Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-02-14
Written for the HERALD
A YEAR AFTER.
The Story of a Valentine.

thinking of nothing in particular, but idly
dreaming.
Sweet fancies some of them rnust have
been, for tender light shone in her eyes
and happy smile wreathed her mouth.
But everywhere, in our busy, practical
country, idle, dreaming hours are short, and
when Sarah came in to light the gas she
sprang up with gay song on her lips, and
taking package from the window seat
she had just left, settled berself in an easy
chair under the glowing chandelier and
began looking over number of very
pretty valentines. Finally, moving to a
desk, she proceeded to direct them, while
aunt Clara, with pretty scarlet zephyr
work, sat rocking and singing softly to her
self by the CRATE.
The door was opened with jerk and
closed with bang, and a pretty, lively
school girl of twelve years danced across
| the room
Wont we have fun at school to-
morrow" she exclaimed gleefully, throw
ing herself on the soft rug before the fire.
"All the girls have promised faithfully
to show their valentines, and of course
some will be horrid. Are you getting
some ready for the Office, Stella ?" she con-
tinued
"Yes; papa is going down in a few
minutes and will take them," replied
Stella, without turning her head.
II wonder what valentine means, and
why folks send them ?" queried the little
girl meditatively. "Doyou know, Stella ?''
"No! That is, I've forgotten. Don't
bother me now, Pearlw was that young
lady's reply.
1T means something,' persisted Pearl,
with her usual pertinaeity. "EUerything
means something, don't it, aunt Clara?"
Aunt Clara smiled and nodded as she
counted some stitches, and Pearl went on.
Il wondered why they called me Pearl
until / found my name, Margaret, means
pearl, and found out SStella means star,
| so / suppose valentine has a meaning"
at has" said aunt Clara.
"Oh, tell me, please " cried Pearl, sitting
up straight on the rug, with her feet curled
under her like Turk.
We'll" said aunt Clara, with long
pause, while she rapidly finished scallOp
and laid down her work.
Long centuries agO-in the ninth century,
/ think-POpe Valentine, of Rome, estab-
| lished an annual custom of the poorer clergy
drawing patrons by lot for the commenced
year these patrons or benefactOro were
called Valentines. After his death he was
cannOnized for a saint, and his feast day
was kept on the fourteenth of February,
which was thought to be his birthday.
This is also a very ancient custom in
Britain Then the birds are supposed to
choose their mates on that day, which
probably accounts for the innumerable
| love messages"
Aunt Clara glanced mischievously over
to Stella, who blushed rosily, and Pearl
sprang to her feet with:
Thank you, aunty. Now / must get
my lessons"
She danced out of the room as she had
entered, and Stella, placing her bundle of
at the piano and played soft dreamy
chords while a refrain rang in her head
Birds choose their mates.
Will he choose me Tomorrow"
A glow of delight swept over her at the
thought. She was not unmaidenly nor
forward for Ralph Morton had revealed
his love in various nameless ways, and
had won hers by gentle, persistent atten-
tions. OF course he would send her val
entine, and that would confirm his recent
actions.
AS she thought she played sweet, melO-
dious strains, which almost translated the
dream she would never have told.
Aunt Clara understood it, and her fancy
work dropped idly in her lap, as she, too,
dreamed, but hers were sad dreams of the
past.
On that same evening, while Stella lived
in the rose colored future, Ralph Morton
sat in his room. writing in his. best
hand on the daintiest of nOte-paper,
headed by beautiful monogram. He
had looked over bushels of valentines,
which were voted elegant" lovely" and
"too sweet" by his sister, hut none of them
expressed what he wanted to say to one
at least so, having something OF poetic
talent, he called the muse to his aid and
penned in tender, glowing lines his love
ard hopes.
He enclosed pretty trif1e-a tiny pin,
representing rose bud and fern leaf, tied
together with a lovers knot, which he
begged her to wear next evening If she
accepted his love. He read it over care
fully. directed it, then leaned back in his
chair and gave himself up to fancies. He
heard the door bell, and then heard Jack
admit some one who inquired for Ralph.
He knew the voice at once, and the step,
too, as it came up to his room. 1t was
Frank Wood, his best friend and almost
constant companion. Hastily snatching
up the envelope addressed, Miss Stella
Wymer.n as well as several others of less
Importance, he thrust them into his port
folio Just as Frank, after slight knock,
entered.
"Jack told me you were here as l came
up" he said, as he threw himself into
chair Ralph offered.
That's right" replied Ralph, wiping his
pen and closing the inkstand.
"Going to the club?" inquired Frank, as
Ralph settled back for a talk.
Hadn't thought of it. No; ] guess
not"
II came around for you. You know
that matter comes up tonight, and if you
and are not there the other set will win,
and our club will be like most OF the oth-
ers, just place for gentlemanly rowdy-
ISM
II had forgotten that" cried Ralph, rising
with alacrity "Of course I'll 60 We
have worked too hard to let our club be
ruined now"
He made = rapid toilet and as he took
up has hat, which he had forgotten to
leave on the hall rack, he said, "As we go
by the Office I'll take my mail down."
Frank smiled as Ralph drew q number
of valentines from his portfolio and COM