The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-03-14
Aunt uollle's@ Valentine,

Gross (without noticing the exchange Of
glances between her mischievous daught-
er, Fan, and BAN Reynolds, Fans most
devoted admirer, and also the alder and !
abettor. of all her jokes) called a servant |
and sent the 'missive up to Aunt Mollie's
room.
The young people were all so busy
with their own valentines that Aunt Mol
lie was left to read hers in peace. She
looked long at the direction, as many of
us do, wondering who wrote ii, before she |
broke the seal, but, as she read it, the !
color came to her cheeks and the light
and sparkle to: her eyes, which shone as
they had not done for many long year.
What she read was no valentine, but
letter from Col. Sargent. He wrote that
he had long loved her, but, having had
sister and niece to support, had beed un-
able to marry; but now he was free, and
he entreated Aunt Mollie, if she had any
love for him, and was willing to marry
HIM, to let him know it at the earliest op-
portunity.
The letter fell from Aunt Mollie's flu
gers as she gazed into the fire, while her
thoughts flew back into the past.
How we'll she remembered when she
first knew Col. Sargent; he was friend
of her brother-in-law, and was at their
house almost every day; in many of their
excursions and gayeties he had been her
escort. Handsome and agreeable. kind
and attentive, was it any wonder, she
thought, that, she, a girl of twenty, had
lost her heart to hlm2 She thought over
all <knSr S~<o
years ago, and tried to remember some
word or act that betrayed warmer inter-
est than the brotherly affection he had al
ways professed for all the family. Alas!
she could remember none-nothing but
the sharp pang Of sorrow in her own
heart when he told them all he was going
away to India to be gone for years. He
had always been her hero, and although
she had schooled herself to indifference,
and had never betrayed her secret, and
ON his return from India, few years ago
had met him with only friends well
come, yet she knew now what had made
all other men seem small in her eyes.
Aunt Mollie had refused several good
offers, to the surprise of her friends, and
was now an old maid of forty, with
nephews and nieces growing up around
her, quiet, reserved and lady like, and
somewhat domineered over by her eldest
niece, Fanny Norcross, as wild but as
good hearted little thing as ever lived.
Aunt Mollie looked into the fire, and
became thoughtful.
"What has made MIN love me, wonder,
and when did it begin, and why did he
keep it to himself, and treat me 50 indif-
ferently, startling me with an offer?'
1t was all a puzzel; Aunt Mollie had to
give it up. She read the Celoncl's letter
again; there was no mistake about it; he
said plainly he loved her, and wished to
marry her, and would like an immediate
answer.
"Weli," said Aunt Mollie to herself,
why not? Why shouldn't marry him !!
If he loves me as he says, why shouldn t
l accept the happiness offered me2 Oh,
if this had only happened years ago!'' and
Mollie gave sigh as she thought of the
past lonely years; but the loneliness would
all be gone now; there was some one who
loved her.
So Aunt Mollic wrote her answer to
Col. Sargent with bright smile and
blush that it was pity no one saw. She
told him she would be bis wife; and not
only that, but with candor most women
think unnecessary, she told him how
happy his letter had made her, and how
long she had loved him, and finally that
she would be at home the next even ing
and happy to see him.
Then ringing the bell for servant, she
sent the letter to the postofice.
At tea-time, when Aunt Mollie xlade
ner appearance, her valentine had been
forgotten in the more absorbing topics Of
the sleigh-ride for that evening, and a
tea-party for the next, so she could think
her own thoughts undisturbed.
The next evening they all went off to
their tea party, after vainly coaxing Aunt
Mollie to accompany them.
"Mollie, you had better come with us,
said Mrs. Norcross; "you will be sc
lonely"
But Mollic, with guilty blush, de-
chned. They left her, and she sat down
to wait for Col. Sargent.
Col. Sargent received Mollie's letter il
due course Of time, and was-thunder
struck!
"she had received his letter, had she 2
Why, he had never written to her. ''She
loved him, did she?" Well, Col. Sargent
rather thought not. What did he want
with wife?
The Colonel had no words strong
enough to express his establishment a
receiving such letter from Aunt Mollic
but when he read it again some glimmer
ing of the Truth dawncd upon him. H,
saw what cruel joke had been played
upon Aunt Mollic, and he had now NJ
words strong enough to express his in
dignstion against the offenders.
Poor little Mollier' ne said, lit vii
kill her when she finds it OUT Their
his thoughts went back to the past
What pretty girl she was when wen
to India. hated to say good by to hel
then. All! if had only had money ther
l wonder If shout have asked her t
marry me?"
The Colonel sat long time lost il
thought, from which he suddenly aroused
himself with the rsmark:
I'm do it. Why not?" And putting
on bis hat and overcoat he started for thu
residence of Mrs. Norcroes.
We we'll not intrude upon his interview
with Aunt Mollie. It was apparent,
satisfactory to both parties, for when at i,
late hour he said good night, they boil
looked supremely happy, and the Colo
;nel's handsome diamond ring spanked
upon Aunt Mollic's finger.
"Joe," said Fan, the next morninp. I,
the colored boy, as he passed the ho
- M 49, h. Ia