Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-02-14

Hdile way WITH ell all, SIuillDlcu IIe
bachelor boarder. Cant think of anybody
else since that young sawbones came to
town. Sometimes think you are the only
one who is not affected by him."
ooh, | don't know" said the landady.
at is considerable saving when he attends
one of my fair boarders. They wouldn't let
anyone else put them on such low diet"
The subject of valentines was not reverted
to again in the week intervening before the
day allotted to the good saint, and seemed
quite forgotten. Young DIR. Percy was.
however, daily topic, and the impartiality
with which he distributed his smiles among
the widow. the old maid and the pretty
girl remained the same This interested the
gossips SO much that they forgot to remark
that George Taylor came to the house no
more and the pretty girls cheeks were
shade paler.
The evening of the 18th of February was
cold and raw; yet at half-past seven the
pretty girl slipped softly out OF the front
door.
"Thank goodness Mrs. Smythe has gone
to the drug store and Miss Dixon to prayer
meeting she thought, walking rapidly 10.
wards High street 81 wouldn't have soul
know for the world. The idea of those old
things trying to catch DIR. Percy And the
idea of George Taylor quarreling just be.
cause ! said the doctor was the incest man
in town! Mercy, that was Mrs. Smythe."
She drew back in the shadow "Why, she
came out of Catchem's! | wonder if she is
silly enough to send anybody valentine?"
After selecting a pretty, dainty bit of lace
paper and pink satin, with sentimental
verse, she slipped behind file of papers to
wait for her change. Just then she heard
the old maids voice.
II want IA valentine" she simpcred.
Something that would-er-encourage
backward admirer."
ii took her a long time to select one and
the pretty girl remained a gggng prisoner
until she had gone.
Nov, who on earth can she mean to
send it to-" she wondered, on the way
home. Il shall scent mine with violets so
he will guess who sent it. only wish George
Taylor could know"
Coming down from her room with her
valentine, stamped and addressed, under
her cape, she met Miss Smythe also going
out
Just to mail letter to my sister," that
lady said. And you?"
"Merely to get the evening paper. She
never suspected" she thought, dropping her
valentine into the letter box.
Mercy, am trembling all over" said the
widow, slipping huge, square envelope into
the receptacle at the post Office. "Of course,
am only sending DR.. Percy a valentine as
Joke, but she might not understand ii.
He will recognize my writing-he has seen
it on checks-and will take courage"
AS they met ON the boarding house steps,
Miss Dixon came out, white, square object
in her hand. Il am going to mail pat.
tern to my aunt, she said, carelessly. They
never suspected" she thought. "Fd die if
they did. only wish to encourage him,
lest he think me cold, and she slipped her
valentine into the letter box on DIR. Percy'S
! door
When the postman came on the morning
/ of st. Valentines day he brought one huge
| lace bordered envelope for the pretty girl,
/ as well as three large square ones addressed
/ in the same handwriting to her, TO the
| widow and to the old maid
I When the pretty girl saw the !ace-bor.
/ dered one she thrust it, blushing, into her
lap, for she had recognized George 'ray lor's
writing.
/ Then she opened the other envelope, think.
| ing: The doctor will think me dreadful
| i"t now when | marry Georgc!"
"lf lie has sent that mink a valentine, too,
/ I'll get well to morrow" thought the widow,
| opening hers.
How surprised they will all be when they
/ find that DIR. Percy has sent me valentine"
thought the old maid, opening hers.
Then there was trio of shrill exclama.
/ tions. From each envelope Dr.. Percy's wed
/ ding cards had slipped out
ELISA ARMSTRONG.