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

Love, not Starr, and instead Of earn
ing my living in the city I am 1
chorus girl in the Felicity theater.''
John Medhurst opened his mouth to
speak, but she stopped him with a
gesture.
'Wait! You must hear all before
you tell me what you think Of me. I
heard from your cousin, Dick Haslam,
that you hated women in general, and
chorus girls in particular; and he also
told me that you were coming to this
farm under another name, so that
you would escape being worried by
friends-''
through a mist, and did not notice a
look of bewilderment on the pale, set
face of the man who listened to her.
IL meant to try and see if I
could make you propose to me-" she
continued. almost in whisper "I
was ambitious, and thought it would
be fine thing to marry lord who
hated chorus girls, so came here, and
pretended to be all that you thought
me. 1 told you lies, even my name
was a lie; and it was all done on
purpose to make you ask me to marry
you.''
Her voice came to sudden stop.
She half waited, as though dreading,
yet hoping, he would speak-say any,
thing-rather than keep so awfully
still. But he made no sign, and, with
curious stiffening of the muscles of
the throat, she turned away.
Zone moment, Miss-Love. I want
to ask you question:" John Medhurst' g
voice cried quickly after her.
She stopped, looking at him fear
fully.
"Why, if, as you say, your ambition
was to make me propose to you," he
began slowly, Ibid you, when your mis-
sion was accomplished, reveal your
plot to me? You could easily have
waited until you had made quite GER
tain Of your quarry. I don't under
stand what you gain by having told ms
now"
why did I tell you all this?" she
broke in, quickly, a burning color
staining her face. because something
happened that held me back from let
ting you think well of me longer.
Something so wonderful, so-sad, and
yet so terrible, that was obliged to let
you know the truth, and receive an
other punishment besides your scorn
of me-
What was it happened that could
be punishment to you?" he said in a
low voice.
She clasped her hands to her face for
moment, and when she looked at
him her eyes were bright and steady.
Love! I loved you, and, to my
bitterness, I knew that it was to be
worse punishment than anything.
The knowledge that had wronged the
man loved!" She flung out her hands
passionately. II tell you now-this
is my triumph, Lord Carslake. l could
not go on with the deception because
the thing for which I plotted was tn q
stumbling block in my way. wish
I had never met you, or that you were
really the plain John Medhurst you
seemed to be, But as it is, I will go
out of your life as came into it."
He caught her hand in his
"You love me? You would marry
me if were just plain John Medhurst,
with no rank?''
She looked at him proudly.
"Yes, would marry you if you were
plain John Medhurst.' would bo
content to live in a cottage with you,
content with you-and love: So you
see you have conquered"
He drew her to him with glad little
laugh.
eyes, have conquered. I and-love.
have no other feeling for you sweet
heart, save reverence and honor, in
spite Of the little plot you have con-
fessed. 1t does not even affect me, for
your love is for the man, not for the
peer"
Eyes, yes" she murmured. "You,
John, just you-and, O, to think that
l can never prove my love! That a
doubt as to my sincerity must always
linger with you. That is punishment
enough for me-"
1T need not be-" he returned. 81
also have a confession to make. I am
not Lord Carslake, the man you plotted
to marry. I came here and took these
rooms that had been thrown over at
the last moment by another man, pre-
sumably Carslake; so, darling, you
may really know that you are marry
ing man who believes in your love"
mot Lord Carslake! o, how glad
I ami" she cried, with a tremulous
laugh. How glad that I may prove
my love is for you, even though you
were beggar, so long as I could walk
by your side!"
Then he bent his head, and their lips
met. And in that kiss of love Lottie
left the world behind her.
Four weeks later a quiet little we'd
ding took place at rural church. The
bride and bridegroom came out quietly
and drove to the station. Lottie had
broken her contract with the Felicity