Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1882-02-16

anu she Kept her hands cla>ped over
her heart. as IL to Indicate where
:" Mere" was, but really to repress its
beating, so that she could go on and
tell her story and confess her fault;
when. an at . once her ththerI shad
clasPed her IN hts -arms. regardless Of
crushed lace or ribbons, SO much 10 her
arifTzement. so much to her passionate
delight, so much to her CONSERVATION
and cortrition. that the cry came tear
ing out Of her mouth. "Oh. papa, l
don't deserve it! II meant to tell
you-I-r
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 fnll upon the painting of 4 dazzling
yellow-haircd and brown-eyed Young
creature. drawing her ivory saiins 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 l have; she would never
have deceived you; she would never
have lost
And just then the ringing o: the door
bell resounded through the house ike
gong. Perhaps it is valentine for
me. y she exclaimed. changing her tone
Instantly. as her father put her away.
IL never had one" And Arthur Mount
JOY had already come with her roses,
and she had to see him in all her tinery,
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 q 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 isr'
she said, with joyous shiyer. ado
you know-l 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 oner'
For at the very moment wisp Of paper
came iluttering 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-dollars bill. that looked
rs if it were the identical one she had
lost week ago. that had come home.
like prodigal. tired and worn out with
its wanderings.@ "Oh. Arthur she
cried. "Look Mt 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 a score of pots and
plants with which the florists were dec
Grating the hall for the night. F
'.And SO You have a valentine at lasts'
said her father, meeting her, with
strange bright look on his face, as he
saw the wisp Of paper in her outstrctched
hand.
Papa" shecried, stamping her little
foot, an illumination breaking over her,
you knew it all the time, You dropped
this into the air from the porch window
for my hand to catch l see il ALL No
bill ever came fluttering
back to its owner in all the world"
Why under the sun had she ever been
afraid Of such father as this.
Every WELL" he SAID, laughing.
you have great perspicacity, Miss
Wharnclifie. l did know it all the time.
|. was at the window. and saw you lose
it that day week ago. WAITED foryou
10 tell me. When you were silent. !
look Mrs. Mountjoy into council. and
aad two toilettes prepared for you. One
S a white satin, with gold embroidery
md cords and tassels. and the other.
some sort of miracle in blue and sill
-ar Sh. tails AID 4 ,,aIa ~