The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-11

Ten years ago he sent me this. and
II comes 20 me now. Oh. Nathaniel
Nathaniel"
She bowed her head on the table in
front Of her and cried softly. saying
over and over again between her sob5:
"Oh Nathaniel Nathaniel"
For ten years she had wondered why
he had gone away. leaving unspoken
the love she believed that he had in
his heart for her. She remembered 80
well that night ten years ago-the
night on which Nathaniel Dorton had
looked for the red rose In her hair and
had not seen it. There had been
valentine party at Squire brakes, and
Layinia recalled how some spirit OF
mischief had prompted her to tease
/ Nathaniel by allowing his acknowl-
edged rival. Joe Drayton, to pay her
almost constant attention and to take
her out to supper. She recalled how
she had taken pink carnatlon from
JOe's buttonhole and had thrust II
into her hair. and how she had
laughed lightly when Nathaniel had
said to her just before the party came
to an end;
Goodbye. Lavinia. May you be
happy with him."
She had never seen Nathaniel since
that night, and she had never cared
TO see Joe Drayton again.
Lavinia was still sitting with her
Dodd come hurrying down the street
and turned In toward Lavinia's gate
Lavinia had hardly time to hurry to
the kitchen sink and dash cold water
over her tear-stained face before Miss
Dodd was in the kitchen. saying
yolubly:
You'd never guess who's down to
Squire brakes house. Some one that
amt been in Harleyville for ten years.
You'd never In the wide world guess
who IL is. so / may as well tell you
that 1t is nobody more nor less than
Nat Dorton. You remember him, don't
you, Lavinia2"
Layinia Darts own heart told her who
was coming when she heard her front
gate creak that evening and heavy
footsteps fell on the board walk lead
ing to her door. Her own heart told
her that he would come, and when she
heard the gate open she went quickly
90 the red rose bush In her window and
breaking a fun blown rose. tucked its
stem In her shining hair She had
put on a soft gray silk dress and
dainty little white dotted Swiss apron
with strings Of red satin ribbon and
little satin bows on the pockets. and
the tint Of the rose in her hair was In
her cheeks as she opened the door and
held out her hand.
How do you do. Nathaniel?" she
said, simply and naturally. Il am 50
glad to see you"
"Lavlnla," he said. clasping her
hand IN both Of his own. When he
was in the hall and the door was
closed he took both Of her hands IN
his own and drew her toward him.
saying:
"Lavinia. It is ten years ago today
since asked you to be my valentine
my wife I have thought all Of these
years that you were another mans
wife Thank God that you are not I
have thought today that perhaps my
poor. rhyming little valentine went as
tray and that you never got 1t. after
all Did it come to you. Lavinia?'
''Yes, Nathaniel; It came today"
To-Day"
Not until today. It has been long
delayed"
He stopped and kissed the red rose
in her hair.
And 50 you are going to be my
valentine after all. Lavinia? You are.
aren't you. dear7r
She answered him by touching ne
red rose In her hair
Finally do all in your power to make
your guest feel at home. Then there
VIII be every possibility OF her visit