The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-19

out without giving publication to hi
affairs9 ......-
At last she resolved to tell her uncle
all about it, trusting to his generosity
and love for her.
She knew he could manage everything
satisfactorily if she could only gain hi
sympathy.
Accordingly she unburdened her mind
to him, and was rewarded by him mani
Testing the greatest interest in Frank
Merrill imaginable.
A note was handed her, by her uncle
for approval. In it she found the follow
ing order for picture:
"Mr. Frank Merrill; r F
"DEAR SrR-Wil1 you paint me pic.
ture like the one you have at Mr.. Mark
hams studio, on exhibition as soon as
possible2 Would like it larger, but as I
have the utmost confidence in your
ability, will accept any size you choose
to make it. Will settle the bill when the
picture is presented.
''Send to Lyman Seymour,-Hotel.
Yours. LYMAN SEYMOUR"
Sending it off to the old address given
her by her friend she awaited an answer.
1t was Valentines eve, and Frank
Merrill sat IN dimly lighted room, be-
fore small fire, reading the foregoing
note. H face was pale and careworn,
but his eyes were filled with a bright
and happy look. o.
"Who knows but what this is the be-
ginning of my good fortunef If my
health will only improve more rapidly i
shall be able to get, start very soon.
How nicely I should have been fixed by
this time if / had not taken this fever.
"Well, ! must answer, Immediately.
My Goals are getting low, and my pock-
etbook is collapsed, and il do not re-
plenish it soon shall have to face star
walton, with nothing to show fight with.
Tonight is Valentines eve. How diff
ferent from two years ago.
"Then was rich and beloved. Now ]
am poor and despised!
"What nice valentines used to send
and receive-such sweet little answers to
my questions and assertions.
"My first one always stood, will you
be my Valentine? and my next-let me
see-'You are my only Valentine Yes. "
But Franks reverie was soon dissipated
by rap at the door, and the messenger
that waited on the students, on that
floor, stood before him. waiting for the
note he he'd promised to have 10 readi-
ness by that hour.
"Tm not quite ready, Beppo just wait
moment" and he scratched away with
his pen, while he kept up conversation,
half Italian and half English, with the
boy. "Be sure you wait for an answer,
or wait until he tells you to 60, Beppo,
for this is very important. Come back
to me, whether you get an answer OF
not" The boy grinned his acquiescence
and started. .......0 ...l
"Here, Eunice, is the answer to my re-
quest to that lover of yours.
"Shall read it, or will you? ] sup
pose you are more anxious than ] am
Well, here goes:" t.s
"Mr. Lyman Seymour:
"DEAR S1R-Your note received. Will
be pl ased to paint anything you order,
and only hope that the picture will be as
satisfactory to you as your order is to
me. Yours, ETC., FRANK MERRILL"
"But what is this7 can't make out
whether it is meant for a postscript OF
not. Do look at it, Eunice."
Eunice turned the note over, and
trembling visibly as she read, in the ia.
miliar writing Of the days gone by,
"Your only Valentine. FKANK."
What could it mean2 It was his hand.
writing, and no other. . ..
"It is Valentines Eve, uncle, and ht
has sent this to me as a token Of his love
He has found us ont. To think that he
has been true to me, all this timet
must answer this right way,uncle," and
seating herself before his desk, shs
penned one of the "nics little answers
Frank had often received. .t.'
AVUith 1oyyo fov vo,,