The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-02-21
s'Indeed?"

reasonable as frightened horse;
when man is angry he longs to hit
something or smoke a cigar. Imagine
my predfcament! ~
When the cab reached Washington
Place and came to a stand I spoke
again.
Shall take the hat in, or will
you?" asked.
I'VE shall go together"
All, If only had had the courage to
say: Il would it were for ever!" But
I feared that it wouldn't take.
rang the bell, and presently maid
opened the door.
rs Monsieur de Beausire in?" l
asked
mo, sir, he is not" the maid an.
swered civilly.
do you know where he may be
found?"
If you have a bill you may leave
it,"-frostily and with sudden suspi'
cion.
There was a smothered sound from
behind me. and flushed angrily.
Il am not bill.collector."
ooh; it's the second day Of the
month. you know. I thought perhaps
you WERE"
He has in his possession a hat
which does not belong to him."
Good gracious, he hasn't been steal
ing? don't believe''-making az
though to shut the door.
This was too much, and I laughed
mo, my girl; he hasn't been stealing
But, being absent-minded, he has tax.
en- another mans hat, and I am bring
Ing his home in hopes Of getting the
one he took by mistake"
"Oh!" And the maid laughed
shrilly.
held out the hat.
my land! that's his hat, sure
enough. was wondering what made
him look so funny when he went out. y
where has he gomez" came sharply
over my shoulder.
IF you will watt" said the maid
good-naturedly, y will inquire"
We waited. So far as I was con
cerned. I hoped he was miles away
and that we might go on riding for
hours and hours. The maid returned
soon.
He has gone to meet the French
| consul at Mouquin's."
Which one?" I asked There are
two, one down and one uptown"
I'm sure l don't know. You can
leave the hat and your card"
THANK you; we shall retain the
hat. II We find monsieur he will
need it." And the only girl in the
world and myself re~entered the cab
This is terrible!" she murmured as
we drove Off.
1T might be worse" I replied. think.
ing of the probable long ride with her:
perhaps the last l should ever take!
How could it be-"
had nothing to offer, and subsidized
for space.
IF we should not find him."
I'll sit on his front steps all night
. Forgive me if sound flippant;
but mean it." Snow was in the air
and I considered it a great sacrifice
on my part to sit on cold stone in
the small morning hours. It looks flip
pant in print, too, but I honestly
meant it. Il am sorry. You are in
great trouble of some sort, l know;
and there's nothing in the world
would not do to save you from thi.
trouble. Let me take you home and
continue the search alone. I'll find
him if nave to search the whole
town."
eve shall continue the search to-
gether, "-wearily.
What had she written to this other
fellow? Did she love some one else
and was she afraid that I might learn
who it was? My heart became as
lead in my bosom. I simply could not
| lose this charming creature. And
now, how was I ever to win her.
1t was not far uptown to the res
taurant, and we made good time.
would you know him if you saw
him." she asked as We left the cab
"Not the least doubt of it,"-confi
! IDENTIFY.
She sighed, and together we en-
! tered the restaurant. 1t was full OF
! theater-going people, music and the
hum of voices. We must have created
4 small sensation, wandering from
! table to table, from room to room, the
| girl with a look of dread and weari
ness on her face, and l with the
Frenchman's hat grasped firmly in m,
hand and my brows scowling. If
hadn't been in love it would have
been a fine comedy. Once surprised
| her looking toward the corner table
near the orchestra. How many JOY
Gus Sunday dinners we had had there!
| Heigh-ho!
1T that he?" she whispered, clutch
ing my arm Of a sudden, her gaze d.
rected to a nearby table.
looked and shook my head.
mo; my Frenchman had a mus
| tache and goatee."
Her hand dropped listlessly. 1 con
TESS to the thought that it must have
been very trying for her. What &
plucky girl she was! She held me in
contempt, and yet she chung to me
| patiently and unmurmuring. And
| had lost her:
Eve may have to go downtown
|. No! as live, there he is now.'
|-toyfully.
| "Where?" There was half a SOB
| in her throat
"The table by the short flight OF
stairs the man just lighting
| the cigarette. III 20 asoue.'