The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1904-04-01


''ANir jerome, one Of my college
friends, William. Mr.. jerome, this il
my brother, OF whom you have often
heard me speak r = s.sz. = ss.
: He remembered perfectly. William
was her older brother, and had planned
to work in the foreign mission field.
my health would not, permit it," Mr.
Blake explained. He had overruled
Francis objections to going to the par
sonage, and they were on their way
thither. tits all right, though. This
work up here is the Masters. Yes; it's
lonely in a way, but Mildred and are
too busy and too glad that we can tell
the story of the risen Christ to mind
The parsonage was tiny house, but
the rooms were coy and dainty. The
two men sat before the open fire and
talked until Mildred summoned them to
dinner.
The roughly-plastered walls Of the
dining-room were tinted a soft gray,
making an effective background for the
green vines which wreathed the pic
lures. The table was spread with Law
ender and white china and family sill
yer. There were soup, cold meat with
vegetables, salad, coffee and nuts.
During the afternoon Mildred and her
brother listened to the story of Francis
Jero.ne's success. The woman sat with
her eyes fixed upon the leaping flames,
and her face gave no hint of her
thoughts.
There was no evening service at the
church. as Mr.. Blake went out in the
country to preach, Rain was falling,
so he did not urge Francis to accompany
him.
Indeed you are not to go back to the
i, hotel. Mildred will entertain you, and
l will return early"
So it came about that he sat opposite
Mildred, while outside the rising wind
! drove the rain against the windows.
Conversation Jagged, and at fast silence
fell between them.
The mind of Jerome was occupied
with one question. Had he made a mis-
take? Not in one way, for his success
was assured Was it too late to right
the wrong he had done Mildred? He
rose and crossed to her side.
mildred, l have never loved any
woman but you. let the busy, grind
ing world come between us, but never
forgot Now can give you every lux
ury. Promise me YOU will be my wife
| darling"
Il have not.forgotten. l shall never
forget. All my life shall love the Fran
els Jerome whom l once knew. But
you-the man who has made the &C.
emulation of gold his life's Ammo,
do not love him."
| He stared at her What do you mean
! Mildred? I am unchanged. Surely yor
are not sorry that have succeeded ir
| life"
Unwaveringly her dark eyes met his
Therein he saw something of the depths
that separated this woman's soul from
his.
ITO you success means money" Hel
voice was low, but firm. Cannot 20,
understand that do not care for wha
You have done as do for what you are|
Nay, Francis, the measure of success 70,
have won does not satisfy me. canno
be your wife"
He never loved her as at that moment
Whatever she babe him he would do
he would become anything she wished
but Mildred's far-seeing eyes neve
Wavered.
Il do not love the man you are now,
was her steadfast reply.
But the man l may be-" he cried
Mildred, Mildred, do not turn ava,
from me. Give me some word of hope.
What can say? Can you undo tn
slow work of ten years with a singh
wish? To me life is service-joyful, ra
diant service. To you it is success,
success measured by a bank account
We could not be happy together"
II will change. You shall mold m
into what you wish"
She drew back. II? am the archi
tect of no mans fate. In one year. I
you are of the same mind, you may com
to me again. If then l find in your ma
ture aught of the man whom loved s.
long, will become your wife. It is nc
what you do in that year; it is what yo,
come to be. All, William, you ere here.
And she turned to greet her brother
who had just entered the room.-Wash
ington Home Magazine.