The Virginia enterprise., 1910-10-21

teacher in Newburg public school.
She was very happy, for she was 60
Ing to a house party. Four days Of
gaiety were to be hers; she counted
them over on her fingers to be sure
that not one had escaped her-Thurs-
day, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
When she descended from the train
in the thick blur of the February twi-
light and the fast falling snow she
had moments misgiving to discover
that she was still the only possible
guest for Sunny Craig. Helen had
never been to house party, but she
was positive that the stout woman
with many bundles, who dropped one
at every step, and the tall man with
a red muf11er were not of the house
party type. Helen fastened through
the station to find the carriage which
she was sure her cousin Fanny would
have sent for her. The street was
empty. The girl nervously consulted
the ticket agent, who Informed her
that here he was a stranger, having
taken charge of the station that after.
noon. He advised her to get sleigh
at the hotel.
Helen was soon being driven up the
steep, snowy five mile road to Sunny
Craig. She grew chilled as the cold
east wind howled about, binding
them with large flakes of snow. But
she would not complain. Cousin Fan
ny was lovely woman to have given
her poor cousin such a joyful oppor
tunity-a house party and 20 young
people! Helen began to hum the all
Of her favorite waltz.
I'VE are gittin' there" observed the
driver, making turn from the high
way to a private road.
Before them, through the mist OF
snow, Helen could see a large. old
fashioned house; but from not one OF
the many windows did mellow light
of welcome shine. The sleigh stopped
The driver passed the reins into the
girls hands and stumped his way
across the large piazza to the obvi
ously inhospitable front door. No an
swer rewarded his pounding.
'Tll 60 and stir up Jim Drake ant
his wife," he remarked, disappearing
around the side of the house.
After what seemed to Helen an In
terminable wait, Jim Drake, followed
by the stout, shawled Mrs. Drake, ap
peared in the wake Of the driver.
"Well, I never!" exclaimed the as
tonished woman. IF this isn't one o.
the house party! Didn't you hear
There isn't going to be a party. Mrs
Milebanke wired yesterday that hel
baby had dipthery and that she hat
let all the. guests know. Such a nigh
to come way out here! My, my, my!'
Mr.. Drake interrupted the exclama
ttons Of his valuable wife. ''Ther,
isn't any train until tomorrow" h,
said, but the house Is warm, for
started the furnace before heard tn,
baby was sick. The pantries are full
food; so we will be able to make 70,
comfortable"
Helen got st1flly out of the sleigh
ready to go any place that was warm
Il wonder why cousin Fanny didn'
let me know" pondered the girl, al
she made herself comfortable. TIL,
room was pretty with it's old-fash
Toned rose wreathed paper. its ma
hogany furniture, delicate muslin cur
tafns and silver. Helen was a Sybar
lite at heart, despite her small room IL
a boarding house, and all the prett,
things filled her with delight.
Removing her travelling suit. sh,
arrayed herself comfortably in pinl
negligee that she had hoped he1
cousin would admire.
| Miss Stevens"
The shrill voice penetrating through
the door aroused Helen from her mu
sings.
Hastily going to the landing sh,
looked down into the hail.. AT tn,
foot of the stairs stood Mrs. Drak,
and tall, snow-covered man starin,
upward.
Another one of your party" an
nounced Mrs. Drake tersely.
"Oh, didn't you hear, either?" sh,
said.
mot until Mrs. Drake told me-" an
swered the man. II am Billy Crofton
a friend of Stephen Milebanke." he con
tinued, "and l have just come from
the west. That is why did not get ;
telegram. 1t is probably at my hote
in New York. Won't you come dow,
and be sociable?"
| 'Present1v' caid tho civil
In a few minutes Mrs. Drak,
knocked at her door.
You will have dinner with MI
Crofton, won't you?" she asked. III,
is such nice young man. He wa
here last summer with his girl. tn
one he is going to marry Oh, I foreo
my biscuits!" And of the talkativ,
woman flew to the kitchen.
$50 Mr. Crofton is engaged" muse,
Helen as she dressed.
Never to any one did ham and eggs
fried potatoes, hot biscuits and COTE,
taste better than they did to thos
two house party derelfcts. After din
ner they drew up their chairs befor
the cheerful blaze of the open graf,
and chatted merrily.
Il WONDER" said Helen to hersel
as she softly closed the door connect
ing her room with Mrs. brakes. "wha
Mr.. Crofton's f1ancee is like? He i
80 nice and congenial.
Mr.. Crofton was down stairs befor
her the next morning and was Joy
ously staring out upon 4 world O
binding whiteness when she mad
her appearance.
1T is a BLIZZARD" he cried happily
"a good, old-fashioned blizzard! Tai