Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1889-04-09

''God be mercifulI" she let 60 the curtain
with this petition aud turned toward The occu=
pant Of tho hearth. he had also heard the
prayer, but he made NO betrayal of his knowl-
edge; he only raised his head, looked steadily
into the Crate and said, sloWly: "It must b
such great blessing 70 be wealthy 80 satisA
tying"
81 Disagree with you,' = answered 'Hetpsie, al
most impatiently.
The old man gaye little start and without
taking his gaze from the IRE, he asked in
tones of astouished inquiry 't Can it be possi-
BILE that you are not happy In this beautiful
homer"
Hepsie looked at him pityingly. '.Is can DO
and Is posaible;" then, with quiverlng lips she
quoted: ''The heart knoweth It's own bitter
ness.'
"Forgiye mel" said the old man, hastily
"my se1hshness, fear, led mo to wrong
viewsn
Miss Seymour made no reply, aud Jano
coming In at that moment with bountifuIfy-
loaded tray, the conversation was dropped.
''Would you please carry this bit of paper TO
your mistress - timidly asked the wayfarer of
John, as he showed him bis room for the night.
John took the paper without a word. Evil
IDENTIFY this was crazy old Wanderer, but he
would humor him. Then, after bidding him
goodnight, he left the old fellow sitting on tho
edge of the bed with strange look on his
face.
Miss Seymour took the scrap OF paper with
curious mlsgivings. Why should an utter
stranger write her a uotei Had she, in her re-
solve 70 be Kind, but lot a terrible character
into her house2 no, he was only destitute
old man, that was all.
She opened the crunpied note and staggered
back, reeiiug Into a seat with q short, little
cry
The alarmed servant rushed forward
''Great Heaven, rna'atn, arc you dying ?"
mo; only so glad, Jehn-this bit of paper
is my valentine. You may 60 now"
The mystifed servant withdrew to his own
quarters, wondering at It all, especially tho
bright, beautiful expressions on the face OF his
mistress; he hadn't seen such happiness for
years.
"Ineognito,'' whispered Hepsie when aIone.
Then she ran her glad eyes over the paper
again. "onco Isald, goodbye, Hepsie, 1 can
never forget Now have come at your bid
ding, having never forgotten. But forgive
me darling, for dawning a little carly and in-
coguito, for 1 am your faithful valentine,
Horace"
/ AuAo NeAo Whhs 9Ao ANtAA tASu uAlS W0uk W
the stairway and called, q Horace !" in q clear.
joyous tone.
Yes, Hepsioi am coming, came prompt
| ly in answer.
Miss Seymour waited at the stairs with ont
stretched arms; an angel Of peace she aeemed
in the soft light of the hall lamp.
"You dear old valentinelr she exclaimed,
putting her arms around the neck of the
handsome, well-dressed young man who de-
scended. "You shall never leavo me again"
''NO," said no reverently 'but, Hepsle, dar-
ling, 1 am poor yet. Not quite so destitute as
the aged beggar whom you fed, who consists
now only in long, ragged coat and wig Of
gray poor, Hepsie, poor -
II am glad. bhe whispered on lis breast /;
81 am SO glad Of It. Had you possessed
wealth there might have come doubts, you
know, Horace"
And when the SilVery-toned bells rang out
st. Valentines morn from the valley Hepsia
Seymour whispered In the gray dawnings
There comes q sound OF marriage bells"
MANDA l.. ChoCKEH