The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-01-16

lie resolved 10 learn the truth IRON
.Elsie's lips first. At last he caught .her
glance; following her into small ,anta-
room leading from one Of the principal
| apartments. When the door closed, lie
took her hand, and looked into her eyes
"Elsie," he asked, "is it true?" y
She averted her gaze.
els what true?" she murmured.
"Ihat you're engaged to Lord Maple
| SOM"
Her eyes filled with tears and she
turned toward him passionately. 1
mol" she said vehement1y. "He's
asked me frequently, but I've always re-
fused. But mamma insists, and the
rumor we're engaged is about already
Oh, Mark! Mark!"-with an outstretch,
ing of her arms that was irresistible;
whats to be done?" !
| He took her into his arms.
| "You love me, what is to prevent our
happiness -
"Mother-she insists. Father, know,
would rather I married man of my
choice'
"And I insist on you marrying met"
he cried earnestly. "That u.s.. if you're
willing to become the wife of non
cntity?"
She looked up quickly. /
'Who is the nonentity ?" she asked.
"Who is the nonentity?" she asked.
You, the clever artist or''-with ges.
ture of disdain-"Lord Mapleson?"
'Then, darling" he cried, If your
mother will not consent, it must be q
runaway match. You're sure you don't
mind intrusting your happiness to me?"
mo, indeed, Mark, no! I love you,
oh! heaps more than did two years ago,
and that's something, isn't ?''
He admitted that it was, and kissed
her, when someone calling Elsie, she had
to leave. Mark strolled back to the
drawing room with lighter heart:
Someone was asking Mr.. Renton whether
Jermyn was to play; the host shrugged
his shoulders, but the musician at once
interrupted with the remark he should
only be too delighted.
A move was made to TIE piano, while
all voices were hushed as it became
Known that the great Jermyn was at the
instrument. He ran through several of
his better known things in succession,
playing as he had never played before,
his audience, spellbound and enrapturetl.
The applause at his conclusion, unlike
most drawing room applause, was for
once sincere.
Mr.. Renton was profuse in his thanks,
and then his less genial wife inquired
as a special favor, whether he would give
them q novelty.
"a novelty?" repeated Mark, anxious
to please his prospective parent. "Ah,
yes! l had almost forgotten. Today's
the ED, isn't it? There is one thing ]
only play once year, and always on tbs
ED of this month"
The last notes of the song were grad
ually dying aawy, when all at once there
was tense scream from distant corner
OF the room.
All turned and saw that Mrs. Rentor
had tainted.
A few days later Mark Jermyn called
to inquire after Mrs. Renton, whom it
was understood was seriously i'll. The
young fellow was at once shown into Mr.
Renton's study, where the millionaire
greeted him cordially.
"My dear Mr.. Jermyn," he said. 'syou're
the very man wish to see! You remem.
Der the effect your wonderful playing
produced on my wife the other evening .
j "Unfortunately," responded the famous
musician. "Believe me, I'm exceedinel,
sorry"
cts not your fault, my boy,'' he an
swered kindly. f'The event las brought
something to light which I hope ma,
mean your happiness. I have Learned
that my daughter loves you.''
YES" responded Mark, quietly. "4Anc
l love her too"
Just so, just so! What I was going
to say was this; my wife, it appears, wa:
once engaged to your father.''
Mark Jermyn looked up in astonish.
ment.
eyes," continued Mr.. Renton, "and
from what can hear-of course, this Is
in confidence between you and met
broke Mark Wegar's heart. NV wife
Tilted him for myself, and it seems that
out of pity, he afterward married q
cousin whom he discovered had been i,
love with him for years. The air yo,
played the other evening was one 81
Wegar's compositions, was it not?"
eyes" replied Mark. "My father lef!
me the manuscripts, with the injunction
it was only to. be played on the 22d OF
November in each year-the anniversary
of what could never make out"
"Ah! my wife recognized the theme
it was the old love song he used to play
to her and of which. she had been so fond
The date you mention was the one or
which she broke off the engagement. Ole
memories came back to her, and-and-
''Say no more, sir, it's painful sub.
!; ject."
ITO be sure, to be sure! My wife
wishes me to tell you that, although she
broke your fathers heart, she has nc
wish to break either yours or her daugh.
ter's. We are both willing you should
marry Elsie..'
Someone opened the door just then
and Elsie Rentor, seeing Mark, threw
herself into his arms.-New York News
! One Question Too Many.