The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-02-23

room, no longer felt myself alone IN
the company. l talked indi6ierently to
my next neighbor, hardly conscious
who or what she might be, nv eye
meanwhile watching the door with
anxiety, until at last the hum of voices
outside told that the gentlemen were
coming.
There was vacant seat beside me.
Would he take itP Yes, he was evil
IDENTIFY coming toward me. MY heart
throbhed loudly when down upon the
chair | had guarded sat tat old coun-
try squire who began to make himself
agreeable to my next neighbor. l felt
mortified and disappointed, and soon
afterward took an opportunity of retir-
ing to my old seat in the window.
had not sat there many minutes
when the curtain was drawn aside, and
Mr.. Bargili placing chair for himself
in my recess, sat down beside me.
Mr.. Bargill," cried out Constance's
little girl, running up to US, "just look
at my valentinei Isn't it beautyP ]
have had such a lot, but this is the pref
tiest Of them all, and | cannot find out
who sent it. Do you knowP / believe
it was you. Now, wasn't itP Tell the
truth"
mo, Carrie it was not l."
81 believe it was, though" she per-
sisted. I'm sure it was!"
"No, Carrie, indeed" he answered,
while grave smile hovered round his
mouth, /" never sent but one valentine
in all my life, and that"
well, and thatP"
"That one was never answered"
He looked at me, though he was
speaking to her, and instantly remem-
bered my two valentines of long ago,
that one in particular which was Lever
accounted for, and which had troubled
myself so little about. In my own
mind had never doubted that it had
been sent me by nlischievous young
friends.
I remembered now how strongly they
had denied it; and, as l the ught of its
contents, reflected, what if it really
had come from himP-had lain all these
years unheeded and unnosicedP and
now!
My cheeks burnt crimson as turned
my head away, and my confusion must
have been evident to him.
Katie had flown away to exhibit her
treasures in another part of the room.
heard low voice beside me:
. Miss Vane-Ethel, will you ans wer
it nowP"
did answer it, and in a way that
have never since regretted.
When my friend Constance came to
visit me in my bedroom that night,
had a secret to confide to r, and was
kissed and congratulated t. my hearts
content.
"But oh! Constance" l exclaimed,
when she allowed me a pause, "how
could you not tell me that chat second
valentine came from him, or that it did
not come from your How could you
let me believe otherwise"
My precious child, did l not tell
you" she answered, laughing, "a hun
dre6 times overland why were you so
Why, the signature should have been
enough But never mind, all's well
that ends well, and this is Just the very
thing l should have wished"
Yes" | said, softly, 81 believe it is
well; aad though l shall only be poor
curate's wife, l shall be the happiest
-"
"a poor curate's wife," broke in Con-
stance. "Why, don't you know that
Charley has given Mr.. Bargill the rich
living of Braintree, two miles from
here, and | shall have you near me
always Ont it is delightful. So you
thought you were marrying poor
curate,' did you P"
The lovely rectory of Braintree has
long been my home, and the "shy
curate" the best and most devoted OF
husbands. Little does the title apply
to him now! Beloved and respected by
his parishioners, and known far beyond
lis own little circle for conspicuous
talents, my home is all and more than l
could wish; and as the fourteenth of
February again approaches, recalling
when, ten years ago, sat in my lonely
lodgings, thinking sadly of my Valen-
tines days " Of the past.