The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-03-13

the green CLINT nee more. SOME emotion
hurried over them both. He could have
sworn she trembled, but she merely
passed on to another picture, and when
he caught her up she was criticising the
style and color, which did not please her
! apparently.
Seaton employed a second to make /
resolution, and, almost to his own sur
prise, carried it out.
i have all appointments must go''
he said, abruptly.
She looked at him curiously, and, with
the slightest. shrug of her shoulders, an
swered:
very we'll; thank you for coming.
May it be put down to your account that
you have done so kindly an action in
amusing me all one spring afternoon? ?"
You know [ have enjoyed it."
She smiled.
Il know nothing of the sort, but I will
take. your word for it."
you are a most attractive woman"
Mrs. Rodney paused; she was used to
| compliments, and took them at theil.
worth. But this was different; he was 50
direct, so manly, and yet withal so evil
IDENTIFY in earnest, she could not find It
in her heart to be annoyed.
II hate compliments. she said, "and
dred spirit"
T. He hardly waited to say goodby; he
did not touch her hand again, but, turn
ing OF his heel, strobe through the rooms.
The pictures looked at him with what
he thought was meant for a mockirt;
smile. .~ +
He hailed a hanson, and surprised tie
driver by yelling at him to drive fastet.
"These gents from South Africa" tie
cabby said, with an oath, as they SHAVED
round a corner, barely escaping a 'bus.i
Seaton refused to acknowledg e to him
self why he was driving at this pace to
his sisters home; and yet again why
should he not look the matter in the
face? He would go and find out from
her who and what this Mrs. Rodney was
what her husband was, why she never
mentioned him. why they lunched at the
same club and took no notice of each
other beyond a nod. The hanson
stopped, he jumped out. and fitting his
latch key to the lock, entered, slammine
| the door behind him. He was met bv the
| butler.
Tea has been waiting some time, sir
Mrs. Seaton told me to give YOU this
note. She has left. sir"
Left" Seaton said, where on earth
to-" But the note explained.
Dear Arthur" it ran, elsie wires ia
me that her child is i'll and she wants me.
hope to be hack by the end of the week
l can't help saying it's an %intolerable
nuisance! Have put off those people to.
night. Where have you and Mrs. r. dis.
| appeared to? By the way, she left her
| card case at the club; I brought it here
thinking l should see her this evening
| Tell Hutton to have it sent. It is on
my writing table. Yours, I. S."
| He crumpled up the letter angrily
Why should she say in that way, "Where
have you and Mrs. r. disappeared tor
Certainly Isabel was at times annoying
He entered Mrs. Seaton's room and saw
the cardcase. He would not touch it, no
| There we initials ON it, R. L. r. He
wondered what L. stood for. Then he
| changed his mind, took it up, and went
! into the hall. He would call the butle1
\ and give it to him. Then he noticed
| through the little windows ON either side
/ of the front door that the cabman was
expectantly waiting to be paid. He Went
! out with the cardcase in his hand to send
! the man away. He jumped in, and tax.
/ ing out a card, read the address to the
driver. The hanson moved off. Fate
| closed the doors with a grin.
Seaton met Mrs. Rodney on the STEPS
| of her house, returning from the Wallace
! Collection. She looked tired and rather
1 ~forl0n, he Thought, despite her general
air of beauty and fashion. Some FEELING
| of recklessness had settled ON him.
Ought I to apologize for Fostering you
with my presence?" he said. "Anywav,
I have a good excuse. You left voHr
cardcase at the club, my sister brought
it home, and here 1t is"
"How very good OF you to leave it.
on your way to your appointment"
Any one listening would not have sus-
pected that these two loiterers on d door
step of a London house were terribly in
earnest, so evident vas the carelessness
of their manner and tone. As for Seaton
he thought with amusement of his yaunt-
ed common sense and control. Where
had 1t vanished to? What was this
woman who could inspire such midsum.
mer madness? However, what did he
care? He would play the game out to
the end.
Il don't Ike sending you away" Mrs,
Rodney was saying, ION this hot aay
without some tea or something, yet YOU
must be tired to death Of the sound Of
my voice, and, of course, there is your
appointment" She laughed; but he was
suddenly serious.
'Of course, I'll come in if you ask me-
he said. She answered nothing then, but
beckoned to him, and they went through
the entrance and hall. They seemed ia
have known each other for an indefinite
period; there was no need for words. 8#
"Tll be hanged If ] won't become i
theosophist, and believe in reincarnati;on
and the whole show, after this :Rftsr..