Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-02-13


This life is neither leisure nor lux
ury. Cousin George. Butt have chosen
it, and I earn all 1 need. Please don't
come here again. 1t would only en-
barass me. You will do as l say if you
remember that you liked me once"
"Once!' He Strengthened up. He drew
a case from his pocket-laid it down be-
fore her. See here-Pve been carrying
that since Christmas in the hope of find
ing you to give it to you. N, shan't
trouble you. But you've got TO take this.
Marcia. When airs said. am your
cousin, you know-so it doesn't matter"
Then he had lifted his hat. had turned
the corner of the counter was gone in
the crowd.
A look of pity came into the girls eyes
almost a look of tenderness. If she
could have cared for him. A voice
aroused her.
Let me see your valentine. Marcia"
Mechanically the girl opened the box.
"How beautiful" Mary Duffield cried.
1t was beautiful-the string of small,
perfect pearls, with the quaint medallion
clasp.
But ] shall nver wear It," Marcia
Rennell said.
She slipped the box into the bosom Of
hel gown. After all it was a link with
the dear life in which George had been a
factor. 1t had nothing to do with the
new life, of which he could never be a
pert She hoped she had not been rude
unkindly. Why should she have seen so
clearly between his fond and befuddled
face and hers another with the earnest
look she had come to knOw-the intense,
intent, introspec tive look she had come
to watch for? All afternoon, while she
answered inquiries and waited patiently
on purchasers, she was seeing that other
face-the face of a man with whom she
had only spoken as the exigences of her
: work required. but who. nevertheless, in
some intangible manner. dominated her
life-her very thoughts.
valentines! Oh. you. Mr.. HendriX!"
The first bell for closing had sounded.
!. Locking pale and fatigued as she always
did at the close of the day, she met that
grave but courteous scrutiny of Max
HendriX's, which had FOR her such
strange mental magnetism. Valentines!
He was buying a valentine!
Nothing very expensive" she heard
him saying. There are other February
gifts to go with this trihe. She is young
enough to fancy such these. This?
Three dollars. Yes--that will do. Thank
you Then, in lower tone. You look
tired"
Tired: Oh. no." she swallowed the
lump in her throat. and smiled brightly
, be ok al him. Mrs. DufIield and I are
to have supper together downtown. We
shall be very gay. We shall fancy we
are expecting valentines.''
I'm sure your cousin brought you a
beautiful one" put in Mary Duffield
Marcia laughed listlessly. She had not
known how tired she was. She wished
Hendrix would take his valentine and
so away. What was she lke-the girl to
whom he would send the sweet remind
er? There-he was scribblins on card.
A verse--was tia verse? He pushed the
bit of cardboard across the counter. Il
wish you would read it," he said with
laugh of apology I am not much of a
poet
Mary Duffield bent her head over Mar
cia's shoulder. In the fiarirg light they
read the penciled lines:
Not for your sweetness T love YOU
Nor for fairness-although you are fair
/ But most for the sorrow that we. dear,
! Together shall share"
IT'S to my little sister," he explained.
| sshe is a great sufferer from hip dis
ease. She is so patient. Her pleasures
I are few But the gifts of the seasons
these she watches for. These must not
! be forgotten. TCmorrOW night she is to
/ have one of her rare pleasures-an even
! ing at the theater. I've been telling her
about you"
The gaze she bent upon Marcia invog-
! Grated and warmed her like a brisk
breeze-like strong wine. Il wonder if
You would not come with Elsie and me
tcmcrrow night! Mrs. Duffield might be
good enough to make one OF the party
and look after the rest of us. Yes?
/ Thank you very much. The child will
| be rejoiccd to make new friends"
Marcia had opened the box containing
the pearl circlet-was holding it out to
| him. ~
'Oh, I could not!' He had colored hot
Twas looking at it admiringly.
Il am quite free to offer It," the girl
declared. II have the right to give
as I had to take it. For the little girl
won't you give it to her yourself?
All, that will be better! There's the sec
| ond bell. Till tomorrow evening then,
He held Marcias hand just a second
as he put back the little box Mary
Duf1eld stole sidelong glance at the
glowing face as they put On their wraps.
! DO the ro-es bloom in February ?
Oh, Marcia, I'm so glad. What now
about the value of a valentine? Those
who run may read. You are going to
lie very happy
oh hush" She hid her hot cheek on
the shoulder of her friends coat
| Hush"