West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-02-14
A LOVER WITH AN ANCESTOR
Tho Valentine stratagem OF N De-
spairinE Artist.

fhc valentine StrataRem OF n De-
spairinE Artist.
Cecil Chrome. the aspiring young
artist. sat with his head buried In bis
hands. II was rapidly growing dusk I'm
the studio. and he was losing precious
moments. Before him on the easel
stood a small oil daub OF n young girl
dressed In bright purple gown. The
girls complexion was positively un.
canny, while as for her position no one
but double jolnted acrobat could have
maintained It for second. Chrome
gave II one look. then he closed his
eyes In horror
mo useV' he groaned; "the thing IA
impossible. as the French say. never
was made for an artist, but. oh, what a
business man was lost In mer' He
tshed around In the pocket OF his vel.
vetecn jacket and by an unusual
chance found n cigarette. "Who, should
like to know. for instance" he mutter.
ed, changed Tom Imprcssionlst's pic
ture or Grecian maiden at the foun.
tains into an advertisement OF Lather
4 Co.'s soap md by this net of good
Judgment caused said picture TO sell
for $40? You did that Chrome. my boy.
and now lmpressionist IL on the high
road To wealth! Who showed jack
Bah!' lie continued, lmpatlently kick.
Ing over his stool and walking up aud
down. How is TINT going to help me7
l adore Alice Ncwlyrich worship the
ground she walks upon-nnd her IA
Tiers millions. IL could only mnrry
her. the old man would take me into
his business. and then my natural tai
ents would have chance TO shine.
But how can do that? | am only
tolerated In the house because am
supposed tn he genius. The day aft.
er tomorrow Is 81. Valentines day. She
VIII give dinner; I shall not he lnyIt.
ed, but that young broker will. oh. II
at least ! had noble blood In my veins
TO appeal 10 the old mans tondyIsm!
AS for the girl. believe she's half
mine already"
chrome rciapsed into state or de.
spair Suddenly hc gave n cry OF
sxultation. why notf" he exclaimed
AZ he clnpped OH his hat and coat and
raced out like madman. This is n
'asc where my brush must help me for
)nce."
IL was late when he returned. cnr.
rying with him roll OF parchment,
bottle OF brown chemical and half n
dozen queerly shaped packages lie
worked I'LL past midnight and then
proudly laid on the table n document
luaintly lowered and lllumlned which
appeared at least several hundred
years old. nfter which performance he
sat down and wrote the following Ict.
ter:
Dear Miss NcwIyrioh- 81. Valentines day Is At
band The poor artist can give nothing 10 the
beautiful hcircss which she has not already Nv
neart' as you know. Is yours tiil death. Tonight
sat bearihroken In my little studio TOOK
out my little box Of treasures and came across
this II ts yellOwed with age. and II ia. been
handed down IN our family from father 10 son as
. priceless treasure. As the auaint lettering will
tell you " was valentine sent by my ancestor
Guy dc Chrome. TO the Lady BeItrioe but alas
bis love was more fortunate than minsl The last
'cion Of the Chromes longer admits TO tie
world his noble blood. Ills pride forblds him On
account Of his poverty. but 20 you beloved Of his
heart. he conhdes bis secret. lie has no right 10
breathe the words Of love his heart dictates lie
tan only send you a little keepsake his one
Treasure. Perhaps In the midst Of gayety yon
nlay grant " sigh ~ you read II and reflect on
what might have happgned " We had both lived
10 those isfon days
The first thing In the morning
messenger boy delivered q scroll-llke
package NJ the Newiyrich mansion.
That afternoon Cecil received n little
note.
Dear Mr. Clrone-i'n sorry, but papa hap.
pened 20 come in iust as ! was opening your love.
" valentine. sud u course ! was obliged 90 tell
him all about H. ~ was much interested.
hope you ffcrisel NY Invitation 10 take dinner
with a. tomouow. We shall particularly expect
Tou foufs sincerely. ALICE NEELYnsoH
y S-hhat pretty cost Of arms you hsyei
Cecil Chrome went TO the St Valen-
tines day dinner and was more than
Hospitality received. Not very long
nfterward there was a grand wedding
and the brides carriage sported n
gorgeous escutcbeon. / may add I'm
passing that just about this time
certain sign was changed In the busl.
ness district II now reads Newly.
rich, Chrome & CO.. and In the home
of the junior partner there hangs n
valuable antique n valentine written
BY one of his ancestors over 300 years
ago. AIAuD RohTysov.