The free press., 1895-03-21
CHRISTY'S VALENTINE.
BY EMMA A. OPPER.

| 80 energetically that 1t slammed De-
hind him with a crash.
"Tbat Valentine-only decent one
vO,'ye got --two-dollar and sixty-cent
one" he whispered, cornering the
ovner of the ''toniest" stationery
store in town. 81 haven't found any
thing better, and I'll take it. "
"All right, Mr.. Parke," said the
proprietor, good-humoredly, "un-
less"
He led the way to the counter
vhereon Valentines were displayed.
"That satin one-pink one-two-
sixty?" he queried of the clerk. "Mr.
parke will-ah!" For the satin one,
tbe pink one, the twodollar and sixty
cent one, was in the process of wrap
ping up by the clerks deft hands.
4h, you've bought it, Mr.. Greer?"
"Yes," said Mr.. Greer.
He grew quite red all over his queer
little face. Some chronic joker had
remarked that Mr.. Greer's counten-
auce was "out of plumb" His left
eyebrow was higher than the other
bis mouth quirked to the right. He
MAS short and round and past fifty.
"Well, | trust she'll like it," said
The stationer, jocularly,
And Mr.. Greer's glow deepened
painfully.
parke did not wait to observe it.
BE strobe out of the shop. The door
Banged so vigorously that Mr.. Greer
Jumped.
'Greer!" he thought, hotly.
tGreerl If it's come to that-his
ending her Valentine-hisd daring
D! But | don't know about daring;
maybe he knows his business better
han | know mine. How do l know
be cares anything for me? A look
Ow and then, word or two. Pshaw
hats that? But he-he's an old
fiend of the family, and worth no.
pdy knows how much, and-and per-
Ectly respectable, l suppose" said
Pake, bitterly. "But to think of it
le's eighteen, and sweet and bright
bid lovely, and Greer"
Parke bit his lips under his blonde
Oustache; they were almost quiver-
But he's after her. I'm certain of
He's been there every time I've
ben there lately, and now this Valen-
mn
Parke smiled grimly. He was pass
a window hung full of them, and
half turned toward it.
"No, | won't. That was the only
ety one in town. He'll send it, and
name, probably. No, I'll let it
And tunelessly whistling, he went
fldlng round corner SO rapidly as
all but upset trim little person in
long, furry cloak and a big pale
ay hat, from beneath which fresh
pretty face looked forth.
Oh, Mr.. Parke!" Miss Christy
ffwent cried, laughing. "Why, you
most tipped me over! But I'm glad
met you. You asked me to go
Auns, do you remember? And I've
en- thinking that tonight would be
Fleet, with the full moon and all.
: " you can go? 1 am glad"
farke stopped for her at an early
u' but not SO early but that an
ler caller was there before him.
ne iound Mr.. Greer standing stiffiy
'he parlor table, pretending to
! az magazine. His left brow
ga little higher, and his mouth
'Nned somewhat farther to the
l'' With the friendly smile he gave
Pike.
lie looks like a Chinese idol p
fhe thought, savagely.
put the short response to Mr..
= sefs pleasant greeting, which was
: us u tongues end, was suppressed
'ns entrance of Christy and hel
'.'' and Miss Hattie, the sweet.
ea spinster of uncertain age who
ea ior the Derwents two weeks to,
''' sometimes, and whom the,
"r 40 quite one of the family.
u "O"r your tippet, Christine,
= = aef mother, ''and don't stay too