The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-02-19
MISS VESTA'S. VALENTINE.

MISS tESTAS VALENTINE.
Mrs. j. W. Griswold,. in Springfield (Mass)
Republican,
ssThere is one who indeed loves you well
you wish who It Is you I may kn1w ,eu
l confess the initials do show.
These lines had lain undisturbed for many
years at Mr.. Gridley's, in a rude miDia.
ture chest along with other girlish
relics. Thee were written in bold
and youthful, but evidently pains-taking
hand, and had been carefully folded
and sealed with a patch of red wax.
They lay at the bottom of the little chest un-
der the till, and had for company several old
letters from friends and well-wishers," q
number of tickets for good behavior at
school, a lot of silk pIece-work which had
once been designed to blaze as star" but
whose light was yet in undeveloped
chaos, schoolgirl keepsakes of ingeniously
cut paper and twisted locks of hair, with the
motto when this you see," ETC., and few
printed ballads and child's books. This
chest had been made and gwen
friend Hugh Plunkett,'' as was
indicated on the cover IN large capitals. BE
had long been her fathers hired man, and
had never failed to share the family admira-
ton for the abilities of Miss Vesta. To
hear her rattle off the multiplied
tlOn laDle, ana Waue through Tue
authorizations without 'belk,"
seemed to him nothing short of genius.
And when growing into young lady and
beginning to accept attentions from the
neighboring young men, Hugh looked on
with jealous eye, for he was sure there
was no one OF them smart enough for
''Vesty."
In coming through the village one WIN
ter's day he had called, as requested, at the
post office for the weekly papers, and was
handed with it missive addressed to "Miss
V. Gridley," with paid in one corner, and
Hugh gave it bis careful scrutiny, for it was
not often that letters came to Vesta, and
finally spelled out the town of l..
"Wheww he whistled, as the fact became
established. 'Yes. sir, It's L.! Must be it's
from that Huxford. And I'll bet it's volen-
tine, tool" THAT Huxford' had met Vesta
frequently the past year, and had paid her
polite attentions. He was uncommonly
fine looking. was already fitted" for
college, and the presumptive heir to
large estates. What more could even
Hugh expect in a beau Chuck.
his favorite, he gave his mind to the
matter on the way back, and before
he reached the house had planned about
how big q Wedding the occasion
would demand, and already in fancy
saw ''Vesty'' the mistress of the kingdom
'.John Dexter has always had a sneaking
notion after her, but guess this here in my
pocket IL settle his hash. WALL" he con-
Guided, I've always said there want no.
body in this town good enough for herr
Hugh watched for private opportunity to
deliver the important document into Vesta S
own hands.
Guess what I've got for your" he asked,
his face all alive with anticipation.
Bat Vesta had no basis for guess.
sgyTr Iorr 80 10, u,
''Why, the 14th of February, isn't it?''
Eyes, that's if, and got valentine for we
at the post office" he gr1nned, as he care
fully drew it from his pocket.
"a valentine she repeated in astonish
ment, for she had never yet received one.
'''Taint a boughten one with cupids and
such like on the corner, as I've eeen 'em;
but bet it's a p1ce one inside" And a:
Vesta was inspecting the dim postmark. he
added, with wink and nod, "Its from L.
don't you see?'
Yes. Vesta did see, and she began to trem
BILE with an almost painful excitement. Al
first the handwriting seemed familiar; but
no, it was better than John could write
And then the postmark settled the point
she knew no one else at l., it must b.
from Richard Hu1ford, and what if /
was a real yalentinel ConcealiDg it in thu
folds of garment.upon which she was sew
ing she hurried 70 her own cold chamber t
learn of the true inwardness of her letter
Breaking the sesl, her quick eye soon rar
through the lines, yet, ere she finished, tn
She had hitherto persuaded herself tina
Richards attention had been only out of re
gard to his Cousin Fanny, with whom sh,
was so intimate. Surely she had never con
sidered them as strictly complimentary t
herself. and all the insinuations of others +
that effect had been offensive. But here
was that he, 'indeed, loved her WELL" Fo
who else in l. knew her to love her. o
could name her to praise? Agreeabl
as he was as an acquaintance, and as good
match as her parents could possibly desire
Vesta recoiled from the idea of viewing hlr
as lover. Why, she could not exactly tell
but as she folded the sheet, and thought
fully descended the stairs she felt herse
newly burdened.
Had her brothers not been so absorbed /
games that evening, they might have M
ticed what dull sister sat amongst then
And Mrs. Gridley, did she ever know BIZ
sprightly daughter to answer. 81 don
know" and II guess So" in such an al
stracted way? Bat Vesia was keeping the:
things to herself. and pondering them j
critics eye as he oIled his boots around II
kitchen fire for his next campaign. II
manner to the rest of the family betokene
the superiority of knowing something tn
you don't know" But this was as u
noticed .. as and the doom others ss,.,n, anu
udf 4Qitb dbG OCcP cCit-ihtCA e
..Shouldn't wonder if the weddin' con
off fore another winter" thought Hugh, Z
the idea OF rejecting such an advantageo
chance would have appeared to him pr
posterous.
sizes let me gee your voentine, Yes"
Whispered next day when the first favorab
opportunity presented. SIS it picture
two hearts with q dagger stuck rig
through, or WHAT"
s'No, Hugh, nothing of the kind. Y
are quite mistaken about it."
s.But amt it volentine, then?' he ask
asked, with much anxiety.
at is only 20 nly-a few-llnes. S
there!" drawing it hastily from her peck
and spreading 1t for q moment before him
"Only some writin', after ALL" exclaim
the disappointed Hugh, As his dull q