The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-02-16
VIC vINTON'S VALENTINE.


20, Vic! have you heard the news?
Isn't it perfectly splendidp" burst from
chorus of girls clustered about the
school-room register on cold frosty
morning early in February, as bright
eyed, golden-haired maiden entered
and Joined the group.
mo; what is itpn asked the new
conner, drawing off her gloves and en-
deavoring to warm her hands.
why, Maidie Seymour is to give a
Valentine party on the 18th and every
oqesof our class is to be invited" ex-
plaIned Clara Townley.
SAnd there is to be letter-box,
through which we are to send valentines
tosFeach other, = continued Bella Os-
COOL ssand Maidie's little brother Fred,
dressed as Cupid, is to distribute them.
Isn't 1t q pretty idea?''
1.oyely,'' responded Vic; ..but
Maidie ought to have let us known
sooner SO we could have saved up our
pocket money!
so, you always have plenty, and can
favor us ALL laughed Nellie Frost,
twliing her arm around her friend
waist.
''Don't be so sure,' said Vic. II
have drawn pretty heavily on my
months allowance already, and father
always objects to advancing me any
money. He says | will never learn the
value of it if he does. But there goes
the bell, and haven't learned word
ofmy French yet" As the gong sounded
the girls dispersed to their respect
i've seats, but little was thought or
talked of during the ensuing week ex-
cept the coming entertainment and the
dainty missives to be sent on the oc-
casion.
Every school has its belle, or leading
girl, and at Madame Bergers Vic Vim
ton was certainly that one. Handsome,
brilliant, and withal kind-hearted and
generous to fault, few could help low
ing her, and with both teachers and
scholars she was q general favorite,
while certain royal manner of her
own had won for her the title of sQueen
Vic amongst her school-mates.
But perhaps her most ardent admirer
was one quite unknown to herself-a
little demure lassie, the poorest and
plainest of the class, to whom she had
scarcely spoken dozen words through
out the year and of whom she rarely
thought. Milly Melville looked upon
Vic Vinton as her ideal of every beauty
and grace, although she never ventured
to do more than gaze and admire her
at a distance, being much too timid and
reserved to mingle and make many
friends amongst the girls. So she was
only known in the school as chilly the
book-worm" Qor she was very studi-
Ous), and at recess she was left alone
and UNDECIDED in her distant corner.
In due time the invitations were
issued, and on Valentines Eve, Vic,
warmly wrapped up, for it was bitter
cold, wendell her way down town in
quest of the fancy missives for her
mates, to be distributed by Cupid on
the following evening. AS she
walked briskly along, her busy
brain was calculating how far
the five dollars in her purse
would go, for having always taken the
lead, she felt some pride about having
her gifts as handsome as any that
would be sent; and Maidie, she knew,
had invited large number of friends
to do honor to st. Valentine.
thoughts that she almost ran into an
other girl who was coming up the
street, and was only reused by timid
Excuse me, Miss Vinton.'
s.'Why, Milly, is that youp" exclaimed
Vic. 81 think am the one to apollo
gize. My head was SO full of valen-
tines did not see where was going.
You will be at the party tomorrow
night, of course?''
mo, think not, - said Milly, mourn
fully,while the tears started to her eyes.
II never go to such places
'But why notp" asked Vic, impul-
sively. ..Maidie expects all her class,
know" And then as Milly blushed
and hesitated--"But pardon me, per-
haps you do not care to tell your rea-
son. =
81 don't mind telling you," STAN
mered Milly; "but I really have moth
ing to wear"
"Like Miss Flora McFlimsey, of Mad
ison Square, laughed Vic.
mo, not like her, for this is truly
the very best dress / own" and Milly
glanced from her rather shabby black
cashmere to Vic's stylish winter suit.
'.Why, how is that? Come, walk
down the street and tell me all about
it," and urged on by Vic's sympathiz-
ing manner. Milly overcome her re-
serve and told her of the strict economy
her widowed mother was obliged to
practice to send her to Madame Ber-
) gers school, and how impossible it
would be for her to procure dress
suitable for an evening party. Il am
being fitted for teacher, you know"
she sighed, at the end; ''but never
shall like it. !"
"What do you fancyp" asked Vic.
20, painting, above all things! The
dream of my life is to study art; and
particularly wished to go to this COM
pany to see Mr.. Seymour's pictures, Of
which hear he has fine collection"
Eyes," said Vic, ''and Maidie's artist
uncle is to be there. Who knows, per-
haps you may 60 yet; anyway, promise