The bee., 1902-02-13

E..ss 49,
with the messages young people so en-
Joy receiving on the 18th of February.
Virginia opened her simple offerings
with beaming eyes and spent many
merry moments with her mother guess
ing where they came from. Mrs. Dale
looked at Charlotte with something
akin to pain in her eyes as she noticed
that the numerous and really beautiful
valentines reused little real apprecia-
ton from the girl.
Mrs. Gage had confided TO her friend
how Charlotte's lack of interest wOr-
ried her, and Mrs. Dale had decided
she would endeavor TO find out where
the real trouble lay. That afternoon,
while walking in the village of Ards
ley, they stopped in front of the sta
toner's store to wait for the coach
man. Gazing into the window were
two little girls about six years old.
The strangers We're pale and poorly
dressed and gave every evidence Of
want. They were feasting their eyes
upon the array of loneliness behind the
glass.
"Oh. my Rilly. see those Valentines!
They are the bcautifUlcst things
ever saw exclaimed one little girl
Decd they are, Rose. Just look ut
that splendid enc with the angels on
it and that one with the white pigeons
and the lovely flowers"
Then in lower voice, i'll concealing
its sadness. the one addressed as Rilly
continued: I'D give 4 good deal If my
brother Willie could see that. hut he
can't. for the doctor says it will he two
weeks before he can 90 out. The val
Cntines will be all gone then. Besides,
Willie is to be a cripple, and | don't
see how he can ever walk up this hill
on crutches. Did you ever get val
entine. RoseY the child asked.
NO | had a Christmas card once
that the Sunday school teacher gave
me, but it wasn't near so pretty as
these"
Rilly then confided in an almost in
audible voice that she heard her father
read out of the paper something about
Mr.. Valentine being a saint. Now.
saints are good people, Rose. and hear
your prayers and answer them. Ever
since l heard about his being n saint
| say him n long prayer every night
and then ask him to send n valentine
to Willie and, If he had it to spare,
one to me. You know, Santa Claus
does that way. At our Sunday school
they told us to ask for what we want
ed, and | said, "A doll Sure enough
on Christmas there was the doll on the
beautiful tree. 1t was for me. and no
mistake, for pinned on its dress was
my name. Esmeralda Mickey. thought
ST. Valentine would do the same thing.
for he is a kind of relation of Santa
Claus, but am afraid | have made a
mistake | have been to the postoftice
three times already, and the last time
the man looked cross at me and hol-
Tered that must not bother him any
more with silly questions"
Tears gathered in the already sad
eyes and began to drop down on the
blue little hands.
After the little waits had left the
big window Charlotte turned a flushed
and panied face toward Mrs. Dale and
said:
ut seems all wrong that child never
had a valentine in her life while I've
had bushels Of them. | never before
knew that all children did not have
things like | bad. Mrs. Dale. ! want
to buy those little girls some valen-
tines. May /? You know | have my
own allowance. and mamma let's me
spend it as like"
Mrs. Dale smiled approvingly, and
soon they were in the store purchasing
the very valentine Rilla had admired.
with the Cupids and flowers, and two
others besides, with fancy envelopes to
inclose them. Mrs. Dale inquired If
the stationer knew anything about the
children. and he replied
'The taller girl is Jim Mickey's. He
has boy. too, who was run over by