The Newtown bee., 1897-02-19

ly resulted in great discomfort and em. barrassment to himself and his friends. About eight o'clock that evening he threw his geography aside, and, going to the kitchen, donned rubber boots and coat.
 "Why, Jack, not going out tonight, I hoper' exclaimed his mother.
 "Valentines in to,day's mail, mother, ;" laughed Jack. ssCan't endure the anxiety any longer. Be right back!"
 "Well, don't get cold" responded ''easy-going" Mrs Stacey; and Jack said "No, mother" and went off wrist ling. He stopped whistling, however, as soon as he was out of hearing.
 "If 1 can get that before any one else does, catch me ever doing such a mean trick again." he soliloquized, as he spiashed along.
 Only Dick was in the office when he arrived. He glanced at the box where Miss Jerushy infrequent mail was al- ways placed, through the courtesy of the owner. His heart sank. It was gone then; and by this time the poor old woman had received the cowardly in- suit.
 He pulled himself together and ap. preached the little mail window and asked if there was anything for our folks Dick passed his mail out silent. ly. If Jack hadn't been so full of his own trouble he must have noticed Dicks dignified. distant manner. But he did not. He walked slowly toward the door and then turned sharply and came back. Say Dick," he began; "you never did a plaguey mean thing; and never supposed that would; but I have and I'm going to make clean breast o1 it." And he began, but Dick stopped him, by taking two long strides and throwing an affectionate arm across his shoulders. "Good for you, Jack Amt glad !" and he told what he had and Dorry had done. finishing with "So it's all right! I intended to tel you. but I expected to feel different while was doing it. Come down sis,' to Dorry, whom he heard at the head oi stairs. "Jack's all right, and"-
 'No," said Jack; 'snot till I've beer and told her, and asked''-
 ''No, no, mol" interrupted Dorry ''never! That's what we've been trying to save all the time-her feelings you know. Mother'll agree with me. Fl ask her to come down."
 Mother Skipp was the confidante e1 all the boys and girls in the village. She listened thoughLfully, with her hand on Jack's yell0 v nair.
 "No, Jack,n she said at last; ''it will be kindest not to tell her..
 "Then all can do is to pay Dolly and Dick their two dollars.''
 "What nonsense!'' calculated Dick. , "We sha'n't take it, said Dorry "and anyway the valentine itself really is yours, for meant it for you, till thought you were mean
 But Jack was firm; the only way, he insisted, that the affair could be made right and sssquare;;" and they had tc submit. He took it out of his bicycle money, and thereby delayed the pur chase of that longed-for treasure whole month; for Jacks dollars came slowly and in small sections.
 t "We can't keep this money, mother, , announced the twins. i've don't feel af tho it's ours, after having the pleasure j of giving it away"
 I s'Then put it in the Nebraska bar rel that the minister's wife is trying te fill,r suggested Adviser -in-C Chief Mother ,I Skipp. \ So they did; and Dorry put little note in the envelop From two boyl and one girl-a thank-offsring;;'' ssbe J cause,' she explained, .sDick and are