The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-03-08

slOped away from the Preble man
sion. For an instant she poised or
the top Of the hill, gazing out over thu
bare white fields below: marvelinR al
the stiffness of the place. Then she
sat down with her feet bracked
against the little iron bar, tucked in
her skirts well and few down the icy
hill
| 1t was GREATNESS period Of ex
quisite fight through the frosty air
The walk to the top of the hill was
nothing.
Again and again Alicia sped on her
solitary trip to the bottom of the hill
She knew that she ought to return to
the house before Aunt Harriet should
awake and call for her. But she was
Intoxicated with this new sport. and
was 10th to give it up
At last she started up the hill after
another GREATNESS slide when she
stopped short
Halt way up the slope there stood
white figure. It was a few yards to
the left Of the icy track and she had
not noticed it before.
How strange did not see that
snow man." thought Alicia as she
neared it. II wonder If could hit it
with snowflake"
Alicia could and did hit the white
figure squarely In the head with a
large. icy ball.
To her surprise and horror the hg-
ure moved. and came towards her, ut
tering startled exclamation.
Obi" cried Alicia, terrified by the
situation. What is it? What have
done?"
mot very much HARM" laughed a
pleasant masculine voice. ALLOW me
to congratulate you on your excellent
aim and the power of your right
arm!"
Il don't understands thought you
were snow man. really, did! l am
so sorry" apologized Alicia as the
snow man paused before her and she
could realize that he was real flesh
and blood, clad in handsome furs Of
Arctic whiteness from head to foot.
Pray do not have the slightest
anxiety on my account Really, l sup.
pose l do deserve chastisement for my
curiosity in watching your exuberant
joyousness In coasting down hill all
a.vne. AS zaAster of fact | have
just returned to Little River after five
years spent in Africa, and this is the
first snow I've seen in ali that time.
simply couldn't stay indoors and so
hunted out an old sled I had when a
boy and I've been coasting all alone
until you came out. Then stood over
there by the edge of the wood and
watched you. Say, you were having
the time Of your life!" He spoke with
boyish enthusiasm.
i've never coasted BEFORE" admit
ted Alicia, her well-trained discretion
quite banished By his frankness.
We've always spent the winters in
town. but Aunt Harriet's rheumatism
has"
Aunt Harriet Preble?" interrupted
the snow man eagerly.
Yes" said Alicia. do you know
herr"
Yes, indeed I'm Dick Maynard
from The ht,lse next door to the Pre-
BILE place. Are you the little girl who
used to stay with dolls under the
:recs and run like a scared rabbit
when Amt Harriet called you?"
There Vas tinge of amused tender
ness In his tone for any little girl who
had suffered Miss Preble'a up-bring
ing.
I'm Alicia Preble," said she, ignor'
ing his remarks about her aunt. Then
she proceeded to tell him all about
her escapade Of this evening and how
scandalized her Aunt Harriet would
be If she only knew-and she might
discover her absence any moment.
Might as we'll be killed for sheep
as a lamb. then," remarked Dick May.
nard. Its only $50 now. Won't you
come and slide down hill with me
once or twice? You may never have
another chance ia your life"
Il believe WILL agreed Alicia
recklessly.
Ten times they flew down the glis.
tening slope, laughing and chattering
like children.
Then Alicia took her sled and went
home alone, while Dick Maynard
watched her with delighted eyes. If
the old lady scolds her for this I'll
elope with the darling!" he muttered.
But Aunt Harriet didn't scold. She
didn't know ANYTHING about the es.
capade, though she wondered at the
new look of happiness in Alicias eyes.
I'm afraid shes been reading excit-
ing books" worried Miss Harriet
Alicia was wonderfully happy be-
cause Dick Maynard was coming to
call upon Miss Harriet Preble that
afternoon. It is a matter If history
that Aiich, did not coast again until
after she and Dick were married.
l>s-