Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-02-14
A Valentine Strategem.

Cecil Chrome. the aspiring young
artist, sat with his head buried in his
hands. 1t was rapidly growing dusk In
the studio, and he was losing precious
moments. Before him on the easel
stood a small oil daub of young girl
dressed in bright purple gown. The
girls complexion was positively un-
canny, while Es for her position no one
but a double jointed acrobat could
have maintained it for a second.
Chrome gave it one look, then he
closed his eyes in horror.
mo use!" he groaned; "the thing Is
impossible, as the French say, / never
business man was lost in mel" He
fshed around in the pocket Of his vel
veteen jacket and by an unusual
chance found cigarette. who,
should like to know. for instance" he
muttered, changed Tom Impression
lists picture of Grecian maiden at
the fountains into an advertisement of
Lather G Cos soap and by this act OF
good judgment caused said picture to
sell for $40? You did that, Chrome,
my boy, and now Impressionist is on
the high road to wealth! Who showed
Jack-Bah!" he continued, impatiently
kicking over his stool and walking up
and down. How is that going to help
me? adore Alice Newlyrich-worship
the ground she walks upon-and her
fathers millions. If l could only
marry her, the old man would take me
into his business, and then my natural
talents would have a chance to shine.
But how can / do that? / am only
tolerated in the house because l am
supposed to be a genius! The day
after tomorrow is st. Valentines day
She will give dinner; / shall not be
invited, but that young broker will
oh, If at least had noble blood in my
veins to appeal to the old mans toady-
ism. AS for the girl, believe she's
half mine already"
Chrome relapsed into state Of de-
spair. Suddenly he gave a cry of
exultation. why not?" he exclaimed
as he clapped on his hat and coat and
raced out like mailman. This is a
case where my brush must help me for
once.
1t was late when he returned, car
rying with him roll of parchment,
a bottle of brown chemical and half
dozen queenly shaped packages. He
worked till past midnight and then
proudly laid on the table document
quantity lowered and illumined which
appeared at least several hundred
years old, after shich performance he
sat down and wrote the following let
ter:
Dear Miss Newlyrich-St. valen-
tines day is at hand. The poor artist
can give nothing to the beautiful
heiress which she has not already. My
heart. as you know. is yours till death.
Tonight as I sat heartbroken in my lit
tie studio / took out my little box of
treasures and came across this It is
yellowed with age, and 1t has been
handed down in our family from
father to son as a priceless treasure.
AS the quaint lettering will tell you, it
was valentine sent by my ancestor,
Guy de Chrome, to the Lady Beatrice,
but, alas, his love was more fortunate
than mineI The last scion of the
Chromes no longer admits to the
world his noble blood. His pride for
bids him on account of his poverty,
but to you, beloved of his heart, he
confides his secret. He has no right
TO breathe the words Of love his heart
dictates. He can only send you as
little keepsake his one treasure. Per-
haps in the midst Of gayety you may
grant it a sigh as you read it and re-
fleet on what might have happened II