Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1875-02-10

Jane Cornell. who was still Jane Cor
nell, in spite of the false and fair Mr..
Earle St Eyers, took up the note rather
sourly.
at viii be sure to be failure. Who
ever heard of such thing before p
"That's because you are not invited, +"
said Ida, saucily. Il think it will be
glorious Mrs. Clifton told me last
week she was to have quite an importa-
ton of cligibles from Philadelphia and
Boston, and"
"Eligibles How can you talk such
slang p
Ida pursed up her ripe cherry of a
mouth roguishly.
q tell you what, Jenny" she said.
its high time l was on the look out for
real, genuine Valentine Only think;
twenty-one last week, and not an en-
gagement ring to my finger p
She shot a sideways glance, as she
spoke, at the big mirror beyond, which
returned by no means unhattering tale.
Hair light and FURNISHED as hossy gold,
eyes full of blue limpid light, velvet
skin, softly tinged with rose and a figure
slender and rounded as that of Hebc's
self. Yes, Ida Cornell was beauty,
and she knew it.
"a Valentine retortel Jane, rather
acidly. Il think you have forgotten
that you are to be milk-boy's yalen-
tine"
Ida burst out laughing merrily.
Haven't you forgotten that luckless
adventure Of my childhood's days yet?
But seriously, Jane, ! do believe that
ST. Valentines day has always exercised
a sort of fate over nc, for | never have
succeeded in winning a nice Valentine
since. Now a5a vuas
a dear. but help me with the white lace
pufings to my blue silk dress, or / never
shall get them done in time
Miss Cornell looked quite pretty
enough to be appointed lieutenant-gen-
eral to Cupid that night. as she entered
Mrs, Clifton's dressing-rooms, where the
glitter of lights and the perfume Of
flowers, and the confused hum of innu-
mcrable feminine voices kept up pleas
ant sort of bewilderme,t She was
dressed in blue silk, draped with lace,
and caught up here and there with clus-
ters of blue feur-de-lis, while her golden
hair foated down her lack in crepe
waves OF sunny brightness, and her
checks glowed with soft warm crimson.
Have you got your number, Ida Y
cried Kate Clifton, grayely advancing
with satin-wood box.
Mo- what is it?7
"Are you ready to go in y
"Yes, quite"
Kate presented her with a tiny slip Of
white silk, on which was embroidered,
in silver letters, the magic number 1888.
Present it at the door as you enter, .
she said with much solemnity. aud may
St. Valentine treat you well
As Ida, half-auttcred, half-amused,
passed into the brilliant drawing-rooms,
Mrs. Clifton smilingly met her, and
glanced at at her silken ticket.
M. 83S7 she spoke, and tall,
handsome gentleman stepped forward
on the instant.
"Mr Moray, Miss Cornell, y she said
presenting them to each other, and pass
ing on to receive the next aspirant for
the good Offices of St, Valentine,
Ida glanced shyly up at the stately,
darkbrenzed cavalier who stood 50 grace
fully beside her; and Hugh Moray's
heart gave sudden thrill within him,
as he met the gaze Of the blue liquid
eyes which had once flashed 50 scornful-
y upon him, years and years ago. How
lovely She had grown yet still, how
much the same. He almost expected to
see her straighten up her slight figure,
and draw back from the polluting touch
of his arm.
But Ida did not; on the contrary, she
seemed passing well pleased with her
fate in becoming his companion for the
evening the more SO, as once or twice
she heard envious comments on her
good luck FROM others who were not so
auspieiously mated.
Only think y pouted Virginia De
Berry, who had drawn a dapper. in
eligible young custom house clerk, with