The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1909-04-09
"The Easter LADY,"

AAO GoSlCI 1oOy:
'"You are not wholly unknown to,
me, miss Drummond, although I con-
Tess l. never saw you until today.
said Valdean, slowly. Last Easter I
CHANGED to be at st. Marks church in
the city, and there heard you sing
for the first time. I know 1t was you,
for / could not be mistaken in the
voice. l did not see you. nor was I
able to find out who you were or where
you lived, but your voice has haunted
me Tor q whole year. In my thoughts,
In my dreams, you have been known
to me only as the Easter lady; but
now-at last.
He checked himself, and deliberate
ly began to turn the vehicle into a
cross-road leading at right angles from
the one they were following. The girl
quickly laid a small gloved hand ON
his arm.
mo, no." she cried: mot that way.
Keep straight on. Mrs. Camperdown
lives-": ). '..~ -:
Mrs. Camperdown can watt" said
Valdean firmly as the car shot into
the new road at an increased rate of
speed. Il am not ready to take you
to Mrs. Camperdown yet. I have
waited whole year for this oppor-
tunity; do you think I am going to
turn you over to Mrs. Camperdown
so soon?" - >.:,. y
Miss Drummond sank 'helplessly
back in her seat. He knew she was
staring fxedly at him, and he half-ex-
pefted an outburst Of ,expostulation,
but he did not turn his head.
j.. IAN 1 being kidnapped" she asked
at last; and the humorous note in her
voice assured him that his bold move
|: was being condoned. -: 90
~..Yaldean's face frightened with a
quick CLEAN of excited pleasure. :.
Then you, will let me drive you to
: town."
~ I Indeed it will be great favor: to
me! l hope it is not asking too much
Of you" !;
>'tOh, I shall be delighted. And we
can dine at the Red Eagle inn, which
is Edirectly on the way, and still get
home before nightfall" ::i,
The ice was broken; it was aston
isMng how quickly these young peo-
pie arrived at mutual. and cordial
understanding. BY the time the Red
Eagle inn doomed up before them they
were chatting'a as gaily and unreserved-
ly as if they had known each other for
years. They dined 'cozily and happily
at the inn, consuming much more time
than was necessary in the perform
ance, and then taking their places in
the car once more, they resumed their
Journey toward the city.
II was sure something portentous
would happen to-day" said Valdean,
enthusiastically, as: they bowled along
the highway. -
TAnd has anything portentous hap.
pened?" asked Miss Drummond, curl
ously
"Surely. Nothing could be more
significant than this chance. meeting
between you and me-"
"But-does it portend anything?"
ITO me, it does. It holds beautiful
!! promise. It is the fate Of the VAL
deans. Listen, Miss Drummond," and
the young man became very serious.
Easter is strangely mixed up with
the destinies Of the Valdeans. My
father met my mother for the first
time on Easter day. My grandfather
and grandmother first knew of each
others existence on an Easter morn
ing and they were married the same
evening. 1t was the tricksy spirit of
that festival that brought my great
grandparents together nearly a hum
dred years ago. AS far back as the
record goes the members of my family
have all met their aflntties at Easter
time. Will you contend, Miss Drum.
mOnd- our meeting
to-day has no meaning for the future?"
She gave him a quick, frightened
look. Then the warm color streamed
into her face and neck, and her eyes
dropped.
might it not mean," he continued
with desperate earnestness, that we
are both controlled by the same fate
that rules in the Valdean family.
Might it not mean that you and T."
"Nonsense!" interrupted the girl,
but her voice was very faint and trem
ulous.
"Win you let me hope, Margaret"
he whispered again.
She slowly shook her head. I'VE
have known each other so short a
time," she protested
I'VE have known each other for
five hours" said Valdean, looking at
his watch. What does it matter? It
is fate. At least, tell me that may
hope"
She was silent a long time; but at
last she sighed softly and lifted her
eyes trustfQlly to his.
yes, II think you may hope
Richard"
EaStor Roarrh aftor +hA rnvo<o~<o,,.