The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1912-07-12

~" u0 COuAO AdSo dIAO"cu ~. LAG
was still painting pot-boilers-he had
a mother to support-but doing fine
work also by leaps and bounds.
One bright March morning he beg
CARED himself for an armful OF datro-
dis and went straight to Fairies
studio. The sign was out. but he
knocked, and then went. In. Fairlie
flashed at him where she stood in
paint apron, holding her palette. be-
fore the easel where she was work
ing. He felt leagues away. though
she smiled.
Look at thts-of the old wood in VIII
ter-and then depart!" He came over,
gave word OF hearty praise to the
work, and then took the girls palette
away from her. He clasped both her
hands in his. despite her.
"Fairlie, what's the matter with
you? For months you have not been
like yourself. You have somehow
shut me out OF the old friendship
and l simply won't have it. Have |
done anything? Tell mel" She trem-
bled In his grasp, but made herself
meet his gaze and pulled her hands
away. She spoke very calmly, al
most nonchalantly.
Nonsense, John. We have simply
both been very busy. OF course you
haven't: done anything!' l am glad
you are doing so WE'LL" He stood
looking at her.
John, I'm glad you came IN. II
gives me a chance to tell you before
l tell any one else that l am going
to marry Stephen Kingston. It"
His gaze of. utter establishment made
her pause. "Why-not?" she asked.
why not?" he repeated. You
can't love him, Fairlie. And II you
did it would be horrible for you. Moth
ing but money and society: You know
you wouldn't work. There would be
no stimulus. Nothing fine and high
and driving to keep you at it-a death
ly ease that any artist must tight.
f'airlle, don't you see-you always
have, little comrade-that the strug-
gle, the necessity, Is good for u.s."
She tried to stop him. but could Tot.
Il don't care II you have promised
him. I shall tell you what l came to
say, that love you better thar any
body else In the world knows how to.
You shall not do it. child. Do you
want to-"
A knock came at the doo:, and to
save herself from giving way to- hef
own heart, she cried Come ia!"
Mrs Jerry entered. With hey were
Kittie. several Danes CT their world,
and negligible man OF xws. Last
came Stephen Kingston. Fairlie had
not. told John that the man was still
waiting for her answer. Ti-ey oil
gathered about her and John Carter.
who was measuring with Eeen eye
the sleek assurance of the other man.
I'VE came to see your winter pic
ture." breezed Mrs. Jerry. I'VE knew
you wouldn't mind our FASTING the
done it" She was congratulating
herself secretly on having helped Ste
phen Kingston to see SO pluch Ut the
pretty artist Her matches seemed
likely to come of as sehedu:ed-by
her.
At that moment naughty boy with
an icy ball of melting snow forever
settled the case Of Stephen King
ston's aspiration te marry Fairlie The
boy flung the bait shattered to g
thousand bits the window which Fair
lie had just steppe up to raise.
At the crash all the women
screamed. Fair.ie did not move, but
cried out, her Lerves gone to nothing,
glass raining bouI her.
John! JoEn!" All her heart was
in that call, and in an instant John
Carter had her III Ills arms, forgetting
the others, Who were crowding about
He shook away the broken glass and
found her uninjured. But he did not
let her 60, and she chung to him,
trembling. The awful strain OF the
winter had told on her, and she was
weaker than Ine knew. Finally the
man heard e little giggle from kitt1e.
He drew Fatrlie back toward the
hearth, and Size pulled away from him,
trying to laugh. but the tears were on
her cheeks.
II was so-frightened l didn't
sleep last night" she said nervously,
but John Carter hushed her. He
smiled, facing the Others
It's informal enough, the an.
nouncement," be said calmly, his eye
full on Stephen Kingston, but We
may as we'll say now as any time,
that Miss Trent and THAT Is. Fair.
lie and l, are going to be married
next week and go abroad" He took
Fairlie's hand. She stood like q
stone. but her eyes were shining. Kit
tie giggled again, and Kingston glared
John went on:
My sister, out west, wants mother
with her, and that will free Fa.rna
and me to study in Europe a year. /
know you will all be glad for US. every
one of you!"