Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-02-23

charge for II, though he told me that be
believed I was entitled to it."
She put the check into her mothers
hand and laid the letter beside her
plate.
who's Dir. Kennedy" asked Willie,
though he knew perfectly well.
My immediate boss replied Jane.
@He was head Of the department which
was abolished. I don't know wnat be
is doing for them now"
"What does he say In the letterYy
Jane calmly tossed the envelope to
her brother. The picture was not In
1t. There had been q sudden and mys.
FERROUS disappearance. Willie read:
Dear Miss sandison-IncIosed please find check
for 90, compensation for extra services rendered.
I trust that some way may be found by which you
can resume your connection with this Office.
Please inform US Of any change OF address. Yours
truly, FRANK KENNEDY.
'Pretty chilly, If you ask me- said
William. '4The envelope looked like a
valentine
"We used that size In our depart.
ment," said Jane calmly.
All this time, however, the picture OF
Cupid and his pupil was reposing in
the bosom of James dress, and it seem
ed to her that her heart knocked
against 1t with a sound that must be
audible to the other members of the
family. Every rational remark that
she made during the progress of that
meal was a surprise to herself, and
when she was alone in her room after
ward it TAI a vast relief not to try
to be ratioDal-to be simply happy. The
thing was incredible. 1t could not be
possible that Mr.. Kennedy had sem
her a valentine. The incident belonged
to fairyland, and yet there was the
actual. visible proof.
Willie had shot his arrow with amaz-
ing accuracy. but unfortunately he
did not know 1t. He could not be sure
whether Jane had hidden the picture
because of sentimental reasons or be-
cause she suspected a trick, and he
dared not take any step toward reveal
ing her secret because that would in
volve his own, and opening %aneenvelope
was q rather serious matter. So for
some days he merely watched and
waited.
Jane also waited, she scarcely knew
for what. She dared not hope for a
reinstatement in the Holburn COM
pany's ofiice--it was too good to be
true. She was obliged to look for other
employment. but she did it with only
half a will, and naturally did not pros
per In the search. The chances are
that Williams little joke would have
kept his sister out of work for some
weeks, but fortunately affairs In the
Holburn company shaped themselves
to her advantage.
Frank Kennedy was a young man
who could thank himself for every
thing he had won in the world. He
had worked himself up to a good place
ishing of the department of which he
had been in charge was q hard blow to
him. It resulted partly from business
conditions beyond any mans power to
alter and partly from the jealousy of
men of influence in the. corpora
tons affairs. Kennedy had been ac-
customed to success. and this defeat
there was one trifing matter which
was a thorn in his flesh. Miss Sandi-
SON had pitied him. He knew that she
had been so sorry fer him as to forget
her own share of the misfortune. and
a nan like Kennedy takes that sort of
thing very hard. He wis not aware
that he placed any great and special
value upon her feeling in the matter.
and yet he was conscious of a strong
desire to show her that he could re
establish himself in the company: that
he could make a better place for him
self and for her than the one they had
lost. And so he ven to work with
the energy of sworn determination. as
one fulhlls n vow, and he got what he
was after, as most people do who work
in that way.
Jane had cherished her valentine for
the space of about three weeks when
another Of those large square envel-
opes was delivered by the postman
1t contained a typewriter commnnica-
ton with Kennedy's signature:
Miss Jane Sandison:
Dear Madam-Please call upon me here tomor-
row at II o'clock il convenient. Yours truly,
FRANK KENNEDY,
From a man who would send a girl
a valentine with II love, thou lowest
on It. this did not sound cordial, but
the joy OF the invitation SAWED the
wound inflicted by Dear Madam"
When Willie heard about it, he was of
the opinion that a good joke is never
really wasted. but will always bear
fruit in due season. His only sorrow
was thai he could not see his sister
when she thanked Kennedy for the
pretty picture.
Jane found Kennedy seated at the
desk hat had once been used by his
most powerful enemy. For this she
could have fallen ON her knees and
thanked heaven. His dark and some
what stern e~ountenanee was softened
by the faint CLEAN of a smile.
"Well, here we are again. said he.
ssAre Won ready for work? I'll give Won