The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1911-02-24
E@=E8@E5=
When Virginia Bought a Dog
Bv JANE OSBORN
1910. by Associated Literary Press

ociated Literary Press
moro than two evenings a week and
Mr.. Comstock had sometimes feared
that young West was growing weary
of the older mans society.
Don't mean you are ready for an
other game" said Mr.. Comstock,
warming up with pleasure. We'll.
we'll, Burton, you can stand more
cribbage than any other man I ever
saw"
When they had settled down to
their game and their cigars. Virginia
slipped into the room.
Want to watch my hand. daugh.
ter?" asked the father. who always
thought of Virginia az child In
spite Of her nineteen years.
Virginia drew chair up to her
fathers side and cast an anxious
look at Burton. Burton winked re-
assuringly when Mr.. Comstock's eyes
were on his cards. and when suit
able pause came he said slowly and
deliberately:
| Il say, Mr.. Comstock. l brought q
trifle for Virginia. 1t is in a basket
| in the passage under the front porch.
Shall get it, Virginia, or do you
| want to discover it for yourself?"
Virginia dashed out OF the room,
out the door, to embrace her pet.
The next day Burton did not see
Mr.. Comstock, and when he returned
from business he was surprised to
find the dog whining in his rooms.
There was no note accompanying
him, and no explanation had been
had delivered him.
The next day Mr. Comstock sum-
moned the young man to his Office.
He looked at him with an express"
sion that was expected to carry with
it utter scorn, but which, In spite OF
itself, showed a grain Of amusement
Then he cleared his throat and rose.
"See here, young man." he began.
solemnly. rs this honest? Is 1t fair?
When l have been entertaining you
in my house as gentleman, and have
cared for you as SOM"
! Burton actually turned pale with
alarm, for he was in difficult posi-
ton and could think Of no means OF
escape.
| IF you cared for the girl-mere
child like that-you should have
told me-"
1T was a mere trif1e," stammered
Burton. II thought she might care
for the dog"
"A mere trifle, indeed" broke in
Mr.. Comstock. Il guess I know the
value of dog as well as any one else.
That dog is a thoroughbred, and ]
know it. Don't try to fool mel"
Mr. Comstock had worked himself
into such state of Indignation that
the grain of amusement had disap-
peared. Any explanation on Burton's
part. had he had any to make, would
have been useless.
As Burton thought the matter over,
it occurred to him that really the
most embarrassing problem he had to
solve was concerned with Virginia
and not with Mr.. Comstock. The dog
for which she had spent her boarded
birthday money was in his posses.
sion, and she was In the meantime
without dog and without money.
AS he could not return tho dog.
he could return the money. and It
was with this conviction that he
counted out five ten-dollar bills from
his wallet and folded them into an
envelope. He could get it to her
somehow, though he wasn't sure how.
Then q note came from Virginia. She
thanked him again for his kindness.
II have 4 great idea about the dog"
she wont on to say. III you will
keep him I can still manage to see
him. Could you send some one out
In the park with him In the morning
before father is up? I will meet him
there, and then perhaps I can think
Of some place to send him, where !
can visit him."
This seemed to Burton a fairly
good scheme, and as he put the nifty
dollars back into his wallet he de-
cided to conduct the dog to the park
himself the next morning.
1t was decided that for the present,
at least, Burton should keep the dog
and for two weeks Virginia and the
young man arose early for morning
stroll in the park. At first the dog
was the chief object Of interest, but
when on the fourteenth day Burton
in his hurry forgot the dog entirely.
Virginia did not notice the OMISSION.
do you remember, jimmy" Burton
asked her, when you wanted me to
give you that rascal of terrier, do
you remember how you went about
it,"
Virginia denied any recollection
with pretty toss of her pretty head.
You made me promise to do it be-
fore you told me what it was. Now
want you to say yes to what I have
to ask"
YES" said Virginia, promptly.
Nov tell what it is"
Jimmy, I want you to marry me-
Burton looked down laughing into
Virginia's blushing face.
T