Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1901-02-12

cheerful fire, that shed its CHEEKY warmth
over the simple but comfortably furnished
room. Without the snow fell noiselessly,
covering the frozen earth with winding
sheet of downy whteness.
Edith Nane sat gazing at the wintry
scene, while upon her pretty face was a look
akin to sadness; in her mellow, expressive
eyes glistened tear. Her thoughts, on the
swift wings of love, had flown far across the
sea to India, whittier, four years ago.
fond lover had gone in search of fame and
fortune. Four years ago he had looked
into her tender eyes and whispered the old,
old story, and she had promised to be true
to him. He would return, he said, with
trembling voice, and claim her as his wife,
and she had wept tears of sadness and tears
of joy-sad tears that he must leave her, and
joyous tears that he would return to her
some sweet day. The years rolled by, dur
ing which her greatest joy was the occasion
al letter, full of passionate love, that came
to her from across the sea. Each one stated:
"Wait patiently, darling, l am coming
soon;" but he came not
In an arm chair near the cheerful fire sat
Edith's mother, busily engaged with her
knitting needles. Turning to her daughter
she saw the PARKWAY, sad look in her eyes,
and with a loving mothers instinct, she
knew the cause, and her heart bled for the
unhappy child.
Cheer up, Edith, dear; you know this is
Valentines day, and remember we are to
have the young folks here this afternoon"
she said in tone of cheerfulness hoping to
dispel the melancholy mood of her daughter.
Yes, mother, this is Valentines day
just four years ago to-day Arthur sailed for
India"
BE patient, dear-he will return, and
soon, ween; did he not say so in his last
letter."
YES mother; but it has been nearly six
months since | have heard from him-and
besides, all his letters contained that same
indefinite promise" replied Edith, with a
sigh.
That is why | hope to see him soon,
Edith, dear-now cheer up; Arthur Chal.
mers loves you, and if he still lives rest as.
sured he will return and then you will be
the happier for having waited
81 will, mother, for your confiding hone
has instilled in my heart its spirit; I shall
trH,- and he mona chee,fnl =,
So SAYING she arose and began to prepare
for the Valentine party her mother had
urged her to give. Her mothers words had
indeed dispelled the darkness and lighted
up her heart with hope that rendered her
almost happy. She left the room and soon
returned with paper and scissors, and be-
gan humming a quaint love ditty as she
deity cut the paper into small bits. 1t had
been her mothers custom to adhere to the
old Scottish mode of celebrating Saint Val
entines day, and this time it had not beer
forgotten The bits of paper prepared, sh,
| filled the dainty baskets with nuts, and Wen
| singing from one duty to another. BY the
| noon hour every nook and corner of the
| comfortable cottage mad been made more in
vitng by the touch OF her deft fingers, until
| nov spirit of congenial warmth and cheer
fulness pervaded it, The piercing cold from
without found no place within its wall
| The pretty little parlor was cheerfulness it.
| self, and fit gathering place for the happy
| young people who were to meet there in the
early afternoon.
The hours wore away, and the appointed
time for the arrival of the guests came. Ii
couples they found their way through the
drifting snow and We're ushered into tbs
warm parlor of Edlth's home, and in he'
eagerness to entertain them Edith had al
most forgotten her sorrow and longing.
with the spirit OF Zest ana unaIoyed hap
piness characteristic of the young people o
New England they entered into the game
familiar and appropriate, and all were hap
Ply save Edith. Though she managed to APP
pear lght-hearted there lurked in her DO
som a weary longing, a heartache, tina
you'd not cease. The slips Of paper bearing
the names Of absent ones who were to b,
4 drawn az valentines We're placed in a basket
and it was passed among the laughing
group. Each drew forth slip and reac
the name, eager to know who shall be m,
valentine" When the basket reached
Edith she gently shook her head, and sal
smile passed over her face
"Why, Miss Edith, are you not going t
draw valentine?'
Not this time, Ralph" and as the tear
came to her eyes she started TO leave tn
room, but the door was softly opened an,
her mother entered, saying: Here, Edith
is your valentine"
Edith took it with trembling hand an
read: arthur Chalmers, Calcutta, India.
She started perceptibly at the name, bu
turning to her mother she asked: "Why d
YOU torture me thus mother?" and slowl