Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-02-10

Margaret. Prince had not changed coun.
tenance when he looked upon Lottie. It
was not the gaze of a stranger nor was
there a smile OF recognition in 1t. To an
observer 1t would seem almost like the
curious look of n man who thought he
recognized a face and was striving to re.
call 1t to memory.
Now, all you people quit singing and
talking and we'll see what cupid has
brought u.s." said Mabel Hurvine briskly.
Tom Prince stopped over Kathryn At
the piano and said, loud enough for Lot
tie Meredith to hear:
II trust lie will bring INC something
moro acceptable than the Dead sen fruit
with which in the past he has Haunted
me-
Kathryn looked up and smiled brightly.
The words fell meaningless upon her cars,
but Lottic heard and knew.
The door of the parlor was thrown open
aud cupid walked in with his freight Of
white hearts and tiny pencils and with
gay badinage the plan Of writing the val
cntines was explained by Mabel. A 81
lcnce followed for a few minutes, brows
were knitted in deep thought and the
merry jewellers strove to make rhymes and
invent clever lines to carry on the enter
tainment. There were sly looks and side
remarks from those who wished to let the
objects of their devotion know that they
inspired the muse. There was laughing
protest from the girls that some of the
boys were '%'pceking" to see what was be-
ing written. And at last Miss Hurvinc
said time was up, cupid made his rounds
again and the white papers fluttcrcd into
the little wagon, each bearing it's tender
or humorous message. Quickly they were
hcapcd upon the table and the boys and
girls settled into their seats, when Barnes
was called upon to read them.
Here's II that ought to get ut least
second money!" said Barnes, picking ny
Il heart Mt random and reading:
My valentine. with storm and shine,
Is like "a changcful April morning;
MS strange, but still l never will
BE found her frown or sunshine scorning.
care they all as bad as tlat:' uueried
Marie fro lnlcr perch on the arln of a
big easy chair, where she sat leaning
against Margaret.
wait till I read some more" said
Barnes. THAT one was just picked up
at random"
but who is it for:' asked .Ailccn.
You can have it il you want it," said
Kathryn, II don't see anyone breaking
any records trying to beat you to it,"
Barnes had selected another heart from
the pile before him and his face sobcred
n trife as he glanced through the verse
before reading it. Then he said:
Hold on. This enc is al! right. I
guess it's oil the square, too"
q foolish heart that qualscs with fear
And strives to burst with agony
For sundcrcl ties, oh! ccs.asy!
he brave. be patient; she Is near.
Throb not so dolefully and slow,
u heart OF mine. SO long bowed down,
No longer may YOU wear the crown
of thorns for days of long ago.
AT last thy pcnitcncc is DER;
At last thy herita GO is won.
U heart! thy sorrOwin. Is done
Aud JOY is thine forevcrmorc.
For Il omcn there was silence when
Barnes had concluded the verse. The
smiles had faded from the lips of every
one i'll the room and glanccs of surprise
were turned from one to another. Tom
Prince stood with his arm resting upon
tho piano and his head in his hand, look
ing steadfastly at Lottic Meredith. And
she knew. She did not dare look across
the room at the steady blue eyes which
she knew were fixed upon her. She would
not trust herself TO return that gaze, for
her heart was heating madly. although
her face was pale.
We'll, We'll all have to give that one
up" said Marie. ".Anyonc who had that
written at her ought to be picking out the
bridesmaids
The laugh relieved the strained situa-
ton and Barnes caught up a jocular verse
and ratified it off glibly. There was some
light comm ant from somebody and Lottie
slipped out into the hallway. She was not
missed and no one noticed when Tom
Prince stepped lcisurcly to the door of the
parlor and followed. He found her there,
with wide, frightened eyes which would