Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-02-25
A QUEER VALENTINE.
BY JENNIE P. MERCHANT.


on the bank Of the Hudson, small
party of intimate friends had assem-
bled to surprise" Mrs Fraser. 1t
was her birthday, and her sister-in-
law had planned it all so nicely that
little Mrs. Fraser had not suspicion
of what was lin the air."
Before 10o'clock, the last (expected)
guest had arrived, and soon mirth
and merriment reigned Then the
subject of valentines came up. Sew
eral Of the party confessed having
received at least one.
Miss Fraser remarked that she was
never favored in that way, when
suddenly. loud peal at the door-bell
caused a DEPRESSION.
Aunt Dinah. the good old colored
Nanny" took it upon herself to re-
spond; but Mr.. Fraser thought proper
TO personally attend the door. lie
had but reached the vestibule, when
Dinah closed the door and set down a
large basket, making EXPLANATIONS
over its weight
II dun 'spect sab, it am anoddah
s'prise.
The cover was cautiously lifted aud
there lay rosy babe, fast asleep
Fastened to the handle OF the basket
was card, inscribed:
''Miss Louisa Fraser - A Valen-
tine"
"Ki-yi!" laughed Dinah, 'ef dis
gere doant beat de nation! Fore de
Lawd, l CANT make out who lef' ii.
| didn't see nobody when | got to de
doah, for / dun looked all 'roun'."
At that juncture, baby walked up,
seemingly as much surprised as any
of them, and cried out Justify.
This had the effect of bringing
Mrs. Fraser into the hall, and in
about two minutes the new arrival
was presented to the company as
"Miss FraserS valentine.
Baby's impromptu cradle was duly
searched, but further than pillow
and wraps, nothing was found
therein.
All elsel was now forgotten, and
baby engrossed the whole company.
The little fellow was dressed in a
long robe, but the experienced
mothers there present, declared he
was old enough for short clothes.
1t certainly was pretty baby, with
bright blue ewes that looked wonder
tngly from one to another; and after
passing from hand to hand, ne began
to feel acquainted, and laughed
aloud. His fat, dimpled hands caught
at the trimmings on the ladies'
dresses, and at the gentlemens watch
chains.
Little black Sam-Dlnah's boy
came to announce supper, and was
very much Disguised at sight of the
attention shown to the waif.
"'Peare mos like dey nebber see a
live baby afore, y sam SAID to Dinah.
as he went to the hall table and
caught up the bell, Then he rang
1t with vengeance
The little stranger was consigned
to good Dinah's care, and the sup
per table proved very agreeable
change Of theme.
X
As soon as they were alone, Mrs.
Fraser said: "John, I've been think
ing that the mysterious baby is
Archie McCall's. You know we read
of his wife's death short time ago,
and that he seemed to be in a de-
cline"
"What a thinker you are, little
wife! 1t would never have occurred
to my dull brain, but very likely you
are right"
And what thought Miss Frazer?
She had studied the little face long
and earnestly. hoping to discover some
resemblance to the lover Of her young
days; for she, too, with woman's
quick intuition, had thought, at
may be Archie's child" She could
love anybody's baby, but nearer and
dearer would seem this waif if she
could but know it TO be the child OF
the man to whom she had given heI
hearts best love.
Though she had rcnouneed him on
tlNOull VI li0 EibNluE bdHiN1 VI ui11A-
patton, some years before, the sense
Of loss had never left her There
were chords In her heart that still
vibrated even at the mention OF his
name. But the world knew naughi
Of the pain and grief so brayel'
borne.
Louisa Frazer was a rare, sweet
woman; hiding away her own cares,
and seeking Co make the world better
aud brighter for Others.
Less than week after The "sur
prise" party a parcel containing sev
efal thousand dollars was sent d
Miss Fraser "l'Or the Valentine
was an the message thar accompanied
IT, A wsek later came the news oil
the death nf Archie NcGalL
Then Mis- Fraser knew sho has
been remembered tu che last aud al
tho love 40 hong rent Ut ln bee "a
tlent heart was lafshei aH ihc chl'a
committed 81 bcl llft
lUl'UusH has fhf watched anf
guarded ulm lum lne tI#e thNf fa.
guided hM lIftIU HuANNif ift W tih
Ma lht aHt siar Nfeh NIf0 0Hi
I'D eln slice h.I nof - u