The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1911-05-18

bruce was given an address which
was not far from his own apartments.
When he had finished dinner bruce
went in search Of the couple who had
lost the ring. Upon inquiry, the hall
boy told him that Mr.. and Mrs. Venue
were at the theater every night.
For the first time the significance
Of the name appealed to bruce. Daph.
ne Venue! That was the name of the
girl in the play-the girl who had
stolen his heart. And she was mar
ried; her full name must be Mary
Daphne Venue.
| bruce had not the heart to make
further inquiry but promptly hailed q
taxi and gave the name Of the theater.
He again thought Of Daphne Venue
and the beauty of her eyes and the
exquisiteness Of her dancing, her
singing and the charm of her smile.
yet now 1t was as the wife of another
that he thought of her.
Strange that she wore my flowers"
thought bruce as he made his way to
the stage box.
Toward the end of the performance
bruce sent note to the star. In 1t he
mentioned the fact that he was in pos
session Of wedding ring he had
found. bruce knew that If the ring
was hers no other information was
necessary.
He received an answer immediate.
ly. Miss Venue would be pleased to
see him after the performance. An
| usher would take him to her dressing
room.
| When the curtain had rung down
| and Norman bruce found himself fol-
lowing an usher to the stars dressing
! room, an irritating excitement pos
sessed him.
| Dozens of chorus girls brushed
laughingly past him, but he was I'M
conscious Of their glances.
Outside the door, bruce had to wait
moment. When 1t opened and Daph-
ne Venue stood before him in a SIM
pie clingy little gown Of golden brown
and her beautiful face free from
makeup, bruce expected his heart to
stop beating-she was so pure and
sweet and wonderful In her simple
! attire.
"You are Mr.. Druce?" she ques-
toned, as she held open the door for
him to enter.
For answer and partly because 1t
was difficult to speak, bruce held out
the wedding ring.
She took it eagerly. ooh, how good
of you to bring it to mellow in the
world did you ever find out to whom
1t belonged?"
Il went to the church and looked up
all the Marys and Johns who had
ever married." bruce laughed.
Daphne Venue joined him and her
eyes looked squarely into his. 1T was
very, very good of you and thank
you. Mr.. Venue will be even more de-
lighted than annie was very much
upset about the loss."
II assure you'll can't blame him."
Try as he might bruce could not
help the admiration in his eyes.
Daphne Venue colored beneath it.
There seemed to be nothing more
to say and bruce turned as If he
would go.
"You won't mind, Mrs. Venue, If I
send you floral tribute now and
again-lilies of the valley-they added
charming touch to your costume last
night. I am an admirer Of your work"
ut was you who sent me those
beauties last night? thank you very
much-look!" She pointed to her
dressing table and bruce saw his
flowers. ri love to smell them while
dressing" Daphne Venue said.
II must CO." Norman bruce held
out his hand and she slipped hers
into 1t.
wouldn't you like to meet my
brother? He can thank you himself
for having restored his wedding
ring"
"Your brother!" bruce turned
quickly and caught the dawn of a
smile in Daphne's eyes.
"Yes-he often brings me to the
theater-so / won't get lost" She
smiled whimsically. ut was no doubt
then that he dropped his ring. Ny
sister-in-law, Mary Daphne Venue, be-
lieves in the foreign custom of man
wearing a ring, also"
"But your name-Daphne Venne?"
A gladness had come into Druce's
heart.
Daphne laughed mischievously "My
own first name is Priscilla and it
hardly suits the profession, so took
Mrs. Venues name Of"
Daphne" finished bruce with a Pc
culiar tenderness in his voice. "You
will let me take you home tonight,
won't you? I want to meet the broth
er who so thoughtfully lost his ring"
Daphne looked for a moment into
his. eyes.
EYES," she said, "and we will have a
nice little supper-all four of u.s.
"But tomorrow night-only you and
l." said bruce. as they stepped into a
cab.
Probably the Reason.