Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-02-25

tVdCleu, out sue uldue no COUiHsHt, duu
| gave him one more chance.
$50 whom was the surrender madei"
There was momentary puzzled con-
| sideration, and then came the trl-
umphant reply;
"Napol'an Bonypartl"
Miss Kate closed the book and turned
to her other pupil.
Timothy, what are the three largest
cities in the United States"
'New York, Lunnon and-Brazilr'
Again the book was closed; but be.
fore word could be spoken the eyes of
both teacher and pupils were turned
toward the open door.
A gig had stopped at the gate, and a
good-lookiug young man, in clerical
dress, was walking briskly toward the
school house.
Miss Kate arose and went slowly TO
learn his errand at the door, for she had
no idea OF inviting him to enter. 1t was
only when she saw big drops of rain
pattering upon his shoulders that she
said, reluctantly:
"Will you come in, Mr.. Deane, out
of the raiua"
He stepped within and drew letter
from his breast pocket.
al had no intention OF iutruiing,' he
said, pleasantly, "but merely desired to
deliver this letter, which was handed ME
a few moments since by Lemuel Miller,
whom met ON the road. There see rs
to have been some mistake, as it is al
dressed to Miss Kate Morrison"
"Straugei" Kate said. "And here is
one which | just now found directed to
yourself"
The two boys, unnoticed by the teach
err, began siding to ward the door.
She hastily opened the letter Just
given her, aud the minister did the same
with his. AS their sight was greeted by
the gorgeous llluminations of hearts aud
roses, each glanced up, aud their eyes
meeting, both laughed. The laugh
seemed to take away from the stiffness
between them.
II had forgotten" said the minister,
"that this is st. Valentines Day. But
it seems that boys never forget the occa-
siou."
And he looked toward the two cul,
prits near tae door.
Kate glanced at the name scrawled
beneath the printed lincs on the paper.
He cheek flushed and she said, hastily /:
Mr.. Dame, Is my name inscribed
upon that work Of art in your haadg'
"Yes. And presume that you ask
because you tn1 ny own name upon
yours2 You can see Il is, if you like.
You will find the poetry worthy of the
artistic design"
She took 1t, and read:
"If you vii! be my Valentine,
Our lives with happiness will shin>
Like Juue-bugs on pumpkin vine'
MISS KATE MORRIS )N'
Chow absurd" said Kate, with a
mixture of indignation AMI amusement.
Mr.. Deane smiled.
~ should like to know with what
poetic sentiment they have credited me
May see?"
IL haven't read it, she answered, al
she handed him the paper.
| He read aloud:
All you love me as love thsa.
Your faithful lovsr will be;
| And long as this years stars do shiua,
win claim you for my Valentine
"RevERgNT MIsTsR FRANK DEEM"
"What a wretchei joke!" Kate ex
claimed. "Oh, those boys'
She turned to where she supposed the
two guilty one to be, but they had van
ished, though the rain was still falling
in torrent.
! Hcr eyes filled with tears Of vexation,
and that the minister might not sec
them she turned to the window, and
stood looking oat on the deserted roa
aud the horse aud gig standing beneath
the shelter Of the big oak tree near the
gate.
But Mr. Deane had seen the tears, and
he drew a step nearer, as he said geatly
"Let them have their little fun. Il
has done no harm, and has afforded u
some amusement as we'll"
They deserve to be well punished.
''No, don't punish them. feel it il
my heart to forgive them" he urged.
"Whyl'
"Why1 Shall l tell you'" lie camt
aud stood by her SIDE at the window,
and his voice took lower and softe'
tone, because it has afforded me an op,
portuulty of saying to you what | have
long been wishing to do-almost ever
| since first saw you
She made no reply, but stood still
with her hands ciaspe1 on the window
sill before her.
/ There was silence for a moment, and
the tears which had moistened her brown
eyes brmed over and fell upon the
white hands.
The next moment firm and gentle
clasp WAS laid upon them, and a voice
said:
Not for year only, Kate, but for a
lifetime-for all time"
Still she was silent, but he looked in
her face and was satisfied.
al think it is going to rain all the
evening"" she said, presently, with a
new tone in her VOICES shy and sweet.
al had better get home as soon as pos
sible."
"And will let me take you, of coursei'
said Mr.. Deane.
at is not ne 3essary; often go home
through the rain. | have an umbrella. y
But he would not hear of it, and he
assisted her into his gig and gathered
the laprob about her,
The dim, rain-obscured landscapes
seemed to Der fairer than ever she bad be.
held it in its sunshiny summer beauty.
Miss Peachy Perkins, from her usual
lookout at her front window, beheld
them driving past.
swell, do declare" she exclaimed.
There's the minister taking Kate Nor.
rison home in his gigl What shall we
hear of next, wonderi"
What she next heard in regard to Mr..
Deane aud Kate Morrison surprised her
still more. But since the ministers wife
would be person OF much more import.