The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-05-24
A House Of Surprise s.
BY MARTHA ENDICOTT EATON

81 Where 10 this John Rodell?" In
Quired Mr.. Black. FL. !.
Out west somewhere on a ranch.
: 1s he your own cousinf"
No. my mothers; l am Daniel Ro-
dell's grandniece, you know" zs Il.
Everything went on smoothly with
the old ladies. Curiosity made them
look In odd places to see II there were
more money hidden. ....
Finally under the caves of the attic
they found tin box such as valuable
papers are sometimes kept in, but
there was no key. Again Mr.. Black
was sent for It took them days to
find = key to fit. Mr.. Black opened the
box, SO everything should be covered
by law. Tabitha was as interested as
If she was an heir.
The box contained 5000, the paper
read ITO buy a horse and turnout for
my niece"
"Mr. Rodell was an enigma, always
thought" remarked Mr.. Black, ''but he
must have enjoyed planning the little
surprises"
Dame Fortune dipped her fingers in
the pie; and dropped more gold into
Frances fingers. She went into Uncle
Daniels room one day to direct the
cleaning of closet and put his clothes
away for the summer.
She tossed old an old shoe: it went
down with a thud. She tossed out tho
mate. which seemed stuffed with pa
pers. She told Tabitha to take out tho
rest of the things and proceeded. to
examine the shoes. One was filed
with silver half dollars. The other
contained stocks and bonds which
were for John Rodell If he married
Frances Strong; so little pape- tuck
ed in the shoe stated.
The silver was Frances without any
proviso.
II John Rodell did not comply with
this request, a home for INDECENT bach
elors was to be started with the money
realized by selling the stocks.
Frances few to the barn, harnessed
her horse and drove to Mr.. Blacks
oace. She tossed the papers on the
table aud gave him the slip to read.
Mr.. Black gave prolonged whistle a.
he read.
Frances eyes flashed IRE.
'Such an indignity!" she said. Il
won't stand it! Mr.. John Rodell win
never marry Frances. 10 the bachel-
ors are sure Of q home!" scorn.
fully.
The Office boy stuck his head In the
door.
Mr.. John Rodell to see you.. sir!"
Frances and Mr.. Black both started.
Frances Jumped up.
Good morning, Mr.. Black" she
whispered. and rushed past Mr.. Rodell.
who had followed closely on the boys
footsteps.
Mr.. Black saw 4 tall. finely formed,
STRAIGHTFORWARD man, bronzed of face,
with kind blue eyes and brown hair.
We'll. Mr.. Black. here l am. Your
many personals have at last reached
me-, !
Al he talked Mr.. Black thought, and
determined to assist little Dan Cupid
who masqueraded as Uncle Daniel-so
he told Mr.. Rodell that Uncle Daniel
had left half his house to him, and half
to Frances Strong.
Miss Strong 10 living in her part for
the summer with her great-aunt. who
n your aunt"
Then John and he went up to look
at Johns part. John was pleased: It
looked fairly comfortable, 10 he said
he guessed he'd have it cleaned up q
bit and stay awhile,
While John was in one Of the shops.
Mr.. Black came to Frances and told
her he had thought best not to say
anything to Mr.. Rodell about tho
bonds.
"Thank you!" said Frances. 1T
would have made 1t 80 awkward for
Us both. Now we can be good friends"
Which in truth they became. The
summer passed merr1ly and Frances
went back to New York In September,
promising to come back at Thanksgiv-
Ing, which she did. but the other half
of the house was silent, for John had
gone back to his ranch.
Summer came again, and with It
Frances. The two old ladies were do
lighted to see her. The long, lovely
days passed slowly. Frances seemed
rather sober. She missed her comrade
of the year before.
Aunt Elizabeth said: II do wish
John were here. long for whit Of
his cigar"
The words were hardly out Of her
mouth, before Jed drove up with some
trunks and, out Of the lark" a.
Frances called it, stepped John.
After he had greeted his aunt and
Tabitha he inquired for frances.
why. she was here when you drove
up." said Tabitha. John found her n
the kitchen -. !.
Poor Frances. whore now va. her
dignity7
John said: Frances. dear" Frances
turned and then-well, never mind,
John was made very happy. IS =sz
I- D.>s-.s1>-