The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-10-07
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BY BLANCHE EARDLEY.

tVOU have apartments to let, be-
l lieve? l shall be so glad if you
can let me stay here!"
And pair of wistful blue eyes gazed
into the good-natured face of the home
ly woman who had opened the door
of the farmhouse.
We'll, MISS" the woman answered,
hesitatingly, Il ave two rooms va
cant; but there's gentleman staying
with me for is 'ealth, and e made me
promise not to take any one else, so
that there would be perfect quiet for
i'm
20, but would make no difference,
realiy!' pleaded the girl, in a sweet,
low voice, that penetrated, however,
into the sitting room, the window Of
which was wide open, and the sound Of
that plaintive voice made the man in
side put down his book and listen I'M
consciously.
You see" the girl went on, Il shall
be quiet, as l am just to rest for few
weeks, by order of the doctor, and
thought a farmhouse would be the
place for me. l can assure you that
was in the house."
Just then the sitting room door was
flung open, and man, with a pale,
intellectual face, appeared in the wide,
old-fashioned hail.
That's all right, Mrs. jerks.
shall not object in the least to your
taking in another lodger. My mandate
was concerning large families of chill
dren. l don't think you will be trou-
blesome neighbor," he said, as he ap-
preached the girl
Then, with a bow, he retreated into
the den-not before he had caught a
glimpse Of simply dressed girl, with
a demure, sweet face, from which the
dark hair was brushed severely away,
revealing low, creamy brow of Ma
donna like purity.
The blue eyes that met his for a
moment were like flash of southern
skies, but they were averted shyly as
he eagerly sought for another glance.
Once installed in the second best
"parlor,' that looked out on to tanglc
of fresh smelling flowers and a wide
expanse of meadows and sweet, sleepy
looking pastures, Mrs. jerks new
ledger flung her neat straw hat on an
old-fashioned horsehair couch, and
with her two white hands ruffled the
primly dressed head until the rebellious
curls tumbled about her brow.
There she whispered, that's like
my old self once more! Ugh! What
a school miss l did feel in that mon
strous pancake! But have come, and
l have seen his lordship-and before
return to town I shall have conquered
and become engaged to marry his lord
ship!' She laughed gleefully. Hes
not so bad looking, either, in spite of
what Dick said-and already he ap-
proves Of my sweet simplicity"
Then she sat down at the cottage
piano, and presently the strains of
Annie Laurie" sung in pretty, girl
ish voice, reached the ears of Mrs.
jerks gentleman lodger.
What a sweet voice." he murmured,
"and what a wistful, desolate little
soul she seemed when she stood beg
sing to be allowed to stay! Probably
she is some hard working governess
come down from town for her annual
holiday
Then he took up his hat and went
out for a stroll before dinner-for Mrs.
jerks looked after her liberal guest as
we'll as though he were in his own
house. 1t must have been chance that
led his steps past the window Of the
sitting room the singer occupied, his
feet scrunching the gravel noisily;
and perhaps it was also chance that
made him send a swift glance at the
window, where neat, dark head was
bending over some needlework, appar-
emily oblivious to his presence, though
her window was open.
The heat was causing a thin blue
vapcr to hover over the distant fields,
ard the voice Of nature was so hu.hed
that the silence semed full of that
suppressed intensity that so often pre-
cedes storm. A few soft-eyed COWS
waded knee deep in stagnant pon1.
and lowed invitingly to their con,par-
ions to join them. A sleepy humble
bee buzzed langridly on half dead