The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-14
A VALENTINE.

For The Tribune
a GAIN the fourteenth Of February had
~ arrived. For some reason, known
4 only to herself, certain young lady
sought the retirement OF her room earlier than
usual. About her were many pretty rcmem-
branccs OF the day, here a rosc.bowl filled with
choice blossoms, there silver tipped arrow
but one was missing.
knccing down, she unlocked a trunk, and took
out box This she opened and stood gazing
fondly ut three tokens Of by.gonc days. she
was old.iashioncd to prefer these tokens Of love,
because they did not perish in day. Perhaps
there were other reasons also Seating herself
by table SHE removed the contents Of the box,
one thing at a time. The first was a dainty
Nactnc with a dear little cupid in the center,
partly ooncealing in fold picture Of pretty
cottage in the distance This had been the iist
revelation to her that the thoughts Of the one
who gave it were connected thus with the future
for them both. At this time no word OF love
had been spoken but somehow It was easier after
that, and the next year the valentine was blue.
Blue, meaning to be true, and she had intended
TO be true; nay, she had been true There lad
been no necessity TO doubt this, yet how cXactng
he had been. She remembered how She had told
him all this and more
Nov please don't ask me TO be the only girl
without II partner in my school pleasures"
She had argued further. "Nou know only the
students can attend these receptions, and as you
are not in the school and cannot 80 with Inc
you would not ask me to stay at home. surely?
i cannot go alone and You know | care for my
classmate only as n friend"
lie did object, however, and the next valentine
was a delicate creation in yellow. Soon after
that, there was a QUARREL she returned the ring
and he Immediately LETT the city, There had been
plenty Of time for repentance on both sides, but
loves enemy. pride, still separated them
AZ ell gtt l.al
to grow indistinct in her hand, and somehow
his face seemed TO gaze through the pretty card
board. Yes, this suggested his nature best; pas
sonate Jealousy. 1t fell from her grasp TO the
table; across the back rs lie had written it, was
her name and the datc-one year ago. Rejecting
on the past, she could see things more clearly
now than then. He had regarded her love and
honor from an ideal standpoint. She. lacking
years and experience, could not fully realize tie
high attribute of love and trust he placed within
her. Not knowing this ideal she could not live
up to it. All! this has been the cause Of many
lovers quarrcls.
There WAS a ring of the door bell and the
good nntured servant announced TO the Young
lady, "shure, miss and young gntleman is
waiting bclow.'
81 do not wish to be disturbed tonight" was
the answer. 'Did he send cald!'
''shure and he did not, mum, nycr wurd did
think to ask him for wan, but jest We wait
I'll fetch wan directly"
A short silence followed and then
Heres the bit o. cardboard miss. an shurc
its Il qucre name the gintleman be after havin'."
On the card were these words, "a Valentine"
The girl glanced at the words and with a joy.
Gus laugh ran from the room and down the
stairs. The servant. much asonisled, picked up
the card and placed it carefully beside the three
valentines on the table. There was marked
similarity between the handwriting Of the name