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


away, right away into the world, where
so many girls earned their own living.
She could earn hers, too; the last
governess had been wont to admire
her pupils dancing, and to say that
she had fortune in her feet.
Why should she not turn those most
useful members to account?
When the first shock was over Let
tice laughed to herself softly. How
easily her father could have rid him
self Of her presence had he only known
1t, and now two strangers had done
the deed for him!
The girl thrust the scarlet peoples
into chair where they were found
days afterward, and hurried with
light steps down to the garden and in
hurriedlybegan to collect few of her
most valuable trinkets, all the money
she possessed and some necessary
articles Of clothing.
| She must not excite suspicion, she
knew, by carrying too much away with
her; the servants or any one who might
chance to see her must think that she
was going for walk.
She remembered, even in her hurry,
that herones who ran away almost in
variably left a note on their pin
cushion. She wrote hasty scrawl, tel
ling her father that she had found out
his secret, and that she was going to
rid him Of an unwelcome daughter.
She bade him not trouble to find her,
as she would be all right, having money
with her.
Then, folding 1t up, she addressed the
envelope to the Earl and placed it in
conspicuous position, and set of, poor.
pretty little Lady Lettuce, out on her
travels toward the great unknown
world on foot-the feet which were to
be her fortune!
But these same feet grew weary to-
ward night, long before their mistress
had reached what she considered the
world, although she tramped long
and steadily, her face set toward the
metropolis.
Where she would eventually have
found herself as night came on it would
difficult to say, had she not met some
one by the way, a some one to whom
her pretty earnest face, with its shadow
Of WEAKNESS and resolve, instantly ap-
pealed.
you are tired-have you much fur
Their to go?"
In all her short life Lettuce had had
little experience Of men, beyond her
father, and what she had had Of him
was not calculated TO inspire conf
dence in the sex. She drew away lit
tie, although the face bending toward
her own was kindly solicitous.
Ever so far" she said, hopelessly.
Il want to get to London as soon as
possible"
The young man laughed.
"Walking?" he inquired. you won't
get there tonight, unless you take
train from the junction. What's your
name and what do your people mean
by letting a p little girl he cor
rected himself hastily as he found her
large hazel eyes fixed inquiringly on
him-"walk these roads by herself at
this hour?"
In a flash Lettice decided that her
name had better not be mentioned,
She dimly remembered her mothers.
and her own second name.
Hilary Fortescue," she announced,
with quivering lips. i've run away
from home to make my fortune-and
think | can dance II they will take
me on In London"
Whose advice are you acting upon!"
the young man asked, quietly. He
thought Of his own well-guarded Sis
tiers, and then looked at Hilary. She
was perfect lady, and well born, he
could see. even in the fading light. A
runaway?
Suddenly, and without any warning,
Lettice dissolved into tears, and sobed
out her story to her sympathetic COM
panion, only emitting names. Geof-
frey Anstruther started. Could any
father be so utterly callous and cruel?
Come home with me tonight" he
said when she had finished. my
mother and sisters will be only too
glad to hove you; and have no father
who will turn you out neck and crop
he died years ago! Yes, you must
como, Miss Fortescue," as Lettice
drew back nervously; you can't be out
In the country lanes all night"
IAN inn," she ventured' umidly.
"Impossible!" returned her self-con-
! stituted guardian, decisiyely.
Make no more fuss about it. but
/ ;,,r4 co,,a o1nn~r With ma onI top,orrouy