The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1882-02-17

rested from her Iabors- only On the
very morning 81 the birthday party. 81.
Valentines Day itsclf--thc dress was
quite charming one. Yes" she said
70 herself. ''it Is really perfect IN its
way And now. II / had not lost the
bill. there would be hundred dollars
toward taking the cataract from Mar
tha's mothers eye Il never occurring
10 her impractical mind AZ the moment
that II would have made no difference to
Martha's mother whether she had lost
that bill or not.
\ So your task Il over But had 10
idea, Val, that you were 70 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 10 read him the tele-
graphic news in the ADVERTISER. !"
thought gave Won money enough 10
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 Il on. and look
ut me. papa?n she asked. between three
and four rapid breaths; and see II You
are entirely satisfied? And then, per-
haps--" And she looked up at him
with her wistful brown eyes.
"As II there could be much doubt Of
THAR he replied, smilingly. But she
had danced away without finishing, her
heart half filed with courage by That
smile. which. If il 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
1 silken lace.
Your little Valentine" she said.
with sweeping courtesy. And then.
wondering at herself, and changing
tone and color, she added: X. You know
il will be far lovelier in the evening
light; and am TO have red roses here, v
and she kept her hands clasped over
| her heart. AS II 70 Indicate where
there" was. but really to repress its
beating. 50 that she could 70 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, 50 much 10 her
amazement. SO much to her passionate
delight 50 much to her CONSERVATION
and contrition, that the cry came tear
ing out Of her mouth; "Oh, papa,
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-cyed young
creature, drawing her ivory satins and
laccs 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 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 q
gong. s'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 10 see him in all her finery,
her bushes and smiles and tears
but il 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 ut the door half
moment, looking down under the
arching traccry OF the boughs Of the
wintry Common. as the postman came
laboring along. How busy he is!'
she said, with joyous shiver. ..Do
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 oner'
For at the very moment 4 wisp Of paper
came Tutoring out Of the air from an
invisible somewhere, and she had put
out her hand and caught il, with Ar
thurs laughing help--a torn, crnmpled,
ragged hundred dollar bill, that looked
IS II Il 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 at Il! Can il be? Do you
belicve--oh, Is Il possible il could b
that very billP'' And before either d
them knew what she had done, she had
shut the door in his face, and had flown
up the stairway 70 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 80 you have valentine atlastP''
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