The Worthington advance., 1882-03-02

I
| good for suthin'."
To the girls great surprise she saw that
it was addressed in . manly hand to Miss
Ruth Ellis. Her aunt being out OF town, she
felt justified in examining it herself, and
Is ahe hastened with it to her room, sudden
thought flashed through her mind, which
<1as confirmed 20 she read the contents of
the letter.
Envelope and paper were discolored with
age and dampness, as was the enclosure
| which fell out when Lottie broke the seal-a
bit of blue ribbon. tied in true lovers
knot.
Dearest Ruth, 5" the letter began, from
what 1said to you last evening, feel sure
that you will understand my object in COM
ing to see you tonight. You have it in
your power to make ME the happiest man
in tie world, Ruth. and ! dare to trust
there may be no mistake, ask that
sign that may at least hope.-
Ever yours faithfully, Philip Watson. I"
Before Lottie had finished reading, her
tears fell fast.
"Dear Aunt Ruthi This is her valen-
tine. He did love her, and it was not his
fault that he did not tell her so. Philip
Watson! Where have heard that name?'
she went on, wrinkling her pretty brows in
thought. know!" she exclaimed, after a
moment. 'Alce Blake. my boarding
school chum, has An uncle by that name,
and. with sudden recollection, ahe is 8
minister, and lives West, in Chicago, I
think. And / An sure I have heard her
say he is bachelor. Oh, Auntie Ruth! if
1t should be, after ALI" she continued.
iatner 1ncoherently, claspinR her
nands: will write to Alice this mo-
ment," and without waiting to remove her
wraps she sat down and penned off a note &
to her friend. Then she took it herself tn
mail. The postmaster was an old man. and
had held tho position for the past twenty
years.
Your memory is pretty good, suppose,
Mr: Mead?" Lottie said to HIM. after she
had mailed her letter.
answered. I can recollect things that took
place before you were born."
Then I would like to ask YOU about
something that happened fifteen years ago
the time that Mr.. Philip Watson went
away: Do you remember him?"
.Oh, yes, very we'll. He came here St.
valentines day, only day or two before he
went away. He gave me letter or valen
tine addressed to your aunt, Miss Ellis (ev-
and says he:
I'D ~'Don't n. fail to give that to any one who
>. No, that won'tv says 1, and little
Jimmy Morgan coming in minute after.
and knowing he lived near Miss Ellis.
asked him to take it to her. remembe~
tae circumstances 50 we'll, concluded Mr..
Mead, because young Watson went off SO
suddenly day or two afterward. have
often thought maybe this letter had some
tnlng to DO with his going. Perhaps your
aunt didn't take it as he wanted her to.
Was there any thing in particular that Won
wanted to know about him?"
Nothing more thank you;" returned Lot.
~Only would like to ask if JIMMY Nor
gan still lives here"
On, yes. He has blacksmith shop on
Hickory street."
To Hickory street Lottie went. and found
Mr. Morgan busy at his forge. She ex-
planned her or and in few wor ds.
Yes, remember taking the letter Quite
well" he said. 1T was q warm dav for
February, and the windows of the front
room at Miss Ellis house stood open, and
as didn't see any one around, and was
something in hurry. I dropped the let
ter In through one of the open windows.
where, OF course, they'd be likely to see
And probably some one would: said
Lottie. lit the house had not been SO old
ana shrunken apart that the letter dropped
down into crack between the wall and
floor. where it has lain ever since until to-
day"
You don't say!" exclaimed Mr.. Morgan,
Vu1th V1S1 -
harm came OF its being lost hope, miss"
right IN the end, answered Lottle, nodding
her head sagely. Il daclare Lottie Vincent"
she thought, with little thrill of satisfac-
ton, al she turned her steps homeward,
you're fit candidate for the detective
force. l don't believe professional could
have worked up the case better. Now. #
Ahce's answer proves to be what I am al
most sure it will, how glorious it will bel"
her dark eyes dancing with delight. How
can I wait for that letter.
Bul it came before the md Of the week.
and was quite satisfactory. Then Lottie
immediately wrote another letter, addressed
to the Rev. Philip Watson, in which she
explained everything and asked him, should
he still retain his old feeling, to visit her
mothers house, whore he would find Aunt
Ruth.
But" stipulated the little plotter,
'please do not communicate with her, as
wish it to be complete surprise, and if
you can make it convenient, be kind enough
to reach here next Saturday, st. Valentines
day"
Mr.. Watson's reply came in due season.
at the time specified, and would reserve all
expressions of gratitude until he should see
her. She had kept the secret from all but
her mother, and that lady assisted her in
persuading Aunt Ruth to assume her pref
test and most becoming toilet ON st. VAL
entine's day.
FOR We are expecting company this even
ing" explained Lottie.
She managed that her amt should be
alone in the parlor when the visitor ar1iv-
ed, and putting the old valentine into his
hand, she opened the door with the an
nouncement. "A valentine for you, auntie!"
then shut it. softly after him.
When some one came ont of the room
an hour later, Lottie scarcely recognized in
the lovely. blushing face and happy eyes,
the Aunt Ruth Of old.
where is the little scheemer7" cried the
latter.
oh, Iottie, my child, she continued. as
tho culprit came forward, and submitted to
= very loving carress, how can I ever thank
your"
"Or I, either2" joined in the Rev. Mr..
Watson.
Lotto steod % if considering a moment.
BY living happily forever after, az
tho story books say, and you, Aunt Buth,
| with . merry look st that lady, by ad
knowledRing yourself = willing victim OF
my matchmaking propensities."
To Keep the Girls warm.
The Providence journal has looked into
the statistics Of the seal trade and presents
the following interesting points relating t<
! It: A seal skin sacque costs fifty per cent
more than it did five years ago. Seal skint
oaVe not been worn more than fifteen O.,
sighteen years. Fashion and the discovery
If new methods of preparing and dyeing,
u first the latter and second the former,
brought them into use. The seal fur. as
seen here, is the inner cost. When on the
| back of the seal this fine fur in hid by