The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-08-04
AN OLD GAME
Copyright, 1905, by w. g. Chapman.)
b I. M'RoSS

Copyright, 1905, by w. g. Chapman)
~ OBERT STIRLING had stretched
n himself upon the sand at the feet
of Helen Hanson, who sat staring at
the white sails lowering over the bay.
Silence had fallen upon them-a ST.
lence that was little embarrassing
to Helen, who felt aggrieved that Rob-
ert had taken her refusal so calmly.
IL only he had pleaded his cause
better perhaps l might Helen's
thought merged into another: But
that was the way he acted when he
failed in his college examinations
just packed his things and went of
out west without"
do you remember how we used to
make believe when we were chill
dren?" Helen felt thankful that Rob-
ert had At last broken the painful
silence. you were always a queen,
princess or fairy, while was king or
slave, knight or knave. elf or ogre,
whatever you wished"
What good times we used to have!
You were very obedient then l won
der If you would be as docile now"
Helen glanced sidewise at Robert, who
Immediately sat up and looked eagerly
at her.
TRY mel"
20, l didn't mean-we're grown up
now" she demurred.
Just for this one day." he pleaded
you know this is my last day here
and l may never see you again."
"Well,' irresolutely, what shall the
game be? You choose this time,
B-Bob."
He laughed at her hesitation.
Bob of course The play? Let's
make believe that the dream OF my
whole life is coming to pass, that you
are going back with meas my wife
TO that dreary mining town."
Her face was turned from him, but
her ear and fair, round neck was pink
with bushes.
Surely you will do this for your old
playmate" he insisted.
How shall we play-begin-such a
game as that" she stammered. Il
AC'cI p1dyou IL, you huOW.
You might begin by turning so that
can look into your face. And-well,
can at least hold your hand; you
know I used to. There, that's better"
He looked thoughtfully at the slim,
white hand that lay in his own strong,
brown one. Then, SO tenderly that
her heart bounded:
Il am going to tell you, dear, about
the cottage built for you," he began.
1T is a mean little town that must be
our home for while, just one street
bordered by shanties, mostly saloons.
Our cottage is little way from the
street. 1t has only four rooms. bare
and ugly now, but when you are in
them-ah-h!
He drew his breath sharply and
looked out upon the bay, while her
eyes wandered up the beach where the
rest Of the party were making a drift
wood fire.
THE large living-room has four win
dows; they were my one extravaganza
for remembered how fond you are of
sunlight, so the room gets the sun all
day long,"
IN make white muslin curtains. :"
Helen cried, entering into the spirit
Of the game. And we'll have shelves
in one corner for our books-or shall
we have a coy corner with lots of
cushions?"
There's another corner to make
cosy, but I'll have to make the frame
work out Of packing boxes. You know
it costs great deal to get furniture
up into the mountains."
Packing boxes make lovely furni-
ture. I'll take one trunk full of odds
and ends for draperies. l suppose /
can take two trunks?"
-Four, if you like
"Im-glad have taken lessons In
cooking. I can truly cook the most
toothsome dishes you ever ate."
MY mouth waters now. 1 can smell
the hot dinner even at this distance"
Its the clam chowder they are max
Ing up the beach that you SMELL
Helen jumped gayly to her feet. Come
let's run or they will eat all of 1t
before We get there"