The Virginia enterprise., 1909-02-12

There Fraser!-Tell Tom to across to Uncle Mar
1orbanks with this note and hurry back-f stops
talk to Matilda Ann, I'll take his SCALP
But Lucy!-Lucy?-Lucy won't want to be married to
pauper with mansion and park-but know what it
Will be:-Nothing will change me-Rich poor,
yours, Lucy.-Dear old girl (writes).
my darling LUCY have just had an awful shock
Mrs MCPHERSON writes to that Fudge left
Australia and taken my little ALI with him-I love you
and shall never love anyone but in all life but of
course you won't marry beggar (even with mansion
and park, and DEAR you free your
choice to wait until shall have recovered by hard work
my lost fortune AS for me, yours until DEATH only
thought it right to let know give
up, | am, your devoted slave. Algernon."
But she won't give me up-I know she won't-my little
Lucyfods letter and addresses envelope rsing) Fraser
-(rngs NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. to door)-
Here's letter from auntie and long letter from
uncle:
"Algernon-1 am may say, fatally wounded -(Good
heavenshas he shot ef?)-treacherously shot,
tally injured by member of my family-The gun that
fired the shot is other than the letter have just
ceived from you,-no MartiniHenry could have done its
work better This morning while accommodating
pedton in the village across Mrs. Mcpherson. AS
she flying signals Of distress, halted my march
to question her drew from her information that
her husbands partner Fudge had absconded with
funds.-The blow severe that I obliged to
abandon position and retire upon the public
house. which happened to be the Alwyn Arms Here for
tilted and entrenched myself and it until the aft
that I felt sufficiently strengthened continue
the advance Marengo House. You imagine my
horror opening dispatch to discover the reachery
whose
patgn Had it not been for the reconnaissance this
ing should have been under the IMPRESSION that still
amply endowed with the fortune father bequeahed
to you and which you have recklessly squandered
(squandered?-recklessly!) !)-you required momentary
loan of $1,000 and with the motto of house nobesse
oblige ever before should have instantly
ped-1, old soldier, would have marched unsuspect
ngly into the ambush cunning had prepared
destruction enclose few lines from hearbroken
aunt Marengo Majoribanks
Late Major Her Majesty's Dragon Guards
- wi be
tion for member of family to accept
invitation to dinner this evening""
The old-the od-no, ] won't-I won't abuse him be-
hind his back, but when see him I'll let him know!
(Sfghs), (writes):
my Dear Doctor and My Dear Old Frend-A calamity
has overtaken me-to be bref-Fudge has disappeared
with all my money! am, Of course temporarily embar
rassed. Remembering your many expressions of good
will and your oft repeated request that should apply
to when in trouble do hesitate now to ask you
to aid by giving bearer cheque O00
which enclose my l. O. U.-I hope that in spite of my
misfortune will not fail to dinner this
ing and well uncork bottle of "a to
Always your affectionate friend,
Algernon Alwyn"
Ah let's what Auntie Munich has to say "opens let
ter. reads):
MY Dear A1gernon-Your uncle just with the
greatest decacy and with possible consideration for
my feeble condition. broken to the fearful crash that
has enveloped house in its awful paTo think that
only few moments ago was happy watering
beloved roses in sun:it garden, when clear
sky the bolt fell ravaged an instant like pack
of cards. the beautiful placid which we were sail
ing peacefully. To think Algernon you in whom
have always had such mistaken faith should have
the serpent to gnaw away with blow the founda-
tions of confidence in humanity!-Your poor uncle
that by your act have placed yourself within
the of the police and without the pale society
= You will know, Of course, why it would been i'm
possible for to comply with your attempt to rob u.s.
by yielding up thousand pounds: We have your
cousin Robert to consider and it s as you are aware
compromising a felony to rob Peter pay Paul am
with expression of horror your CON-
pletey collapsed aunt,
Marjory Marjoribanks'
"P. Sand oh, Agernon, l looking forward with
much pleasure to first dinner this evening" that
another sad blow!-P.~ S. P. S.-you will have to dis
charge that expensive cook"
This is getting worse and worse!-Why, OH why
doesn't Tom back with word from Lucy-then
wouldn't mind that abusive nonsense!-Sx to dinner
three friends gone-No that's not fair to Bobbie-
(writes)
Dear Old Bobbie-I suppose you've heard by now of
my smash?-a gone-nohing left but the house the
parkf4ave you dollars to spare? If so bring them
around at dinner time If you get without
Well have one more good dinner and laugh and chad
and drink brown sherry!-never mind about the dollars
you're hard up, but GOMEZ From your old fag,
Algie"
(Tears letter open):
down (sits)-"My Dear Sir Agernon-Lucy being par
this afternoon, damn Robert Marjoribanks!-I am
the dear child what had say she great
y distressed and came confde in me- My Dear Si1