The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-03-01

to the residence of Miss Daisy Russell.
Judge of my astonishment when, in less
than an hour, the box, minus the tooth,
but still containing the coins, was re-
turned to me, with a note written in q
hand which betrayed extreme agitation,
and which read thus:
"' Miss Russell thanks Mr.. Douglass
for his kindness, and, while retaining
verses and other things sent by mis-
take
" "Imagine my feelings, my dear fell
low. No, you can't imagine them; it's
impossible. My cheeks, man as l am,
actually burned with modification. L
came near flinging the money, or the
other things, as she called it, out of the
window; but, on second thought, pock-
eted it instead.
"How in the world had she found me
out? No doubt she knew, through the
Howard children, there was such per-
son, but i'll what manner had she discov-
cred that the sender of the valentine and
Robert Douglass were identical ? What
should L do to pacify the little gypsy?
how prove to her that what / had done
had been in thoughtless kindness /
made up my mind to call upon her. The
affair could not be properly explained by
letter. Embarrassing as an interview
might prove, | must face the situation
like gentleman. And in half an hour
after the box was returned, [ was
ringing at the door of the house where
dwelt Miss Daisy Russell. She opened
the door herself, and peered curiously at
mo hp, w cir
was evident she didn't know me by sight
ment, Miss Russell, l said. Il am Rob
ert Douglass.
Her brown cheek famed like an ar-
tumn leaf with the light of the setting sun
on it, She answered not a word, but led
the way into a pleasant, but rather cir
cumscribed sitting-room.
"'I have come to beg your pardon,
I began, as soon as the door was closed
behind us. Il had no intention of
wounding you-God forbid! 1 knew
you found it hard struggling III this cold
world, that you had dear mother al
most dependent upon you cher face
softened a shade when l spoke of her
mother), 'and I never dreamed =
GO But the verses she interrupted,
raising her eyes and darting look Of
reproach at me (by-the-bye did tell you
she had forgotten to send them with the
'other things ?), 'and Miss Howard !?
Oh, Mr.. Douglass, it was cruel and un-
manly of you!
/" Miss Howard and are not on as
friendly terms as formerly, 1 answered !;
which was true, as the count had made
his appearance at the skating party.
"'Still, sir, L am only a poor teacher,
and not in your circle at all, and they
were too-too = And, by George she
| burst into tears"
"Were they 'too-too? 2 asked Earl,
with a smile.
"Oh, there was something about the
| happiness of the fairy tooth in being
imprisoned in so lovely prison as her
! fairy mouth, and some reference to a
| kiss-thats all -
"And quite enough" said Earle,
taking into consideration that you had
never been introduced to the young
lady"
"Well, sir, when the little thing be-
gan to cry, thought should go Wild
/ Miss Russell, cried, 'do-do forgive
NE Upon my word and honor, re-
/ spect and esteem you with all my heart,
and have admired You ever since the
day 1 first beheld you-the day l
came near knocking you down.
ga smile beamed through her tems as
she held out her hand and said That's
about thirty-siX hours ago. But I'll de-
tain you no longer, Mr.. Douglass. be-
lieve you are sincere i'll what you say.
"' And you forgive me?' [ asked.
"'I forgive you. Goodbye.
Zone moment more J. begged.
Pray tell me before we part how you
discovered 1 wrote the valentino.
"She looked at me i'll great surprise.
Il have heard Of you often from my
pupils, she said, 'and one day when We
were out walking they pointed out to me
the house in which you live
Yes, my dear Miss Russell, but they
knew nothing about the tooth, the box,
or the verses.
"Still more surprised, she looked al
me as she went to her desk and took from
it the offending valentine, which in hel
anger and haste she had neglected to re-
urn, and handed it to me.
"By George old fellow, in my alb
sent minded way, I'd signed my name to
it. There it was, bold and free-little
flourish at the end of the last IS, and al
- Yours to command, Robert Doug
lass"
Earle burst out laughing. "Just what
might have been expected of the boy
who came to school one morning with ,
tin pie plate under his arm instead of hi'
slate"
$50 I did, by George I'd nearly
forgotten that, said Douglass, joining
in the laugh. Then throwing away the
end of his cigar as the strains of waltz
reached them, he added "There's you
dance"
But the end of the story?"
"You've heard the first chapter. Th'
second and last is very short one
Perhaps, not being entirely bereft o
brains, you may have discovered that
was half in love with Miss Russell whel
I went to offer her an apology for trying
to befriend her. Well, sir, 1 came
away wholly in love with her, and tina
in time she returned my passion may b.
inferred from the fact that we were mar
ried three days ago, on the anniversar,
of the day found the fairy tooth--fair.
in more senses than one, for it certainl,
enchanted me, and led me by force o
that enchantment to where haprines
and But don't wait another moment
my dear fellow. OFF to your waltz, AM
when it's over, I'll introduce you to Mrs
Robert Douglass.