Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-02-20

The young artist from the oity
walked into the postoffce, two days
later, late in the afternoon.
1t was delightful day. The snow
which had hurled itself down two
days before lay white and still on
everything; the air was pleasantly
keen and bracing.
Bentley's cheeks were becomingly
redeemed and his eyes alight. Witaal,
there was On eager futter, pleasant
agitation plainly visible.
Moreover, he was resplendent in
the finest of his rainment-silk hat,
satin-faced overcoat, heavy stick and
broad-stitched gloves.
he advanced boldly to the little
gate whlch led to that division of the
postofice behind the letter boxes. He
took his hat in his hand, smilingly.
The person behind it turned from
her assortment of a pile of letters, and
came promptly forward, with smile
outdoing his own.
She was a dumpy, little, elderly
person. What shape she had was
lost in the folds of the greenland
black shawl which enveloped her
shoulders; visible below this was q
rickrack-aderned apron. Shewas the
possessor of a fat chin, cheerful,
beady little eyes, and tightly-drawn
knot of hair not much larger than q
walnut.
Delight and benevolence beamed
from her face.
"You're that painter from the city,
amt you9" she said. "Wal, I've Jest
ben wanting to see you. Now, why
hain't you ben in before? I says to
Teeny I thought likely you'd be in by
noon er so. Wal, I dom know as I
was ever so tickled in my life as when
that thing come. Jest got home this
morning, and there twas, awaiting
for me"
She shone upon him. He observed
the leathery tint of her complexion
and the large mole on her chin.
tI picked up the box and looked at
it. For the post-mistress,' says to
Teeny, Now, wat on earth's that?'
Then I got it open. Wal, I never saw
nothing like it before. you ever see
anything like that. Teeny?' says I
sever?' No Teeny hadn't neither.
"Wal, we kew right off who sent it.
There amt but one that could do it,
says I. And that boy from the hotel
brought it, too,' says I. It's that
artist that's staying there, saysI; and
Teeny she said so, too.
"Wal, I'm tickled to death with it.
It's the prettiest thing I ever did see.
How you could a done it I don't
know. And me . perfect stranger, as
Isays to Teeny. I hung it right up
i there see #; and showed
; it to everybody that's ben in" said
the post mistress, in congratulatory
tones.
"There amt half done talking
about it, but there's them letters got
to be sorted. Pm jest as much
obleeged as I know how to be- Mrs.
Demming declared, cordially, as she
returned to her duties.
The young man stood where she
left him, staring up at his Valentine,
where it hung on nail.
1t was in truth exquisite-a charm
ng design, finely executed, of frosty
valley, frozen river, snowy noun
tain; farther down the sheet, o sum-
mer field; and, in modest corner,
the time-honored design of an arrow
pierced heart, with some pretty, re-
membered verses beneath it.
It's nrtist gazed OF it in blank
wretchedness.
He got out somehow. The day
seemed to have darkened. 1t was hard
to see the humor of the affair, though
he dimly recognized it.
He was quite miserable. He had not
known that he had been so hard hit
he had not realized that he was al.
ready in love, actually, with the
sweet faced Trumbull girl he had up
set in the snow, and to whose great
aunt he had sent valentine; but he
realized itnow.
Well, it was oil over now. What a
balk from beginning to end! His
heart thumped angrily. he would &c
home tomorrow. Home was the only
fit place for such an idiot
He thrust his hands into his pockets
and fairly rushed in his vehement i'm
patience.
"Oh, don't, please-not again p
somebody said, in o meekly-pleadinR
voice.
Bentley gazed at the speaker. A
pair of brightly daring dark eyes
looked at him from out a fuzzy, pink
hood, and a pretty voice laughed o
little.
Their owner had swerved out of bis
path, and paused.
81 was afraid you were going to run
into me-again. You weren'S look
ing," she added, apologetically, and
made as if to 60.
But Bentley was squarely in front
of her, his gloomy face suddenly
aglow.
eff lose this chance" he was say
ing to himself, TREMENDOUSLY, 81 de-
serve hanging!
''Don't you, then--not again" he
commanded, "Don't leave me again
like that, and make me feel like q
brute, and the most wretched of be.
ings! Didn't you know I didn'tmean
to, Miss--Miss Wilson? You are not
angry yet?"
They were looking ct each other
almost eagerly. Nor did they appear
to find anything strange in their situa.
ton. They did not seem embarrassed
over this their very first conversation.
She looked down at her muff.
II know I owe you an Apology
she murmured 81 even thought OF
mailing you one; but then I thought
I might I might meet you. l was
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