The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-03-26

held was scene of brilliant gayet,
Val Agnew lounged in late, and NJ
seeing Miss Vallery amongst the bev
of pretty girls at the table, he inq uire
for her.
"Oh. she's postmistress," answere
pretty little brunette at his elbow
"and, by the by, think there's q lei
ter for you. Go see."
Mr.. Agnew obeyed the Command
and presenting himself at the narro,
little window of the Office, gravel
asked for letter.
| Veronica blushed little as she an
swered, "I think there is one here fo
you" Then turning round she per
formed queer little pantomime
Closing her eyes tightly she put he.
hand on the pile of updirected' letter.
that lay beside her, selecting one a
random, looked outof the window agait
and asked the usual question:
What name?"
valentine Agnew."
Veronica started with the pen in hel
hand:
els that your true name, Mr.. Ag,
new? Some one told me it was Val
dimir."
"No, I am Valentine. I was called
for my fathers friend, a famous sur.
geon with that surname, but I prefer
red to be doctor of law, instead OF
doctor of medicine. I study charae
ter, you know, not physics
The pen dashed off the name, and
the letter was handed to its owner
without word. Then, as Val Agnew
walked away, Veronica called 10 hesi.
tating sort of voice after him, " Mr..
Agnew, if you hear good news will you
let me know?"
with pleasure, Miss Vallery. You
surprise me with your curiosity; can
any news to me be of any interest
whatever to you?
"Possibly. I'm surprising creature
haven't you found that out yet? Good
night"
And echoing her abrupt "good night, !"
Val Agnew put his "letter" in his vest
pocket, and stroIled on with the crowd.
He didn't think of the little missive
again until he got home up in his room
that night. Taking it then out of his
vest, he examined the penmanship
closely. t'It's bold, firm hand, de-
notes strength of character and a pas
sionate nature. If she had written the
contents, too, and to me, wonder what
they would have been like? AS it is,
I suppose it's only some girlish non
sense" and with these words Val Aenew
opened the envelop, carefully put it
back again in his pocket, and then un-
folded the letter. .|= ~"
"'What is this p he exclaimed.
90 The same hand u and he read
:" Go, little verse, to him love, my king. my
cavalier
And like timid, tender dove, fly to his heart
sans fear"
So swift and sure creep in his breast he shall
not feel the broach;
There build your iitsle happy nest of love,
pure, sans reproach.'
So sing your pretty, tender lay it shall pierce
thro' and thro'
His inmost heart, and e'er shall stay. strong.
steadfast and true.
Then, when he hears it sweet and clear it's i'm |
port he'll divine,
And, like fsithful cavalier, he'll know his
Valentine"
All, why did Val Agnew's face flush |
md his heart beat at the simple little
ines Something in the ring of the
vords sounded SO like dear voice he
new and loved, he dared to hope the
Valentine" indeed was meant for him.
dr. Whyte was interviewed" very
'arly next morning, and in that way
7al Agnew soon learned who So did, the
poetry for the fair post-ofice.
Accordingly, few hours later, when
diss Vallerys blue morning dress swept
'ast the little bay window room at the
cad of the stairs on her way up from
reakfast, she was interviewed" as
Tell, for Mr.. Agnew arrested her as she
assed the door with
/ want TO speak to you. I promised
D report If got good news. Come in
nd let me tell you what my letter told
le."
Veronica turned trife paler than
er wont, but obediently entered the
1sy little room where the bright warm
lnshine shone down ON the pretty tab
au vivant. He, tall and dark and
rong, with steadfast courage in his
zoe. She slight and fair and weak,
ith yielding tenderness in hers.
I" Veronica, 1 got a valentine" said
., looking down into her face.
"You got itp' |,
All, the start, the tone, and the EN- .
lasjzed verb were all true tell-taIes.
And yon meant that I should, did ,
,u not, Veronica? We're those sweet !
ords not written from your heart to
inc 1 love you so dearly. Do not
life with me any longer, Veronica. L :
we dared not to hope in vain r =
Then Mss ValIery's trembling hands I
Id themselves out for support, and +
ISIS Vallery's head rested itself on the +
me spot in Val Agnews vest that coy-
ed her valentine Of the evening be.
re.
" And you did write it, every word.
me, darling" asked Mr.. Agnew, at c
ngth. e
!" wrote it to him that I loved so 6
arly, ;" answered Veronica, looking i
J into her lovers eyes as she contin- b
q, II among the many letters be. &
ath my hands, thought I, when you b
ked me for one, the " Valentine % I b
ve written to him be the one [ pick e
= with my eyes Closed, and with no fl
owledge whatever of which it is p
rely fate shall will it that we belong n
one another. And of all the letters, a
think that should be the very one I h
ected L" o
: And you even did not know my s.
me ?" k
i No, I thought you we're called Val r.
Vladimir. | did not know you were b
, Valentine r o.
" And you do care for somebody II
" 81