The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-05-29
| Comus and Perplezities.
! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
! BY S. RHETT ROMAN.

edle lire, burning TuQully IN an open
fireplace, her rounded chin leaning in
the pink palm of a particular pretty
hand, and from the expression of her
gray eyes, the fire or the picture of
life she saw in it was not to her lik-
ing.
And yet, that so very pretty wo-
man, among accessories which indi-
Gated q large command of the good
things of this world, it's pomps and
beauties, including capable French
maid, just then engaged in putting a
few finishing touches to the evening
gown she expected to wear at the
last carnival ball of the season.
should look as if everything was a
delusion and snare, even some glo-
rious American beauties in bowl on
the table-was unnatural, ridiculous
and incomprhensible, to say the least.
A smile, half-amused, half-bitter,
fitted over her face, or was it the
flicker of flames shooting upward
which gave so dreamy and pathetic
look to the curve of her red lips
and the droop of long lids, half-shad-
ing eyes Of exceptional beauty.
Laying a flimsy. glittering gown
with extreme care on a divan, after
having ascertained that it's laces and
shimmering satin were as they
should be, her maid drew up tabour-
cite and deity and silently prepared
the cup that cheers.
But still Beatrice pondered per-
plexedly and disconsolately over her
problem.
The hall door down stairs opened
and closed with a bang, and mans
voice was family heard, then a peal
of merry girlish laughter, which
sounds must have in some distressful
way affected. Beatrice's moody rev.
erie, for hot flush spread over her
face. Leaning back she took up a
pretty Sevres cup by her side and be-
gan to sip her tea in a nonchalant
manner and the careless grace of a
thoroughly trained woman Of the
world.
The gay voice, which was rich and
resonant, seemed to be answering
some one as it's owner came running
up the stairs. pausing occasionally to
hear what the deeper masculine tones
were saying in the hall below.
Evidently something of interest,
for again peal of laughter came,
unmufned but distinct, through the
heavy hangings and closed doors Of
the luxurious room where Beatrice
lounged before the fire.
Again the hall door closed heavily,
and that Of the room opened quickly,
and lifting the porter, a young girl
in dark riding habit, well held up,
which showed two small patent
leather boots and suspicion Of
bucksl<in trousers, paused, then came
rapidly forward.
''Bea, darling, it was perfectly de-
]ightful! Just cold enough to make
good gallop glorious. We picked
these ferns for you, or, rather, when
I saw them growing on the edge of
the road, going down into the pref
test ravine you ever saw. I said how
much you loved ferns, and he jumped
down and picked them. He carried
them all the way home. We had to
race almost to get here in time for
dinner. Give me a cup, too, Marie;
I'm dying for something to eat or
drink. How nice and comfortable
you look, Bea.'
Julie Shelbourne (called Jules),
Beatrice's sister, who had always
been her pet and special care, threw
herself down on the white bearskin
rug before the fire, after tossing her
small beaver, gloves and whip on a
chair, and leaned her braids of shin
ing golden hair against Beatrice's
knees and prepared to sip her tea
and gossip comfortably.
"You don't mean to say you went
to Harby's gap?" Beatrice said, pass
ing IA loving hand over jules braids.
''Ies. indeed. 1t was awfully far,
but he had so much to talk about
we-a-didn't mind the distance,''
Jules said laughingly, CHANGING up at
the beautiful face above her.
But the gray eyes remained in
scrutable; only the jewels on Bea-
trice's hand scintillated and flashed
in the freight, as if some unsteady
movement shook them.
There was a pause, interrupted by
the soft rustling to and fro of Marie,
the French maid, as she set things
in order with deft precision, while
glancing sharply from two snappy
and observant black eyes at the two
sisters, one much older than the
i other, but both possessors of rare
beauty.
With Beatrice there was the charm
i anal grace of thoroughly developed
womanhood. Jules had the frank
gayety of careless, immature youth
and much promise for the years tc
iii come.
IS /: SLOW old are you Jules?" Beatrice
asked. when Marie, going out, CLOSED
# the door softly.
@ "Why, don't you know, sis? Tn
81 II, of course. Almost grown up"
#f Beatrice laughed a peculiar little