The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-11-04
'Why didn't you go?"

"Why didn't you go?" =5=@
II have forgotten now the reason Z
gave" she replied with a little laughs
"but ! am going to have little picnic
by myseH. and was just packing q
luncheon 90 take into the woods when
heard you ring"
Come down IL the camp and have
picnic dinner with us" he urged earnest
~. There will be fish, and
and fish," she finished. II fear it's
my luncheon instead of my society that
prompts your hospitality"
"You needn't bring thing" he said,
reddening.
"Oh, but shall! There's cold, roast
chicken, some green apple pies, sugared
doughnuts, pickles and cottage cheese.
Do you think they will like them?"
"A great peace fell upon Dolf. He
helped her pack the basket and lock up
the house. On their way to the river, a
dark foreboding suddenly seized him.
The boat ride of the night before! No!
Impossible for her to have kept COM
pany" with the help"
Where is your friend who took Won
boat riding last night?" he asked. abb
ruptly.
"Oh, he had to return to the city early
this morning." she answered, with lit
tie regretful sigh.
Even the anticipation of green apple
pie failed to rose-color the dark clouds
that had lowered upon Dolf's horizon.
At the camp they found Jerry and Jack
preparing the fish. Doll triumphantly
presented them to Miss Bancroft, and
produced sumptuous supplies of almost
forgotten luxuries.
You see," he announced, II have met
the enemy and removed her preiudices
toward campers, or else we were mis-
TAKEN"
Miss Bancroft smiled and began to
set the table. When they sat down to
dine, Jack inquired, nonchalantly:
Miss Bancroft. what relation are you
to Miss Roanna Bancroft?"
The girl was plainly discomfitted for a
moment. Then she recovered her smile
and composure
"A COUSIN" she replied. 81 forget
how many times removed"
Dolf stared and could not Join in the
general laugh that ensued. 1t had never
occurred to him that she could be other
than the daughter of the house.
"You owe NE mora thanks, Mr.. Sew
ell, than you know" she said, deprecat-
ingly. cousin Roanna would have had
you arrested, am sure, had she known
of the egg and milk escapades. had
heard of your camp down here aud also
OF all your tricks, and manners from the
neighbors about. While egg hunting,
came upon your note and money. did
not account to Cousin Roarna for the
pauclty OF the eggs that night, and re-
solved to go fishing"
But you signed your note "Roanna
Bancroft" interrupted Dolf.
Yes; wanted to make the document
official. told her got the fish of a,
lone fisherman, and that paid for them.
BY good fortune was at the barn whep
the COWS came home, and spied the
adorned, milkless one, and coaxei
Hiram not to tell. Well, l had been
longing for boat ride, and felt must
return the money; so when my brother
ran down for the day and night, I told
him OF your boat and he did the rest"
1t suddenly occurred to the env:ous
Jerry that Dolf was looking entirely too
happy.
Say, Miss Bancroft" he asked, do
you know why Sewell picked those flow
ers to carry to your
NO. she replied, with evident in
terest.
HE said old maids always went daffy
over such stuff
Dolph flushed uncomfortably. and
looked away from where she sat.
There was moments pause, and then
Miss Bancroft said, gently:
II think it was very sweet in you. Mr..
Sewcll."
Straightway vanished all Dolf's mis-
g1vings Presently he walked hcme
with his dinner guest, who carried in her
purse certain half dollar, which tho
agreed to ALWAYS keen as = no,+ 600