Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-06
GABRIEL OAKlEY'S VALENTINE,
BY LILY CURRY TYNER.

ID Lii tOkk1 I1NER-
There was no noise in the street now.
The meriment of sleighbells and the
silvery laughter from the occupants of
hithor and thither darling cutters had
died AVA, Even The children had
stopped coasting and gone home. 1t
was nearly dark and more snow was
falling, silently, solemnly. in huge
flakes. The gas lamps were yet UNI
lighted, but across the narrow. triaugu-
lar square VIII ch Gabriel Oakley's cot
tage faced from the further side
cleaned like u pink flower the electric
light before home OF wealth. Gabriel
Oakley stood in the window of his un-
lighted parlor, looking cut and think
ing, perhaps. how quiet it has grown
and how Il fferenl from few hours
earlier when the town had rung with
DO sterous mirth, He had watched them
dash by the unfinished house where he
and his men were working; he had
heard their voices with a bitter feeling
that was almost resentment 1t was
play for them; for him it WAS work.
hard, unceasing. r. it had been for the
past twenty-five years. He was forty
three now and his occupation the same
as it had been n long time boss car
penter 4 builder Of poor folks cottages.
For years he had not experienced such
sensations. He was restless. discon-
tented-even as he had been through
out the entire afternoon.
He was glad that IT was quiet at last,
and that he might have u chance to
think. There were serious matters for
his consideration One was a letter
lately received, letter of which he had
told no one. He had not even spoken
of it to Martha, his elder sister, his
housekeeper and sage adviser al
though she was certainly one interest
ed; for had She not. nee the death of
Priscilla, hiS younger sister had entire
charge OF the girl?
Seventeen years ago tonight" he
said TO himself with his eyes on the
pink hight across The square.
Seventeen years ago this thirteenth
day of February And Forester is
dead II fortnight. But Forrester's light
over there shines as bright rs ever. and
Forresier's property is there .....
And it is all hers. ......... She will 60
to 1t. ........She will 90 away from us
..........and that will be the end of it
all!....... The end Of everything"
He stopped, and sbivered little
though BRISK fire was blazing in the
parlor stove. Then lie heard his stcr
calling him TO supper. As he passed
out into the sitting-room. the lamp
light on his face showed it pale
Where -Nalentine?" he asked.
Miss Martha answered Little cross
ii don't know She amt come
home yet. She's been ont all the after
noon. don't pretend to know any
thing about her goings and comings
lately"
Miss Martha was black-evcd, indom.
liable. with some peculiarities that her
brother found raspng on his nerves.
One of these was fash on of letting
two false upper front teeth stray a lit
tie, then restoring them TO their place
with snap. I'VE won't wait for her"
she went on as she poured the tea.
Gabriel sighed
Forester will is being talked
about good deal The old man
seemed TO think his daughter Susan
wasn't dead. There's a month or so
to be waited VIII lie they advertised for
her or any children she ght have left.
If she died and left no children il was
to go TO two or three hospitals and
asylums.
"Humph." said Nj SIS Martha, al
suppose It's new Will, made since the
other grl died. Poor Della Ann!
Lord knows she did love the almighty
dollar. ! do bel eve she'd have sold
her own flesh and blood if needs was.
Then the town folks got to talking
about her and Harry Duncan. You re-
member, don't YOU. GabrielP Well,
knew that { was nothing but Just that
she was afraid if she married him she'd
be cut off The old man he didn't
favor Harry. And Della Ann wa n t
going to follow Susan example and
run off 10 get married. Folks did say
lot of mean things about her PLAYING
fast and loose with Harry; but / knew
IL was all folly Land. it don't seem
so long ago. does tP Twas before
Valentine came TO u.s. that's seventeen
years ago this very night Tomorrow
the fourteenth" She broke of and
started to her feet while Gabriel laid
down his knife and fork in correspond
ing trep dat on. The front door
usually kept locked-had opened and
shut very audibly. Some one came
with considerable ado through the
chilly little entry and the parlor. and
stood tall. 1.-THE. elegant and snowy
before their astonisbed gaze.
Miss Marlh - teeth flew back to
their place with loud snap.