The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-07-26
Second Fiddle
(Copyright, 1911, by Associated Literary Press.)
Bv NELLIE CRAVEY GILMORE

Copyright. 1911. by A
There was q slightly fictitious note
In the daughters voice as she re-
marked with a yawn: you go down
tonight. mother. and talk to the
Judge. I'm tired"
Mrs. Metcalfe turned from the mir
ror. surprise and displeasure dis
tinctly visible on her youthful, come
ly face. Il must say you're the queer
est specimen of a girl ever saw.
Katherine. The Judge is one Of the
finest looking men in New York. He
is brainy, prominent. rich-and fool
ishly in love-"
From her luxurious stronghold
among the sofa cushions. Katherine
stifled yawn. "Yes," she assented
meditatively. Indeed I believe that
is all quite true" She watched her
mother with drowsy interest as she
brushed out the heavy masses OF shin
ing gold hair and looped them into an
artistic knot low on her neck.
And what excuse am to make to
Judge Gresham this timer" she in
quired stifly, turning with a little
brisk movement from the mirror.
I'm Ill, dearie. You know I am.
Think Of motoring from nine tin one,
lunching-golf1ng till DUSK
"All with that impossible Jack
Baker"
"Ah! the door bell now, mother.
Run along and don't keep his judge
ship waiting"
With a slightly heightened color in
her checks, Mrs. Metcalfe passed
through the door and closed it quiet
~ behind her. And presently Kath-
crime heard the sound of their voices
in the library below.
Two hours later Mrs. Metcalfe
came up and found her daughter
peacefully asleep. She half-roused
at the sound Of soft footsteps about
the room and muttered lazily: Dear
me, Muzzie. is it midnight? You
must have found the Judge enormous
ly entertaining"
II wonder, Kitty, If you're going to
come to your senses and quit david
ling?"
"Give me time. please: I'm only
twenty. But what do you mean?"
"Why simply that II you're COINS
to marry Judge Gresham you ough:
to do it and stop your nonsense" war
the crisp retort
But he hasn't asked me-"
"You won't give him a chance"
Half a man would make one-*f
he wanted it," she replied significar-:
ly. But let's go to bed and ct
some beauty sleep: I've an engagz-
ment at seven to go sailing''
with that Baker,"
Katherine nodded as she slipp ID
into bed. Mrs. Metcalfe smothered a
sigh and the fingers that unfasterF~d
her bodice trembled. The clock v~s
striking twelve when she turned ut
the light. When she awakened tie
following morning Katherine WIS
gone and the room was in frenzy If
disorder.
At ten o'clock Katherine had not e
turned and in despair Mrs. Meter fe
decided to read the judges note nd
see If 1t required an answer.
Dear Miss Kitty:
Il want to take you to drive beK I'D
a new pair Of grays, if may. l fHall
appreciate It very much if you ,-fll
let me have your answer at once
CORDIALLY,
b. R. GRESHAM
"P. S.-1f Mrs. Metcalfe would <xre
for the drive, you might ask her to
come with US. B. r. G"
The blood famed holly in the -~tle
mothers face. Her lips set dQIer-
minedly She wouldn't 20 she
wouldn't! 1t was all her da;ugl "er's
doing-this bringing her into all heir
arrangements-ma her play ~sec-
ond fiddle" and thus defeating the
amiable gentleman's obvious inten-
tions-and arousing his secret dis
gust! With the color still beating
high In her cheeks she sat down at
her desk and wrote a hasty reply TO
the letter.
Mrs Metcalfe had put her foot
down at last and when. at few MN
utes past eleven. Katherine burst into
the room with sun-blistereA cheeks
and wind-tossed hair, her mother
chilled the exuberance on her lips by
a cold glance of disapproval Judge
Gresham has invitetd you to drive
with him at three" she announced
stiffly. II took the liberty of accept.
ing for you"
"Bully! Let's see the letter, dear
ie?" Katherine reached out her hand
for the paper and devoured its con-
tents at glance. And you?" she
queried.
Il? shall remain at home-of
course"
The girl uttered little incredulous
laugh. "Shucks!" she cried. do Won
imagine I'd let you snub him in this
fashion? Never! The fact Is, If you
don't CO. shan't either!"
Mrs. Metcalfe knew her offspring
too we'll to demonstrate. She half
smiled and her mouth showed signs
OF weakening. I'm sure you'd not