The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-02-09

Happily she was much better before
Harvey reached home, and the visit was a
source of pleasure instead OF pain, as he
feared it would b..
June Ingraham, where did you get
thisa" he asked, in an agit2tcl voice.
His sister had drawn up AT easy chair
before the fire, and had settled down for
an evening chat, and Harvey was looking
| over portfolio of drawings, and the object
| which had caused his exclamation was a
r chilly designed valentine, the very one
which had so Unexpectedly gone astray
why, you sent it to me, like a dear, good
| BROTHER" replied June.
She was not usually dcmonstrative, but
she lad been greatly pleased by Harveys
| token of remem brance
The truth flushed over him in a moment
and his face was scarlet as he thought Of
Helen, his naughty, dignitied Helen, re.
| ceiv.ng that scarecrow in color5 and be-
| lieving that he had sent it to her
All the occurrences of the past were ex.
| planned, and he could not blame her fOr
| tax ng it as an insult.
'If you will kindly explain what you are
! flushing and paling about" said June, ina
piqued voice; perhaps that valentine
was NOV Iuedub lOr IcT ouO was
quick at reaching conclusions.
ITO tell the truth, June, it was not, and
| the mistake has caused me the keenest
| agony of my whole life," and nc told the
story.
June could be most sympathetic sister
in any real sorrow, and her heart went out
| to him as he told how he had suffered
~ always told you that unholy passion
you have for teasing me would bring you
to grief some day, and l was true
! prophet" said June, as she wiped her eyes
1t was yet too sore subject for Harvey
to smile over but he replied: ~ never
| will again, June, ! can promise you," with
such evident sincerity that sh3 really be-
| lieved him
"Of course you will visit Helen and
have the matter explained" said June.
Would it not be better to write frstm
He actually dreaded to meet her after
| such q ridiculous mistake without D pre-
vious explanation.
Had he known how sore Heen's heart
was, how she longed for sight of hi,
( &c, he would not have been so mid.
| She had long since repented her haste,
seeing in her cooler moments how unlike.
| " il was that he had designed the foolish
valentine for her, still, pride withheld
her from taking a step toward learI ing the
| truth.
| Harris Miller, confident that he had made
| permanent enlargement between them,
| had urged his suit anew, only to he scorn-
fully repulsed, for girls of Helen's stamp
do not shift their affections easily
She was slit ng by her desk one evening,
| her head b wed upon Ler hands, as she
was thinking miserably how little life held
| for her in conn ar,son with the hopes a
| few months since.
"Ohi Harvey" she cried, and her fine
eyes were full Of unutterable longing, 'if
you only knew how gladly 1 would undo
| the past"
A ring at the door-bell aroused her and q
| few MON ,nts later o servant called her to
the parlor.
She arose with weary sigh as she went
down the stairs. 81 am in no mood to
| chatter nothings with society friends to
| night" she reflected sadly as she opened
the door.
A familiar form stood under the chan.
delier, pair of pleading blue eyes looked
eagerly into hers, and she knew from his
look that the mistake, whatever it was,
had been righted, AMI she met him bali
way as he advanced.
"Helen, my Helen" he sa ID, and his voice
had never sounded so sweet, so manly TO
her before.
The horrors of the unhappy past were
all forgotten as for few happy moments
they were claspe in close embrace. and
then Harvey said, roguishly: "For my part
of the explanation, dearest. will say that
my sister June is anxious to exchange val
entines with you. for she fears you do not
roperly appreciate the one selected for
her, not with the best of Ia tie, Pll admit
l think you will like the one supposed
had sent you the best" and he drew tue
valentine which June had enjoyed so much
from his breast pocket.
She took it with trembling hands, look
ing at it through IL mist of happy tears.
How much unhappiness m ght hav'
saved had stopped to copsi .er," she said,
regretfully. "Did you reco.ve my pict-
uref
your pieturew 1t was Harvey's turn
to be surprised. rs it possible you sent
me your picturei" ri
Very possible, Harvey" sho replied,
archly. "A cabinet photograph taken ez-
pressly for You and IN answer to your
postal. l thought the most acceptable
valentine could send you would be my
self"