The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-02-13
BAsHFOL, 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 a 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
80 has Lucy. Why can not / have
soneP'
Then she would rise and look in her
mirror, to see a pretty face, with fair
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-nam Frank
Furman, belonging to the Ringgold, a
slcop-of-war, commanded by Captain
Grimwell, one of her fathers old
friends
Although she thought she had never
before seen so attractive youth, vet, 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 young
man of his age, from the respect,
amounting almost to veneration, which
he had for women, and which inspired
him with 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
little ninny for doing so. He is BASH
full. and a bdshfa man cannot be 6rare,
i, 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-mo
row. You win please to show him every
attention"
Certainly, papa"
-'Whcn he saw you ut the last party
hc took great liking to you con-
finued Mr.. Burton, as Fanny tLcught,
very significantly.
Let me see, papa, he is about your
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
navy-his position is one that even a
young lady might he proud of He
wears his age well, too; in facs-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 sutton?
She feared so, when, on the after
moon of the next day, the Captain called
and was particularly attentive TO her.
He was sturdy and broad-shoulderesi.
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 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
-'Yes, sir, she answered.
81 suppose you and your sisters will
get heaps of valentines?" 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 that? 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
", .'if the young men will not send you
any. i know an old man who will
sSir?"
Not in the least abashed by the cold
Inoaosyllable, Captain Grimwel went
On:
81 know an old man who win. You
will receive valentine from me be-
tween this time and sunrise to-mor-
row.
..From you?" cried Fanny, in indig-
nant surprise. REALLY LIQUID not
think of accepting one from you. sir"
She rose. her cheeks hotly flushing,
as she spoke:
Il shall send it at all events" said
Grimwel, .-and you can do as you like
about accepting it One thing is certain
heart never won fair lady
and so am resolved TO send the valen-
tine.
As stately as swan Fanny, with
xustliug skirts. swept out of the apa-t-