Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-06-07

be carefully delivered the next day,
Bessie drove homeward. leaving the ,
doctor to spend an hour with the
nephew" who had suddenly made his ,
appearance at this new home.
Valentines Day dawned cold and
clear. Bessie sat in her mothers room
having one Of those talks so precious
to daughters. The approach of the
postman did not attract her attention,
and we doubt If the girl had given a
thought to the day. The little table
and chair had come early in the day
and had been placed in the yellow
morning room. 1t has been given the
Of honor, in the recess between
= windows, and Ned had so genuine
~ admired his sisters purchase that
he had brought from his study a Loop
ard-skin rug and laid before it.
The desk proper Bessie could not
open, and locksmith was to be sum-
moned to fit a key to the little lock.
Ned had suggested that the doctor be
invited to dine with them on the NOR
row and Bessie planned proving to him
that she had secured bargain.
The entrance of the little maid inter-
rupted the conversation, and Bessie
laughed cheerfully as she was present
ed with a box of choice roses aud q
number of seasonable-looking docu-
ments. The yellow buds and blossoms
We're quickly placed on her mothers
table, with the usual amount of Won
dering as to who sent them. The
dainty bonbons were to be eaten later,
but the valentines proper would not
wait, and with all girls curiosity
they We're eagerly torn open.
Here was a variety! Such wonder
full cupids and doves, hearts and bios
SONS. But in one plain white envelope
was an Offering so unlike any of the
others that when she saw it Bessie
Ransom knew that there had come to
her an experience entirely heretofore
| unknown.
Putting all her other valentines into
her mothers hands, she went into her
own room. Here she unfolded the old
fashioned sheet Of paper, and read
again the words that had seemed 80
full of affection, devotion and loyalty"
1t was inscribed, ITO my fayre luve
Elizabeth" and bore the mark Of age.
| For a moment Bessie was veXed.
"Why had DR.. Peryne sent her this ?
1t was not right to play joke of this
kind" Just then our impulsive girl
saw a tiny bit Of notepaper in the en-
velope she had thrown down. Hur-
riedly she glanced it over:
| Miss Bessie:
| I mean it all, and more. You knew
and loved my aunt, and / send this
message in the same words my father
| used sixty years ago. Will you not be
kind and let me find favor in your
sight: shall know my answer when I
see your face again.
| Valentine.
"It is just notion mamma. dear, but
am I not too lovely in this old-time
gown?"
How pretty she looked. The short
waist and full skirt, the rich brocade
with it's simmer Of light and shade,
the delicate lace in the half low bodice
and sleeves, and the cunning slippered
| feet-just showing the jeweled buckles
and sillzen hose! The fair blonde hair
was coiled and twisted high upon her
head and powdered white. She wore
no Jewels, but one great American
beauty rose was pinned in her corsage.
"You are very fair, my child" whis-
pered the mother.
And very happy, mamma
1t was a pretty picture that greeted
Or. Peryne, as he was shown into the
little yellow room. The fire burned
brightly in the CRATE, and before it in
the little chair sat Bessie, the freight
| making her cheeks as red as the rose
she wore.
Bessie. is it you, or am l greeting
some vision of beauty from the past?''
sit is only very commonplace girl,
doctor; but I thought since you had
taken advantage of long-ago written
| message, would answer it en- costume,
and"
Bessie, do not trifle; what is my
answer? 1 mean it all. a thousand
times over. Lam just now awakening
to the fact that you are all that is lack
ing to make my life complete"
They stood before the little table.
Her hand strayed carelessly over the
quaint carvings The unconscious
pressure opened the secret drawer.
There in plain sight lay the roses he
had sent her early in the morning. and
on the card had been written: My
knight doeth luve me well, and to
me he is moste noble and grand. The
world holds none other like to him, my
own Valentine"
He read her answer quickly. Gently
taking her hand he led her to her chair
before the fire.
elizabeth. can you love me? I am
the unfortunate nephew. 1 have but
one excuse for my deception. | want
ed you to care for me individually. and
now that l know you do, why, Bridge
vale with it's antiquities-are as moth
ing"
"But, Valentine" she whispered,
"are you not glad that l like old-fash-
toned things, and insisted upon getting
the ebony desk?"
Very glad. Bessie; but you don't
get your Valentine until the day after"
Evening Wisconsin.
Shooting Round Cd asr.