The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-02-11

In the library-came in the post, you know.
Let's 90 down and look at them"
"Oniy lot Of sillies, suppose" said
Nathalie, with her most grown-up air, yet
speeding with intense delight for the stairs
'Still, we might as well look at them and
guess who sent them"
"That's So" said Philip, hurrying after
"Ohi ah ohi'' Nathalie's eyes sparkled
at the pretty heap, and her girLheart
swelled at the Importance to which she
was suddenly lifted. "Teni Who could
havo sent them ALI"
"Look and see," advised Philip; "that's
the way boy does when he gets letter,
but girl obs over an hour, and then spells
out the postniark and gucsses who II Is
from, another hour Here's my knife"
I'D rather take hair. pin" said Nathalie.
~ can do It twice as quickly" and she
pulled at that necessary article, tumbling
down half OF her loose coils as the chief
support was Withdrawn.
Take care! the whole thing will be down
upon us II you don't look out" said Philip,
regarding her head in alarm.
"Never mind twill hold together till I
get these opon," laughed Nathalin, deftly
doing duty with the hair.pin, In the way
only girl and woman can, till the ten
sealed envelopes were all laid open and
ready to yield their contents, when the
coils were shaken into place, and the little
hair support run in th .ough them again.
There" she said, with satisfied breath,
"now I'm ready to enjoy my valentines"
The loveliest bit OF paper lace-work was
Withdrawn from its white cover, in the
center revealing two hearts held fast by
the arrow OF fate, while all sorts OF flowers
5loomed around these two "beating'as one"
"Who could have sent this" cried Ma
thalie 'It's pretty, isn't itl Why, here is
a perfect lot Of writing inside" whirling
over the page. "Philip Carr, Flo Williams
sent thisi"
allow do you knowl" asked Phil.
sThcre just see there!" Nathalie pointed
to pinched signature off in the farther
corner. "What does she find to say to spin
such lotl'
"Read ahead and see," cried Philip.
"DEAREsT NATHALIE" began the valentine
receiver, in q tremor Of delight that Flo, whom
the girls always thought bit cold and un
demonstrative, should hn'o finally developed
an affcctionate nature, II think ought to tell
you that have noticed lately that the buttons
on your boots are falling off in weakness. Now
you know that nothing so marks the lady rs q
trim boot, and really q needle and thread would
help the difficulty ever SO much.
with the greatest love- um your Valentine,
"FLo. WILLIAMS"
"4NN Vd'entine" shrek Nathalie, her
rosy cheeks trying to turn pale, and dash
ing the two hearts and the lace.work to the
table. "The ideal What does she think
I'm made of, to endure this? And it isn't
so. Phil Carr; at least it was only once she
saw me with just one little button off near
the top, and / was in hurry to go town
for some caramels. So! And she's mean
enough to pretend that always 60 around
with my boots hanging"
20, no, Nathalie; guess she doesn't
mean that" said Philip, soothingly; "she
only does it for your good"
"But wouldn't care il it was true,'
cried Nathalie, stopping suddenly. 'l'd be
willing and glad to have her tell me; but il
isn't true. She only saw mo once"
"Well, open your others; perhaps they're
BETTER" suggested Phil
Nathalie's eyes shone with their owr
pleasant light dancing in the brown depths
as she saw Cousin Sues handwriting.
"DEAREsr NATHALIE-I feel quite sure that
ought to tell you that your unpleasant habit o
giggling seems to be growing upon you. Now
shouldn't mention this, but, as nm relation
can say things that the other girls might moi
like to. So believe that love you very much
and take me for your Valentine.
"CousrN SUE"
''Take her for my Valentine!" cried M
thalie, sharply; "indeed won't. The idea
Philip Carr, OF her doing this thing because
she is relativel'
''She only does it for your good" sale
Philip, taking refuge in the old remark
and only wishing that he might be pre-
served from bursting into laugh.
II could take it and love her oil the
same" cried Nathalie, with grimace, ri
| she didn't seize the chance to tell me she L
| doing it because she is my relative. Tha
makes it impossible for me to love her."
"Pull out number three" said Philip
''here, I'll do it," for Nathalie seemed t.
have little heart for further investigation
''This is from Trixie.'
"What does she sayl" asked Nathalie
| family, with one eye on the smart epistlt
| rattling in her brothers. hand.
"rm rather afraid to tell" said Philip
maintaining q grave face; sits prett
| hard"
II think can bear it," said Nathalie
drawing herself up stifIly, and wildly essay
ing to stop the quivering of her lip. sc
| on, Phil; let me know the worst"
"She says you are saying things behin'
her back" began Philip, slowly. ''and--'
"Saying things b:hind her back" broke i
Nathalie, with sad wall, "when 1-love-
her-too! Oh-oh-oh" and she dropped il
| q miserable little heap to the floor, sobbin
as ii her heart would break.
| "Ncver mind, Nat, old fellow" erie
Philip, in dismay, throwing the valentin
after the first two, and bending over her
.'don't cry; there's q good chap. Thos
| girls amt worth minding; they alway
were silly lot"
But Nathalie walled on.
"And it's only what you have written
them, or just as bad, suppose You kno,
you promised to do your duty in this way
| In your Mutual go at each other s-faults 8,
ciety," said Philip, pounding her back
brotherly sympathy, $50 bear it like
man."
"But only wrote one to each GIRL" sal
Nathalie, family, "and I've ten. o, dear
dear!''
.Thats only one apiece" said Philip, OF
coursgingly, sand you can pitch back, an
keep the fight going all the wear, don't yo
see, and get your pay back"
Nathalie shuddered herself into sittiu
posture, with eyes flashing and the redde
Of cheeks. ~ shall never, never say a
other thing about their faults so long as
live" she declared.
"Heyl"
II couldn't, and live. Pm just as full {
/ can bo of the hatefulest, ugliest feeling
against every Que Of those girls, and Il
afraid I'll never get back where was b
fore. o, Phil, feel like an :old blac
snake"
swell, you aren't" said Phil. "You'l
| t., ho than un h
forc. It's an Improvement Society, yc
| knoIu y