The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-02-19

But blest are those who live content. though
-Atldntd (Gdl Constitution.
VALENTINE DAY AT SEA.
IT was the 18th of February that
stopped the hack on my way to the
ocean steamer, and alighted at a shabby
stationer's store to buy some reading
matter for the voyage. While waiting
for my order my eye caught sight of the
gay-colored valentines. and suddenly, to
the amazement of the shop-kceper, l
ordered so many of them that he
must have thought l was intending to
paper my house; but I hurried off to
the ship without satiaying his curl
osity. N Is
Twas fortunate enough to have some
acquaintances on board, who. in turn,
had theirs, and thus the prospect OF a
general acquaintanceship. which, is so
essential to the pleasure of ocean travel,
was very favorable. Among the good
looking Young women on board was one
pre-eminently beautiful. She was in
the company of an old man, whose APP
parently jealous vigilance over her
UdtuIdltN uclSutcLeu lCl CLuA LuS.
The names on the passenger list of
Colonel and Miss Parke were the only
clue to their identity. l begged Mrs.
Ray. who, with my friend. her husband
Fred, was taking her bridal trip, to
bring about an interview But she was
a timid little woman. and thought of
breaking through the old mans reserve
very much as she would have thought of
storming an enchanted castle to rescue
captive Princess. The father and
daughter kept close to each other, as if
prepared to discourage all advances,
and they neither talked much to each
other nor seemed interested in the chat
ter of their fellow-passengers.. Although
it was calm the next day neither of them
appeared, and l learned that the old
man was keeping his state-room and
the handsome girl was staying to take
care of him. sat almost alone on
deck in the bright sun and fresh breeze,
and to pass the time took out favorite
cousins letter containing her photo
graph. l carelessly dropped it, when
the wind sent it skurrving over the
deck around to the other side of the
saloon. expected every second to see
it blown into the sea. 1t was suddenly
stopped by the folds of a. dark dress,
and woman sat gazing at it. AS
came up she raised her beautiful face
to mine and said with undisgtiised sur
prise:
why, it's Lottie Gray"
1t was my turn to be surprised, but
stopped and handed the picture to Miss
Parke. and the n removing my hat, pre-.
sented her with my card. which read:
"MR. ARTHUR GRAY" q
"You know her, them" said, in q
tone of timid respect.
"Oh, yes, we are great friends" she
replied, looking nervously around.
Then, as l am her cousin, hope
YOU will grant me the pleasure of YOU
acquaintance. l have heard her SPEAK
Of you in terms which warrant any
mans wanting to know you. This i.
Nina, is it not?" Z 3
g.. She blushed deeply . she answered
Il am Miss Parke, Nina Parke.
ought to have told you. l think father
will require my attention. she said
offering to rise.
Mot in the least" said, boldly
pushing my advantage Sea-sick PEG
pie need to be neglected, and the ser
wants are sure TO seesto that. Do yol
thinks it good?" l asked, referring t,
the picture. But she did mot answer.
thought she was shy, perhaps, and re
solved to put a stop to that. a..
'Lottie's a good little thing, ism
she?' said 1. She's quite a pet o
mine"
This arousedherF TT II Il TsYs--s
Fancy anybody s patronizing Lotti'
Gray as a good little thing, I wisl
she could hear you," she exclaimed
earnestly and Indignantly didn't
for If there wassany ,patronizing to b
done between her and myself LCtti
was the one that was capable of il
However, this difference Of Sexpressio
broke the ice, and it must have bee
more than an hour before Mr.. and Mrs
Ray interrupted our absorbing CONVEX
sation. Fred caught his wife's arr
and was dragging her away, but
called them up and introduced them
adding:
''Miss Parke is an intimate friend @
my cousin, which We ought to hav
found ont twenty -four hours 400
d .
position soon put the two on the best {
terms with each other, and in q fe,
hours they were fast friends. In fac
the young girl was lonely and yer
glad of companionship. She seemed S
concerned for the welfare of her fathe
that think we even lost some of tt
prejudice his surliness had excited.
After the passengers had retired tn,
night a man stealthily .crept into til
cabin. The steward brought in a sma
glass showcase and set it on the tabl
while the first intruder fastened q lon
pasteboard box, with slit in ITO q
side of the case. Then, contrary to II
rules of the midnight prowler, he s,
down to the table with a light. Hrot
and rewrOte, corrected and erased. q,
til he felt some degree of satisfactio
with his work, put it into an envclop
and, sealing, addressing and droppiu
it into the box, left the cabin. w,
this his will, and was he about to cor
NIT suicide? ->fi.'-
The next morning the Captain a
ncunced that it was st. Valentines Da
and said that those who wished to b,
them could do SO at the showcase
one OF the young boys who had conser
ed to act as salesman. The proceed
he added, would be devoted to the I
lief of two sick children in the steerao
The young merchant soon found hi
self doing brisk trade. The purchs
ers, remembering the charity, pa