The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-02-14
Select Sturp.
The Misdirected Valentine.
GIT is BETTER AS IT Is.'

alt will Soon be Valentine Day" said
pretty Rose Fleming to her cousin Frances.
as they sat by glowing coal fire one cold
evening IN February.
"Would you like to receive a valentine,
Miss Rose p asked Mr. Lindsay, gentle
lnan who was very often to be found at
the pleasant tireside Of the Fleming family.
"Yes, | really Should answered Rose,
blushing as she met his gaze; for Philip
Lindsay possessed pair Of very expressive
dark eyes. f5r
"Then hope you will bo fortunate
enough to get one, Aud you, Miss Fran
ces Z" be asked, turning to that lady, 'are
you sufficiently Questionable to wish to
receive valentine 2''.''-- ~
The color deepencd in tho fair check Of
Frances; but she did not raise her dark
eyes from her work, as she replied:
"Well, yes; must plead guilty to the
fact. have not seen such a thing since
was quite little girl."
Dir. Lindsay smiled at the avowal from
the unusually proud Miss Fleming; and
said, as be rose to take leave
"Well, young ladies, | am going to New
York tomorrow, and hope before | re-
turn that Cupid will have been polite
enough to remember you"
al will certainly show you mine if he
does" said Rose. as he, shook hands
Frances said pothingi but her hand receiv-
ed warm pressure, and Philip Lindsay s
parting glance was fixed on her ere he
closed the door.
"Isn't he handsome p exclaimed Rose,
as soon as he had left the house. $50
different from all our other ysitors, to;
he always has something interesting to
say" Her cousin did not seem to hear
these Mandatory remarks, as she did not
reply. Frances, are you sleepy You
don't answer me. Don't you like Philip
LindsayY Frannes looked up with a
smile; that rare aud radiant smiIo Of hers,
which was like a soft burst of sunlight
when it shone over her usually composed
counteDance.
~ hear you, dear, but was Just trying
TO make up my mind about Mr. Lindsay;
yes, believe | do like him"
"Well, nov that you have decided let's
60 up stairs, for | want to 80 to sleep and
dream OF NY valentino,
"You silly Rosebud, do yop really ex-
pect Que ?" answered Frances, as she rosc
aud prepared 10 leave the room, holding
her pte,tS wotk basket In one hand, while
the other arm vas clasped lovingly round
the slehder Jwuist of her cotisid, whose
lovely golden head paly reached the should
er OF the stately, dark. haired Frances.
"Of course do, aud so do you, If you
would confess il. and Rose laughed msr
rily rs they assembled the stairs. i
The l4th Of February dawnsd most uu.
pleasantly, with drizzling raiu falling
much TO Roses disgust, aud she awoke
early, thinking Of her expected valentine
She knew the postman would not be
round until 10 O'Clock, but, nevertheless,
she hook up. hefi station at the window
directly after breakfast. At length her
patience was rewarded by the appearance
ol lethc dripping hat aud oilskin CAPE Of
cupid's messenger.
"Miss Rrances Flomuing, Miss Rose
Fleming,n he iaid, handing IN two large
envelopes.
a0h, Frances" cried Rose, "come here
as fast as you can Oh what beauty r
as she drew il from iis envelope.
Il sm one Of the prettiest Of its kind,
having IN the centre a tiny mirror, Gun.
uingly inserted. While she vas admiring
the pictures and devices round the bor.
des, a note dropped from tho interior.
II bad no address, neiiher was il sealed
50 she Iopcned It with trembling fingers,
There was no heading; thswriteF rushed
at onee into the subject; ~
"Pasdon me that | have taken advantage
Of your wish TO rcceiye q valentine 10 write
what has been trembling on my lips for months.
Il 1 love you, have loved you from the moment
In which first met the gaze Of your beautiful
eyesl 90 not expect you 70 return this
love at once bot IL there Il any leaning in
your heart toward me, entreat you to give
me hope that you viii one day reciprocate
my affection. will seek yoar presence on
NY tetnrn, and one glance from those lust
rOns orbs, in whose radiance have 80 often