The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-11-17

s.."'If we had ladder, Miss HARRISON y
said Mr.. Payson. "Ah! have Z
thought. Excuse me; I'll be back In
a minute" and he turned quickly
away.
"Oh," what will he think of me?''
moaned Katherine. "This is awful!
and she went into the room for anoth.
er try at the knob, which, however,
proved futile.
The sound Of steps called her back
to the balcony. What in the world.
The carriage, Mr.. Payson on the box
with the driver, was coming straight
toward her. AS it stopped, Mr.. Pay.
son stood upon the seat, from which he
could just reach to climb to the bal
cony. As he came over the rail. he
said
We'll Just pretend I'm the janitor
for minute, while see if can do
anything with that refractory door,
and he stepped into the room. His
entire manner had changed, and Kath-
arine stood in amazement at the vision
of the paragon of propriety in her
room on. his knees before her door
knob. What was more, he was run
ming on with merry nonsense the
while, in a way she could not have
imagined possible. He was obliged to
give up the problem, however, and re-
turned to the balcony.
II see but one way for you, Miss
To- 81 n
stand at the horses heads, and If you
can climb the rail-it's not very high
I'll stand on the seat and help you
down. Can you manage it, do you
think?" His eyes were dancing with
fun, as he looked into hers. Could it
be that the precise Mr.. Payson was en-
joying this escapade?
II can do it all right" admitted
Katharine, ''but, yes. will.
mustn't disappoint Harry"
"Oh, stop him quick" she cried.
1--WE forgotten my music! What a
stupid"
Payson told the driver to turn back,
then said:
II don't wonder that you forgot it.
But I'm equal to another raid on your
ROOM"
"But it's not my room. Oh, how
can ever get it? It's in the music
ROOM"
"You must have it, suppose?"
II could get along, but my accom-
panist-" rhe carriage stopped at the
entrance.
"Is Their. balcony off the music
room, too?'
Eyes,"
"Then that's dead easy if the win
dow is unfasts2ed. If not, glass is
brittle" They drove to the side of
the house and stopped, by Katharine's
directions.
1.-THE music is on the piano in my
music-roll," said Katharine, as he en-
tered the window.
AS they neared their destination,
Mr.. Payson said:
Suppose we kee.' the events Of this
evening" to ourselves, Miss Harrison?
Not that you have anything to be
ashamed Of; but I know what your
life will be if Harry Thayer gets hold
of what has happened"
"He is an awful tease" said Kath-
arine. Il never thought, but I'd have
to explain, though. It's kind of YOU
if we could avoid telling
"Of course we can. It's agreed, then.
that it's secret between u.s."
Harry had no time to question as
he dragged Katharine into the dress
ing-room, saying:
1--WE had to change the programme
now, 50 as to bring your first song
later"
Don't be cross, Thayer," said Pay
son. "Our delay was absolutely un-
avoidable, on her part, at least"
''That was generous" thought Kath-
arine. "And almost as if it was his
fault"
She was at her best that evening
many telling her they had never heard
her sing so well. Harry and Mr.. Pay
son were on their way to her after
the concert, when Harry said:
much obliged to you, Payson, for
escorting Miss Harrison safely here at
last. But I'll relieve you now; can
take her home"
"Thayer," said Payson suddenly
chow much claim have you to Miss
Harrison?"
"None at ALL" answered Harry
promptly, "only she's my cousin, and
I've always known her."
"Then I take her home" said Pay
son, decidedly.
Hope you won't be as long getting
there as you were coming here, ~
laughed Harry, adding, as Katharine
came toward them: "Mr. Payson in
sists on finishing up the escorting
business, Kit, so I'm OUT
AS they left the carriage, Mr.. Pay.
son said:
"Why did you seem so surprised
when Thayer said was to take you
| home, Miss Harrison?"
*'Why-I-thought you must be dis