Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-03-02

d
Ruth Ellis. Her aunt being out Of town. she
felt justified in examining it herself, and
as she fastened with it to her room, a sudden
thought flashed through her mind, which
was confirmed as 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 scala
bit Of blue ribbon, tied in true lovers
knot.
Dearest Ruth, the letter began, from
what said to you last evening, I 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
III the world, Ruth. and I dare to trust
that you will receive me kindly, but that
there may be no mistake, I ask that
you will wear the enclosure as
sign that may at least hope
Ever yours faithfully, Phillip Watson"
Before Lottie had finished reading, her
tears fell fast.
"Dear Aunt Ruth! This is her valen-
tine. He did love her, and it was not his
Watson! Where have I heard that name?"
she went on, wrinkling her pretty brows in
thought. Il know!" she exclaimed, after a
moment. ''Alice Blake. my boarding
school chum, has an uncle by that name,
and. with sudden recollection, "he is a
minister, and lives West, in Chicago,
think. And I AIN sure have heard her
say he is bachelor. Oh, Auntie Ruthl if
it should be, after ALL" she continued,
rather incoherently, clasping her
hands. Il 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 to
mail. The postmaster was an old man, and
had held the position for the past twenty
years.
Your memory is pretty good, suppose,
Mr.. iMead?" Lottie said to him, after she
had mailed her letter.
GAS good as the best, Miss Vincent" he
answered. I can recollect things that took
place before you were born"
Then 1 would like to ask you about
sc something that happened fifteen years ago
the time that Mr.. Philip Watson went
away. Do you remember him?"
oh, yes, very well. He came here st.
Valentines day, only day or tive before he
went away. He gave me a letter or valen-
tine addressed to your aunt, Miss Ellis lev
erybody thought that would make match),
and says he:
Dont fall to give that to any one who
comes for her mall
No, that won'tp says I, and little
Jimmy Morgan coming in minute after.
and knowing he lived near Miss Ellis.
asked him to take it to her. Iremembe~
the circumstances SO we'll, concluded Mr..
Mead, because young Watson went off SO
suddenly a day or two afterward. have
often thought maybe this letter had some
thing to do with his going. Perhaps your
aunt didn't take it as he wanted her to.
Was there any thing in particular that you
wanted to know about him?"
Nothing more thank you;" returned Lot.
tie.
"Only would like to ask if Jimmy Nor
gan still lives here"
Oh, yes. He has q blacksmith shop On
Hickory street."
To Hickory street Lottie went, and found
MIR. Morgan busy at his forge. She ex-
planned her er and in few wor DIS.
Yes, I remember taking the letter quite
WELL" he said. 1t was warm day 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. dropped the let
ter In through one of the open windows,
where, OF course, they'd be likely to see
it,
And probably some one would said
Lottie, ait the house had not been SO old
and 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,
with wide-open eyes of establishment. No
harm came of its being lost hope, miss"
NnGl l1,1 T L N
right in the end, answered Lottle. nodding
her head sagely. Il daclare Lottie Vincent"
she thought, with little thrill of satisfac-
ton, as she turned her steps homeward,
you're fit candidate for the detective
force. 1 don't believe professional could
have worked up the case better. Now, #
Aice's answer proves to be what am al
most sure it will, how glorious it will bel"
her dark eyes dancing with delight. How
can wait for that letter.
Bull it came before the g nd 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 hisold feeling, to visit her
mothers house, where he would find Aunt
Ruth.
But" stipulated the little plotter,
'please do not communicate with her, as
I wish it to be a complete surprise, and if
you can make it convenient, be kind enough
to reach here next Saturday, st. Valentines
day."
MIR. Watson's reply came in due season.
He would accept Miss Vincents invitation
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
persuadiug Aunt Ruth to assume her pref
test and most becoming toilet on st. VAL
entines 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 arriv-
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 out 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 scheemerP" cried the
latter.
"Oh, Lottie, my child, she continued. as
the culprit came forward, and submitted to
o very loving carress, how can ever thank
your"
"or I, eithera" joined in the Rev. Mr..
Watson.
Lottie stood as if considering moment.
BY living happily forever after, as
the story books say, and you. Aunt Buth, y
with a merry look at that lady, 'by ad-
knowledging yourselfa q willing victim of
my matchmaking propensities."
----~---S--
10 Keep the Girls warm.
The Providence Journal has looked into
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