The new enterprise., 1905-02-23
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an RAbNh hNl y W ~ NuN EAluEEilllE
wildly with a red parasol that refused
to be closed. Just in front Of her was
a stle; the rain now began TO come
down In great splashes, a furry Of
wind caught her as she was nearly
over the stile, and the red parasol
went careerlng away in midalr like a
parachute.
This was an opportunity not TO be
lost, and before she was aware Of my
presence | had leaped over the stile
and was handing her down on the
other side, with my umbrella unfurled
and ready.
Pardon me-" said, in my very best
manner, "As you appear TO be going
my way will you permit me TO offer
You the hospitality of my gamp?"
She turned up the loyeliest face in all
the wide world, with the rosiest checks
and the prettiest Of dlmples coming and
going in thcm and her white teeth
showed deliciously as she laughed and
said
circumstances would compel me in
any case and thank you very much"
| and without further ado she put her
head under the umbrella in very near
proximity to my own. | never knew
such rain as followed outside Of the
tropics. 1t came down in unbroken
| liquid spines as thick MS your finger,
and an umbrella, even Of the widest
capacity, was a very small providence
indeed under such circumstances Hap
| PLY, however, before we had time to
exchange q dozen further words
sharp bend in the path brought us to
an outbuildmg, the door Of which stood
invltingly open. At that moment the
sky opened wide with flame and
belched with thunder, and with COM
mon impulse we sought the opportune
shelter There was then an awkward
pause and q sense of embarra assment in
which we had an equal share. At last
| | said;
"Aro you living in this neighbor-
Loodt'
For The present, yes" she answered.
Perhaps, then. we shall he neigh
bors My people live at the Grange"
You. then, Gre Captain Hamilton"
was somewhat surprised at this,
but gave no sign Of it, only rs re-
moved my hat AT your service"
Il know your father, and have often
heard him speak Of YOU. l don't think
he expects you to-day, however
Again ! wondered but hoping to OBJ
tain information, and, feeling, some
how, that | had an honest girl to deal
with, l at once blurted out the truth.
"Can | trust you" | said, quickly
adding, Indeed, know can"
She laughed the mewlest Of all pos
sible laughs-I have never known such
a merry laugh as that girl had,
Yes" she answered, 81 think I may
be trusted. But why the question:
1T is this. | have cousin living
down here-hcr name is Kate Field.
ing"
Il know her very we'll"
"That simpllhes matters. have not
seen her for ten years, and I thought |
would run down to-day and have a
| peep at her unawares.'
you have a motive in doing so, of
cOurse:'
"Wcll yes but I must not carry my
condolences 100 far"
Don't; have not invited them"
"Quite so. Well, l always detested
this cousin of mine"
Indeed! And why? like her very
much myself although, speaking can
didly, she has certain faults"
"There you are" l answered, trium-
phantly; the chief of which is uGli-
| ness"
"SLe certainly is no beauty"
Beauty! | can see her nova red
| headed sQuint-eyed. madcap creature,
climbing trees and fighting boys
Fighting boys How shocking"
"Yes. l saw her once lick boy as
big as two Of her; he had been maui
ing his little baby sister, But l liked
her for that, and took her up in my
arms and Kissed her."
ibid she like it?'
81 think not, for she simply smaclSed
my face and said, How dare you, sirF
That's what the little spitfire did.
suppose her hair is as red as ever?"
Red No,it is mouse color"
"Mouse color That's odd; / never
knew red hair to go mouse color,"
"Oh! II does sometimes" II
"What about the squint?"
"Her spectacles hide that" - o