The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-01-20

s1hlleo proudly, believing himself the
4 victor. -. 80 x :,
'Then I am not wholly uncongenial
to you? You do not wish. to repulse
me? Do you give me hope?"
Hope nothing before the hour re-
piled Mile. de Kergariel eagerly. 81
know that no one except Georges will
devote himself exclusively to my hap
piness. That is why I hesitate. so
much. But I must give him an an
swer in two days. I will tell you, also,
| my decision at the same time"
M. de Kergariel and Mme de, Millery
came up just at that moment, and
| Marguerite said no more.
Nine. de Millery thought that the
| conversation between the two young
| people must have taken a more senti-
mental turn and, glancing mischiev-
ously at M. de Kergariel, murmured:
''Those children worship each other,
Do you remember how cleverly we used
to slip away by ourselves when we
were their age? Come, your nephew
will not be the one to win her!"
M. de Kergariel shook his head and
answered slowly: -
'Women's acts cannot be reckoned
with. We sometimes slipped away to-
gether, MarQuise, yet did not become
your happy husband. I shall wait for
Marguerite's decision"
The next day At the time they
usually took their walk along the edge
of the cliffs, Marguerite and the two
young men, followed by M. de Kergariel
| and Nine. de Millery-the latter ac-
companied by her faithful Coquette-
were exploring the lofty rocks over
hanging the sea.
Howls Of terror suddenly arose.
No one knew how the accident hap<
pened, but Nine. de Millery's dog had
fallen into the sea and the waves we're
already bearing it away.
The old lady shrieked, wept, wrung
her hands and offered her whole for
tune to any one who would ssve the
poor animal.
1T would be useless" said Georges.
'That is a dangerous place. No Sc usi-
BILE person can risk his life to save a
dog's.'
AS if the words were some magic
spell, the indecision portr eyed ON Raoul
de Villier's face during Nine. de Mil
lery's appeal suddenly vanished and,
before there was time to stop him, he
threw off his coat, climbed down the
bluff and plunged into the terrible sea.
Cries of terror escaped every ones
| lips. Marguerite's heart almost stop
| ped beating. T..
Georges alone remained unmoved,
his eyes fixed upon Raoul, guessing
what excessive vanity, united to the
desire of pleasing his patroness, had
| suddenly decided this mans action.
! But the fears of the others, became
intense as they saw that Raoul,
though an excellent swimmer, after
| having seized the animal, could no
| longer struggle against the waves;
| his strength was failing and the spec
tators of the drama fairly held their
! breath.
Marguerite was on the point of fall
ing when a hand was laid on her arm.
Turning, she saw Georges, who was
looking at her intently. He was
frightfully pale, but his voice was firm
as, pointing to Raoul, he asked:
do you love him?"
Marguerite answered angrily-for
! she read in her cousins eyes his hate
for Raoul and thought it unworthy of
! him at such moment.
eyes: do love him!"
| Then, to her bewilderment, for the
words she had just uttered should
have deepened the gulf between the
two men, Georges in his turn rushed
to the strand and breasted the threat
ening waves.
Swimming with unusual power, he
succeeded by great exertion in reach
| the shore.
The whole. scene had taken place in
few moments, but to the terrified
spectators the time seemed endless.
When Georges had returned to
the cliff Marguerite gazed proudly at
him, radiant expression illumining
her face.
In witnessing the danger he had in
Cured merely to save her from suffer-
ing, in spite of the hatred he bore
Raoul de- Villiers, her cousins disin-
terested love shone VIGOROUSLY before
her eyes.
| And by the intense emotion she felt
she realized that she, too, loved him
and that his love had taken possession
of her whole soul.
The next morning when Georges
and Marguerite were alone the young
girls eyes expressed heartfelt affec-
ton, radiant Joy. He thought that she
was going to thank him for restoring
her lover; and before she could speak
he said bitterly:
mot a word of gratitude, 1 beseech
you! It was against my will that
saved the man you love. If you are
happy, so much the better, for I had
no other object than to secure your