The Wilmingtonian., 1885-02-14
THE STORY TELLER.
yavA's VALENTINE.
BY MAX WANDER wEYpE.

o. denP He never comes here any more,and
| thought you were such good friends?'
Her sister was painting too pretty dim
Piled Love, lying asleep among the iillles on
background of thick, creamy satin. She
leaned over her her work, and did not an
swer right away; but Mrs. Aldrich waited
and, by.and-by, Viva threw down her brush
"oh, Amyl" she cried, 81 am SO unhar-
py!"
81 knew something was troubling you,
said the older sister gently. Wont you
tell me about it, dear?"
sT-I'm afraid you will think me unwom-
snly," Viva said, crumpliag the end of her
painting apron in her restltss fingers, "bnt
we were getting on 50 nicely when
''You and Mr.. Van Orden?"
eyes. thought we were going to be
great friendsn-Mrs. Aldlich smiled-"and
so we wonld have been if it hadn't been for
that horrid Steve Onslow! We went to the
Charity Ball together, Mr.. Van Orden and |.
It was just lovely, Amy,and we were having
snch nice time when the most dreadful
thing happened. We went to supper in the
foyer, and sat down at a little table just back
of a lot of palms and carysanthemums that
hid us completely. There were not many
people about just then, and while we were
waiting for our supper two men came up on
the other side Of the palm; one was Steve
Onslow. There's lot of pretty girls here
tonight he said. Have you seen Viva
Harrington She looks mighty well. That
fellow Van orden is pushing his suit, can
tell you. He knows which side his bread is
buttered on. Farrington's rich as Cresu
and it isn't often that poor scamp like Van
orden can marry youth, be uty, and wealth
at one lick. Pity for the girl, though; she
ought to do better than throw herself away
on beggarly newspaper man!
"oh, vival "cried Mrs. Aldrich with quick
sympathy, ''what did you say ?"
"Sayi" cried the girl, with fast-gathering
tears, 81 couldn't say anything. l tried to
tell him that l didn't believe it, but was so
shocked, so hurt, that I couldn't utter a
word!
s'And hep
'tHe turned as white as death, and just
looked at me; but shall never forget that
look, Amy. Nothing he could have said or
done could have told me as plainly that he
loved me, and yet he only said in the quiet
est way,1 think our supper is long time il
coming, Miss Viyai +"
"Poor fellow!"
"Of course our evening was spoiled. HI
was dreadfully quiet all the wav home, ant
leaned back in the carriage and cried! +"
''You ought to have spoken aad toll
him!" cried Mrs. Aldrich somew hat excit
edly.
81 did; but couldn't bring myself to
till the last minute; then l gave him m,
hand as he bade me goodnight, and SAT-
that hoped he wouldn't mind what thos
men had said, for knew it wasn't true"
Sand what did he say said her siste
eagerly.
"He thanked me and kissed my hand. H
said was very good, but that he had bee
wrong in seeking me out; he had no right t
my society, and all that. l tried to tell hir
that he was foolish, but he wonld not let mt
4 thank you for all your goodness, he sale
but cannot talk about it now. Then b
babe me goodnight very hurriedly, and II
member that, as he went down the steps,
said 'good-by!' lie has never been hel
since"
A little sob ended this sentence, and Mr.
Aldrich took Viva's hand in her own.
"You see can't do thing, Amy!' sai
the girl pitifully. 81 am sure that he care
for me, and yet he has never said SO, and
cannot presume-anyth / asked him
my German, but ne wrote me note sayir
that he would have to work very hard tn
winter, and that he had made up his mil
to forego society entirely"
"Poor fellow! Hash t he any money
all, Viva9"
"I'm afraid not, as he has sister and
little brother to support. He's so dreadful
proud, to. He will never come near 1
again, Amy, ,and-and love him better th
anybody in the worldl"
''Poor little girll" mu,mured Mrs. Al
rich, gently smoothing the little head th
had gradually sunk into her lap and W
shaken now by breaking sobs "Dor
cry, dearl I'm sure it will come all rgl
Maybe papa can do something for him.
he were only put in the way to maxi his f
tune, he wouldn't be so foolish. I'll talk
Philip about it. You know he owns tw
thirds of the Chronicle, and-don't cry, vi
You'll spoil your pretty eyes and Civ 20
self such headache that you can't fir
painting your Valentine.
'It's DONE" was the fearful reply.
finished it last Tuesday. was only tou'
ing it up little"
t'To whom are you going to send il