The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-14

Bah had will Of her own, as big brother
Jack said, and the more she shouldn't the more
she would Did you ever see just such another
But Dotty had wise little head on her shout
ders
After Bah had gone out, leaving her valentine
In corner of the secretary. she lay very still,
ana thought it all over; and when Jack came
wn!stllng through the hall, an hour later. she
called him in and had long talk. At its close
she questioned, anxiously:
1T won't be wicked or mean. will it. Jack9-if
can do it, you know. Because know she'll be
Jackq"
Somehow there was a queer little stir be-
hind Jacks eyes and queer little lump in his
throat. He stopped and kissed the eager, anxious
little face against the sofa pillow.
Il should say don't" he answered; 'but / do
believe if there were more little girls like my
sister Dorothy in the world, there wouldn't be
half so much trouble in it I'll get what you
want, Dotty.'
Oh thank you" cried Dotty; and hope it
will work just 'zacty right hope everything
will"
And so everything did, am sure. Next morn
ing, just as Bah, who really did not seem to en-
joy her half-score of dainty valentines as much
as she ought to have done, had finished writing
the address on the pretty Powered envelope
which was to carry that dreadful valentine to
Jennie Hopkins, Jack put his head in at the
door.
Hello. Bab' said he. s'dont you want to take
valentine sleigh rde7 Come on, if you dol'
And he rolled his eyes in funny way at Dotty,
who could hardly keep from laughing. Hurry
now, Bah, if you want to go! he said.
Of course Bah wanted to GO 1t was a beauti-
full sunny day, and the sleighing never was bet
ter She dropped her pen and few around to
get on her things-her pretty. fur-trimmed
cloak and brown-ard-scarlet hood with mittens
to match
Now I'm ready" said she, throwing gay lit
tie goodbye kiss at Dotty.
She had forgotten all about the valentine: but
minute or two after she came running back
again. Il can mail this while I'm out" she
cried, GREATNESS with her hurry, 'and then
she'll just get at the right time. Oh, didn't
seal it. Well, there-'tis now"
Away she few again then; and Dotty lay back
on her pillows with a contented smile
Maybe it wasn't right" she said. But any
how I'm glad can be that did; and wouldn't
wonder if Barbiel be, too. hope she will;
hope she won't be voked at me- Maybe she
won't ever know, though, and thatll be better l
guess"
But Bah would know. The ride lasted an hour
or more; and then Jack wanted to buy paper of
candies for Dotty, and that kept them out a lit
tie longer still
1t was just before noon that Bah ran into the
library again, bringing rush of the fresh,
breezy, outdoor air with her; and it was just
after noon that there came loud ring at the
door and quick scamper of feet through the
hall.
why! why!" cried Bab ''why, it's
And as true as yop live it was-Jennie Hop
kins She held out both hands towards Bab
but Bah drew back looking very sober.
Il don't blame you one bit for being mad at
me!' burst forth Jennie, then, half-laughing
half-crying: shut it wasn't my fault, Bab dear
1t was that horrd Jip that did it. He's Aunt
Amys dog, you know, and he hid your invita-
ton under the drugget, that way he's always
hiding things, and we never found it till to-day
And I've come after you. Bab just as quick as
could"
fash like sunshine frightened Babs face
that had been so cloudy.
'Oh, I'm glad!' she cried. 81 spose / might
have known twas something like that but /
didn't. Oh, I'm so gladl 1 thought was left
out"
well, you wasn't" laughed Jennie, '.only Jip
was bound you should be, l guess-horrid
thingw
Then they both laughed and Dotty no less
merrly than they.
you dear little thing" cried Jennie, 81 wish
Anyhow, I'll bring you something" whispered
Bah with her good bye.
1t was a delightful party Bah thought good
many times 1t was the incest one she ever saw
about that dreadful valentine; forgot it until in
the midst of the candy making. she heard the
postman' knock. Then-poor Bah!
sOh, I've got another valentine!' cried Jennie,
dancing on her toes. with roguish laugh, ''and
know it's nice one 1 know who sent it, too,
cause I've seen her Us lots of times"
Oh dear! 1t was dreadful. Bah stood with
downcast eyes and tingiing cheeks. She felt
the hot tears coming. If she could Just sink
through the floor out of sight; if she had STAYED
at home; if she only hadn't sent that wretched
valentine
She heard rustic of paper, and then little
breathless 80 .oohw But she couldn't look up
They would all hate her. she knew; and she
couldn't help one quick sob. Ard then
'Oh Bab" cried Jennie. "HOw could you?"
Bah couldn't answer: she hadn't word to say
She wished-she hardly knew what
when you must have thought was so mean,
too. Jennie went on almost crying herself, ito
send me the sweetest pretty valentine I've had
this year. Oh! Bah"
''What2" cried Bah
'The very loveliest one" said Jennie
And so 1t was A dainty valentine, all over
roses and forget-me nots ard lace, that looked
like frost work. And so Bab's clouds all cleared
away.
tdidn't puzzle her bit either, after the first
minute.
"'Twas you. know il was" she cried to Dot
ty, when she had hurried home at Light with
her pocket full of barley-caniy. IL knew it Just
as quick Oh, Dotty! you're the darlingest girl
at ever lived. How did youW
"'Twas easy as wink, laughed Dotty. "Only
you most caught me, you came back so quick
and hoped it down. But it wasn't ali me:
twas n good deal Jack Barbe."
No" said Jack as he turned his paper, "'twas
oil Dotty, every bit of it."
VICIOUS ROMANCE.