The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1889-06-22
CHAPTER ".
THE VALENTINE.

THE VALENTINE
The morning of the 14th of February
broke cold and clear, slight rime frost lay
upon the grass, but was turned to moisture
by the first rays of the sun. The birds chirp-
ed in the wood, the lark sang in the mead
ows, and the cowboy whistled cheerily as
he plodded across the park.
"a bright, a beautiful morning to make
one glad" thought Ruth, as she opened her
window and looked forth; ''but Basil is
away, and there is no sunshine for me-"
His absence and his silence were to her
incomprehensible. II detained at home
there were messengers to send. If detain-
ed farther away was there not the wondrous
telegraph-wire to bring few words to her?
Why should he be silent? Why should he
be away?
She did not doubt him her thoughts never
leaned in that direction. He was her af-
fianced husband, and she believed him to be
the soul of honor and truth-only accident
or death could have stopped his coming or
sending a message.
Thedelay of the postexperiencedin in towns
on ST. Valentines morning was not known
at Gordonfells Mr.. Moore had letter-bag
which was always first attended to at the
post-office, and one of his grooms fetched it
on horseback.
AS Ruth was looking out of her window
with aching heart and dim eyes this man
came riding up.
Ruth heard the thud Of the horses hoofs
on the greensward, and hastened down to
the hall where Barker was waiting with the
key ready to open the bag and sort the do
mestics' letters from those Of the family.
In the dark shade of the staircase several
Of the younger serving-maids were waiting
in giggling expectation of valentines from
certain rustic lovers.
AS Ruth appeared they drew back and
were silent
Anything for me, Barker?" she said with
a sadness in her tone that touched the
listeners hearts.
zone letter, miss, replied Barker de-
ferentially as he solemnly put an envelope
on a salver and handed it to her with pro-
found obeisance.
Ruth glanced at it and saw that it was
Baslps handwriting. The woman-forger,
Vida Moore, had done her work too well,
and even the eyes Of love were deceived.
"All is we'll" thought Ruth, and over her
face there came a light that was like the
rays of July sun breaking from behind a
cloud.
Too impatient to 90 upstairs, she stole in
to morning-room and closed the door.
First she kissed the envelope and then
opened 1t.
One glance was sufficient to scatter her
joy to the far corners of the earth and to
blanch the cheeks that for brief time were
like the sweet blush rose. The forged words
went home to her heart like dagger.
But she did not scream or moan or fall
standing erect she read the cruel letter
| through:
MY DEAR Miss MooRE,-Itis is not with
| out much reflection that have decided not
to come to Gordunfells again. have strug-
! gled against warning love, and the victory
has not been with my desire to be faithful.
! 1t is better for you and for me that we
should not meet again. Forgive and forget
me, shall be away for some months, and
when return hope to find it possible fol
US to meet as friends.
Yours ever sincerely,
BASIL BRANDRETH."
False to me Basil false to mew was
all sne said, and if ever heart was really
on the point of breaking Ruth's was then
! But tears, that flow from the safety-valve O.