Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-02-14

every nook and corner.
tJust the kind of a day for birds to
choose mates" observed Pearl at the break
fast table.
The carriers were loaded down with the
unusual quantity of mail, but to most of
them it was pleasure to deliver the white
messages and see the smiles and bushes Of
expectant maidens.
huge bundle was left at the Wymer
mansion, for, besides the regular mail,
Pearl as well as Stella received large num-
Der Of valentines.
Sorting over the bundle, Stella selected
her own, and ran away to her own room
where she looked over the dainty missives
one by one. In vain There was nothing
from Ralph! She was greatly disappoint-
ed, and, in spite of the indignant protest of
her will, the tears gathered in her eyes and
blinded her so she could not see the ele-
CANT fancies she was mechanically turning
over.
She knew Ralph's writing so well, and
besides she knew exactly who sent all she
had received.
She staid in her room all the morning,
and schooled herself so well that when at
lunch she went down and exhibited her
pretty valentines with gay, girlishly tri-
umphant air, no one suspected her aching
heart.
"He might at least have sent a common
one, as the rest have DONE" she thought.
She came down to dinner in beautiful
and becoming evening dress, for she was
going to party where she would meet all
her set, and although her head, in sympa-
thy with her heart, was aching terribly,
she hid her pain and was unusually gay.
About half-past eight the carriage was
ready, and she stepped in and was rapidly
driven to the elegant home of Louise Ran
dolph, where the brilliant lights, bright
flowers and richly dressed guests appeared
like a kaleidoscope picture to her tired ,ex-
cited brain. But people in society are all
masked, and Stella, whose one year out had
initiated her was very successful in her
role of careless gaiety.
While chatting with a group of friends,
Ralph came in.
An instant she felt suffocated. He came
eagerly towards her, but she returned his
bow with one so cold and naughty that he
retired abashed.
She could not understand his curious
gaze which comprehended her whole ap-
peaIance, and she could not hear his almost
audible groan as he turned away, saying
to himself:
"She did not wear it; she shows she
| despises me. I'll accept uncle's offer and
] 90 to Baltimore; I'll 20 tomorrow"
| With pale face he sought the hostess
and asked her to excuse him he was not
feeling we'll and should be obliged to be
up early to take the train, and Louise,
turning from a group of admirers, said
gen ":
certainly, Mr.. Morton. You do not
look well. But where are you going?"
ITO Baltimore to enter into partnership
with my uncle, who is a lawyer there"
rs it not sudden move"
''NOt exactly. l have had it in cOntem
plation for some time. And now, good
byew
She gave him her hand and he left the
room and house.
Returning home he packed in feverish
haste, and then went to bed to toss in rest
less dreams until morning.
Stella outshone herself that evening; she
was the belle of the occasion, and sus-
tanned her gaiety until, at supper she heard
a gentleman ask Louise:
where's Morton? l thought saw him
here"
He was here" she replied, ''but he ex
cused himself some time ago. He said he
WIS not well and was going away tO-mor-
row."
Stella thought she should faint, but
pride and will kept her from it, and she
heard the next through buzzing sound in
her ears:
"Yes, going to Baltimore to 60 into his
Uncle's law Office"
Stella could not even pretend after that,
and as soon as possible, after supper, she
excused herself and went home.
Over and over she said to herself:
Going tomorrow and never said word,
not even goodbye"
At last she sank into troubled sleep
and heard some one sing:
Birds choose their mates
But am left alone"
The winter passed as winters in society
do pass, and Stella did her part so well no
one guessed what a blank life seemed to
her. Occasionally she heard about Ralph
from Frank Wood, but she preferred not to
hear his name where curious eyes would
observe the wave of color creep over her
face. Spring came, then summer with its
heat and DUST and the general migration
to mountains and sea shore, and still Stella
of color and vivacity.
Autumn passed and the holiday gaieties
were over, when she received an invitation
to visit at Maryland homestead in COM
pany with Louise Randolph. Glad of
ton, and in February they found them
selves in the old-time plantation house
with the evidences of early spring all
around them.
81 am so glad" said hospitable Belle
Carey, that you are here in time for our
st. Valentine picnic You will meet some
old friends, but l shan't tell you their
names. In fact, one of them will be here
tomorrow with my brother"
Next day Will Carey and his friend did
not come on the train they had been ex-
pected on. so Belle took Stella and Louise
to neighboring place for supper. They
arrived at home after dark, and Belle, in
tent on her duties as hostess went
to give some orders about breakfast,
while the other girls went into the big
drawing-room, where there was no light
except that given by the logs il the CHEEKY,
old fashioned fire place. Nesting down
on the bear skin, the girls watched the fam
tastic pictures in the flames, and at last
went to talking Of a year ago. They
named over the valentines received, and
Louise exclaimed, as Stella named over
hers:
"And Ralph Mortonw
mo, Louise, he didn't send any"
"Oh, surely Stella, you must be mis-
taken! He attended you oftener than any
other gentleman"
II know, and was little surprised"
said Stella, with an odd little quiver in her