The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1901-02-09
''Ten years ago he sent me this, a,

"Ten years ago he sent me this, and
1t comes to 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 sobs:'
"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 so
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 a
valentine party at Squire brakes, and
Lavinia 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 a pink carnation from
Joe's buttonhole and had thrust It
into her hair, and how she had
laughed lightly when Nathaniel had
said to her just before the party came
to an end: q
Goodbye. Lavinia. May you DO
happy with him."
She had seen Nathaniel since
that night, and she had never cared
to see Joe Drayton again.
Lavinia was still sitting with her
head bowed on the table when Miss
Dodd come hurrying down the street
and turned in toward Lavinia's gate.
Lavfnia 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
volubly: y
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 it is. so I may as well tell you
that it is nobody more nor less than
Nat Dorton. You remember him.. don't
you, Lavinia?"
Lavinia Darts own heart told her who
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
to the red rose bush in her window and
breaking a full blown rose, tucked its
stem in her shining hair. She had
put on a soft gray silk dress and a
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 wa in
her cheeks as she opened the door and
held out her hand.
"How do you do, Nathaniel" she
said. simply and naturally. II am.so
glad to see you."
"Lavinia!" he said, clasping her
hand in both Of his own. When hs
was In the hall and the door was
closed he took both Of her hands in
his own and drew her toward him.
saying: stg
"Lavinia, 1t lis ten years ago today
since ! asked you to be my valentino
my wife. I have thought all Of these
years that you were another mans
wife. Thank God that you are not! !
have thought today that perhaps my
poor. rhyming little valentine went as
tray and that you never got 1t, after
all. Did 1t come to you, Lavinia7"
Eyes. Nathaniel; It came. today"
To-Day"
Not until today. II has been long
delayed" s5s
He stopped and kissed the red rose
In her hair. ss
ssAnd SO you : going to be my
valentine after all. Laaviniaa You are.
aren't you. dear?"
She answered. him BY touching the
red rose in her hair. Ss5
Finally do all nfyour power 70 make
your guestf feel AZ home. Then there
Will be every possibility Of her visit
Ih0inu : vrJaaaSI& nsSs-s10ak0m .InnrmalsSf