Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-02-24

"Of course, she's particularly indignant"
81 don't know any thing about that. 1t was
handsome one infer. from the size and cnvel-
op: and had in it something hard, which ] took
for jewery-a breastpin OF a bracelet"
Where do you think it came from !" said I.
''rve guessed Young Loring,' answered my
wife
"If he has sent it he has committed great
mistake" replied.
"How so?"
"You know Kate's antipathy to Valentines"
"Young ladies pften talk great deal without
really knowing what they say; and Kate is not
altogether free from the fault" said my wife.
Il readily enough asscnted to this. When
the bell rung for dinner, Kate came down from
her room. Her face was rather more sober than
usual, and she did not join in the conversation
wife her accustomed animation. She was the
first to retire from the table.
Il don't think she is mortally offended" said
to my wife.
No not if I am skilled in mental Indications"
was replied.
During the afternoon, two or three more love
m;s<ives came; but not word touching their
| reception, or the feeling produced thereby, was
brcathcd by Kate. 1t was plain, however, to one
with even halfan eye, that she was pleased at the
mark Of attention or, it might be- token Of love,
Evening, instead Of being passed as usual with
the family, was spent by Kate in her room.
On the next morning, at the breaktas. table,
mentioned the fact that certain number Of ' al-
cntines had passed through the post Office o.. 4
day before This was in order to introduce the
subject, and call ont some remark from Kate; !;
but she remained silent on the subject, through
not without indicating, by her heightened color
and restless eye, that her thoughts were busy
enough.
/ rather think our Young lady HIS changed
her opinions" said |, smiling. after Kate had left
the table.
Circumstances alter cases, YOU know" re-
piled my wife, smiling in turn.
On the next evening, young Loring called in
Kate was longer than usual in making her ap
pcarance ond when she came into the parlor
was dressed with ordinary care. For the first
time | noticed on her wrist new and beautiful
bracelet. She blushcd, slightly, as she met
Loring: seemed a little embarrassed, but was
soon convcrsing with him in an animated style.
Did YOU see that new braceletW asked my
wife, when were next alone.
II did,
Where did it come froln?"
Didn't YOU say that in one of the Valentines
she received there was something hard, like
piece Of jewelry!"
That is the bracelet probably
NO doubt of it."
"And moreover" said I, at is plain that she
III, ,bo Eolont;po I
her first meeting with him, she wears it for the
first time"
Thus" remarked my wife, modifying him
that she receives the token kindly"
laughed aloud, for codld not hel it.
"Why do YOU augh?" asked my wife
"She was going to discard any one who insult
ed her with Valentine"'
That was idle talk. I've heard such things
before"
Two or three evenings went BY, and Loring
came again. Since his former visit, the new
bracelet had not been seen Now it was worn
again, As VIC knew the young man we'll, and
liked him the better the more intimately We
knew him, we saw no mpropriety in leaving the
young couple alone in the paror
From ttat time, there was marked change in
my niece. She was less sprightly and more ab
sent minded than usual Next, her appetite fail
ed her, and she began to grow thin and loose
her color-surc signs of heart disease. Mean
while, Lorng was constant visitor; and whenev-
er he came, the bracelet was displayed, evident
y in token that she knew from whence it came,
and wished its full acceptance to be understood.
At last, received formal visit from the young
man, and a formal offer for the hand of Kate.
OF course, | had no objections to urge. The mat
ter was, in my mind, already fully settled.
After that the bracelet aforementioned was
always to besccn on the arm of Kate. One eve
ming it was about month before her wedding
day, as sat talking with Kate for whom my at
fection had always been rs tender rs that OF
father for his child, took her hand, and said, rs
| examined the bracelet
THAT is very beautiful
ayes, have always admired i, very much
she replied, the color growing warmer IN her
checks.
a lovc,token, presume"
And as said this, looked at her archly. The
hue of her cheek became still deeper.
a valcntine?" added.
"Thc blood mounted to her temples
"But it was not an ordinary Valentine. 1t
did NOT co,no from trif1or and was not rrceiv-