Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-02-23

many yc6tS AuO" wv
like any wedding and perhaps we
shouldn't want it anyway. But I've
had my valentine good many years.
and I'd like to get her something more
than common this year Or / could
give you the money"
Now was Mrs Wyllie's time, and
very eloquently. yet briefly, she told of
the child of their old friend. with her
children. in need. and widowed "And
| if we could give her something. John.
something she needs. for a valentine.
and give it SO she'd never know. OF
| course, 'twould be all I'd want I'm
| sure"
But Mr.. Wyllie needed little urging.
And like many other men, once inter-
ested. he took hold of the project with
a heartiness that included and outran
the original intent Though none of
her husbands amplifcations of her
plans could go beyond Mrs. Wyllie's
generous feeling. She listened. de-
lighted. and when by and by. they
unfolded their purposes to DIR. Worthy
in the other room, and heard his out
spoken commentator. sympathy and
promised cooperation. she was more
than content.
There are many plans. all secret Of
course, to be matured within the next
fortnight. Several times of morning
or afternoon, DR. Worthly's sleigh was
seen before the Wyllie's door. And
one garrulous and inquisitive neigh
Dor made bold" to inquire, though
she had seen all the family apparently
well. if any one was sick. To which
Mrs. Wyllie replied. as was very true.
that the doctor had business with Sues
father. Though" she soliloquized.
''he'll be coming after Tuesday, and
when he has no business with us old
folks. if I'm not mistaken" And
indeed the glow of a common generous
purpose. the high bond and kinship of
Christian service and charity was
proving warmer and more lasting and
stronger than any pastime of Hallow-
cen or Twelfth night.
Sue was at her best in these days,
bright, sunny, sparkling. full of wom-
anly thought and expedients. And
her friend, the doctor, certainly was
seen to better advantage as the wise
physician. kind. generous. full of pa
tient remembrance of Others need,
and using time. talent, strength. skill
in cases where neither money or fame
were to be won by the expenditure.
And she in whose behalf they were
conspiring-her need was great and
sadder than they knew. The friendly
doctor. visiting his little patient
guessed that her lot was growing
harder as her face grew paler, and her
eyes brighter and enlarged by darker
shadows; but he did not dream how
her direful pcrplexites deepened and
multiplied before her. till she knew
hardly which way to turn. or how
long. going on in her patient way, she
could see even one short step before
her: Fear and anxiety pursued her by
day. and at night she pillowed her
weary head beside them. And faith
fortitude almost gave way.
Valentines Day had been mild and
sunny, but at night clouds gathered.
There was no moon. and the stars
shone but dimly. A sleighing party
had gone from the neighborhood to an
adjacent town early in the evening.
They would not return till near mid
night, and just before it was time for
them. Mr.. WylIie. Jack and the doctor
were to go with their loads as silently
as possible; by different roads. though
starting all from the Wyllie farm. to
the Bradford homestead. where Mrs.
Lane was now near overcome of anx-
iety and want 1t vas wonderful how
bountiful were the supplies they could
carry. though none of the family nor
the doctor himself felt himself or her.
self unduly taxed. A load of hard
wood, another of coal. third of pota-
toes, vegetables and the like, with a
barrel of flour, ham. bundles of tea.
coffee. sugar and other groceries, were
ready early in the evening: A pair of
blankets, coarse. but new and strong.
a rcll of flannel. also new. another of
heavy factory cloth" warm shawl
for the mother. and gay little wrap
per for the crippled child. Mrs. Wyllie
and Sue had made ready.
And now it remained. while they
were waiting later. stil!er hour, to
put with the purse. in which were one
or two bank bills. label. declaring
the destination. but concealing the
source of these gifts of St. Valentine.
They must also disguise themselves
little, so that in case of discovery
their id entity might not be At once APP
parent How it was that amid all
this merry hustle of preparation. some
few words were said which gave each
to each. which gave such uncomputed
wealth in the others life, the doctor
and Sue best knew. But no lady ever