Gilpin observer., 1900-03-01
Lennie Stafford's Valentine.

In the big, low-ceiled, firelit room,
! with its worn carpets, Its faded red
| hangings, its walls on which many
| pretty pictures cut from magazines and
/ original sketches were pinned, num-
! Der of girls were chattering.
"They are like lot of BIRDS" Len
ME decided, looking out at them be-
tween the curtains from his seat in the
deep window embrasure, "all chirping
at once!"
| He noted, with that wonderful ap-
probation of grouping and color he
possessed, what pretty picture his
sisters and their girl guests made as
they sat in a semi-circle around the
crate fire and slipped their tea from
little shallow cups. What beautiful
warmth was in the fold of Armies
dusky velvet gown, and how purely the
light revealed the curve Of Mary Dene's
cheek under the shadow of her great
Gainsborough hat.
But suddenly the scene blurred be-
fore him. The ruby gown, the pic
turesque hat, the smiling faces OF his
sisters, the delicate rose and azure tlnts
of the old china, all became merged in
a gray, shifting mist. He drew in his
breath sharply, as if in physical pain.
He clasped one hand tightly over his
eyes and shrunk back behind the folds
of the curtain.
Without, the February day was at its
brightest Upon the snow-covered
lawn frost had fallen in the night,
and now in the light of golden sun,
its white expanse sparkled as If sown
with innumerable jewels. Within the
girlish chatter went merrily on. In
stray sentences Lennie caught good
deal of what they were saying. They
were talking about St. Valentines day
that was near at hand. They dis
cussed the valentines they would send
and those they expected to receive.
They spoke of little odd, romantic in
cidents of other years and quoted
verses suitable to the occasion that
were, in turn quaint, lively or humor-
GUS.
"Graciousv cried Annie Wier, glanc-
ing at her watch, "a o'clock! We've
been here an hour. girls! We must go
at once!" They all rose, putting aside
their cups and spoons with pleasant
little clink of silver and china. Their
gowns of cloth and silk made a soft,
rustling sound. A faint perfume diff
fused itself through the room. There
was a gentle little hurricane of affec-
tionate farewells. One of the visitors
went up to the window, on the wide,
cushioned ledge of which the boy sat.
"Good-by, Lennie," she said. Are
your eyes improving?"
Lennie Stafford rose courteously and
clasped the hand she offered. He was
slender, graceful lad of 10, with a
well-cut, sensitive face, wistful smile
and large, brown, beautiful eyes.
mo; they are worse, If anything"
he answered.
THAT is too bad the girl comment
ed, sympathetical1y. Cannot DR..
Framley help you at all?"
Not at all. He says the case Is very
peculiar and that only certain famous
oculist in Paris could really attempt
the necessary operation with any hope
of success.
"You cannot go to Paris?" her gen.
tie voice asked.
He smiled sadly. you know our
circumstances, Miss Mary. There is
only Uncle Will to take care Of the
girls and me, and shall be a greater
burden to him every day instead OF a
= help-as l had hoped"
His glance wandered to low table
~ on which were drawing materials and
an open portfolio. Mary Dene picked
up few of the sketches.
Il understand" she said softly,
"you intended to be an artist before
this-this happened. You have great
talent. Mr.. Van Duysen, the portrait
painter, says your eye for form is won
derful. Why, what is this? Your old
neighbor What striking sketch!
How well you have caught her charac-
teristic pose!"
She was looking with delight at the
sheet she held. 1t portrayed an avenue
/ of giant trees, with bare skeleton arms
bent before the wind. Through the
! gap one saw the tall, slightly stopped
figure o. an old woman who leaned
J upon q stick. A scarf was twisted
over her head. A long cloak enveloped
her. That age and infirmity pressed
upon her was evident. But the old
form was held with the fine grace of
an aristocrat, and the profile revealed
expressed in an extraordinary degree
pride, reserve, determination.
Eyes, think 1t is good" Lennie
agreed, Frightening at the words of
praise. II can see her from this win
dow, you know. She walks in the oak
avenue every day, no matter what the
weather may be. There is pretty
place in her grounds where she used to
go in summer. She would sit there
: for hours at a time. ! believe l could