The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-12-23

when must go back homer" de-
manded Bess suddenly as she turned
from the window and faced the family.
The question plainly disconnected
the FAMILY. Mrs. Dudley Graham tapped
uneasily on the desk with her eye
glasses and regarded her unruly niece
In puzzlement. Winifred frowned and
sighed, but was silent. Only Billie
remained unmoved, and it was at Billie
th&t Bess looked. Lounging comfort
ably over in the window seat, he bent
forward, suroking the tawny, glossy
mead 6 Bruce, his collie. The tanning
OF aess he had left entirely to his STEP
mother and sister ever since her arrl-
val from Idaho And it had not proved
a successful tanning.
Understand me, Elizabeth" began
Mrs. Dudley Graham, with infinite tact
and patience, there is no real neces-
sity fer your returning to Idaho at
all"
Didn't you just say it was the only
future you could see for me, Aunt
Honoria?" demanded Bess, eyes and
IOuc DeulSeTeuL.
II said it," responded her aunt firm
ly. Your position has changed ma
terially within the past two months.
Before your father lost his fortune you
were an assured success. Now, If you
refuse to accept the changed condi-
tons, the-er-responsibi of your
position"
You mean II I refuse to marry a
man l don't give a rap for, just be-
cause It's bully chance and he's a
laundering good match"
Mrs. Dudley Graham raised depre-
eating shoulders, and shrank slightly
from the tone and words.
Listen, DEAR" she began: this
change has happened so suddenly that
1t Is quite natural you should not real
lie your position. Three years ago
your father was the richest silver
mine owner in Idaho. The panic
came"
"Oh. don't drag that poor old panic
dnto 1t, auntie," 1nterposed Bess, push
ing back her brown curls restlessly.
dad was specializing long before that
happened. He wasn't satisfied with
the ranch and just plenty. He went in
over his head and swamped every
thing. Why not tell the truth? Now
there's nothing left but the ranch, is
there. and the stock?"
"Oh, there's a little bit more" Bill
lie spoke up for the first time, in his
lazy, nonchalant way. About fifty
thousand Enough for you to be in
teresting still to Hartley Chambers"
well. I don't care whether's fifty
thousand or fifty cents, won't marry
Mr.. Chambers. I'd rather go home to-
night"
"Bess, you're perfect little idiot"
said Winifred, with sudden fury.
Whether you love Hartley or not, you
might at least have sense enough to
see that it is compliment for a man
in his position even to want to marry
girl out of the west like YOU"
Bess leaned back her head and
laughed merrily, her eyes full of mis-
chief. HE doesn't love me, Winnie
Poor fellow, he's simply letting Aunt
Honoria here herd him into the corral
to be roped and branded That's why
I wouldn't marry him-one Of the rea-
sons. He's too tame. He doesn't even
put up fight. He isn't worth even
Aunt Honorias trouble"
Right at this interesting moment in
the family council the curtains part
ed at the end Of the room and Barton
announced Mr.. Hartley Chambers, and
from the amused CLEAN in Mr.. Cham
bers's gray eyes as he took in the stu
alton it would appear that the last
ringing remarks of Bess had reached
his ears
But Bess cared not Tall and daunt-
less, she arose and cast the burden
of the strain on the rest Of the COM
pany. I'm going for ride, auntie,"
she announced. Coming, Bill?"
Where to-" asked Bill the indolent.
Miss Collier owes me a ride" said
Hartley Chambers deliberately. Since
we are to lose her so soon 1 shall
have to claim It, Condolences, Billie"
Billie shrugged his shoulders and
grinned sympathetically. He did not
envy Mr. Chambers that ride with the
girl from Idaho. Scornful, mischiev-
Gus. daring. she had accepted the chal-
1enge: and it was a challenge. She
knew he had heard her words, and
yet he held her to her promise. Very
we'll She would ride with him. And
the three remaining members Of the
family council stood in silence for a
full five minutes after the departure
Of the two.
Then. as her mother left the room.
Winifred suddenly sank down in a
chair and laid her head on her folded
arms on the table. Billie whistled soft
ly to himself-waiting He was oaiv
TWENTY-FIVE, but he was very wise. es-
pecially in the ways Of West Brooks
mere.
Say. Win. you like Hartley. don't
you:" he asked suddenly.
Winifred lifted a flushed, tear