Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-02-13

"I WANT you TO NAIL A VALENTINE"
him TO guess who It's from until be
opens IT, Don't you tell II you see
him"
mo. Miss Pet. won't tell" he gasp
ed. then rushed down the steps.
That night Dicks dreams centered
around one figure which It would be
superfiuous to identify or describe. In
his waking moments bold thought
occurred to him. and early next morn
Ing he was patrolling the avenue and
waiting for storekeeper to open for
business. Having purchased sheet
OF pink note paper, with envelope to
match. he FASTENED back to his stand.
After many futile efforts with a coarse
pencil he succeeded. to his own salts
faction at least. In tracing IN original
idea upon the pink sheet. This he in
closed In It's covering. upon which he
scrawled with a halting pen and very
pale ink the superscription, Miss Pet
Lathram. II North knickerbocker
Square"
Too impatient to wait for delivery by
the postman. Cupid's regular Mercury,
he pressed into service q substitute In
the person Of one Of his numerous
''me customers" good natured artist
Of the neighborhood.
When Dick saw his man turning In
at the corner Of the street, he hurried
up to him and thrust the missive into
his hand. Say, drop II In at No. IL.
will you. bossY' said he In his most
persuasive tones. and before the re-
quest could be refused was or. shout
ing Justify for purchasers.
As Jonathan Lathram ran his eye
over the letters that morning at break
fast he was gratifed to see how
friends had remembered his little pet.
Over one he smiled wisely as he noted
the strange superscription and the
many thumb marks on the unstamped
envelope The smile broadened and
grew positively tender when he reach
ed certain missive In his own abun-
dant pile.
"Not the artist, Cousin JackY'
"The same. my dear"
Then l surely must meet him. Per
haps he'll favor me this evening" she
added coyly. ,"rn use my most win
ming arts"
Jack Windsor shared his cousins
happiness when later he saw her
radiant face from across the room. He
was saying to his friend. whom he was
leading to her:
"Dick. old man, I want you to meet
my cousin. She's charming girl, and
I know you'll like her"
Delighted"
"Allow me, Miss Lathram, to present
my very dear friend. Mr.. Richard Hast
ings."
Miss Lathram blushed as only girl
1ust out Of her teens can. But I boz
Of you, Miss Pet" Jack continued.
don't apply your wiles. for Mr.. Hast
ings IL such an easy conquest. He II
already quite overcome by all the at
tention he has received"
"You must beware Of Jack, Mr.. Hast
ings. He's always up to mischief"
Thank you; know his reputation.
And now will you explain the suggest
i've name he applies to his cousinT
''You refer TO Miss PetY That has
clung to me since childhood. Years
ago received a valentine. very crude
and soiled. from some unknown admir-
er, addressed to Miss Pet Lathram.
The family took It up, and Jack, tease
that he is, makes the most Of It."
'sThen 1t Ia St Valentine souvenir
"a well worn one and less interesting
to me now than the valentine souvenir
from your pencil which some fortunate
girl will carry from the party tonight"
II am afraid she will not feel partic-
ularly fortunate. Miss Lathram. as
sure you it's no Salon picture that l
contemplate"
"But 1t win be . souvenir worth