Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-02-14
A Valentine Strategenl

g. 60 Co., ~ ~ Sssy SzsS 49, u <a0 ~ NdS N<As y
Cecil Chrome, the aspiring young
artist. sat with his head buried in his
hands. It was rapidly growing dusk in
the studio and he was losing precious
moments. Before him on the easel
stood a small oil daub of young girl
| dressed in a bright purple gown. The
girls complexion was positively I'M
canny, while as for her position no one
but a double jointed acrobat could
have maintained it for a second.
Chrome gave it one look, then he
closed his eyes in horror.
mo use," he groaned; "the thing is
| impossible, as the French say, never
was made for an artist, but, oh, what
! business man was lost in mel" He
fshed around in the pocket Of his vel
veteen jacket and by an unusual
chance found a cigarette. who, I
should like to know. for instance" he
muttered, "changed Tom Impression
lists picture Of Grecian maiden at
the fountains into an advertisement of
Lather & Cos soap and by this act Of
good judgment caused said picture to
sell for $40? You did that, Chrome.
my boy, and now Impressionist is on
the high road to wealth! Who showed
Jack-Bah!" he continued, impatiently
kicking over his stool and walking UP
and down. How is that going to help
me? l adore Alice Newlyrich-worship
the ground she walks upon-and her
fathers millions. If I could only
marry her, the old man would take ne
into his business, and then my natural
talents would have a chance to shine.
But how can l do that? I am only
tolerated in the house because I am
supposed to be a genius! The day
after tomorrow is st. Valentines day
She will give a dinner; I shall not be
invited, but that young broker will
Oh, if at least I had noble blood in my
veins to appeal to the old mans toady-
ism. AS for the girl, 1 believe she's
half mine already"
Chrome relapsed into a state Of de-
spair. Suddenly he gave a cry of
exultation. Why not?" he exclaimed
as he clapped on his hat and coat and
raced out like a mailman. This is
case where my brush must help me for
once"
1t was late when he returned, car
rying with him roll of parchment,
a bottle of brown chemical and half a
dozen Queenly shaped packages. He
worked till past midnight and then
proudly laid on the table a document
quantity Powered and ilIumined which
appeared at least several hundred
years old, after which performance he
sat down and wrote the following let
ter:
Dear Miss Newlyrich-St Valen-
tines day is at hand. The poor artist
can give nothing to the beautiful
heiress which she has not already. NV
| heart, as you know, is yours till death.
Tonight as l sat heartbroken in my lit
tie studio I took out my little box of
| treasures and came across this. It is
yellowed with age, and it has been
handed down in our family from
| father to son as a priceless treasure.
| As the quaint lettering will tell you, it
was a valentine sent by my ancestor,
| Guy de Chrome, to the Lady Beatrice,
! but, alas, his love was more fortunate
! than mine. The last scion of the
! Chromes no longer admits to the
world his noble blood. His pride for
bids him on account of his poverty,
but to you, beloved of his heart, he
confdes his secret. He has no right
to breathe the words Of love his heart
dictates. He can only send you as
| little keepsake his one treasure. Per-
haps in the midst of gayety you may
grant it a sigh as you read it and re-
fleet On what might have happened if
we had both lived in those faroff
| days.
The first thing in the morning a
messenger boy delivered a scrolllike
package at the Newlyrich mansion.
That afternoon Cecil received a little
note:
Dear Mr.. Chrome-Im so sorry.
but papa happened to come in just as
was opening your lovely valentine,
and Of course | was obliged to tell him
all about it. He was much interested.
l hope you received my invitation to
take dinner with US tomorrow. We
shall particularly expect you. Yours
sincerely. Alice Newlyrich.