The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-25

Madge. which he meant to follow up
when he met her later at the ball, and
learn his fate for good and all. He went
to the club. but he could not breathe
indoors. SO back he wandered to the
park. and the path to which a CLEAN
from her lighted window stole now and
then acros the lcafless trees, and there
he tramped up and down. nursing his
hopes and building bewilderlng castles
In the air till 10 o'clock struck from n
nelghboring steeple. ana there was Just
time TO get himself into his evening
clothes.
Meantime, Buttons, scarcely less agi-
tated, climbed the stairs and knocked
at Miss NeliIe's door.
For me?" she murmured. incrcdu-
lousy. when she had opened the door,
and he had put the precious parcel into
her hand. II was 4 box that flowers
came in, and they never came to her.
For you. Mr.. Graham has Just left
It himself. miss. He asked me to give
1t TO you"
Mr.. Graham?"
Willie was evidently full of SUPPRESS
ed excitement
TITS n valentine for you Miss Nellie,
valentine for you. He said So"
Nellie sat down on the sofa uncxpect-
eddy. 4 lump rose to her throat, and
she knew that II she spoke her voice
would tremble. She half motioned the
boy to go. 1t was some practical joke
OF the girls. but why need they have
involved Robert Graham In the plot?
Willie. disappointed. was turning
slowly away. when suddenly she called
him back again.
cut the. strings for ME. Willie. and
let us know the worst at once" said
she. summoaing every bit OF pride she
possessed to her aid, and holding her
head high. Her face was flushed now
with n color that Miss MadGe's cheeks
could not outvie.
There was no address on the box
When the cover was taken off nothing
but tissue paper was disclosed. but q
rich fragrance floated out and filed the
air. Miss Nellic's fingers were cold
and numb as shedlved deeper and deep
er down. with that swcet.-clinglng scent
creeping around her like spell, and
nnally-Sittted n great mass of violets.
dewy, fresh and set In their own green
leaves. There was n card attached to
It: it said: These FOR my Valentine"
Oh, poor Nellie. The whole world
suddenly seemed transformed TO her.
She could not consider anything that
had gone before. or look forward TO
what might come after. She just knew
that Robert Graham had thought of her
as n man only thinks of one woman
Mt that sweet time OF year. and that ut
last some heart had called out to her
heart the message she had waited for
so long. 4 Wild spirit Of gayety seized
her.
"Only think" she cried to delighted
Willie, 1--WE never. had a valentine be-
fore. never, Oh. While. Willie. you
have brought me the greatest happi-
ness have ever known! | shan't for
get II. dear. You are n messenger fror1
heaven. Now run away. Send Han
nah to me. | must dress for dinner
and for the ball. Peep into the ball
room and look at me. Willie. mine will
be the lishtest feet that will dance to-
| night
And Nellie barely waited TIL he was
out OF the room before she kissed the
violcts again and again. like 4 silly
school girl When she looked up again
the candles wavcrcd and broke into
a thousand prismatlc lights because OF
the glad tears In her eyes.
It was not long before the maid en-
tered, surprised at the summons. for
Miss Ncllic's toilet wns usually OF the
sort That needs no assistance. and more
surprised still was she when she bcheld
laid out upon the bed white satin
Dress crisp with tuftc. sparkling with
spanglcs. n very different affair from
those dull gowns that had aroused But
tons Indignation. Nellie would never
tell where she got that dress, but II
was suspected by the family that she
invested In 1t In n 1T OF temporary In
sanity when she venturcd into n fash
Ionablc New York establishment under
the wing OF m cxtravagnnt aunt. In
cut and design 1t was youthful enough
for her youngest sister. Old Hannnh
frowncd but she was too well trained
to comment on any frcak OF tho young
ladies', Her private belief was that
Miss Nellie was on the verge OF brain
fever. Tho tongue OF that ordinary re-