American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-02-21

And he did, after little pressing, Win
much confusion, in a hand that would
have done honor to Brobdignagian, with
a seal TO match.
81 love her so much" he began again
but was off to look for Mabel.
| found her after short search, sitting
in her own room writing, with sheet of
paper before her, which she hastily thrust
into the table drawer as | entered.
"To-m morrow's Valentine Day, Mabel,
are you going to send any?" l enquir-
ed
mot l." said Mabel, with just the
faintest tinge of blush on her cheek
81 would not receive such nonsensical
tn ng, let alone the sending ; | have far
too great respect for the name of Love,
than to take it in vain in unmeaning
rhymes -
"Not Arrays unmeaning," | said. 81
have known the VOWS fervently made in
those pictorial bllet-doux, as fervently
kept; it all depends upon the man, you
little skeptic."
"You are certainly going to send a
Valentine :" interrupted Mabel eagerly.
Eutre nous, this remarlew was beth sud
den and unpleasant-I had sent one that
morning, written and posted under i'm
mense dificulties--my father having the
book | had copied the verses from in his
pocket, which | was forced to pick, as |
couldn't remember the last lines and
the post-office, when | arrived, being ten
anted by Jack Sharp inside, and guarded
by old Jones outside, both evidently on
the same errand, had to remain down
y.lane a whole hour | never hated old
Jones so much
"You are certainly going to send a
Valentine p repeated Mabel in triumph,
ant glee. saw it was no use denying
it, for 81 was blushing as red as beet"
"Well, what if am ?" said | endeav-
oring to be dignifed: II always prac.
tice what I preach | see no crime in it,
"No more do |, said Mabel confiden-
TALLY. 81 am going to send one, too
only didn't like to tell you; l thought
you might laugh )" and she drew forth
from the drawer she had kept jealously
shut, the most splendid specimen in the
paper cutting line ! have ever beheld-
you couldn't have told it from the finest
Valenciennes-the verses delicately in
scribed in azure ink, looked as if they
had been written by Titauia with dew
gathered by fairy fingers from the cup of
bluebel.
"And who's it to, Mabel? ?" said l, in
friendly, careless manner-I was dy-
ing to know.
"Guess."
81 can't"
"Try"
dts no use, l never could find out !;
you never showed you liked any one in
particular"
"Well, l don't think this one likes me"
said Mabel, with sigh "He's so hard
10 please" she continued pettishly, i" or
so hard hearted, | don't know which. I
don't think he likes WI n;only liked him
from the first, and as I'm going home
next week, it's no harm just to hint it to
him; and she looked quite sad for few
minutes, but on lifting up her head, she
saw something in the pier glass opposite
which seemed to console her surpris ingly
for after looking for few seconds she
went on again quite gayly, Done waste
50 much thought upon the riddle, cousin;
do you give it up.
"Yes-who is it ?"
She came quite close and whispered
" Fred Pratt!'
"Who? ?"
''Fred Pratt p
l felt horribly inclined to throw my
arms about my cousin, aud kiss her from
pure joy-but, as it might have alarmed
her, L restrained myself, and calmly went
to post the Valentine.
The auspicious morn arrived, the sun.
Contrary to Fred's expectations) did no.
thing original; but rose at his usual
hour in the east. accompanied by few
commonplace looking clouds-thipgs
proceeded in their accustomed way-per-
haps little more laughing and whisper
ing among the girls. until the clock
struck nine, then great change became
perceptible, tunes began to be hunlmed.
indicative of perfect ease of mind in the
hummers--books diligently read, as if the
salvation of the readers depended upon
them, conversations on important sub
jects, carried on in the most careless and
reckless manner: suddenly in the midst
of it all, like clap Of thunder. rat tat |!