Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-02-14
HER VALENTINE.
BY ISABELLA PROCTOR.

copyright, 1894, by American Press Associa-
tionl
DEAR Mr.. DUNnAM-It was with great re-
gret that l read your letter, as at once per-
ceived that it would put an end to the pleasant
friendship which has existed between us hith-
erto Your question does not require the time
for consideration which you ask me to take.
While am sorry to give you pain, must tell
you once for all that ! cannot marry you
Please accept this as my final answer. Very
truly, FLORENCE FORD.
"How many I's' there are in itr' thought
Miss Ford as she discontentedly surveyed
the product of her pen. And how horribly
abrupt and unfeeling it is! But since it
must be done, it is better to have it over at
blow. He shouldn't have made it neces-
sary l never encouraged him in any such
idea as that, | am sure, and when he would
persist in showing that he meant to do it,
l STAYED it off just as long as | could. And
now he will never come here again. OF
course he will avoid me after this. 1t is all
over with. How wretched everything in
the world is!''
She threw poor John Dunham's letter,
which she had answered upon the instant,
into the CRATE, where it writhed for mo-
ment on the glowing Goals before shrivel-
ing into filmy scroll of ashes. In it he
had begged her not to destroy his hopes at
once-to give him the benefit of a few days
grace. But she was determined not to con-
slider his case for moment She wanted it
settled out of hand before a certain treach-
erous something that lurked beneath the
surface of her purpose should have chance
to warp her clear, practical judgment.
She folded her note with a hasty move
ment, that the written words might be out
of her sight AS she did SO there was a sud-
den scuffle in theh hall and clamor of young
voices; then the door yielded before the
combined rush of four children, or, begging
Miss Madeline's pardon, three children and
young lady of A. Bennie, the older boy,
at once flung himself upon Florence's writ
ing table, and placing his stubbly head
about four inches from her ear, in order to
be within convenient shouting distance, be-
gan:
'Say, Florence can't you write those
valentines for us now? You said you would
yesterday, but you went and forgot it, and
tomorrow's Valentines day, and they amt
begun yet, and it's most night"
II want mine on your little tiny note
paper" added Lottie, while Willie cried,
endeavoring to climb into her lap.
And make a picture over the top OF
mine With your red INK.
'Wait minute, children; don't you SEQ
that sister is writing? Bennie, keep quiet
and stop shaking my elbow so. That's the
second envelope you have made me spoil.
Therep' She sealed her answer to John
Dunham's letter, affixed the stamp and put
it into her pocket to be posted at the earli-
est opportunity "Now Pm ready. Who
comes first? No, all of you can't come first.
Tll begin with Bennie if he will get off the
table and sit down like gentleman"
Bennie reluctantly complying with the
conditions, q colloquy ensued as to the
number of valentines he wanted written
and the sentiments to be expressed. Flor
ence's modest muse was a poetical maid Of
all work to the children. She was expected