The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1915-04-01

"And now. Mr.. Smart. will you be kind
'rOugh to explain this incOmprehensi-
'p proceeding ON your purt?" she said.
| iAcing me Sternly.
| I'nt | was dumb. I stood just inside
| te door OF the most renlarkab bic apart
lnent ii has ever been my good for
u1e to look upon. My senses reeIed-
VAS | awake? Was this Il part of the
bleak. sinister. weather racked castle
IN which | was striving SO hard to find
a comfortable corner:
"Well:" she demanded reIentlessly.
by the Lord Harry" began. find
ing my tongue only to lose IT again.
The r-'n was completely furnished,
nedecked and rendered habitable by a
hundred and one articles that were
mysteriously missing from my side OF
the castle. Rugs. tapestries. curtains
Of the rarest quality: chairs. touches
and cushions: tables. cabinets and
chests that would have caused the
, eyes of the most conservative collector
Of antiques to bulge with-not wonder,
but greed; stands. pedeStais. braSSes
bronzes. porcelains-but why enumer-
ate? On the massive oaken center ia
Die stood the priceless silver vase we
had missed on the second day Of our
occupancy, ard it was filled with fresh
yellow roses.
And SO complete had been the rifling
OF my rooms by the devoted vandals
i'll their efforts to make this lady cOzy
and comfortable that they did not
overlook silver framed photograph
Ut my dear mother.
tried to smile. ''How--how coy
yOn are here" said.
you couldn't expect me TO live i'm
this awful place without some of the
comforts and cOnveniences OF life, Mr..
Smart" she said defiantly.
"Certainly uot," said promptly II
am sure that you will excuse me. how
ever. il l gloat. ] was afraid we had
lost all these things. You've no idea
how relieved am to find them all safe
and sound in my-in their proper place.
was beginning to distrust the
Scilmicks. Now / am convinced CT
their integrity"
Il suppose you mean to be sarcas-
tic"
Sarcasm at any price. madame.
would he worse than useless, / ann
sure"
Crossing to the fireplace. ] selected
a lump Ut coal from the scnttle anA
examined it with great care. She
watched me curiously
do you recognize it," she asked.
j do said 1. looking up. 1T has
been in our family for generations
My fayorite chunk. believe me! Still
] part with it cheerfulIy." Thereupon
tossed it into the fire. Don't be
shocked. slan't miss it. We have
Goals TO burn, madame"
She looked at me soberly for a NO
ment. There was something hurt ana
wistlu! in ner dark eyes.
"Of course. Mr.. Smart shall pay
YOU for everythny-down to the small
est trite- hen the time comes for me
10 leave this place. / nave kept stricr
account Of
She turned away, with Il beaten
droop OF the proud little head, anG
again WAS shamod.
"Madame' said. with cOnsiderab Bile
feeling. - have behaved like Il down
right rotter today. do not know who
you are nor why you are here, but
assure you il is of no real consequence
If You will but condescend to overlook
my insutfera BILE
She turned toward me. The visit
fut. appealing look still fingered in her
eyes. The soft red neither lip seemed
a bit tremu!ous.
II am an intruder" she interrupted,
smiling family. You have every right
to put me out OF your-your home, Mr..
Smart. have been very selfish and
catfish and inconsiderate, Mr.. Smart.
Yon see. I'm Il spoiled child. I've al
ways had my own way in everything.
You must look upon me as very nor
rid, sneaking. conspiring person. and
IL really think you ought to turn
me OUT
She came a few steps nearer. Sud.
denly it was revealed to me that she
was the loveIiest woman / had ever
seen in al! my life.
| am afraid that | stared
Turn you out?" l cried. Turn you
out of this delightful room after you've
had SO much trouble getting it into
shape: Never"
"Oh. you don't know how I've i'm
posed upon YOU" she cried plaintively
You don't know how I've robbed you
and bothered you
Yes, | do" said | promptly. II
know all about it. You've been steal
ing my Goals. my milk, my ice, my po~
1atoes. my servants. my sleep and
here | gave a comprehensive sweep OF
my hand-"eyerything in sight. And
you've made us walk ON tiptoe to keep
from waking the baby, and l stop