Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-02-15


said he got to town TODAY. and ono of
the boys told him there was a marty
here and all the old crowd would he
here tonight, and he said he made bold
enough to come up, OF course | told
him was glad to see him. What else
could l do?"
From the parlor came the gay tinkle
of the piano and a full deep voice was
singing 20 Promise Me-" The CHATTER
of many tongues and light laughter
floated on the air with the singers
voice and came to the two solemn
girls huddled there in the bedroom
That's him singing" whispered
Lottie. I'D know his voice anywhere
and that was his song always, you
know"
For few minutes they stood there
silently listening to the jollity in the
parlors. Their hearts beat so loudly
that they heard the quickened pulsa-
tons as they stood in the darkness
with clasped hands. Then Miss Hur-
vine said
II must go back, dear. They will
miss me. Stay here until you are feel
ing better, and then go right out as If
you did not know he was here" And
then she slipped out and Joined the
merry crowd in the parlor.
Five minutes later Lottie Meredith
walked out of the room with her head
erect and a forced smile upon her
lips. Carelessly she strolled into the
room where the piano was sounding
and let her eyes rest for only an in
slant upon the figure of Tom Prince,
tall and handsome as ever, leaning
over Kathryn, who was trying an &C
compartment to a song under his d.
rection. He looked up and their
eyes met. Lottie tried to return his
gaze coldly, as if she had never be-
fore looked upon him, but she felt
her strength of will leaving her, she
felt the hot blood mount to her cheek,
her breath came quickly for an in
slant and she looked away to where |
VIII Barnes was telling fairy tales to |
Margaret. Prince had not changed |
countenance when he looked upon |
| Lottie. 1t was not the gaze of a |
stranger nor was there a smile of rec
ignition in it. To an observer it
would seem almost like the curious
look of man who thought he recog-
nized face and was striving to recall
it to memory.
| Now. all you people quit singing |
and talking and Wen see what cupid |
mas brought us" said Mabel Hurvine |
briskly
Tom Prince stopped over Kathryn |
at the piano and said, loud enough for
Lottie Meredith to hear:
Il trust he will bring me something
more acceptable than the Dead sea
fruit with which in the past he has
| Haunted me-"
Kathryn looked up and smiled
brightly. The words fell meaningless
upon her ears, but Lottie heard and
knew.
The door of the parlor was thrown
open and cupid walked in with his
freight of white hearts and tiny pencils
and with gay badinage the plan of
writing the valentines was explained
by Mabel. A silence followed for
few minutes. brows were knitted in |
deep thought and the merry jewellers |
strove to make rhymes and invent |
clever lines to carry on the entertain
ment. 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 peek
ing" to see what was being written.
And at last Miss Hurvine said time
was up, cupid made his rounds again
and the white papers fluttered into
the little wagon, each bearing its ten
der or humorous message Quickly
they were heaped upon the table and
the boys and girls settled into their
seats, when Barnes was called upon
to read them.
Here's one that ought to get at
least second money" said Barnes,
picking up a heart at random and
reading:
My valentine with storm and shine.
Is like a changeful April morning;
Ts strange, but still never will
BE found her frown or sunshine
scorning.
Are they all as bad as that?"
queried Marble from her perch on the
arm of 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 1t for?" asked Ailedn.
You can have it If you want it,"
said Kathryn. 81 don't see anyone
breaking any records trying to beat
you to it,
Barnes had selected another heart
from the pile before him and mis- face
sobered a trifle as he glanced through
the verse before reading It. Then
he said
Hold on. This one is all right. I
guess it's on the square too"
o foolish heart that quakes with fear
And strives to burst with agony
For sundered ties, OH ecstasy!
BE brave, be patient; she Is near.
Throb not so dolefully and slow,
q heart NJ mfnp On Iona hnuod |