The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1903-05-29

looking up squarely and frankly in
the lovely face above her. =Ss.
''That depends" Beatrice said,
shading her face with diminutive
Japanese hand screen. .-.>... ..~ =.
ION what does it depend?' Jules in
quired with careless interest, trans
ferring her gaze to the burning ash
logs.
lon what Sidney Marsh says to
| you, and you to him. Beatrice an.
swered, and because of the ieweled
dragons on the screen Jules could
not see her face.
He is as nice as he can be, and
love to go riding with him. We talk
of all sorts of things-and people
and sometimes he says the incest
prettiest things, Bea, dear, one ever
heard. like him ever so much.
would tell you-only-I promised
Beatrice started up quickly from
her graceful, lounging attitude, and
taking Jules flushed and happy face
in both her hands, looked steadily
|
.:'Jules! JULES! You remember you
promised faithfully, you would tell
me everything. Has Sidney Marsh
dared to say anything-has he asked
you any promise?"
''Why, yes. He made me swear ]
would not tell you word of what
he said and I'm not going to, sis
darling. 1t was nothing dreadful
1t was delightful" and Jules laughed
again gayly.
But Beatrice rose and, ringing fol
her maid, looked white and almost
stern, if SO beautiful face could be
said to look other than tender and
lovable.
'You need not tell me anything
Twill see him tonight" Beatrice said,
then turned quickly to give various
directions, as the chimes of her clock
warned that Comus and her several
''call OUTS for the maskers' quadrille
would not wait her convenience, and
that her bachelor uncle, an elderly
clubman, who took both pride and
pleasure in the social success of his
niece, would be waiting for her
shortly.
'You must dance a lot with him,
Bea. He is the incest man in town,
and awfully good-looking. Don't you
think him handsome?" Jules went
on, gayly, without waiting for an an.
swer, and presently one of Chopin s
delirious waltzes, sounding family
from the library, seemed to indicate
to Beatrice an exuberant happiness
and faith in the future.
A faint sigh disturbed the laces of
her gown and made the jeweled star
holding them in place culver and pull
safe.
! II made the mistake of thinking
him finer and better and more trust
worthy than other men, she thought
bitterly. Honest looks and SINGER
ity? BAH"
''But Sidney Marsh shall never
learn that Beatrice Shelbourne was
silly enough to take his pretty gilded
speeches for pure gold. Nor shall he
trifle with Jules. My darling, light.
hearted, splendid Jules, I will make
him understand Tonight
/ monsieur Shelbourne fait dire a
mademoiselle quill est tard," Bea.
trice's maid said, gathering up her
mistress jeweled fan, silver embroid-
cred wrap and huge bouquet of roses,
while Rea stood slowly drawing on
her long gloves.
'1sn't she too lovely for anything?' o.
Jules exclaimed, rapturously, as Bea
came in the drawing room with an
apology for being late, to an aristo-
cratic, gray-haired elderly man.
standing on the hearth rug slipping a
glass of old port.
'Very charming. You understand
the art of dress, my dear. Or you
have the sense to go to the leading
artists of the world for your gowns
You are right to trust to their inspi
ration. A woman who can afford to
dress should always go to Paris," her
uncle said approvingly taking her
wrap and placing it lightly around
her slim, perfect figure, with the skill
of a courtier well accustomed to
such offices.
bravo, uncle! you did that splen.
didly. There is only one man as nice
as you are in the whole world" Jules
exclaimed, kissing Beatrice gently as
if afraid to mar her radiant beauty
"And that is?" her uncle queried
looking sharply from under. his
quickly drawn brows, at Jules.
Sidney Marsh. Who else could it
be?" Jules answered gayly.
Beatrice gathered upher long SHIN.
mering. sweeping skirt and went out
her uncle following, with her roses.
| The click of little satin slippered
feet sounded on the polished floor OF
the hall. ''She is the loveliest, sweet.
est and best sister the sun ever shone
on Jules thought.
eff she would only like Sidney
Marsh" she added regretfully, going
back to the fire as the quick trot OF
horses sounded down the street.
Jules shifted up the sweet scent OF