The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1909-04-21

The Shears of Destiny
copyright, by j. B. Llpp1ncott Coz
Bv CLINTON DANCERFIELD


, Good God!" thought Weyman, "she
needed that nickel for food!" Ho
stopped the carriage and changed the
route again.
| "You will let me out now?" she
asked, pushing her hair from her fore
head with a pathetically resolute at
tempt at trying to appear quite herself
again. Il don't care to drive farther
and l am so very much obliged. On,
please, where are my scissors
'In my pocket said Weyman men
daciously, for the precious bargain
had been lost. II will give them to
you as soon as we have had lunch"
| AS she ate and drank most lovely
color came to her cheeks, and light
swan in her eyes like twin stars radl-
ating in reflection from the liquid
beauty of companion lakes.
Oncu she laughed, little, low
laugh, and looked at her friend with
mischief in her glance, yet behind the
mischief a touch of returning sadness.
IT am o very dreadful GIRL she
said. II am eating and drinking with
total stranger whose name l shall
never know"
my name is Robert Marshall Wey-
man." interrupted her friend.
She blushed. Indeed, Mr. Weyman,
didn't mean to ask you for 1t.
would rather not have known. For
when people will never see each other
again"
Never is too big word for us lit
tie mortals to play with. The Powers
That Be defeat us whenever we use
it."
mot when a woman uses it," said
Golden Locks calmly. "You have rem
dered me a great service"-she hest
tated and blushed again, this time hot
ly but adorably as she thought of how
she had been snatched up in those
strong arms and restored to a chance
at the shears-"a great service" she
went on. But I ask for greater
If you are a gentleman, you will not
ask my name, nor try to discover It, u
Unfortunately, I am not a gentle
man." said Weyman cheerfully, pour
ing out more wine for her before the
watchful waiter could reach the bot
tie, II am simply a man. And to-mor
row I am coming to see you and bring
you the scissors myself. 1 am afraid
to trust you with them after this
fatigue. You might cut your fingers
That night an excited and WORKOUT
Golden Locks sobbed forth the whole
story to white-faced patient elder
sister, sister who had once been
very fair herself, but who had long
since woven into the dresses of more
fortunate woman her youth, her beau.
ty, and hope itself.
"And he just would know where
lived. He just would drive me home,
pursued Golden Locks. "And
couldn't afford to lose those shears
after all I went through for them
could I, dearest?"
Gladys" said the other warningly
"you will pay dearly for your wonder
full bargain II you are not careful
Let me receive him, little one, moi
YOU"
"Just as you like" SAIL Gladys
scornfully. "Why should carer"
But the plans of the most caution:
too often defeat themselves. Whe1
Miss STAFFORD came herself into hel
r tiny parlor, used generally to receive
!. her customers, light of instant recog
4 milton flashed into Weyman's face.
: "Why, it's Miss Julia STAFFORD" h
/ exclaimed II used to see you oftel
i at my uncle's place when I was
n youngster.
l. II am sorry you have placed me,
l. said Miss STAFFORD with grim frank
g ness, though shaking hands. "Yo
r must perceive for yourself" sh
r added as they seated themselves
g that l and mine have dropped out c
the race. We live, and we have on
d pleasures" she added, with proud di'
l. regard of truth which Weyman deepl
le respected, but we live so busily, a
re wage-earners, that we have no time
lg to receive"
Except in case of other wage-ear1
It, ers," returned Weyman easily. "Quit
so. I'm one myself. Made ten dc
as lars on magazine article this wee
IN and expect to get some more for
RS short story. Only I'm badly mike
rs as to my heroine's gown-getting n
r. chiffon and buttons in the wrol
places, don't you know. And l wa
e. you to advise me, you and your siste
n whose shears l must return"
He took out pair about the 81
TT of those lost, but of exquisitely fl
I'd workmanship.
I'd "These scissors are a grave respo
lie sibility," he pursued. 81 must retul
a. them to the actual owner. That is ;
le unwritten law concerning bargain
you know"
t. "Oh, you are incorrigible," hi
sighed, half laughed Miss Strafford.
in A year after the girl at the cologl
ir counter was discontentedly watchil
in another mad scramble for 'speci
g. sales"
to "They won't never git no such fiv
IS cent bargain as that yellow-haired 81