The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-03-04

and strictly avoiding the village heard
none of the speculative gossip con-
corning old Gorky and Silvia, of whom
nobody knew anything. for all the long
years they had lived their secluded
lives among the mountainous .popula-
ton of the Blue Ridge.
Gorky had reluctantly consented to
Silvia's going to prim little Miss Hen
bricks school in Boone, but her inter-
course with the other children ended
with the school hours. She and Gorky
lived aloof and alone.
She had grown up tall and splendid
ly developed, with wealth Of reddish
brown hair, great hazel eyes, a sweet
laughing mouth, and skin whose daz-
cling fairness no exposure to the winds
and sunshine Of Blowing Rock could
tan or impair.
David Henderson sat lazily in big
arm chair and smoked, for was he not
In the mountains for rest? and watched
Silvia as she sketched and drew with
bold and successful strokes or painted
with strange fidelity fair landscape
scenes Of the country around.
At first they had chatted and talked
in good comradeship, Silvia Of her
strange studies, and peaceful joys, and
David of his rushing, turbulent life be-
yond the mountains. But of late David
was content to sit silent.
"You are wonderfully accomplished
young mountain maid. You speak for
eign languages, and If you keep on
working very hard you'll be a toler-
ably good artist some day." David said
smilingly from the depths of his easy
chair.
"Win I, really. That is what I
want more than. anything in the world.
To be an artist" Silvia said with en-
thusiasm, too absorbed in trying to re-
produce the fitful lights and shades on
the distant lake, visible through the
open door, to do more than glance
around at her instructor, who had be-
come fast friend during the long
summer months of constant inter-
course between them since that June
afternoon when David had reluctantly
consented to give Silvia few lessons.
'Is that your ambition? You think
painting an art above all things be-
cause you are still child. Your wom-
ans heart is asleep. You know naught
of the vanities and triumphs of life, of
its pomps and pleasures. Wait until
you have made acquaintance with the
worlds homage, and your power; you
are not made to be an artist" It was
the first time David had spoken in this
strain, and the conclusion he had
reached concerning his strange ant
fascinating pupil surprised even him
self.
Silvia paused in her painting of
light cloud on Eagle mountain, and
turning looked anxiously at David.
DO you know I'm awfully afraid of
the time when I must go away from
our dear old home in these mountains.
Corky is always tel ling me, and read
about the gay life people lead in big
Cities but don't understand it. I'm
afraid of it. Just look at me. I'm
abominably dressed, l know. How
would l look and feel in fine clothes
and jewels? Oh, I'm horribly afraid"
Silvia was not aware that her words
implied the right to admission in a
world far removed from the solitary
life which had always been hers.
David gazed at her fixedly, his keen
artist eye picturing accessories more
fitting to her extreme loneliness and of
which she seemed so innocently uncon-
scious, as also of the power she would
certainly WELD some day.
sudden strange pang shot through
David's heart.
Yes, he realized fully that she would
be called away to take part in a Diff
ferent life. When? he wondered.
"You need have no fears" he said.
musingly. wherever you are and
however CARRIED you will tower over all
other women"
Silvia flushed and laughed gayly.
Indeed I'll do no such thing. I'm
Ignorant and fearfully awkward, and
do you know who I'll be more afraid
OF than any one else on earth?'
"Who?" David asked in astonish-
ment, for he had seen Silvia drive a
dangerous team with reckless compo-
sure over a dangerous road. and on a
certain occasion confront and drive of
threatening bull without tremor of
fear. who in the world would you
be afraid of"
MY maid," Silvia answered in a
stage whisper. Particularly if she is
French. Do you know 1 have been
practicing giving orders? Julie,
donnez mes gants,' and all sorts of
sharp orders, to try to get used to the
idea. I told Gorky l positively will
not have a maid. But he says must:
that it wouldn't do at all to refuse to
have one. I'll grow used to seeing the
horrtd thing around. He says I'll have
to have her sleeping in the room next
to mine. Fancy. 1t will be awful.
do hope I'll be allowed to stay here
with Gorky-just us two, for at least
ten more years. And if you'll come
back next summer, why I'll be perfect,