St. Landry democrat., 1882-02-18

rested from her labors-only on the
very morning of the birthday party, St.
Valentines Day itself-the dress was
quite charming one. EYES," she said
to herself, sit is really perfect in its
way. And now, if | had not lost the
bill, there would be hundred dollars
toward taking the cataract from Mar
tha's mothers eye,' it never occurring
to her impractical mind at the moment
that it would have made no difference to
Martha's mother whether she had lost
that bill or not.
" So your task is over. But had no
idea, Val, that you were to make your
self little wreck over it, said her
father, looking at the pricked fore
finger, when she came down that morn
ing after breakfast to read him the tele-
graphic news in the Adyertiser. Il
thought gave you money enough to
have the whole thing done to your
mind out of the house, and at the
words the color rushed back to her
cheeks, SO that no one could say that
Val was pale any longer.
Will you let me try it on, and look
at me, papa?'' she asked, between three
and four rapid breaths; "and see if YOU
are entirely satisfied? And then, per
haps-" And she looked up at him
with her wistful brown eyes.
"As if there could be much doubt of
thatn' he replied, smilingly. But she
had danced away without finishing, her
heart half filled with courage by that
smile, which, if it had not been given
to her oftener, was merely because of
preoccupation; and in an incredibly
Short space of time she had reap
peared in the splendor of her furnished
gold, half yelled in the sheen OF the
silken lace. t- E-:. F..
"Your little Valentine she said,
with a sweeping courtesy. And then,
wondering at herself, and changing
tone and color, she added: You know
it will be far lovelier in the evening
light; and am to have red roses here"
and she kept her hands clasped over
her heart, as if to indicate where
!" here" was, but really to repress its
beating, so that she could 60 on and
tell her story and confess her fault;
when, all at once, her father had
clasped her in his arms, regardless of
crushed lace Or ribbons, so much to her
amazement, so much to her passionate
delight, so much to her CONSERVATION
and eontrition, that the cry came tear
ing out of her mouth: 'Oh, papa, I
don't deserve it! II meant to tell
you'll"
But he was not listening. "Her
mother-her mother over again. he
was saying; and he had led her into the
curtained alcove of his library, where
she had not penetrated before, and had
drawn back the curtain from the long
picture there, to let the broad sunbeam
fall full upon the painting of dazzling
yellow-haired and brown-eyed young
creature, drawing her ivory satins and
laces about her, and smiling from the
canvas with all the richness and full
ness of blushing life. ''Oh, papa"'
cried VAL "She would never have
done what I have; she would never
have deceived you; she would never
have lost
And just then the ringing of the door
bell resounded through the house like
gong. perhaps it is valentine for
me-" she exclaimed, changing her tone
instantly. as her father put her away.
II never had one" And Arthur Mount
joy had already come with her roses,
and she had to see him in all her finery,
her bushes and smiles and tears.
But it was for brief moment that he
had the pretty sight; for she would not
have him stay too long, and let him out
herself rather than summon a servant;
and she fingered there at the door half
a moment, looking down under the
arching tracery of the boughs of the
wintry Common, as the postman came
laboring along. How busy he is!''
she said, with a joyous SILVER. ado
you know never had valentine
You shall not say that after to-
night" was the reply, with eyes that
meant more than the words.
''Unless,' she added, ''this is one!'
For at the very moment wisp of paper
came futtering out of the air from an
invisible somewhere, and she had put
out her hand and caught it, with Ar
thurs laughing help-a torn, crumpled,
ragged hundred-dollar bill, that looked
as if it were the identical one she had
lost week ago, that had come home,
like a prodigal, tired and worn out with
its wanderings. 'Oh, Arthur she.
cried Look at it! Can it be? Do you
believe-oh, is it possible it could be
that very bill?" And before either of
them knew what she had done, she had
shut the door in his face, and had flown
up the stairway to find her father, up
setting on her way score of pots and
plants with which the florists were dec
Grating the hall for the night.
"And so you have valentine at last?"
said her father, meeting her, with a
strange bright look on his face, as he
saw the wisp of paper in her outstretched
hand.
s.Pana.'' she cried. stamping her little