Middletown transcript., 1892-01-21

next day while he was away. 1t
would be St. Valentines day. There
should be card on the box marked
{" A Valentine :" and while his wife
would wonder, would puzzle her brain
over the sender, she would not sus-
peot her husband. He knew her well
enough for that.
In a moment more it was all done,
He had laid down the money, had
given the address, and was once more
in the streets on his way home.
As he walked on he passed the con.
fectioner's. The shop was filled with
men and women. Half a score of
girls were busy tying up packages of
sweetmeets. He louged to go in, buy
great boxes of the dainties, and go
home loaded down with them. The
luxuries of life had suddenly become
the necessities. He felt that he could
not do without them.
But he hurried on. His extrava-
gance had already been great-so
great, indeed, that be trembled little
when he recalled it.
That night he was restless. He
slept the sleep of one to whom some
thing unusual has occurred. When
the white light of morning came in at
the windows he awoke aghast at what
be had done the night before. All
day he was troubled and many times
wished the money back in his pocket,
where he was accumulating enough
for the children's shoes.
Yet when eleven o'clock came he
said to himself: "Now she is receiy-
ing them. Now she has opened the
box. Now she is holding them to
her face to breathe their odor." And
imagining this picture he could not
be wholly regretful.
And when he reached home that
evening he found his wife in state of
such pleasant excitement that his last
doubt vanished.
"The strangest thing has happened
she cried, "and the most delightful.
Some one has sent me a Sunch Of
violets for valentine. Just fancy
a bunch of viOlets for me! Why. ]
have not had any for years."
Dalberg expressed appropriate sur
prise.
i" You see lam not yet too old tc
receive a valentine" said his wife,
with a touch of coquetry which re-
ioiced him. She had been so serious
for years. But who could have sent
itf" continued she. 1t must have
been some one who knew my prefer
ence for violets. I can't guess for the
life of me-"
There was something on her face
however, which contradicted her
words, and gave Dalberg the idea that
she had already decided on the donor
Macready was the only one who had
ever sent her Yiolets. They met him
occasionally even now. He knew
where they lived. What was more
natural than that she should aseribe
the gift to him?
During their supper Mrs. Dalberg's
good spirits continued. She had on
her best black dress, and the bunch
of violets was pinned on her bodice
There was pink color on her cheeks
which won her husbands admiration.
Had not their two children been at
the table, he would have paid her
unrestrained compliments. As it
was, he could not help remarking:
" You look like girl to night, my
DEAR"
His wife hushed him, glancing
towards the children but it was
evident that she was pleased at his
praise. Afterwards she proposed
their going to the theatre.
81 think we might indulge our
selves. We go very seldom" she
urged.
Dalberg assented, although he wa:
doubtful whether his wife, if she knew
all, would approve of spending the
money. But seats in the balcony
were not dear, and they always sal
there now. "a
The opera was excellent. The
prima had good voice and comely
person. The comedian was capital
his Jokes were convulsiDg. Dalberl
could not remember that he had spen
pleasanter evening. Under the
influence of the gay company and The
entertainment something within hin
began to thaw. His wife, with tht
violets on her breast was also in lively
spirits. All the way home she wal
recounting the attractions Of The
opera. The ballet was so fine, SC
we'll costumsd.
Arriy ed at home she seemed ben
on prolo nging their unusual festivities
She rumaged the pantry for a little
luncheon. She found some cracker
and cheese, and as there was nothing
else to drink, she brewed cup of tel
over the oil stove in the kitchen.
Dalberg gave himself up to th,