Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-07-01
Only a Trihing Mistake.


"Yes, indeed. We cannot order holi-
day weather, unfortunately, especially
in February. I brought knitting and
sewing, so I shall manage very we'll till
you return"
Il won't be home before six o'clock.
but you will 60 to dinner with Mrs.
Clark"
Il will wait for you, and dine late
Very we'll. Adieu, then
An affeotionats kiss, and Mr.. Smith
left his little daughter to rainy day in
a New York hotel, while he went out
upon business.
There was nothing very romantic or
uncommon in the situation. Papa had
come from Utica upon business for
week in New York, and papas only
daughter had begged for holiday and
come also. This was the first rainy day,
so Mary Smith opened her trunk and
fshed up from lot of clothing most
dainty little work. box. A few minutes
were given to crochet collar, and
then -
"There I'll write to mamma She
won't expect letter, but it is just the
day to write one. I'll tell her about
our meeting Meta Clark ON the train,
and how nice it is to have lady friend
here, and | can ask her about my new
silk, too. I'll write.
Pen, ink and paper being produced by
a waiter, the young lady went to work.
"Let me see, what day of the month
is it? The fourteenth. Why it is St.
Valentines Day! [ wonder if any Val
entines came for me!'
Two minutes more of writing, and
then short, sharp rap on the door in
terrupted the letter.
Come in!'
lOnly bell-boy. with a snowy envel-
ope in his hand.
Miss Mary Smith % he inquired,
showing that address in bold mascu-
line hand on his letter.
"Yes."
Letter for you" and off he went to
deliver the remainder of postman's S
package.
''Now who is that from % speculated
the young lady. ''It's not Johns hand,
nor Harry's. 1t is stiff, too; feels like
a card and sealed =? Who can seal a
letter nowadays? Two doves kissing.
Oh, it is Valentine ! Can it be for
me? Miss Mary Smith, Metropolitan
Hotel, New York That's all right.
I'll open it."
Not a letter, not fanciful picture,
or a copy of sentimental verses only a
photograph. A photograph of a gentle.
man, young, good looking, with mass
of curling hair, pleasant eyes, and good
features. Under the portrait, one lint
of penciled writing: "Can you guess
who l am ?''
Miss Mary Smith gazed and wonder
ed. Mentally she passed every mascu
: line face she remembered In review, from
her cousin Adolph's down to the milk
mans, but the one before her did no
answer the call of memory.
''Can you guess who I am % she read
after vainly endeavoring to identify tn
t features. ''No, Mr.. Impudence, I can't t
but I'll find you out sometime and pa,
you for your saucy Valentine. I believ
l won't write home, after all, but finisl
my collar. Oh, it is going to clear up
I'll 60 and see if Meta Clark will 90 t
{ walk if the sun comes out, and then W
f can decide upon the silk. Stewart ha
just the one | want !''
e Meta Clark and the sunshine both be
! l ing propitious, the brig ght little brunett
was soon equipped, and the shopping un
dertaken.
/, You know papa has given me cart
S blanche for new evening silk to fgur
at brother Johns wedding
r care YOU bridesmaid ?"
o mo, indeed Three times brides
. maid never bride, and | was bride.
maid for Henry's wife and for cousi
q Hattie, so this time | declined wit
IS thanks
"You superstitious little goose
: was bridesmaid six times before l fgu
e ed as BRIDE
! Il won't peril my chances in thu
way" was the gay .rejoinder. "Wh,
d there he is !''
y "Who? Don't stare at that youn
e man in that way, May. Who is he
Il don't know. 1t certainly is him
u was the odd answer. 81 don't believe |
r. knew me-
~ '.He did not look as if he did. Wh;
possessed you to stare so? There,
p has vanished. Who is he, May %
Of Il don't know certainly never sa
e him before in all my life, was the en-
H. phatic reply. but mentally Miss Ma
~ added. ''That is certainly the origin
" of my Valentine. He didn't know n
L am certain. What did he send n
h. his picture for %
D. Evening silks, and the relative vail
n. of corn color, orange and pink for br
en- nette complexion and hair, soon dro'
U,lz L