The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1903-12-31
IaI

MANY a better chap was there" I
said; Howard among them. We
chummed together; agreed to pool our
funds and go shares until we had made
our fortunes"
"But you-you didn't"
mo" 1 answered, 1--WE certainly
didn't"
"Did he come home with your
asked Elsa.
Hes dead, poor chap" said, and
Elsa remained silent a few minutes
as we walked slowly along the gallery,
examining a picture now and then
by the way.
"Did he die on the way homer" she
asked, quietly.
away up country in Australia"
"Then," she said, "why did you
return"
Nostalgia" answered. "You fret
and growl and get sick with every
thing. You long for the old places
and the old people,"
"Only the-the old people" asked
Elsa.
"The people you have known all
your lifew
"They need not all be so very old"
said Elsa.
But" 1 continued, II am not GER
tain 1 should have returned If had
known"
"If you had known what?"
"of the changes which the last two
months have brought about"
Elsa came to an abrupt standstill,
facing me with unmistakable indig-
nation.
"Do you intend to suggest that have
changed? she demanded.
II wonder whether you remember
the night saw you last?'
"of course remember" she an
swered.
"You were beautiful then"
"You know that is not what 1
meant" she cried,
"Now you are more beautiful still"
"Perhaps that is due to fine feath-
ers," she suggested, with the faintest
Of smiles.
Perhaps"
But" she exclaimed, throwing out
her hands with the white gloves in the
right, "they are nothing. They do not
count at ALL"
1t was impossible to resist glance
around the gallery with it's collection
Of treasures from all parts. Of the
world.
you say they are nothing"
81 asked whether you thought had
changed" she insisted. "I-myself--"
"How can I Judge you in that init
mate way?"
you have surely known me inti-
mately-you have known me for
years"
81 will take your word for it that
you haven't" I answered.; but still
Elsa's face looked grave.
"But, them she suggested, "lf you
didn't take the trouble to find out
what I really was before"
ooh, I never doubted what you
wereg
"What?" she demanded, with a
quick, upward glance. But before /
could have explained, even if would,
she added, imperlously: "Tell me
about your friend"
"You would have liked old Howard"
said.
"Was he III very long," she asked.
Gle broke down soon after we land
cd"
"But didn't he get any betterY,
mot much. 1t was a tedious bust
ness for the fellow"
"And for your" ''''tV'7
ooh, we'll"
didn't his illness rather handicap
you" Elsa suggested.
81 daresay it did-a little"
"Who nursed him"
"You must understand we were
miles away from everywhere and
every one"
"Then it was you"
"There was no one else"
"Still," she cried, II suppose he
wasn't Ill the whole timer
"No, but he was never quite WELL"
I explained. "0f course, he had his
better periods"
"You might have taken him to some
town-have got him Off your hands"
81 might"
"Why didn't you?" she demanded,
severely.
"You see, we had pooled our funds
and taken a cattle run and stocked it,
anil, besides, Harold was everlasting
ly hoping for better times"
"Then," said Elsa, ut was really his
illness which prevented your sue
cess"
Anyhow" I returned, 1--WE had
nrrnpd IN Obun1 -