her. Then he said slowly:
Are you related to Curtis Of Keilak?'
Ion, yes" she said, with a trace of
CoAol' L We never seen MIN, out MS
present lordship is my COUSIN
Curtis dropped back in his chair, near
~ upsetting dish of potatoes which a
servant had just thrust over his left
shoulder.
She. notice. his agitation, and said,
with interest:
Are you also related?''
He drew deep breath, and looked
round the table. Mrs. O'Brien was list
ening to the conversation. What should
he do? 1t did not take him long to decide.
He had come under false colo7s, and he
must stick to them; but what would his
cousin say when she knew? Anyhow, for
the moment there was no escape.
Il am a connection of the first lord by
marriage,E on the1 mothers side,'' he re-
piled. =
How. then; is your name Curtis?" she
asked, puzzled. :,
1T almost wants diagrams to explain
it, he laughed. Then in an undertone.
'oThe others are listening. Don't CRAFTY
them.' And the subject changed. ~.
Whatever may be said of his friends.
certainly none of his acquaintance
would have recognized Curtis that even
ing. They would have looked in vain
for the ablase yawn. and the cynically-s
bored elevation of the eyebrows to which
they had grown accustomed. He was
quite another being. The novelty Of his