The Penn's Grove record., 1896-02-21

INV n' Saa. turned ava,
from the hearth af.
ter replenisbing the fire, and tiptoed oui
of the room and down the softly carpeted
stairs, c~ogitating:
81 wonder what her sorrow may be,
she murmured, running her hand thought
fully along the heavy walnut balustrade.
at must be a love trouble, for every time
st. Valentines Day m around she
grows paler and keeps her room, wanting
TO be alone"
And the observing Jane was correct In
her conclusion.
Truly the blaze was all the company
Miss Seymour cared for tonight of all
nights, for out of the cleaning west seem
ed to come a tenderly uttered Goodbye,
Hepsie; | can never forget"
And tonight, as the dusk of Valentine
Eve deepened around her, Hepsie Sey-
mour sobbed up against the window
pane: II think he still remembers. i have
remembered until my heart Is cankered
through with the bitterness all its own
The stars were coming out now, one by
Ene, and great shadows trailed through
the %shrubbery aud crept around "Ths
Oaks"
A panied face seemed to rise out of the
night and search her soul with Its dark.
yet kindly eyes, as once, on a Valentine
Eve, six years ago. She turned to sthe
hearth with a sigh once more AfHow 1
suffer- she moaned, rocking to and fro,
with the blaze for coFhpany.
So the timew1hch brings loving avow-
ais andIG%set remembrances for the world
n happy-hearted youth, and warmer pull
sations to the hearts Of the elderly lovers.
only brought an agony Of regret to the
heiress of Oak Hill.
This was why, then, that In her elc-
Eantly appointed rooms, with arms folded
over her bosom, she rocked YEARLY to II
fro, %recounting the brilliant and saddest
of life's memories.
Up from the valley came n chime Of
silvery, musical notes. She paused. WED
ding bells" she murmured, impatiently,
going back to the window and throwing
open the sash to listen.
"Six years 6 tonight" she continued,
II sent my hearts truest and best away
because he wal poor! O, that l could re-
zeali the past and welcome Horace back
pnce more; but l cannot; woe is mel
The bells ceased ringing; but Hepsie,
Needless Of the cold, wintry air, stood
silently clasping her hands, and gazing
far down the shadowy vale of st. Cath
prime and time together.
"Yes," she said, presently, 81 have writ
hen. and, though he may spurn my con,
fession, coming so late as 1t does, / am
glad I sent the letter. He has made no
sign; perhaps ever now he hates me for
the wretched past.
sNo matter. I have borne a great deal.
can bear more.
II can bear to be ignored by the man
whose love means life to me, because l
leserve it. but God pity mer'
She closed the sash and went pack to the
IRE, kindled "for company" and sat down.
The glow Of the CHEEKY flame fickered
pver the soft, satin gown and touched the
lsarstained face dreamily.
20, that he still loved mef' She clasp
I'd her hands passionately and continued;
bAll the wealth Of the Oaks might ro, al
,ne sweep of fortunes wave did the re-
turning tide bear Horace Winters love to
ne. But, alasi / cannot undo.
"God only knew; and with Him al.
khings were possible 1t might be yet
md tonight was the annivsrsary-whai
b 1t, JohnT
The polite servant stood at the open
aoor. with cap In hand.
"There's an old man at the gate Al
wants a cold bite, ma'am, and cravin' .
shelter from the bitter night"
"An old mani Well, bring him into tn,
htting room below and I will see about
tn
Hepsie sighed again, this tme almost
rontentedly-if she could not comfort her
seIf she would comfort another-apd, fol.
lowing John downstairs, she waited. "a
tramp, possibly" she said, YEARLY; '.bui
ramps have souls"
An old, gray-haired man followed John
into the pleasant comfort Of CHEEKY
warmth.
"You are hungry" Miss Seymour said
he words with a mist Of sympathy In her
aark eyes. Before her sat 4 shivering
nan. with the snow fakes ~sprinkling his
whitened locks and poor attire. Despite
his rough exterior, she felt instinctively
that he was a man of culture and had seen
better times.
Eyes, ma'am, and very cold. The world
hasn't a great deal 1t can spare to the IN
fortunate" He put his hand to his head
and looked thoughtfully into the CRATE.
Hepsie ordered something to eat and
made no reply, Somehow the words OPP
ered a wound she had fondly hoped was
iealed. Drawing aside rhe neavy CRIMSON
mrtain she looked out once more Into the
light.
"And tomorrow Is Valentines DAyT"
Ihe said this Involuntary in an under
Dne to herself; but the old man by the
,earth was listening. He covered his
nee with his hands and sat very still.
God be mercifulF' She let go the cur