The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-06-13

esting companion. He laughed when
she said witty things, looked serious
when she talked sense-and listened
to her every word with fattering ut.
tention.
Brierson? Young Sheriff. canvassed
his mind for something familiar about
the name. It struck him suddenly:
David Brierson, author and critic!
she had made this mistake somehow,
and with a whimsical appreciation of
his position, he resolved to humor It.
A writer, herself, it was only natural
that she should be attracted by the
atmosphere. Thus it was that he Sc
cured private word with his hostess
just before dinner and contided his
secret to her. For if the truth must
be known, Dick Sheriff. desired very
strongly to remain attractive to his
new acquaintance, although he puzzled
little when Caroline Arden laughed
and continued to laugh as she agreed
to his suggestion, and ran upstairs
to speak to Maize, who, likewise had
her own secret to impart.
He thinks l am Patricia Ainsley,"
she said breathlessly, "and l don't
want you to tell him. Garry. Prob
ably he will cease to take any further
interest in me if he finds out l am
just a silly little aspirant for fame
and do so want to keep friendly"
Mrs. Arden cheerfully acquiesced
and led her young guest down to the
dining-room. They were met at the
door by Sheriff., and the older wom-
an surrendered her partner to his
arm.
When he asked permission to call
upon her, Maize had replied unhesi-
tatingly: Il have no regular abiding
place, Mr.. Brierson. IL am so
busy, here, there and everywhere.
But we shall meet often here at
Caroline's."
The weeks dragged when they did
not see each other, and few when
they did. Still, Sheriff. kept his lips
closed, though every fiber of him was
tingling to tell the girl that he loved
her. And one day he was very glad
that he hadn't. He picked up the
morning paper and read in it in far
ing headlines, the announcement of
Patricia Ainsley's approaching mar
riage to some railroad magnate of
Chicago. His blood boiled. In desper-
alton, he paid visit to his good
friend, Mrs. Ashton Arden. He
poured out his grief to her and be-
came silently enraged when she
laughed in his face
In the next room was Maize Shut
tleworth. Her eyes were red and
swollen from too much emotion of
some sort and her lips quivered. She
was glad Caroline had company and
had left her alone. She wouldn't
have had her guess her weakness for
a kingdom. On one of Mr. Arden's
silver salvers reposed a richly-en-
graved card which read as follows:
Mr.. and Mrs. George Smith
request the honor of your presence at
the marriage Of their daughter
Annie
Mr.. David Wells Brierson,
teenth, at eight o'clock.
Fifteen minutes later, fluffy
brown head was thrust in the door
way. 1t was followed Immediately by
the graceful, well-gowned owner of it
and with little circumspect smile.
Caroline Arden tripped across the
floor and took her seat on a divan.
Maizie's nose was in book and she
did not even look up. Neither did
Mrs. Arden look at her, but never
theless, she-saw. Presently she
said: my dear, I'm giving a lunch
con at one. Will you excuse me while
I run out and attend to the dining
room? An old friend of yours is
here, and I'll send him in to keep you
company"
Before the girl could protest, her
friend had turned the door-knob, was
in the corridor and the door had shut
behind her. Maize dabbled her pink
eyes viciously with her handkerchief
as she heard the sound of approach
ing footsteps, and changed her seat
to one Of the dark corners
':Maizie!" At the sound of her
name, called in Brierson's deep, IA
mtliar tones, the girl sprang to her
feet and hid her cheeks with her
hands. He came up to her and pulled
them down from her face. Her flick
ering gaze met his. Dick Sheriff. was
looking at her with the look that no
girl ever misunderstands.
"Don't!'' she cried, you have no
right-you-"
Il have every right" he broke in
masterfully, because l love you bet.
ter than anything on Gods green
earth, and if am not more mistaken
than 1 have ever been in my life,
you"
Scalding tears rained down the
girls cheeks. obi" she exclaimed
in an anguished voice, this is-un-
speakable. And you-to-be married
in a week.
Then it was that he took her in his
arms. YES" he said fervently, III
you-will take me-" She struggled to
free herself, but he held her close
and told her. We're to be married
in-?" he looked down at Maize.
IN a week." she answered from the
mufT1ed region Of pWplish-tan coat
sleeve
Copyright. 1913 by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)
States army as compared with the