The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-03-13

suitable for an evening party. 81 am
being fitted for teacher, YOU know
she sighed, at the end; ''but [ never
shall like it.
''What do you fancy?n asked Vic.
so, painting, above all things! The
dream of my life is to study art; and I
particularly wished to go to this com
pany to see Mr.. Seymour pictures, of
which hear he has a fine collection. -
"4es, said Vic, ''and Maidie's artist
uncle is to be there. Who knows, per-
haps you may 90 yet; anyway, promise
me that you will not send your regret
before tomorrow"
''No, l will put it off as long as posi-
bic, but it will be of no use This poor
Cinderella has no fairy god-mother.
''But perhaps st. Valentine may take
pity on you, said Vic. "Good- by, and
shall come and see you very soon. :"
Good by;" and with a lighter heart
than she had known for weeks Milly
turned down side street toward her
modest home
never would have believed, mother,
that / could have talked so freely to
any one" she remarked that night,
land to Victoria Vinton, of all per-
sons! But she is even more charming
than l imagined, and distance did not
lend a particle of enchantment.
And the mother smiled with pleas
ure at her quiet daughters unusual en-
thusiasm.
And while Milly was thinking about
Vic, Vic was thinking about Milly.
"Poor Milly! | had no idea she was so
poor; but then 1 am afraid l never
thought much about her, said Vic to
herself, as she came to a pause before
a gaily decked window festooned with
valentines of every hue and descrip-
ton. twill send her the embroidered
muslin Cousin Charlotte gave me, and
which will just about fit her; but what
use will it be without the chicken fix
ingS, as brother Tom calls them?''
Vic thought moment longer. Then
she announced, as though she were
speaking to some one: 80, my dear
friends, fear you will have to dispense
with any love tokens from me, for
hearts and darts, though very tempt
ing, must give way to gloves and flow
ers." And turning resolutely from the
stationer's dazzling display she hurried
across to dry goods establishment
across the way.
"a messenger boy just left this val
entine at the door for you, Milly," said
Mrs. Melville, early the next morning,
as she entered the tidy little parlor
where her daughter was bending over
her painting table.
gELo,. mol INba ~, -, ,x-o.,-J i
send me a valentine?' And Milly
glanced inquiringly from her mother's S
face to the large box she carried in her
hand. But the brown orbs opened still
wider when the lid was lifted, display
ing the snowy skirts with their delicate
embroidery, the dainty gloves and
slippers, and the cluster of crushed
rose-buds, so natural that Milly uttered
q scream of delighted astonishment as
they were drawn forth.
This is Vic Vinton's work, I am
sure" she exclaimed. 80, how grand
she is just like her royal name!'' And
her mother nodded glad assent,
Neither Vic nor Milly appeared at
school that day, but each member pres
ent of the first class was surprised to
receive a tiny note containing these
words:
"I have decided to send no valentines to
night, so please do not put me in debt if you
love
"Your friend and school-mate, VIC"
"What new whim is this the Queen
has taken up?" asked Nelly Frost. No
one could answer her.
Mr.. Seymour's brilliantly lighted
house was a vision of youth and happi-
ness on that St. Valentines evening,
and graceful little Maidie, dressed in
pure white with knots of true-blue rib
bon, welcomed her guests with easy
courtesy.
Vic was radiant. But of all the girls
that tlocked the spacious dressing room
none was so great a surprise as Milly
Melville.
II had no idea she could look SO
pretty" exclaimed Clara Townley.
Yes, the little brown grub has come
out quite a gorgeous butterfly" said
Bella Osgood.
Vic, meanwhile, was being piled with
questions, which she parried for some
time with considerable skill, as to her
new notion of neglecting her friends,
some of whom were inclined to be a
little indignant. They pressed her SO
hard that at length she was forced to
confess
"Well, girls, the truth is, did send
one valentine, but it was too large to &c
in the letter box, so l dispatched it q
little ahead of time"
"And / am that valentine" said
Milly, who had stolen softly up behind.
Then in few words she told of the gift
she had received.
Three cheers for Queen Vicr' cried
all the girls.
81 did not mean them to know, -
said Vic.
''But 1 am very glad they do" said
Milly; and taking her friends arm,
they descended to the parlor together.
Vic was now greater favorite than
ever, while Milly that evening appeared
so bright and merry, her schoolmates
all agreed that they had never half ap-
preciated her before.
Swiftly and gayly the hours sped by,
and when the tiny curly-headed Cupid
spread his silver wings and fiuttered
about the room with his tender missives,
none could equal an exquisite little pic
ture painted by Milly and presented to
ha,. GE1ao,. F.4;op,J EA,,1,,v, W.