The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-05-23
Copyright BY the Bobbs- Merrill Co..

Bobbs- Merrill COY Z = = " ; : = s7,-=
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First match game. How are the 9th
ers? What's his chance?"
"He can beat them all IL he will
only think so," she returned in the
same even tone. Her voice was fuller,
with a different and more melodious
information than those about him; he
looked up at her quickly, as IL from
passing sense of the difference.
yes, he's rattled!" grunted the cid
erly gentleman. Gone stale, practic-
ing every minute. Too anxious. Wants
to please his father by getting little
vilverware"
Aren't you his father?"
ME? No. His father could buy me
! up out of his pocket-money. His IA
thr is Hiram G. Butler. I'm only his
! boss. He's learning the steel business
| with me. I wish was his father: he's
genius in his way"
II suppose his father is awfully
proud Of him."
Proud nothing" exploded the stout
gentleman. "His father has bought
and sold and fought inventors so long
that when he discovered that his son
| was Matching formulas for open-hearth
steel he was disguised. Then at COL
lege Will took hoRors in chemistry and
was grind; and when his father
wanted to load him with money, and
l. ko1 III En- 81
societies, he sent the money back and
said he didn't know any boys in So
cieties; the boys who ran after him
were only after his money and the
other boys didn't want him. The
trouble simply is he is too ALFRED shy
and modest Takes his fathers word
he is a failure because he couldn't
make their fool societies. How should
a fellow who has spent his life in Eng
lish schools and travelling about with
a tutor, and then is dumped into Har-
ward, Be expected to make a splash
| among those snippy young swells?
Harvard's no violet cold-frame! The
other boys did, but they were chips Of
the old block, hard as nails and hus-
tiers from way back. And since his
mother died this poor chap has had
nobody to chtrk him up. Father didn't
mind until the other boys died. All
three in one year; pretty tough on
their father. Pretty tough. Ever lose
-ur-r!-any one in your family? Then
you know, Now WHY'S the only child,
and his father wants to make him
over in his brothers image. Wants
to give him a wife to help! And Willy.
so scared of petticoat, walked two
hours up and down before the Somer.
set hotel at his first college dance try
ing to screw up courage to 60 Inland
couldn't. Hiram never will get over
that. But Willy, though he won't marry
to please his father, is fond Of the old
dictator just the same. And mighty
proud. That's why he has worked so
at golf. Trying to show he can do
some things like other boys, you see.
Well, see that Harvard dude has got
his ball on the green at last. Now
it's up to Willy-Didn't tell you? In
all right! Shall OH" It was a sin
gularly small, soft "Oh!" which the
elderly man uttered, and it slipped
out of his rugged lips when he caught
the shy fash from WHY'S eyes at the
girl. He studied her an infinitesimal
space before he spoke. and he turned
chuckfe into a cough as he said,
! Aren't you Lady Jean Bruce-Hadden
and aren't you visiting the Brookes? ?"
She said that she was, rather indif-
ferently, her gaze still following Willy
who was accepting Dickson's congratu-
lations less awkwardly than was his
wont.
Il guess Major Brooke has told you
about me. Jabez Rivers"
But ere he could finish the NAME
she had held out her hand with a
kindling face, crying, "Oh, indeed, yes
I'm ever so glad to meet you, Mr..
Rivers"
After this 1t was only natural to pre-
sent Willy; but it was bit of sur
prise to have Willy. when presented,
say. This is my mascot, SIR l lost
the game and she made me win It,"
Willy was astonished at his own
fuency; but then he had thought Lady
Jean very young girl, not quite the
kid" that he had styled her. but still
hardly young lady. Then, anyhow,
she was different. Oh. very different!
His friend was cycling him critically
with queer little grunts, according to
his fashion. you're not fit to walk"
he grumbled. why will young folks
wear shoes that don't fit! Say. you
take Lady Jean home while go over
to the clubhouse with the major And
keep the car II you don't find me. I'll
go back with Standish. And-I don't
know but you better take her round
the head of the island and show her
that motor moving ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
mower, you know; l want her to see
it,
He grinned as the young people
obeyed him with grateful docility,
speeding away in his electric runabout;
and bestowed look of orphic sagac-
ity upon the officer in white undress
uniform who had Joined him. The Of
f1cer was younger than Rivers, al
though not young.
THAT is one Of the very finest little
ladies in the world" he remarked.
To which Rivers returned dryly. so
you've told me. And that's one Of the
finest, decentest, cleanest fellows in
the world with her."
LAS you've told me-"
Rivers grunted. go over that lingo