The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-02-15
The Lost Valentine.
Written for the Republican.

In little room a young fellow OF per-
haps fifteen years OF age sat deeply wrapt
in thought Of his mother whom he had
only that afternoon followed to her last
resting place.
What am to do now?" he asked him.
self over and over again. At last he pre-
Jared himself for retiring with that ques-
tion still unsettlcd.
The following morning was Thursday.
He arose at the usual time, but determin-
cd mot to go to work that day." In look-
ing in desk which he found in his moth.
er's room he found small package bear
ing the name Roland Berger. This Is for
me, SO guess Ill find ou5 what Is in IT,"
thought he, as he united the string. Hs
found 1t to contain watch and chain
with the letters V. p. on the watch case.
In letter which he caught sight OF
few minutes later, and which also bore his
name, he found that which was indeed
revelation to him "She not my mother"
That is very grange, thought Roland
Nevertheless he went on hunting for tho
othor things mentioned In the letter Pro.
sently ho came across an un,o:sbirt. fam
cy white blouse, and velvetsuit OF clothes
Thcro was also little cap to match the
clothes
BThcse, the lady said, were worn by him
when first brought to her housb about ten
years ago, by q woman who said she was
his aunt, and that her name was Mary
Blackwell.
n "Ho has no other relatives, and as have
to cross the ocean wish to leave him with
you." were hor words.
"You wero very pretty and lovable. and
as had bur cd my own boy but Few
months before determined TO keep you.
Mary Blackwell has never returned.
have been thinking hore of late that sho
could not have been your aunt at ALL
Perhaps you were stolen from your par
ents who may still DO living and sorrowing
for YOU. Take the things l have already
mentioned aud put them in the hands OF
tho police. Perhaps they may help you"
II did not tako Roland long TO decide
thnt his wus the best plan. Hevery soon
found tho Captain, who, after hearing bis
story asked him to call again next morn
ing.
After retiring that night Rolaud did not
sleep much. Near morning ho foil into
trtroub,ed sleep. In q dream he seemed to
see himself dressed in the clothes which ho
had found in the desk. He was riding in
fine carriage seated by the sido of
lovely lady whom ho called mamma.
When about to leave the circus ground
for this was where they spent the after
noon. they met an acquaintance, with
whom his mother stopped to talk.
Finding himself entirely left out of the
conversation he wandered away from his
mother into one of tho tents. Suddenly
some ono grabbed him and pres ed some
thing to lis nose. He remembered no
more.
He told this to the captain next day.
"Wj'l you spend the day at my house. my
boy?" asked the captain whom Roland had
stopped speaking. Certainly. if can be
Of any uso' was the reply.
Late that afternoon carriage drove mp
and stopped ut the captains door. A
gentleman followed by lady alighted.
The lady looked faint and tired, but as
soon MS she removed her wraps she asked
for Roland.
Il must know If 1t is my boy," sho snid,
when they tried to persuade her to rest
first.
"Well I will first show you the
things the woman told him ho WAS
dressed in whom first brought to hsr. said
the captain, as he crossed the room and
took from drawer the different articles
before mentioned. Ho gave her the cloth
ing first.
"Tho very clothing my boy wore. Now (
lot me see The watch. This is surely my
lost darling. Husband, do you see? These
arc the belongings of our Valentine.
Where Is ho, oh. VIII 70 ia he?
Here mother and Roland, or Valentine
us we nust now call him, stepped from be.
hind curtain and stood facing his
mother. For moment they stood look
ing ss each other and then as the woman
throw her arms around the neck of her
darling, no caught hor about the waist,
for If he hntl not she would have fallen.
Tho husband and father stood by look
ing OIL. At last he could stand it no
longer and said, "Am to havo chance
to meet our boy, too?"
ayes, yes, husband. Strange should
have forgotten you. Valentine, go to your
father"
cannot describe this scene. Who could9
The family staid with the captain, who
had long been friend Of theirs that
night
As Valentine kissed his mother good
night before going to his room he said,
"I hnd forgotten this is Valentine Day
Mother am your Valentine to keep al
ways"
"Yes. dear, and this Is your sixteenth
birthday. / am your birthday present
You were born on Valentine Day and
that is why we called you Valentine
And then they kissed each other again.
CLARA l.. RASH.
DR.. Bulls Cough Syrup Is pleasant to
take. Children never object to it, This
Inodicire positively cures coughs and cold.
Opl;,A