The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-02-21

graduated herself on the success of
her discipline, for the boy continued
TO behave unusually well.
Alas. "Still wattss often run deep"
and this was the case with Tim.
On the evening of Valentine day
Prof. Spencer, the superintendent of
the school. walked home with Clarissa
and talked over some exercises they
were planning for the 22d. AS they
parted at the gate the young man
asked if he might call that evening
and perfect the arrangement. Claris-
sa assented, and tipping his hat gra-
ciously and thanking her. he left her.
On entering the house. Clarissa gave
her mother a hug and said: Mann
ma, dear, Prof. Spencer is going to
spend the evening with us. so we
will have to give up our plan. and
some other time will do just as we'll"
by the way, daughter. here is the
mail and one in a strange handwrit-
ing"
Clarissa opened one after another
and smiled at the effusion of some of
the valentines, for she knew they
came from number of her girl pu-
pills who were devotion itself.
She came to the last one that was
addressed in a masculine hand which
she coulG not mistake, and faint hue
of pink came into her checks. She
hastily tore the envelope open and
read:
Salem. Va, Feb. IA. 1896.
Dear Miss Roberts: 1t must be that
you have discovered the love I bear you,
and which it has been impossible for me
to hide | have watched you from day to
day. hoping that I would see some re-
Spouse to my affection. and am not dis
appoin ed, for / believe it is returned.
Believe me that this is not my fault
alone, for your conduct has led me to feel
that my love is reciprocated. and there
fore | ask you to be my valentine, and
make me happy,
Your sincere admirer and Valentine
Clarissa's fingers trembled, and her
eyes flashed threateningly, but without
a word she handed the letter to her
mother. who read it slowly and then re-
read it before speaking.
There was no denying the fact that
Clarissa admired Prof. Spencer more
than any other man, but she knew that
she had concealed her regard with the
utmost care, for he had never made any
lovcrly advances.
She was disappointed and chagrined.
He had always been so courteous and
agreeable. so perfectly dignified and
now he was so bod and presumptuous
so rude as to assert that he was sure
of her affection, that she had shown il
clearly She laid her head in her
mothers lap and had a good cry. girl
Like. But Mrs. Roberts soethed and
quoted her by by saying there must be
some mistake.
But you see there cant be, mamma;
you see it is in his own handwriting
and know it so WELL
Then going to her writing desk she
took out slip of paper on which re-
port was written, and. signed Prof. j.
W. Spencer. The writing CORES pended.
there was no denying the fact and the
two women were silent until knock at
the door startled them and C,arissa
darted into another room.
"A box of flowers, dear" said her
mother; shall open it?''
An exquisite bunch of violets nesting
among the green leaves. delighted the
beauty loving eyes of the girl and the
| delicate odor soothed her tired nerves.
She had not noticed the card, but there
it lay and she read: james W. Spencer
with best wishes"
The innocent flowers smiled, but
Clarissa did not notice; their beauty
was spoiled now.
Replacing the cover. she wrote hur-
ried note of thanks and CURLY asked
Mr.. Spencer to pardon her, but said she
could. not accept them after his pre-
sumptuous conduct. Then calling 10
Tim, who happened to be passing, she
asked him to deliver the package for
her.
Tim chuckled inwardly, but was very
polite and accommodating, and an hour