Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1898-02-10

1t was plain business envelope, Dut
the address was in George Farmers
handwriting and l opened it with a
beating heart. What we're all mothers
warnings and counsels to me now?
The enclosure was typewriter
poem. turned the page and looked for
the signature. There was none, only
the last line, which read, From your
faithful Valentine In my preoccupa-
ton l had quite forgotten until now
that this was St Valentines day. With
burning cheeks | read:
Let us strive for what is noblest
Life Is short, then live it we'll
Faint not in thy high endeavor,
Love hath cast DER me its spell
For humanity / labor,
All humanity | love,
Yet the thought OF thee fair lady,
Does my deepest being move.
Were ! only sure to please thee,
Labor then were pure delight;
All my sorrows were forgotten,
All my wrongs would then be right.
| had read thus far when Hulda re-
appeared, this time with George Far
mer's card. / should like to have fin
ished reading the valentine before go
ing down stairs, but mother had fol-
lowed Hulda closely, and stood at the
door | slipped the precious verses
guiltily into my pocket, and turned a
flushed and happy face toward her.
81 hope you don't think of going out
with Mr.. Farmer this afternoon, Kate"
she said as soon as Hulda was out of
hearing
why not, mother? | feel perfectly
well" | answered
II see you do now" she replied with
but If Mr.. Farmer under
stood your relations to Win Wilson |
doubt if he would care to take You
sle;ghing this afternoon .
| only smiled. ! was too confident
ard too happy to contradict her, or to
tell her that | had changed my mind
quite suddenly but very positively.
Il think | will go down to see Mr..
Farmer, if you please, mother, was
all | said, and as | went down the
stairs | thought poor mother!" 1t
would be a great disappointment to
her, but | would never marry Will WI
son, | felt very confident with that
valentine reposiag in my pocket.
George Farmer rose rs | entered the
room, and came toward me, looking as
self-oonscious and unhappy as usual.
Good afternoon, Miss Marshall" he
said, Il hope you remember your prom
,se to go s eish.ng with me when the
snow came?"
"Oh, yes, | remember it perfectly,
and | am 50 glad it showed Today" /
answered.
After those verses | need not feel
ashamed to encourage him.
You are very kind, | thought
was afraid at least
didn't know ne stammered,
whether it was too soon to come now
or not, so | got horse and cutter and
came up to see. It's a nice afternoon
1T is a beautiful afternoon, and II
will get my things on at once. have
been in all day, and it will be so nice
TO get some fresh air
When | went to my room there was
mother waiting for me It was par
ticularly annoying, for | meant to take
time TO read the rest Of my valentine.
Are you going out with Mr.
Farmer" she asked, severely.
Yes, mother" | spoke as careless
~ as l could. arranging my hat and
veil as spoke.
II am very sorry that a daughter of
mine should show herself so frivolous
and lacking in right principles" she
said distinctly.
hesitated a moment, then | turned
toward her as I drew on my gloves.
tried to speak gently
Mother" said, there are soms
subjects on which we can never thinl,
alike | am very sorry to disappoint
you, but | would not marry VIII VII
son ii | knew | should live to be 100
and no other man would ever ask me.
I am ashamed 70 have considered II
fer a moment " Then / went up to
her and kissed her, though she never
stirred nor made the slightest re-
Spouse to the caress. / would do al
most anything in the world to please
mother but not this.
As the street door closed after
George Farmer and me, It seemed as II
for the hour at least, We had left every
unpleasant thought behind us. How
Tie sun shope and the fresh snow
sparkled. l had never been so happy
In my life, and I felt that he was
o9ppy TOO. Though he hardly spoke
'o~ the first mile Then he said. with
/ little embarrassed laugh II sup
rose YOU know this is st. Valentines
lay?"
Yes, | know IT," | replied