The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-02-11

Same way with 'em ALL" grumbled the
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 landladv.
ut is a 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 Dr. 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 paer.
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 to-
wards High street. 81 wouldn't have "A soul
know for the world. The idea of those old
things trying to catch Dr. Percy, And the
idea of George Taylor quarchng just be-
cause | said the doctor was the incest man
in town, Mercy. that was Mrs. Smythe.'
She drew back in the shadow. "Nhy, she
came out Of Catchcms ! wonder if she is
silly enough 60 send anybody a Valentine
After selecting pretty. dainty bit of lace
paper and pink satin, with a sentimental
verse. she slipped behind a file of papers TO
wait for her change. just then she heard
| the old maids voice.
Il want IA valentine" she smpered
Something that would-er-encourage a
! backward admirer,'
1t took her long time 60 select one, and
the pretty girl remained giggling prisoner
until she had gone.
"Now, who on earth can she mean to
send it tor she wondered, on the way
home. II 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.
Gust 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. "Ot course
| am only sending DR.. Percy valentine as
Joke, but she might not understand 1t
He will recognize my writing-he has seer
it on checks-and will take courage!"
As they met on the boarding house steps
Miss Dixon came out, a white, squareobject
rptpu 10 Tnnil
tern to my aunt" she said carelessly. They
never suspected" she thought. I'D die i
they did. only wish to encourage him
lest he think me cold, and she slipped hel
valentine into the letter box on DR.. Percy
door.
When the postman came on the morning
of st. Valentines day he brought one hug
lace bordered envelope for the pretty girl
as well as three large square ones addressed
in the same handwriting to her, to TIN
widow and to the old maid.
When the pretty girl saw the lace-bor
dered one she thrust ii, blushing, into he
lap, for she had recognized George Taylor
, writing.
, Then she opened the other envelope, think
ing; "The doctor will think me dreadfu
, flirt now when marry Georgel"
"If he has sent that mink valentine, toe
, I'll get well tomorrow" thought the widow
opening hers,
. GLOW surprised they will all be when the
{ find that DR.. Percy has sent me valentine,
! thought the old maid, opening hers.
Then there was trio of shrill eXclam5
tons From each envelope DR.. Percy wee
II. ding cards had slipped out
= ELISA ARMSTRONG.
i Pernicious Activity.