The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-10-28

| told me so, and she's probably
never heard Of Chaucer. She could
not tell you, If her life depended upon
| It, whether Byron wrote Childe Harold
or Childe Harold wrote Byron, but in
those dreadful hours of pain and fever,
it mattered very little to me. Her
touch was gentle, her voice soft, and
before recovered began to think the
plain face under that shabby bonnet
was the sweetest, most motherly face
/ ever knew. And SO, dear, knowing
their hearts so well, and loving you
as l do, I want to see a tie knit be-
| tween you"
| But the minister's wife had turned
away with tears in her eyes. II mar
ried you and I promise nothing as to
! them," she answered rebelliously.
She was beautiful young creature,
the minister's wife; tall, slender, and
golden-haired, but whether or not she
would be the helpmeet the minister
| needed in the years to come, was a
question. And yet it was such a pleas
ure only to look at her as she sat in
the corner of the pew on Sundays in
her well-fitting suit and pretty hat.
And when she sang, for she had a
beautiful and highly cultivated voice,
every eye turned to where she stood.
| Yes, they were proud of her, these
care-burdened, common people, and
they. did not blame her if she did not
care for them as friends. They were
different and they realized it, very Of
ten too with a sharp feeling of pain
as she passed them with only nod
of greeting and with barely touch
of her well-gloyed hand.
What do you think Mrs. Harper is
making for the minister's wife?'
asked Mrs. Wilkins of Mrs. Dodge one
afternoon as they met on the street.
I'm sure don't know" was the re-
ply.
"a knitted Counterpart" announced
Mrs. Wilkins, land her hands are so
crippled by rheumatism too. Why,
every stitch she takes must pain her,
l don't see how she can do it, for the
minister's Wife never notices her ex-
| cept by nod. I don't believe she'll
ever use it after she gets it, either"
added Mrs. Wilkins soberly. ''She's
dreadful particular about her beds,
and uses only the finest Marseilles
spreads. Sarah Ann Newton told me
SO, for I've never seen 'em. I've tried
my best but l never got further than
the front room yet"
Mrs. Dodge smiled little. "She
| isn't so very sociable, is she?" she
said; "still, perhaps we expect too
much
Mrs. Wilkins did not deign reply.
''Old Mrs. Harper just set on maxim
that counterpane, she continued, and
givin' it too. It's pretty and there's
lots of work about it. Well, well, l
hope she won't get her feelin's hurt
before it's through with. She's VOL
derin' too, now that it's so near done,
how she'll present it," *
! I'D like the best in the world to
get up a pound party for the minister
this fall" said Mrs. Dodge thought
fully. ''He is so fond of my peach pre-
serves and l would like tim to have
: some, but do you knew, I'll most
afraid
Mrs. Wilkins looked sympathetic.
so am l." she admitted frankly, land
i too was thinking, the same thing.
had such good tuck with my chill
sauce. could tke that as my Offer
ing, but his WIFE,
There was pause. LETS have it
anyway" sad Mrs. Dodge reflectively>
"and then Mrs. Harper can give her
counterp2 &C."
And 80 it was arranged.
The minister was studying a new
book that evening. Near him sat
his wife reading some letters from
home. AS she folded them up her eyes
, wandered idly over the well-warmed,
pleasant rooms. "Every one speaks
| at home as if I were working right
with Bertram," she thought. II Won
der If they realize what kind of men,
bers we have, if they would expect it?
don't see why l need be public prop
erty just because 1 happen to be a
minister's wife, and they're not my
equals"
Just then the door bell rang. The
minister looked across at his wife
with a fond smile. Don't. get up,
julia" he said. '1'll co.
] He laid down his book, went to the
door, and opened it. The yard and
porch were full of people. They greet
ed him. warmly, for every one loved
the minister. Each person had a par
eel.
, why, what is this?" cried the min
lister merrily. "Come in! come I'M"
and then he thought of his wife.
They entered the beautiful rooms
hesitatingly, and the minister. seeing
it, strove to put them at their ease.
At that moment his wife came for
ward, her lovely face, ahNve the L.ct-
ty gown, looking colder than e>er.
What does this intrusion pean,' -
she thought bitterly. Am I never
: to have moment to myself?"
She greeted them, but with no