St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-04-21
JUST AS 1T HAPPENED.
A TALE OF TWO VALENTINES.
CONCLUDED FROM LAST WEEK.
THE SECOND.

CONCLUDED FROM LAST WERk.
THE SECOND. Il.
Pass on summer and winter, snow and
sunbeams. Gu! away five years more from
the life Of the Old man, Time. He was
gray when We were boys; and the five
years alter us, but he looks little changed,
We think.
Millicent Rochell. had come down again
after this long interval to pay visit At her
brothers house. She had been there some
weeks-for this was again the eve of St.
Valentine she sat in her old seat by the
fire, and Archie Stuart stood opposite to
her; but scant words and distant courtesy
had passed between them, and he was not
talking to her. He was going to take the
boys-thuse dreadful creatures into which
Carl and BERTHE had dcveloped-to merry
making specially got up for such creatures
and they were sitting uueaeily en- chairs,
alternately reminding Mr.. Stuart that they
were ready, and sparring At each other.
For Berthe had ventured to introduce the
word valentine, upon which Carl grew red,
and ejacul,ted: "Phaw valentines are for
girls. I might send one, Tor lark; but as
to having one sent to mel shouldn't take
it in"
"But you know, CARL insisted Berthe,
"that last year yoG-".,'
Mr.. Carl looked straight at his brother,
thrust his hands into his pockets, and ut
tered an emphatic monosyllable. "Pig!"
Mr.. Stuar. took no notice of them. A
little girl had cr$pt up to him, and he was
playing with golden curls something like
Carrs present 1urze bush had been FIVE
years ago. He was but little altered. The
years tha. had swept like hurricane over
Milliccnt seemed scarcely to have touched
him. Only in Ole thing he was changed.
He saw in her simply her brothers guest,
to be treated with ull due Difference and
courtesy-nothing more.
She sat on quietly, speaking if she vas
spoken 10, but rousing herself with appar-
eat difficulty; and the shadows deepened
over her face as tho fire fell lower. They
knew nothing of.each others thoughts
these two, who had once been drawn so
closely together. They only saw the cold
outside-the chilly formalis,ns, the studied
III
the other.
Lady Rochelle came in, dressed to go to
q dinner-party, and Sir George was heard
in the hall giving orders concerning the
carriage
ut is so kind Of you to take charge of
them,' said Lady Rochelle, shaking hands
with Archie. "But are you sure we
shalt not victimizc you? Boys, you must
BE-. very good, and remember, Carl, no
roughncss."
"All right, MOTHER" responded MIR. Carl,
already dropping ':mamma" as unmaaly.
''The carriage is ready" said Lady Ro-
chellc. ''They shall set you down; and
come back for u.s.
Then Archibald Stuart mo ved. A little
spasm Of irresolution shook HIM. His
heart ached with this icy shadow that had
come between himself and Millicent-
Surely it need not be 50. He looked at her,
wishing to take her hand, as he used to do.
She might have read the wish in his pain
ed, wistful face. Perhaps she did not dare
to look at his face at all. Any how, moth.
ing but very grave and formal bow pass
ed between them and he was gone.
Then Millicent became aware that Lady
Rochelle was looking at her with an air Of
bewilderment and dismay.
"Why, Milly! not dressed Do you know
how late We are already!" -.
"You must spare me the party" replied
Millicent. II shall stay at home"
"At home! not going! But, my dear,
eyes you can. never. meant TO go. I
I hate it," t.. +
"Hate what - ... III f..
"Dinner parties" ... -..,
Lady Rochelle smothed down the fingers
Of her white gloves meditatively.
:. :"George!" she called out, emily says
che woh't go" . '."..' ..' ''.''. 80.
The baronet came IN, and Millicent put
up her two hands to ward of his remon-
strances. .,...g c>.,! 49,, ::.,n s.'.
Is "You = . used to soeld ne fer beip$. di'.i7;
patsd, George. Let me alone, now; I'm
tired ..,5. ~......t.: - ,,....: } ..
Sir George looked At her and said,
'Hem ~ then he gave his arm to his wife,
and they went away. .....:.iE E'",..'2
5 ! ~ t.4*s<': ,....>sst:. - q ...t:.