The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-09-16

triumph. and Billy had always gone
with her. Last year Sarah Jane had
been with them, and they all laughed
when Sarah came 50 near taking the
blue ribbon: The red had been award
ed her, and Martha Jenkins had re-
ceived no prize whatever. for her
soap.
II do wish Sarah Jane was here to
go with u.s." Mrs. Holton remarked
to Billy few days before the fair.
Il guess we'll get along without
her." Billy hesitated 4 moment, then
bracing up added quickly. 'Leora win
be with u.s."
''What'at!~ shrieked Mr. Holton.
THAT girl!"
Seeing a battle ahead Billy admon-
ished himself to 6rmness. "Yes. I've
asked her to 90 with US. mother"
Then you won't have me with you'll"
"Oh, come mother, go"
II won't! WON'T" she interrupted.
II won't stick myself beside that col.
lego lady, and have her turning up
her dainty nose at the old soap maker.
You can take her and go-but you
can't take both of us!"
I'm vain Billy coaxed and urged. She
was obstinate, and somewhat sadly he
had taken that girl and gone. Mrs.
Holton stayed at home and cried q 1T
tie, feeling herself a martyr, al she
pictured the blue ribbon. perhaps the
red also. duttering gayly over her jars
Of soap. At last. unable to bear II, she
got out her own driving rig and bur.
ried to the fairgrounds, arriving about
noon.
Did I get both ribbons7" she de-
manded Of Mary Beach, CHANGING upon
her almost Immediately.
Mary hesitated. and Mrs. Holton
went on. Il suppose Martha Jenkins
got the red. the way you look
'The one that got first took the red,
too" Mary stammered.
And didn't get anything!" Mrs.
Holton shrieked, then, struck with
narrowing thought, added, Don't tell
me that Martha Jenkins got both rib
bons! II she did I'll leave the coun-
try!"
mo. she didn't get anything. ei-
Their"
Mrs. Holton WINGED at being classed
with Martha in the either; but de-
manded, who got them?"
Some girl. I heard-a new exhibit.
tor"
Mrs. Holton snorted def1antly and
tone through the crowd, stopping not
for friend or foe, until her unadorned
jars of soap stared forlornly at her.
who got them?" she flung the am
blguous question at one of the judges,
who was inside.
1T seems odd your missing it. Mrs.
Holton. You take sweepstakes usu.
ally. But think II you will compare
the exhibits you will agree with our
decision" tho woman said Practically,
II didn't ask you for an excuse. I
want to know who's the fancy soft.
soap maker" She had a faint hope
1t might be Sarah after all.
1.-THE winner Is young lady, Miss
Leora Willis. Such skill in this line
Is remarkable in one so young" the
Judge theorized deprecatingly.
Before Mrs. Holton could more
than gasp, soft voice at her elbow
murmured regretfully:
Il am sorry it happened so. Mrs.
Holton: I didn't expect anything be-
side yours: IL just wanted you to
know I could make it,
Mrs. Holton glared at the pretty girl
in fluffy white, with bitter retort on
her tongue, when Martha Jenkins
cackled shrilly:
"We're both in tho same boat, Ma,
ria Holton, and it's once you didn't
beat me, to have it to brag about"
Never mind her. mother" Billy
comforted in her ear.
Mrs. Holton looked up at him, the
sudden light of victory kindling in her
eyes and putting her arm around the
girl, laughed back triumphantly:
"Leora is going to marry my Billy,
so you're beaten by Holton yet, Mar
tina Jenkins!"