The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-04-15

1T should be the basis ofevcry mar
riage, madam" > answered Parson
'*May I tell you something's" she
whispered. "1-I am in love! Oh!
I never, never thought it could be-
anything like it is. l suppose no w,,m-
an ever was so much, so happil. in
love as I, and it has made mel do
not knox what it has made me, except
that I love all the world because Of
it-mah, the trees and flowers, every
thing"
1T is true love, madam, that works
these changes" said the parson very
quietly. you should thank heaven for
it."
She flashed swift eyes, with CLINT
of tears in them, on him for second.
But ! do" she, cried. '.All. day
long, and whenever l wake in tho
night. And yet" she paused as a
veil of sadness spread itself across her
face, ,.
eyes, MADAME" said the parson.
Il do not know if my love is re-
turned she whispered.
Parson Joyce drew a long breath.
"The gentleman he stopped,
Then he has not spoken to your he
added lamely.
"Of love? Not one world" she an
swered. Sometimes think-I think
he cares for me, and sometimes fear
he does not. May I tell you about
h mo mill 1>1
l have no one whom may tell-bur
you:'
The parson bowed his head. Human
feeling was rapidly thawing the priest
within the man; he felt now as if he
were the brother of this radiant young
creature.
''Yes," he said; **tell me-
Again she laughed merrily.
"Now I cannot tell you," she said.
"A moment ago thought l could, and
now-Well, he is good, and he is most
lovable, and he is-and I love him.
'1ie must be worthy indeed, madam,
who is worthy of your love-" answered
the parson, and he sighed.
''Ah, but am worthy of his?" she
said with sudden deep feeling.
II do not know him." answered Par
son Joyce -;
mo-" she said. II do not think you
do. But-tell me, what must I do?
Indeed, indeed, there is no other man
in all the world that I will marry.
will die maid if / cannot marry the
man love!"
will he not speak?"
"He has not spoken"
II have heard" said Parscn Joyce,
"that there are ways by which a man
in these cases may be made to speak,"
The girl shrugged her shoulders and
made little grimace.
Il wish knew them!" she said.
"The gentleman is, perhaps, poor!"
I'm the eyes Of the world, yes"
"And possibly, proud?''
with the pride of a true man."
1T might seem ,pretentious on hia
part to seek your hand. madam% !
Il. believe, upon my soul, it is s6ue
such nonsense as that which fills IT'D
head" she exclaimed. tapping her to
against the fender. /
But, madam!" Parson Joyce in his
agitation rose and stood before her
with clasped hands. "Cons:der the
feelings of poor gentleman, whe,
may be, loves and adores you with all
his heart, but who judges it presump-
tuous-"
"Presumptuous? OH" she said. II
have no patience with: such Stiffness
The mere fact that love him makes
him far above me-" e
There was silence for while; tho
rarson was wondering who the man
might be who had so transformed this
once imperious and coquettish young
beauty. He ran them over in his
mind, and could fix on none And,
without knowing it, he sighed.
1T seems to me, madam" said Par
son Joyce, that there is but one way
out Of the difficulty" He faced her fair
and square, in the determined way in
which he always stood in his pulpit.
and she looked up at him, and immedi-
ately looked elsewhere. IF the GENTLE
man cannot be brought to declare his
AOsVs <aAu MS 1OSc - 81 ucCcSSdTy 10
your happiness"
eyes," she murmured. 1t is-it has
come to be my life"
"Aind if you feel assured that he is
keeping silent because he fears to be
thought presumptuous-''
eyes, yes-1 know it is SOL
"Then," said Parson Joyce, "you
must tell him of your love for him."
He said the words solemnly and re-
signedly, knowing that she would do
what he advised; knowing full we'll,
too, that no man would resist her, and
that ere long she would be this un-'
known, highly favored mans wife, and
all would be: changed. And after he
had spoken he began to pray some
wher' 3 far inside himself. Her voice
came to him as he stood over her-a
soft, very feminine voice. -.
"YQu think that 1 should tell him."
'Itl is the only way can think of,
NADIA M" he answered.
And then came the great surprise Of
Parson JOyce's life. For the girl slid