The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-06-16
ma6GIE'S VALENTINE.
By S. ANNIE FROST.

WnaI are you SmllnS aDout, ,magSles
You look IS blushingly happy as if you
we're reading your first love.letter."
Maggie Clinton smiled again, while
pretty blush upon her fair, rUund cheek
aeepened in its crimson tint, as she an
swered:
ssIt is St. Valentines Day, papa"
"Oh, ho! So your letter is Valen-
line Nv guess was not such bad one,
hen"
81 thought" said Mrs. Clinton,
toguishly, THAT Valentines were en-
irely confined now to the nursery and
kitchen"
Maggie laughed pleasantly, and held
I'D for view what she had kept carefully
concealed In her hand. It was a small
breastpin-a knot of ribbon of gold,
With q small forget-me-not in the center,
formed of turquoise, with tiny brilliant
N the heart. It was not very expen-
give gift, but it was tasteful and unique.
''How very pretty !" said Mrs. Clinton.
Small, but so beautifully finished.
Where did it come from, Maggie %
sssNow, mamma, who ever heard of
SC. Valentine sending his post Office ad-
lress."
I'm tell you who sent it." said Mr..
Clinton. His initials are W. NJ.
Maggie gathered up her pin and
Terses, and fed from the room, blushing
Ike rose, and quite forgetting she had
Lot finished her breakfast.
"My dear" said the old gentleman to
his wife, as their only child had thus
deserted them, fsI think Mr.. Wilfred
Mansfield viii present himself in person
his evening to try to take Maggie away
rom rs. He asked my permission yes
|erday to tell her he loved her."
''Well," sighed the old lady, "you
would not have Maggie live all alone
when we are gone ?"
mo. There Is not man living either,
10 whom would so willingly trust her
happiness. believe Wilfred to be q
good man, one upright in all his deal
ngs, temperate, honorable, and trust
Forthy. He is not wealthy man, but
be is In a good business, and he tells me,
makes an income sufficient TO give Mag
yie all the comfort she has here. She
has never had Injuries, so she will not
Mss them. You know, my dear, that
What I have saved will scarcely keep you
rom want if I am taken away. don't
eem to have the money-maHng faculty" :"
Mrs. Clinton smiled. Before her men,
al vision rose orphan nepheWs started
q business, orphan nieces furnished
nth trousseaus, vagabond brother
aved time after time from rdin, an old
lerk living on a little pension, dis
bled Washer-Woman coming for her
weekly rent and fuel, little ragged beg
ars clothed, hungry ones fed, small
harities where the left hand knew not
vhere the right hand gave. She crossed
be room and pressed her lips upon the
ace that goodness had made beautiful
d her eyes for forty long years.
"Your wife and child can never be
oor," she said, lovingly. ''The bread
on have cast upon the waters will come
ack. Even Wilfred Mansfield owes his
rst start in business to your influence
nd money"
.'He has paid me back all Iloaned
i'm"
"Yery true. But you did loan it when
e had an opportunity to purchase his
resent business that, but for you, he
aust have let pass by him."
'sTutl tut Let him make Maggie
Apply. and he will owe me nothing.
Half f-past ninei What do you mean, Mrs.
Clinton, by keeping me from the store
I'll this time of the day?"
Perhaps Maggie Clinton guessed at the
ews which formed the subject of con-
ersation between her parents on st. Val
ntine's Day. She had carried her gift
rom the patron saint of lovers to her
wn room. and read the verses there in a
nurmuring tone, dwelling upon the
ond words with lingering emphasis.
,1k 81. -
eiress. Her accomplishments were
ummed up by limited knowledge of
he piano forte, and the gift of singing
ballads In a sweet but not very pow
III voice. Her education had been care
ully superintended by her father, and
he was thoroughly grounded in her own
anguage, fair German scholar, and
veil read for her eighteen years. But
zou might go In many homes before you
vould find neater housekeeper, dan
ier seamstress, or more loveable mai
len than Maggie Clinton. Her pretty
title figure was always neatly dressed,
hough Maggie had never owned more
han one silk dress at time in her life.
She had soft, brown hair; large, blue
syes; nice, fair complexion; and. with
40 pretentions to positive beauty, was as
pretty and winsome a maiden as evel
vas coveted by loving heart to brighten
home. Wilfred Mansfield, though ter
years the senior of Maggie, had never
seen face that was so lovely in his eyes
and with his whole, honest, loyal heart
be loved her, hoping for no greater hap
liness than to win her from her owl
home, to make sunshine in the one b.