The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-02-13
BASHFUL, BUT BRAVE.
The Valentine Which Went Into
the Fire.

Something had evidently occurred tc
grieve Miss Fanny Burton-a lovely
young girl of seventeen.
Often of late she would sit alone in
her own little room, in her fathers
house, with bright flush on each cheek
and tears in her dark eyes.
AT times she would murmur to her.
self:
"They all have beaus, except me.
Matilda has one. So has Bella. And
so has Lucy. Why can not I have
oneP"
Then she would rise and look in hel
mirror, to see pretty face, with fail
skin, hazel eyes and brown hair
Certainly her beauty was not inferior
to that of her three elder sisters just
named, and who, as she had said. were
provided with beaus Fanny, who was
of a sweet temper and kind disposition,
did not begrudge her sisters the happi-
ness of loving and of being loved in re-
turn; but the plain truth was that she
had lately seen a fine-looking youth OF
twenty-a midshipman- named Frank
Furman, belonging to the Ringgold, a
sloop-of-war, commanded by Captain
Grimwell, one of her fathers old
friends.
Although she thought she had never
before seen so attractive youth, yet, as
she was shy and he very bashful, their
acquaintance did not progress at the
social gatherings where they met, and
it was this that veXed the pretty damsel.
Such bashfulness on Franks part in
female company resulted, as it has some
times happened in the case of a young
man of his age, from the respect,
amounting almost to generation, which
he had for women, and which inspired
him with a feeling something like that
of inferiority when in their presence.
Fanny's sister Bella said to her one
day:
''You like Frank Furman, but you are
q little ninny for doing so. He is bash
full, and 6aShfW man cannot be brace,
/, for one, have no confidence in your
bashful men."
The entrance of Mr. Burton-the
father of the two sisters-soon after,
put an end to further conversation be-
tween them on the subject.
Fanny" said Mr. Burton, Captain
Grimwell, my old friend, is coming to
see us on the 18th of February to-mor-
row. You will please to show him every
attention.
Certainly, papa"
'When he saw you at the last party
he took great liking to you,n con-
tinued Mr.. Burton, as Fanny thought,
very significantly.
LET me see, papa, he is about you7
age, is he notP' said Bella.
'Well, yes-about siXty-two; but
but as Captain of the sloop of war Ring
gold-the finest vessel in the American
nayy-his position is one that even a
young lady might be proud of. He
wears his age well, too; in fact-ah-
In fact, young ladies have even married
and been happy with older men than
he"
With that Mr.. Burton left the room.
Was it possible, thought" Fanny, that
her father wanted her to encourage
Captain Grimwell as a suitorP
She feared So when, on the after
noon of the next day, the Captain called
and was particularly attentive to her.
He was sturdy and broad-shouldered,
with gray hair and whiskers, and hon
est penetrating eyes.
At length Mr. Burton went out, and
Fanny and her visitor were the only oc-
cupantS of the room.
He gazed intently at her for a few
moments. She felt uneasy, for she did
not like the gentle, almost tender, ex-
preston of his eyes.
Tomorrow is st. Valentines Day.
he remarked at last.
Eyes, sir, she answered.
Il suppose you and your sisters will
get heaps of valentinesP" he continued.
Bella will probably receive some, ="
Fanny replied, 'but IT here she
faltered, and in spite of every effort on
her part to keep the tears back they
came out on her eyelashes, ''I do not
expect any,"
'How is that9 Perhaps you are too
shy with the young men, eh?'
The Captain looked roguish as he
spoke; and stroked his gray whiskers.
Il don't know" said Fanny, blush
ing deeply.
well, spoke up the Captain, blunt
ly, ''if the young men will not send you
any, know an old man who will. =
''Sir?"
Not in the least abashed by the cold
monosyllable, Captain Grimwell went
on:
81 know an old man who will. You
will receive q valentine from me be-
tween this time and sunrise to-mor-
row.
From you?" cried Fanny, in indig-
nant surprise. "Really I-I-could not
think of accepting one from you, sir"
She rose, her cheeks holly flushing,
as she spoke;
81 shall send it at all events said
Grimwell, land you can do as you like
about accepting it. One thing is certain
Faint heart never won fair LADY,
and SO | am resolved to send the valen-
tine"
As stately as a swan Fanny, with
rustling skirts, swept out of the apart
ment and ran up to her own room,
where the tears fell like rain from her
pretty, dark eyes.
81 understand it all, now" she
murmured to herself "The affair has
been arranged between papa and Grim
well That Captain has been selected
as husband for me. But / will not
have him. No! of course not! They
shall find me firm on that point II |
can not nave the one l want and
here there was fresh burst of tears--''l
will have no other person!n
She remained locked in her room
until from her window she saw Captain
Grimwell leave the house
Then there was a knock at the door.