The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-08-30

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word of thanks. went back to her COM
panion.
That's the gifted Miss Gault who
pounds the piano at the Seahreeze,
with some obscure nobody. We really
must go over there some night and
listen to the cat concert" she observ-
ed sarcastically.
Mr.. Clifford glanced at Maud.
He knew that she must have heard,
yet her expression was one of utter
indifference.
Pm so sorry, Miss Gault," he
said.
1T really doesn't matter, I assure
you," returned Maud. Her father is
the most corrupt politician in our
state. My father, when governor.
fought him and his interests for years.
He ruined dad at last. Poor man, he
died penniless. All he was able to
leave me was stony bit of farmland,
while this man Warsh and his daugb-
ter are rolling in wealth. No wonder
she is bitter-their money never pro-
cured a social position for her."
The young man exclaimed in sur
prise: why, you must be Governor
Gault's daughter! I admired him more
than any man in public life. 1t is
an honor to meet his daughter. He
put up a brave fight to protect his
state from Warsh, and it will be re-
membered by the people for many a
long day."
They shook hands and straightway
forgot all about the incident in dis
cussing the estimable qualities of the
late governor.
| Mr.. Clifford stayed all summer, and
before October came he and Maud
were engaged to be married.
Il will not always be poor, nor will
my wife ever repent her CHOICE he
assured her.
Maud glanced at him proudly. In
spite of his questionable garments,
Mr.. Clifford's bearing and appearance
was that Of man who is bound to
meet with success.
LAS though that makes any differ
ence," she whispered.
Summer drifted into autumn, and
gradually the merry guests were de-
parting to their homes. For Maud
and Mr. Clifford those days were
cloudless. Miss Warsh kept her word,
and more than once Maud discerned
her hooking face among the diners.
One evening her harsh tones were au-
dible all over the dining room az she
rustled into it,
"Oh, girls, Robert Merrell just ar
rived. He came in the most stunning
! motor imaginable. | saw him when
entered the hotel minute ago. He's
ter"
GREATNESS excitement followed this
announcement. Robert Merrill was
one Of Americas foremost capitalists.
Maud sat on the little PLATFORM pri-
yately specializing as to the appear
ance of the famous man When it was
time for her solo, she straightway for
/ got all about him.
Suddenly she was conscious Of a
buzz of conversation, which died down
to an expectant pause. She glanced
up and saw two gentlemen enter the
dining room. The elder she recog-
nized at once as Robert Merrell He
was conversing with companion in
an affectionate, interested manner
And the other man was John Clifford.
1t was fortunate for Maud that her
solo ended just then, for she saw her
! q Mr.
her.
This is my future wife," announced
Mr.. Clifford proudly.
The great Merrell held out his hand
and as Maud placed her own in it,
drew her towards him and kissed her
cheek
| Il am most happy to meet you, my
DEAR he said simply. For years this
absurd boy of mine has been afraid
that his wealth would influence a girl
in his favor. l have always wished
him to marry young. Also, am
pleased to have him love Gault's
girl"
His wealth." stammered Maud.
Merrell looked from her to Clifford
in surprise.
1--WE never told her, father" the
young man observed Turning to
Maud he added, James Clifford is my
pen-name. l am writing a book on
The Worth of Social Position AS
James Merrell l am received with
open arms. AS James Clifford, to
quote Miss Warsh, l am an obscure
nobody. 1t has been an interesting
experiment. took the liberty of ask
ing the hotel people to release you for
the short time which remains of the
season, and tomorrow We will be mar
ried. This is why my father Is here.
l own this hotel. Come now, dear.
We will all dine together
The trio passed on to table. OBJ
livious Of the frantic curiosity-in fact
obliyious to everything but their own
happiness. So Miss Warsh's bitter re-
mark that the sly mink knew it all
along dissolved into the rosy hue
of contentment which surrounded
| them.