Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-03-15

She had on one of those quaint old
fashioned ea-gowns that women have
worn in these last few years, u striking
combination of old gold-blue. softened
and made beautiful by clouds of soft
lace and knots Of dainty ribbon that
fell about her in a careless, artistic
fashion that was peculiarly her own.
She wore her clothes with u grace that
few women can claim.
In the laces at her throat few rose
buds nestled just fresh from the con-
servatory. She loved flowers with an
intense passion and seldom was with
out them.
Somebody in the room was watching
her with envious jealous eyes, her cous-
in Stella Hayward.
They were both society girls. but
Mamie O'Neil was the favorIte every
where. Her sweet face, her gentle
ways her kindly heart endeared her
TO every one.
From babyhood Stella had been jeal
Gus of her, and now that they were
grown, the jealousy ranked in the
heart with tenfold fervor.
So now she sat watching her cousin
with dark and curious looks.
For goodness sake!' she exclaimed
impatiently. "why don't you open the
envelope and see who it is from? What
is the use of acting like goose over
valentine. Just rs if it was the first
one you had ever received"
In her heart she had guessed who
it was from and il made her still more
angry. for if there was man in town
whom she secretly worshipped it was
w II Harding.
Mamie laughed in n confused fash
ion
"Why of course ! am goose" she
said. blushing as she broke the seal.
"Oh. how lovely" she exclaimed the
next moment. And it was lovely, that
exquisite valentine, not one of the elab-
crate affairs that are in vogue these
days, but u simple. old-fashioned card,
W tn bunch of real pansies. splen-
d d in Their gold and purple beauty
pressed upon it. and in the corner Il
knot of gold ribbon just matching the
hearts of the panses. The card was
rough edged and shaded
Thoughts of yOu"-that is what
the pansies mean. she thought to her
self, and her heart futtered little.
for she too guessed from whom came
that precious gift. He was the only
one that knew that panses were her IA
vor ties of all flowers. Just few nights
before they had been talking about
flowers and she had expressed her
preference for those royal beauties.
How kind it was of him to think of it.
Did you know Will Harding was en-
gagedP"
Stella asked presently quiet careless
ly, as though she were not thinking of
the valentine at all. but by some piece
of news she had recently heard.
Mamie started and closed her hand
tightly over the valentine. but her face
was turned away from Stella. She was
thankful for that for she knew that the
color had faded from her cheek. She
had not dreamed before that Will Hard
ing was anything to her. Now she
knew the regard had been growing in
her heart day by day. and week by
week. Yet even with this sudden flush
of pain. she hardly dared to call it love.
No. she sad calmly to Stella. II
did not know it. Is he-and to
whom"
Yes, to Eva Noble. Haven't you
noticed the diamond she ears upon
her finger, and the marked attention
Mr.. Harding pays her even in public
Why. everyone in our set must know
it."
mo" Name said simply, II knew
nothing of it,"
well, what little innocent you are
to be sure. But must be going. Dear
me! had no idea it was so late"
Mamie asked her to remain to tea.
but Stella refused. Having sped the
arrow which she knew would rankle in
that tender heart she went her way.
And Mamie-dear girl-she was
caught too readily in the trap. & When
Stella was gone she threw herself in a
chair near the lire and buried her face
IN her hands. the tears stealing through
the white fingers
Never before had she acknowledged
10 herself the love that she felt for
this man. She had held herself so in
reserve that even in her own heart she
had never yielded him allegiance. And
now she blushcd for very shame lest
any unconscious act or word of hers
had ever revealed to him that her re.
gard was more than the merest friend
ship.
But she soon dried her tears. for call.
ers came and as they remained for af
ternoon tea. her duties as hostess alb.
sorbed her time and attention.
And when they were gone another
card was brought to her.
She trembled as she took it from the
servant, but she said calmly: Show
MIR. Hard ne into the drawingroom.
Presently she was with him.
Half an hour later no left the hous,
with pale face. and Mamie going t.
her own room locked berself in refus
ing adm ttance even TO her maid.
On the 18th Of February Will Hard
ing sailed for Europe. He went alone.
and no one knew why he went.
''Oh, suppose il was because Ev'
Noble Tilted him, and you know he wa
wild about her." Stella said.
But Mamie simply turned her fac
away and kept silent
His Valentine.
1t was the l4th OF February a yea