Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-02-15

healed. Drawing aside the heavy .rimsol
curtain she looked out once more into the
night.
And tomorrow is Valentines Day
She said this involuniarily i'll an under
tone ~ herself: but the old man by the
hearth WAS listening. lie covered his
face with his hands and sat very still.
God be merciful.." She let 20 the cur
tain with this petition and turned toward
the occupant of the hearth. He had also
heard the prayer. but he made no be-
trayal of his knowledge: he only raised
his head. looked steadily into the CRATE
and said. slowly: 1T must be such a great
blessing To be wealthy; So satisfying"
Il disagree with you.' answered Hep
sic, almost imp%atiently.
The old man gave Il little start. and
without taking his gaze from the fire. he
asked in tones of astonished inquiry: Can
it be possible that YOU are not happy i'll
this beautiful home:'
Hepsie looked at hiIa pityingly. 1T
can he and is possible:' then. with CULVER
ing lips she quoted: The heart knoweth
its own bitterness
Forgive me-" said the old man. hastily;
my s~elfishness, | fear. led me to wrong
views"
Miss Seymour made no reply. and. Jane
coming in ut that moment with a bounti-
fully loaded tray, the conversation was
dropped.
Would You please carry this bit CT
paper TO your mistrcss:' timidly asked
the wayfarcr OF John. rs he showed him
his room for the night.
John took the paper without Il word.
Evidently this was a crazy old wanderer.
but he would humor him. Then. after bid
ding him goodnight. he left the old fellow
sitting on the edge of the bed with 4
strange look ON his face.
Miss Seymour took the scrap of paper
with curious misgivings. Why should an
utter Granger write her Il note? Had she.
in her resolve to be kind. but let Il terri
bic character into her house? No: he was
only Il destitute old man, that was all.
She opened the crumpled note and stag
gered back. reeling into a seat with IL
short. little cry.
The alarmed servant rushed forward.
Great Heaven. ma'am, are you DYING
No; only so glad, John-this bit of pa
per is my valentine. You may go now"
The mystified servant withdrew to his
own quarters, wondering at it all. espe-
cially The bright, beautiful expression on
the face of his MISTRESS; he hadn't seen
such a happiness for years.
"1ncognito." whispered Hepsie when
alone. Then she ran her glad eyes over
the paper again. 'Once | said. goodbye,
Hepsie: l can never forget Now l have
come at your bidding. having never for
gotten. But forgive me. darling. for
dawning Il little early and incognito. for
l am your faithful valentine. Horace"
This was what she read: then she went
TO the stairway and called, "Horace,' in
Il clear. joyous tone.
Yes. Hepsie: l am coming" came
promptly in answer.
Miss Seymour waited ut the stairs with
outstretched arms: an angel of peace she
seemed in the soft light of the hall lamp.
You dear old N%alentine.." she exclaim-
ed. putting her arms around the neck of
the handsome. well-dressed young man
who descended. You shall never leave
me again"
No.. said he, reverently; "but. Hep
sic darling. am poor yet. Not quite so
destitute as the aged beggar whom you
fed. who consists now only in a long.
ragged coat and wig of gray; but poor,
Hepsie. poor,.'
Il am glad" she whispered on his breast:
Il am SO glad of it. Had you possessed
wealth there might have come doubts.
You know. Horace"
And when the silvery toned bells rang
out st. Valentines morn from the valley
Hepsie Seymour whispered in the gray
dawning: There comes Il sound of mar
riage bells"