Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1882-03-02
A MATCH-MAKER.
The Story of a Valentine,

hair coiled low at her neck, and waved
almost down to her brown eyes, while her
| lips and cheeks were Of q vivid crimson.
| The lady whom she addressed resembled
| her in form and complexion.
Her eyes were the color OF Lottie's, but
instead of the la.ter's vivacity and sparkle,
were soft and dreamy. Her hair was ar
| ranged more plainly, and her lips and
cneeks were of thu Saintest pink. Alto
gether she seemed ss1E somewhat older
Lottie, toned dow kso very sweet
faced little woman.
81 know was mssnk for matchmaker, "
| asseverated Lottie.
The lady smiled. .-.-
What makes you think SO, dear?"
| "You needn't laugh at me, auntie. +" re-
| turned Lottie, in an injured tone. For I
can prove it to you. Didn't I make mp my
| mind that Warren Cooper and Minnie
Sharpe we've just suited for each other, and
then bring about the acquaintance that
ended in their marrying? And last sum-
mer when Fred Martin and Lou Dunn
| quarreled, and each was too proud and silly
to make the first advance, didn't bring
them together again, and now they are
married, and as happy as two mortals can
be. And I tell you what it is, Auntie, |"
with sagacious nod of the dark head. IF
I had reached my present age of wisdom
and scheeming few years sooner, even
you would not have escaped my tolls;
but then," she added, her playful tone
changing to one of sudden tenderness, I'VE
conld never have spared you out of the big
corner that you occupy in our hearts and
home. No one could fill it quite as you do
DEAR"
Aunt Ruth leaned forward and kissed
the bright face, with very loving light in
her soft eyes. Thank you, my dear.
certainly have no wish ever to leave those
who are so kind to me-"
Lottie was girl of quick impulse and
rapidly changing moods, and she now re-
sumed her old tones:
Because. if you do tire ofsingle blessed
ness, it's by no means too late yet. You
can't be so very old, auntie?"
81 will be thirty-fv in June-a very
Methuselah in your eyes, 1 suppose, !"
Laughed Aunt Ruth.
ties eighteen years.
mo, not in Icy eyes," she returned, with
an admiring look at her companion, for
I'm sure you don't seem bit over twenty
five. And l repeat, if you would like to
change your position for better or for
worse,' will see what can be done for you, :"
| Lottie continued, in a business-like way,
her eyes dancing with mischief. Il have a
number of eligible widowers and bachelors
in my minds eye, but the trouble is, none
of them are quite good enough for you. By
the by, auntie. how did it happen that you
| never have marrled?"
| At the sudden question, the amused
smile faded from Ruth Ellis face, and a
sad, far.off look came into her sweet eyes.
Because 1 never have nor could love but
| okk ~,
tone.
"Andhe is dead?" asked Lottie, softly.
Poor auntiew
"That do not know, nor, if alive, where
he is"
Lottie opened her eyes wide in surprise.
"Not dead! OF course he loved you,
Aunt Ruth; no one could help that. Then
| you must have quarreled. Forgive me.
DEAR" as she noticed the panied look which
her words had called forth. II did not
mean to hurt you. but T am so interested. !"
''Never mind, my DEAR" returned the
lady, making an effort to speak calmly, 81
ought to be able to control myself after
nearly fifteen years, though 7 have not
mentioned even his name to any one in all
that time, but you are SO sympathetic that
feel like telling you about it, if you would
care to hear"
|
Lottie, gently.
''There was no quarrel, nothing OF the
kind, said Miss Ellis. HE came here to
study with his uncle for the ministry. sS We
were thrown much into each others society,
| and from the first he always showed a de-
cided preference toward me. He was an
earnest, true man, incapable of trifing or
deceit, and when I saw and understood his
love for me, though no word had been
spoken, believed and trusted in him fully,
even as I do now, and my whole heart and
being went out in response, though I hid
the feeling zealously. As have said, he
had never declared his affection for me, but
we were young, and I understood him SO
| perfectly that was content to wait. Il
was the thirteenth of February. He had
taken me to church social that evening,
and as we drove up to the house on our re-
| turn he remarked:
"'To-morrow will be st. Valentines day,
Ruth
Yes, was just thinking of it, re-
piled.
I'm glad you haven't forgotten it," he
returned, as he held me moment in his
arms while lifting me from the sleigh. For
hope that what it will bring you will make
you very happy, Rush.'
"The next day was as joyous as bird,
fitting about the house, and singing merri-
ly. I knew that Philip had not spoken
those last words lightly, and felt that he
tad meant me to infer much from them. |
received several valentines, but still I was
not satisfied. All day long I watched and
waited for the one which did not come, and
became restless and anxious. The morn
ing passed away, then the afternoon, and
the evening to my great joy. brought Philip.
Then reproached myself for my impa-
tence during the day. OF course he had
intended to come himself and tell me; that
was better than thousand valentines.
When Philip came in noticed that be
looked at me eagerly, then something like q
shade Of disappointment passed over his
face, and his manner changed instantly
He was more cool and distant than l had
ever known him, and after brief call. went
away, leaving me in very puzzled ano
doubtful state of mind, as I was certain
that had not offended him in any way,
nor given him cause to treat me as he had
The next day heard to my great surprise
that he had gone west, not to return. l
have never seen nor heard from him since.
That is all, dear
Miss Ellis ended so quietly that Lottie
looked up at her in surprise. But the pa.
tient droop of her mouth, and the sad. tar
away look in her brown eyes, expressed
better than any words what the simple story
meant to her; how it had taken all the glad
ness and brightness out of what should
have been the happiest years of her life.
Poor auntie" said Lottie, again. "And
you still trust and believe in himp"
"Yes, in spite of all, have never los
faith in him. was as sure of his love az
am of my own, and whoever was to blame
know it was not he"
@Yet can't understand it any more tina,
, you do" Lottie returned, shaking her head
after few moments reflection. "But i
may be all made clear some day, dea
aantie."
aYes, If not in this worla, then in tn
next" said Aunt Ruth, patiently.
A few days later. Lottie. COMING in from
r walk, stopped to watch some repairs tina
were being made to the house. 1t was
very old one, erected many years ago. He
, grandfather had built it, and her fIothe
) and Aunt Ruth had lived there all thei
8 lives. Now few improvements were to b
: made; among others the parlor was bein
> enlarged by the addition Of o window