The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1907-05-09

tice was quite one of the family: 1t
was a novel experience fer her to be
made much OF by girls her own age,
1 though perfect stranger to her, spared
no trouble with the young guest SO
queerly thrust upon her.
But Lettuce remembered that she
had her own living to earn, and beg
ged Mrs. Anstruther to help her That
good lady. however, came upon a
| photograph in the London papers, and
photograph Of young girl who was
missing, which strongly resembled Let
tice, and she guessed that the visitor
she had harbored in so strange a man
ner was none other than the Earl OF
Cranston's only child.
Godfrey, who had been daily grow.
ing more and more attached to the
young girl he had protected, and whom
fate had so strangely thrown across
his path, grew white to the lips when
his mother silently handed him the
paper.
Then she is My Lady Lettice," he
said, land not Miss Hilary Fortescue!"
"Geoff!" his mother looked up lov-
ingly. 81 have seen-you love her;
but you have not Spoken"
The young fellow turned toward the
window. Il have not spoken, of
course" he said slowly, "and never
shall now-but-I love her! All!
bow love her, my little Hilary"
Unperceived, third person had en-
tered the room. She had meant in
slant flight, but the half-stifed cry of
anguish arrested her footsteps. My
Lady Lettuce had grown into a woman
during the last few days-she had
learned many new things.
"Geoff!"
The one word escaped her trembl-
ing lips, and then, as if ashamed of
saying so much she slipped swiftly
across the room and hid her flushing
face on Mrs. Anstruther's shoulder.
Geoff's mother put her gently from
her.
my dear little Hilary-I mean Lady
Lettice," she said consolingly; 81
think should go to some one else if
were your"
And then she went quickly out of
the room, and closed the door behind
her. The young people must settle the
future between them!
Anstruther took a stride toward his
little love, who was looking, II possible,
more beautiful than ever with her
hazel eyes, and the pretty color COM
ing and going in her delicate cheeks
Mother is right-she reminded me
in time you are My Lady Lettice
now" he said, as If to excuse his sud-
den halt.
She bowed her pretty head. She had
spoken once-had given him his
chance. 1t was he who must make the
next move, in whatever direction it
should please him.
At that moment shadow darkened
the pathway outside. Lady Lettice
looked up nervously.
Father she cried piteously.
And Geoff, remembering all that she
had suffered, was standing by her side,
when the earl was announced a min.
ute later. The face Of the latter bore
unmistakable signs Of uneasiness; 1t
was white and drawn, and there were
fresh lines about his mouth, and a
heavy sleepless look about his eyes. A
light dawned on Lady Lettuce.
Father" she said again, holding out
her hands.
A smile crossed the Earl's face; he
looked at his daughter, then at the
young man who stood protectingly at
her side.
"You found her, understand" he
said, land saved her, my poor little
Lettice, from what might have been an
ugly fate. feel l owe her life to you,
Mr.. Anstruther, and am not insensible
to the fact, believe me.
"Lettice," turning to the graceful
girl whose beauty he seemed to recog-
nize for the first time, ARE you COM
Ing home with me?'
She looked once more at Anstruther,
who stood knitting his brows in
thought, while a queer smile played
round his mobile clean-shaven mouth.
He was not handsome-this ordinary
looking young Englishman-but to Let
tce he represented all that was desire
able at that moment!
|. my lord" he said suddenly, you
can pay that debt, II you will, by CIV
ing me your daughter. I love her, nay
lord, and l am far from poor Are you
too proud to let me win her?"
Letuce raised beseeching eyes to her