The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-02-15

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Ever since I had read about the
place in a daily of two years ago
had fought the great temptation. 1t
was almost vanquished, when in the
second number of new Journal for
Collectors I came upon heading,
THE Antiquarys Paradise" I pro-
test, tried not to read the article.
ries of the Friday curio-mart in the
Metropolitan meat market. l was de-
termined not to read it. But I did.
Then told the Female Connoisseur,
and my fate was fixed. 1--WE must CO."
she said, in grim resolve. The Female
Connoisseur has a great way with her.
WEEP l echoed duly.
You and l." was her stern answer.
I tried diplomacy. I told her that
it was long way off. 1t was no
place for woman (here she snorteO.
1t was dirty, very dangerous. I told
her that half the mysterious disap-
pearances in the city were from that
part of town.
This seemed only to rouse the spirit
Of romance in her. Her eyes glis-
tened. "Oh! won't it be fascinating?"
You must put on the very dirtiest
of Clothes" I said, with inspiration
dress seemed the most vulnerable
point-"otherwis they'll raise their
prices double"
It'll be just like in a book" she
cried. For married woman the F.
G. is absurdly ungrammatical and
youthful.
I'VE shall have to make an early
start
I meant this as Encouragement;
she took it as an added joy. Eyes,
we'll creep out in our old things, with
the milkman. Let's say nine o'clock,
on Friday next, from here"
This seemed to clinch the matter
mine o'clock, on Friday next, from
here" I repeated vacantly, and said
"GoOd-by." My stock of tact and pa
thence was exhausted. After all,
could solve the matter by forgetting
l had nearly managed to forget, in
all sincerity, on Thursday night, when
Il received a letter.
II hope" it said, "your cos
tune is ready? Mine is quite a tr1
umph. This is only 10 remind you
We start from here at nine a. M,
wet or fine"
1t was not quite closing time for
kilograms, and I dashed to the near!
est post Office.
No Antiquary's Paradise if wet"
wired. FalsehOOd comes so easy on
Geographic form. Then settled
down to pray for rain.
James," I said to the butler, IT
may want calling at half-past seven
tomorrow, if it's fine. But, mind"
went on very impressively-I hope
I didn't wink-"if there should be
pne drop of rain, or any sign of drops
to come, shall not want calling un-
til nine o'clock. You understand" It
would not be my fault if James failed
to wake me.
when James came in next morning.
I merely felt little sorry for the Fe-
male Connoisseur, alone in all her
fnery.
"Halfpast seven, sir" said James.
I leaped up. what" I began,
In awful anger.
"Ah, the weather." James contin-
ued. Its just like summer to-day.
rare peace o. luck, Sir Not a
cloud" He drew the curtain swiftly,
letting in a light that hurt my eye.
| suddenly resolved to oversleep
myself. But, somehow, I could not
really sleep; and the thought of the
F. C.'s disappointment came to weigh
upon me. I determined to see the
matter through. But one thing I
would not do: I would not indulge
her by putting on absurd, odd clothes,
dirty collar, and the rest. What
was the use of it? She had said they
would take us, then, for dealers. AS
though I could be mistaken for a
dealer, or she, either! I put on an
ordinary morning suit, and was at the
F. C.'s house by nine O'clock
She must have been most eager for
the trip, for she was ready, and opened
the front door. At a first glance I
took her for the servant. A mackin-
tosh coat of disreputable age, a
stained and napless skirt of serge,
cheap bead-chain, were the first
things to strike me. The F. C. curt
seyed.
Dyer like me, Alf?" she smiled.
Such playfulness so soon after
breakfast struck me as close upon
immoral. Looking back, perhaps /
was in rather an unpleasant mood
Il didn't police anything different"
said.
The F. Z. Kept agreeable-she al
ways does. How like a mani" she
laughed. Not notice!"
hate sneers at the sex. IT did no.
tice your Dress" I said, "but it's as
usual. Look at the hat, now; that
gives you away. No common person
could ever"
"Yes," she interrupted, pleasantly.
but coldly, Il borrowed it from Liz
the kitchen maid" Then she stepped