The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-02-19

man went to the post Office he was entrusted
with a letter directed to the principal of a
young ladies' seminary, asking for terms
and accommodations, as pupil from his
family" would like to enter at the spring
session. This course Vesta had now re-
solved to take, as her parents were de-
sirous, and it would postpone further
advances, she thought-It might be for
years, and-it might be forever. Prepare
tons were at once begun for the outfit, and
when bashful friend John called one day to
invite her to assist IN q grand school exhibit
ton in an adjoining town, her mother had
answered, in her absence, that 'Vesta was
as busy as she could be getting ready to 60
away, and hadn't minute to spend"
Poor John. This exhibition had opened
travel heights of bliss as he should fetch and
carry Vesta to and from rehearsals. Little
did Mrs Gridley suspect the pang sent into
his heart by her refusal. All, no. No more
than she suspected the existence of "regu-
lar volentins in the house."
As was predicted by her friends, Vesta
made most gratifying progress in
study, and it was not surprising that
before the usual time for graduation she
had been offered a post as assistant This
was accepted, and becoming more and more
interested in her work, and her service being
appreciated, she was further promoted, till
at length she found herself principal and
would not have dared to aspire.
But meanwhile the years had glided by,
and Vesta was no longer young. Absorbed
in her school and devoted to It's duties, she
gave little thought to the change that time
had made in herself. but vacation visits at
home had seemed to show her its effects on
others. The boys were married and
settled"-one of them with her parents.
Hugh had gone West and fallen vic
tim to the "fever-neg" as he had
written back. While yet a pupil at the
Sem" she had received from Fanny
glowing account of Cousin Dicks marriage.
and subsequently from the same source of
his high standing In distant city. This
was q relief to Vesta's mind, though her lit
tie episode had ceased to worry her, as she
had never seen or heard directly from him
since.
After presiding for years at the same in
stitution, Miss Nesta began to feel that both
she and it were needing change. She was
thinking 1t over as she sat one evening at the
old home, whittier she had been summoned
by the fatal illness of her mother. But if
she resigned her present position, what
would be her plans for the future? She
could not come home and take up life as she
had left it. Her mother was now gone and
her father would probably soon follow. Old
acquaintances were scattered-some were
married, some were dead. To her brothers
family she would be only an "old maid
aunt" Bereaved of her beloved employ
ment, she would be indeed bereaved.
Her thoughts were rudely interrupted by
the entrance of two glggling girls, her
brothers eldest and schoolmate-Clara
Dexter.
"Oh, aunty, it's Valentines week, and
Clara has got the most beautiful one you
ever saw. and we want you to help us make
up something to answer it." and numerous
giggles burst from the excited girls.
IL don't think / altogether approve of
valentines" aunty cautiously replied.
Father says ne doesn'EsRys I'm too
young to have one" put in Clara. but we
only send them for fun, you know" and
another series of giggles followed.
''Show aunty yours, Clara, and see if she
don't think It's just SPLENDID" And the
fancIful envelope was put in her hands with
not sign of maidenly confusion.
lob, the girl of the PERIOD" sighed Miss
Vesta, land Johns girl, tool
1t was indeed rare piece of flsgree nom
sense. which Cupids promiscuously scattering
darts in all directions, and "hearts with
daggers plunged" in way to quite meet
the views of Hugh Plunkett. These were
the lines that the girls desired to answer
Oh that my heart mirror might be,
To reflect, Clara, thee, and only but thee!
Don't you think it's nice?' asked the
niece, who thought 1t failed to excite suita-
BILE admiration. Did you ever have one
yourself?' she inquired again, abruptly.
Eyes, aunty once had one"
''Oh let me see it; do,' cried the girls.
| 81 have not seen 1t myself for many years
but it Is still preserved, 1 think, in that lit
tie chest with my name on the cover"
"Let me get it, please?'' and with a hall
permission, her niece Jew to the little cham
Der where she knew it was kept, and it was
soon before them. At any other time the
girls would have been amused with the
other trinkets the little chest had so Ions
contained, but now they were only curious
as to the ancient valentine. Didn't they
have any fancy ones in those days." asked
the Inquisitiye girl, who evidently though
| plain sheet of paper no valentine at all.
Il presume SO, but this is the only one
ever had"
why, it's an acrostic, amt it?" gigglet
the girls again.
"'Tis l.. That's real NICE May cop,
it, Miss Grldley?" asked Clara.
Yes; / have no objection"
"Did you know who sent FTP went on tina
impertinent niece.
Il suppose l did"
WAS it anybody we know pursued tn
persevering miss.
mo; 1t was nobody that you have eve
SEEM" replied her aunt, CURLY.
The girls went out, Cycling as they ha
come.
$50 your aunt used to have a beau.
wonder why she didn't get married."
something" replied the young Miss GriG
ley, whose own experience with beaux ha
thus far always had that result.
1t was late when Miss Vesta retired, an
still later before she could free her min
from the impressions the contents of th
little old-fashioned chest had recalled. job
Dexters daughter, too; how little while
seemed since she was just her age, and job
and she such good friendsI And she ha
hardly spoken to him all these years. h
had developed much business talent, ha
! John. No trace now OF the bashful boy /
the president of the village bank an
!, other moneyed enterprises. He ha
. shot out from his bachelorhood SON
; years ago and brought, unexpected,
. bride from one of his Western trips. Sh
had died soon after the birth of this daugl
ter, and he had been apparently too busy
ever marry again. Perhaps this press
business was why he had naver called whe
!. she was home. 1t was strange, she used
think, that be never did, but late years 81
had ceased 70 expect him.