Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-02-15

graduated herself ON the success of
her discipline, for the boy continued
to behave unusually well.
Alas! "Still waters 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 grao
ciously and thanking her, he left her.
On entering the house, Clarissa gave
her mother hug. and said: ''Mam-
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 Well"
by the way, daughter, here is the
mail and one in a strange. handwrit-
ing"
Clarissa opened one after another
and smiled at the efusion of some of
the valentines, for she knew they
came from a number of her girl pu-
pills who were devotion itself.
She came to the last one that was
addressed in q masculine hand which
she could not mistake, and faint hue
of pink came into her cheeks. She
hastily tore the envelope open and
read:
Salem. Va. Feb. IA. 1896.
Dear Miss Roberts: It must be that
you have discovered the love bear you,
and which it has been impossible for me
to hide. have watched you fron day to
day, hoping that I would see some re-
Spouse to my affection, and am not dis
appointed. for I 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 1 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
loverly advances.
She was disappointed and chagrined.
He had always been so courteous and
agreeable, so perfectly dignifed, and
now he was SO bold 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 soothed and
quieted her by by saying there must be
some mistake.
But you see there can't be, mamma;
you see it is in his own handwriting
and I know it so we'll"
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 correspcnded,
there was no denying the fact. and the
two women were silent until knock at
the door startled them and Ciarissa
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 CIR, 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, blu,
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 K
Tim. who happened to be passing, shs
asked him to deliver the package 70.
her.
Tim chuckled inwardly. but was very
polite and accommodating. and IN hou1