The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-09-09

ly, tuned ner instrument and tucked
it lovingly under her chin. Then the
tragedy left her face, and Joy came.
The audience caught its breath at her
playing. She bowed again and again.
and was encored till she would play no
more, but still stood bowling, with one
hand leaning on the little candle-stand
against the window draperies. She
went very white and was looking at
her mother, who appeared beside
Emile in the doorway waiting, while
down the stairs came Emilie's little
girl dressed as fairy, carrying a
basket of little cards which she was
to distribute among the guests.
AS the child reached the door Nat
allie gave a backward movement, al
most involuntary, that overturned
the candle-stand with a crash. A wo
man screamed, the flame licked at the
sheer curtain, up the window and
there was confusion and a rush. Nat
allie, at the end of her strength, slipped
toward the floor in a dead faint, but
Townsend caught her in his arms and
bore her to the hall.
Smoke began to pour up the STAIR
way, and he never knew just how he
got to the dressing room, threw some
water in the girls face, threatened
and coaxed her into consciousness and
finally got her into some wraps.
Many women had left without their
wraps, and below he heard Emile CIV
ing orders to servants. Natalie's
mother was weeping and wringing
her hands, and Kirk was trying to
take the girl from Townsend, who
simply showed him aside
Tell Mrs. Norris I shall take her
daughter out in my machine for a
drive in the air and then take her to
her hotel" he commanded. And,
though he was loath to obey, there
was nothing else for Kirk to do.
He took the girl down the back
stairs, through side door, and, with
her leaning on his arm, reached the
sidewalk just as the fire wagons
came changing up.
He helped the girl into the car,
took his heat beside her and was of
before they could be stopped or ques-
toned. Natalie suddenly gave a fright
ened little gasp.
She what l have done! See Emf
lies house on fire-and spoiled things
for everybody. And poor mamma!
Did you know what little Rose Fen
ton had in the basket, Tom?" The
sharp air had brought the girl fully
back to herself. She spoke to Town
send as If she had seen him but yes
terday, when, in fact, it had been
three years since they parted-with a
kiss, given and taken in a quaint Ger
man garden.
Those cards-announced my en-
gagement," she said. Il must have
been crazy to give in! don't see
how I ever-oh, l wish were dead!"
Townsend interrupted cheerfully.
Because of Kirk? I'll kill him for
you whenever you say-if you think
he's worth killing. Natalie, why
didn't you answer my letters after
left you in Germany" She stared
at him in surprise.
Il never-had a letter from you!
So you wrote?"
"A few dozen times-until the last
ones were directed back to me-in
your mothers hand-and-"
Mother would-do that" the girl
gasped. The man spoke.
Natalie, when could you marry
me?" Her eyes danced. then wa
tered
"Nobody'll ever-consent-it will
make trouble, and I've been worn to
shadow-till I've no more resisting
power left, Tom"
We'll, We'll use my resisting pow
er-I've large supply. Listen: If
we go east, we'll get to your hotel in
five minutes. If we go west, we'll
reach the courthouse and a license
In four minutes. We can find a
preacher in seven minutes, be mar
ried in about six, and go back and
take the trouble together a little
while, and be happy for life. Or,
rather, I'll shoulder the responsibility.
OF course it will not have been an
nounced, but-shall turn east?" He
turned to look at the girl She shook
her head
"West-west, DEAR" and she laid
her hand over to touch his as it
steered. She wanted to help him turn
west.
The house didn't burn down, and
Mrs. Norris took the marriage fairly
WE'LL