The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-02-16
Early in the morning he went to his

olSutE GOOll.
"What is the matter?" said Sis.
odd mother scold you? Well, you
really ought not to have told her you
were going out for five minutes and
then stayed so long. And then you
said if she would give you dollar you
would buy a good knife and keep it,
and you spent it for a silly valentine,
and you wouldn't tell where you sent it;
and"
81 came in here for you to help me, "
said Johnny. 81 don't believe have
slept two hours all night; but that S
just like girl"
81 will do anything can for you,
you know" said Sis.
81 want you to 60 over to Lottie
Clifford's right after breakfast, before
the penny-post gets along"
"Did you send the valentine to Lot
tie?" said Sis, in surprise. "Mother
would not have said one word if she
had known that"
81 have sent two," said our hero, in
rough voice. "The first was "a
comic.n
90 JOHNNY said Sis, anxiously.
"Not anything that would hurt her
feelings?''
johnny nodded.
80 Johnny! how could your"
81 just felt like it, said Johnny.
Ben said it was mean; but | thought
she never would know who sent it.
You cowardr' said Sis, Indignantly.
81 thought that would be the way
hnl "a ~
jured tone.
81 can't believe it now,'' said the
sister. cit isn't like you, Johnny.
What can we do? When did you mail
it?"
"Ben mailed it last night 1t will
come up with the first penny-post"
81 will stop him and get it away"
said Sis.
He wouldn't give it to you," said
Johnny.
"He must" said Sis.
"What if he said it was against the
law?" said Johnny.
She sighed and two deep lines be-
came visible in her forehead. Johnny
drove his hands far into his pockets,
looked out of the window and whistled
softly.
Don't worry" said Sis, kindly. 81
will get it some way" And they went
to breakfast.
As soon as breakfast was over she
went to Lottie's house.
Il came early" she said, and l am
going to stay all the morning."
How like little hypocrite she felt
when LOttie said
"What made you think to come this
morning? Mamma is going out, and |
was wishing somebody would come
"Then l am glad | came,n said Sis,
taking up Johnny's pretty valentine
from the bed.
Tell Johnny said Lottie, laugh
ing, "that | should know his Is and
Cs anywhere; and l never saw such a
beautiful valentine in my life, and man.
ma says she never did"
Sis turned her eyes toward tie win
dow, thinking of the other valeltine;
and her heart beat faster as she caught
sight of the penny-post turning the cor
ner.
"There is the penny-post," she sad,
" am going down to see if you have
any more Valentines"
Maggie always brings the lettef
right up said Lottie, but Sis was I,'.ii
way downstairs. cts the penny-pOst,
and | will take up the letters" she said
to Maggie, who was slowly coming
from the kitchen, wiping her hands on
her apron.
Only letter from San Francisco and
a postal card Where could the comic
be?
Slowly the morning passed, and Sis
felt that Ben must have forgotten to
mail it. She saw the noon postman 90
by without stopping.
81 know you have had mean,
stupid time" said Lottie, as Sis kissed
her good-by. but the next time you
come | think can situp."
eff have had stupid time it's my
own fault" said Sis; for have been
the stupid one"
"Do you care because Johnny sent
me the valentine?' asked Lottie, hold
ing out her thin little hand
81 would rather he would have sent
it to you than anyone else in the whole
world said Sis, warmly, taking the
little hand.
Sometimes, Sis, 1 do feel so tired
and Old" said Lottie, softly" so DIFF
ferent from other girls"
A hasty good-by" and Sis was gone.
But, as she turned to leave, Lottie saw
a tear steal down over her bright, round
cheek; and it seemed more to the little
invalid than many words.
1t was evening again, and Sis sat
with her worsted work, while Johnny
polished his skates, waiting for Ben to
come.
81 say, Sis" said Johnny, "the other
night, when you sat working, saying:
'One, two, three, four, five-poor Lottie
Clifford's just alive; six, seven, eight,
nine, TENN afraid she'll never 90 out
again 1 thought you didn't care much
for her, and-and I'm sorry now /
thought So" "
Zone, two, three" said Sis, laugh
ing. "There's Ben"
AS Ben entered, Sis threw down her
work and exclaimed: 80 Ben, you
blessed boy, to send me the comic.
Oh, you have saved so much trouble"
81 never expected to be flattered for
sending comic" said Ben.
"What made you do it?" asked Sis
"Well," said Ben, dryly, John had