The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-05-17

we left the club house. he answered,
ruefully.
She laughed Jack, what miser-
able time you've been having! I sup
pose it explains your playing, which
is-well, even worse than usual"
We'll, if all you want in a hus-
band is a fellow who can 60 around in
a." he replied, GROSSLY, you'd better
marry Brown"
She half-closed her eyes, perked her
head and studied the toe of her
SHOE
DO you really think SO, Jack?" she
murmured. I've been thinking of It,
but-he's so stout and gets so red
In the face, that don't know
Jack Bower glared at her angrily.
HAS that little fat idiot been making
love to you?" he demanded
She glanced up in simulated sur
prise. Idiot? Why, Jack, he's the
best player here"
Has he?"
"Well-really, you're very imperti-
nent."
Has he, Grace?"
"N-no, not exactly she answered,
slowly
He grunted. Sounds az though
you wish he had!'
Jack, you're very nasty" she said,
severely.
OF course one couldn't be angry at
Jack, though there was no harm in
h1 hoI
a nasty temper and was $3.50 un-
reasonable! But he was nice, too,
in fact quite the dearest fellow in
the world; and handsome. She look
ed approvingly at his long, 1.-THE figure,
at the dark hair that was almost
black, at the broad shoulders and mus
cular arms from which the sleeves
were rolled away, and sighed. 1t was
too bad he was such a duffer at golf,
though of course she didn't care about
that so much as she pretended to;
Jack was so lovely to tease! And be-
sides, it wasn't really his fault. He
worked hard five days in the week,
and one really couldn't keep up his
game doing that And it was nice of
weekend; he cared lots more for
yachting than for golf, and would
much rather spend his Saturdays and
Sundays on the sound, she was sure,
if it wasn't for-for her. She really
ought to be nice to him; he deserved
it, only Oh, dear, it was such fun
to tease him.
Shall we start back?' she asked.
His frowns vanished az sight of
her smile. you haven't answered
me yet" he reminded.
Answered you-what?" she asked,
looking away.
whether you'll marry me-
Jack she said, despairingy, "how
many times is this?"
-Four"
only four It seems as though
you'd been proposing to me ever since
1 knew you-and that's six years."
"And I'm going to keep on propos-
ing he said, doggedly. you refused
three times, but to-day you're going
to say Yes aren't you?' he begged.
She made no answer for moment,
but looked thoughtfully down at the
sun-fecked river at the foot of the
green slope upon which they sat
your proposals are SO dreadfully
matter of fact" she said, presently.
Her tone sounded aggrieved.
But you know l love you, Grace
he said, earnestly You surely haven't
any doubt of that. I dare say I'm
pretty much of a duffer at making
love, just as l am at playing golf, but
but Oh hang it all, dear, I'd do
anything in the world for you!"
Il wonder if you would?" she asked,
musingly.
"Try me, then.
She shook her head doubtingly IF
l set you very, very difficult task,
just like the princesses in the old
fairy tales used to do, and told you
that il you performed it I would
marry you, would you do it?'
I'D make a stab at it," he answer
ed, grimly.
But if it was-was-oh, almost i'm
possible?"
IF you said it had to be done before
you'd marry me, yes. 1t couldn't be
much harder than waiting"
Her eyes dropped, and a little blush
spread over her cheeks. I'll take you
at your word" she said, hurriedly.
Help me up, Jack"
He obeyed, and waited while she
shook her white skirt She pointed to
the bag which they shared between
them, and turned toward the tree. He
followed, looking at her questioningly.
She was smiling gaily; trifle cruelty,
too, he thought
"Well?" he asked.
well, coming out I beat, didn't I?
Now we'll start over, Jack, and plav
in"
':Well?" he asked again, beginning
to look worried
If you win, Jack, I'll marry Won:
if you lose, you're not to propose to
me again-for year, at least"
You mean it," he asked, gravely.
'Of course. You said you'd do any,
thing to win me. What-what are Won
doing?"
Getting ready" He had taken off
his stock, and was stuffing it into the
pocket of the bag. THAT thing both
ers me. l haven't ghost of a show.
l suppose, but I'd try harder thing
than this for the same stake, Grace.
It's your honor"
She hadn't expected him to agree,
for the result was foregone conclu-
sion, and she looked a bit dazed for