The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-06-24

the company confessed he was the gull.
ty man and blew. out his brains. Nat
urally, Fenton wes handsomely COM
pensated by the company; he was
offered, too, the position left, vacant
by the managers death, which, how
ever, he refused. .s;.- i =, n !: n: MI u
But Of his wife he could learn moth
ing. All he knew-and that he had
learned from her letters to him-was
that she had been governess. He
sought her high and low, in every spot
but the right one. He never commune
Gated with the warden of the prison
wherein he had been confined, and,
consequently, he did not know that she
had made inquiries for. him after his
release, nor that her silence had been
due to long illness. ..
For 10 months Fenton continued his
search; then, under the strain, his
health broke down, he became a phys
ical wreck; and, his money largely d.
minished,l drifted into the hospital.
DR.. Roland Scott was man to whom
success had come early in life, for at
the age of 80 he found himself in the
enviable position of house surgeon at
one of Chicagof largest hospitals.
He had brilliant record, and still
more brilliant future seemed to stretch
before him. At that period, too, there
crossed his path the one woman in the
world who could make him happy
Millicent Graham.
Che woo IN <rio ~ +$~~,
nepAews in his brothers house, where
he had first met her six months before,
and the sight Of her had transformed
DR.. Scott from cold passionless being
into man Of flesh and blood. He had
never given thought to her sex be-
fore; now, although he did not know
it, since the matter had never presented
itself to him, he was willing to barter
his future to possess her.
The time had arrived, he decided
when he must put his fate to the test
and ask her to become his wife.
Fortune favored him that evening
for both his brother and Mrs. Scott
had gone to the theater. For some
time he sat and talked mere common
places to Miss Graham in the drawing
room; then he asked her to play some
| thing on the piano.
IF it will give you pleasure. doc
tor, certainly" she said, rising and
| crossing the room. "Have you any
preference"
NO." he answered. II am sure
cannot do better than leave the choice
to you"
Il am doubtful" she said, with q
smile, as she took the stool. II am
in strangely sad mood tonight"
But you and sorrow should be the
bitterest of enemies" he replied, He
rose and crossed to her side. mo, dc
not play" he continued, as she ran hel
fingers over the keys. II came here tc
say something to you-to tell you
something ask question. But
the words stick in my throat, and T.
He stopped as she looked up at him
in surprise.
II wanted to tell you, Miss Graham
Millicent-I love you. l."
She jumped from her seat as hi
caught her hands.
mo, no, DR.. Scott" she gasped
turning her face away. please re.
lease my hands. You do not know
it is impossible!"
Nothing is impossible!" he an
swered. perhaps I have been too
sudden; but then have never proposed
BEFORE with dry laugh that van
ished instantly. II have never loved
before. Do not tell me it is vain!"
1T is impossible" Miss Graham sale
again. There was break in her voice
and tears in her eyes, believe me, II
is" He dropped her hands and she
sank into chair.
II am sorry" he apologized-"verJ
sorry; but loved you, and thought
you might care for me, or, If not, that
you might learn to. At least I may
hope; your answer is not f1nal?"
"It is useless hoping" she answered
las useless as hoping for the stars
Believe me, I fully appreciate the honor
you have done me in asking me to be-
come your wife. believe you would
make me happy; but again tell yot
it is impossible
''Not if you care for mel" he insist
ed.
She shook her head.
Il can convince you," she answered
'but l must trust you with the secret
Of my life, burden that has brought
me endless sorrow. You will not be-
tray me, 1 know, for have seen yor
are my friend"
II would never repeat a word" hi
assured her. "You may trust me fully
I do not ask your confidence, because
have no right. am your friend, an6
would give my life to be of the Least
assistance to you"
Then it is because am married tina,
I cannot accept your offer, DR.. Scott,
she said, slowly.
The young man gave gasp of pain
Il see," he answered, with a catch
in his voice.
"A wife, and yet husbandless," she
went on. Fate has dealt hardly with