Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-09-23
brightness. and her cheeks glowed with

'''N' - shtib-"obu OtA.
No; what is it,
e Are you ready to go in?'
e Yes, quite
Kate presented her with a tiny sl
| OF white silk, on which was embroide
: ed, in silver letters, the magic nun
l Der .a33.
, Present it at the door as YOU enter
. she said with much solemnity; an
may st. Valentine treat you WE'LL
: As Ida. half fluttcred. half-amuse
passed into the brilliant drawing-room
, Mrs. Clifton smilingly met her. an
glanced at her silken ticket.
NO. 333,' she spoke, and tall
handsome gentleman stepped forwar,
on the instant.
'Mr. Moray, Miss CORNELL she said
presenting them TO each other, an,
passed on TO receive the next asp,ran
for the offices Of ST. Valentine.
Ida glanced shyly up at the stately
dark-bronzed cavalier who stood ;,
gracefully beside her; and Hugh No
rays heart gave sudden thrill within
hlm as he met the gaze Of the blue, H.
quii eyes which had once flashed SC
scornfully upon him. years and wears
ago How lovely she had grown -
vet stlil. how much the same He al
most expected ID see her stralghtcn up
her slight figure, and draw back from
the poiluting touch of his arm.
7 Bat Ida dad not on the contrary
she seemed passing well pleased with
her fate in becoming his companion for
the evening the more 50, as once or
twice she heard cnvious comments on
her good luck from Others who were
not 20 auspIciouslv mated
Only think 'pouted Virginia Berry,
who hal drawn dapper. ineligible
Young Treasury clerk, without more
than one idea at pasture in his brain
It's just Ida Corncll's luck 10 get ,ha,
splendid Mr.. Moray, with han i,on.
fortune.
Buttherc was nothing mercenary in
Ida Corncll's nature il she gloricd in
Der handsome companion, il was from
~ ignohle motive. She was young and
very impressible, aud Hugh ...orav was
fascinating in no common degree.
When Lila Cornell went home that
evening it was with n shy, half-cor-
scIousness that she had enjoved herself
very much indeed, and a distinct re-
membrance of sundry sparkles from
the deep. dark eyes that had spoken
with more eloquence than words
We'll. questioned Jane. how did YOU
like your partnsr:'
.Nyy ouch, Ida answered. dreamily.
lie milk-boy. indeed Jane. do
wish that YOU would forget that absurd
piece Of nonsense
Miss Cornell had permitted Mr.. Mo-
ray 10 call and Mr.. Moray lost no time
in availlns himself Of the permission
and from that the succession To parties,
morning concerts, and drives in the
country wa, simple and natural
enough.
And one day the finale came, when
they were sitting together behind the
draperics Of box N the theatre. with
lights and music and delicious scents
floating around them a. through the
solemn glories of dream. They hal
been talking about the party at Mrs
Clitton's on 81. Valentines Eve.
Il enjoyed that party so much, Ida
said softly, without raising her eyes
from the boquet Of japonicas that she
held.
Did you, dear lda:' (They had be-
come quite good friends, you may per
cciye.) 'Shonld you be willing to adopt
your Valentine for ever. he asked.
earnestly ; and she replied, in all good
faith:
Il should. Hugh.
Then. you will be my wife? my lit
tie gold-haired bride:'
Dear Hugh, yes.
He smiled, as he held both her hand,
firmly pressed in his own.
Ida he said. ii was strange fate
which assigned us TO each other for
that st. Valentines Eve. was it not !.
One might almost believe that the gen.
tle-natured saint really guided our
destinies.'
Almost, Hugh she assented
But you will think it stranger still
when | tell you that. years and years
ago, you were sent to me as my Nalen.
tine
What can you mean:' she asked ca
gerly.
And he told her how one Hugh Mo.
ray had sat ID the hall of her mother's
residence, on bleak February morn
ing, waiting for money for his milk-bill
and how little shining apparition in
blue and godsand roses had glin
mered upon him for one instant, and
then disappeared, how his boy hear,
had ached and smarted, and how al
the time deliverance was close al
hand, anf~
Well, hetCad the whole story. with
sundry love-hke digressions, while Ids
listened with sparkling eyes and chang
ing colorSl lore than ever convinced
that there Is destiny which shape:
our ends
And am the milk-boy's true Val
entine, after ALL she said, smiling ra
diantly.
Yes, You. are the milk-bQy's tru
Valentino answered tenderly, AN
after this who shall deny the authen
ITCHY of loves OWL patron saints'
Who s
1t Is admitf "a that matter acts on ma