The bee., 1902-02-13

their lives? queried Charlotte, in a
horrified voice.
"Well, l should say sol About fifty
youngsters have been here every mail
asking for valentine. OF course,
have to tell them no. and am afraid
sometimes it is little impatient"
The coachman driving up at this
moment, Mrs. Dale and the girls were
soon speeding homeward. Mrs. Dale
thought the incident of the valentines
had been forgotten and was surprised
when Charlotte said,
"AIrs. Dale, the valentines l got last
year are all as fresh and clean as when
they came. | should like to drive back
to the village and send them to those
other children who have been SO disap-
pointed all day."
Mrs. Dale agreed that it would be a
happy surprise for them, and, bidding
John wait, the carriage was soon again
rolling toward the village. "Drive fast.
John, please. l want to get these into
the office before the last mall" John
whipped up the horses, Charlotte paid
a hasty visit to the stationers for more
fancy envelopes and then TO the post
Office to take the postmaster into her
confidence. That gentleman always
treated Charlotte with great polite
ness. He listened to her plan, while
something like tear glistened behind
his big trimmed spectacles, and said:
"Yes, indeed, miss, | will be glad to
help you. Whenever any of these
children inquire If there is anything
for them I'll ask, What name? When
they tell me, I'll go behind the window
and write that name ON one of your
valentines and hand it out. Won't they
be pleased! They'll think for sure that
Valentine is a saint or some kind of a
heavenly body"
While the postmaster was talking In
came Esmeralda Mickey and her
faithful little friend. Past experience
caused her timid voice to sink into
plant as she inquired for the fourth
time that day if there was anything
for herl
The postmasters CHEEKY, Here's one
for you, one for Master Willie Mickey
and one for Rose McNally too. That's
your name. isn't 1t, RoseT Roses sur
prise was even greater than Rilly's,
who had been encouraging faith and
hope for many days. and the children
left the office hugging their precious
valentines close with faces transform
ed with JOY.
Charlotte's plan worked beautifully.
Before nightfall every eager inquirer
for n letter had received a valentine,
and the very uncertainty as to where it
had come from made 1t all the more
appreciated and cherished.
Charlotte from this time was chang
ed girl. Mrs. Dale noticed it and one
day suggested they hunt up the Mickey
family and see If they could do any
thing to help them. Then, for the first
time, Charlotte became awake to the
needs OF poor people. Her sympathy
showed itself in gifts of toys. clothes
and food until she was regarded In the
tenement which the Micleys called
home as a fairy princess. When VIII
lie had recovered from his accident
enough to go out, he was taken to
drive in the carriage and later behind
the ponies.
When Mrs. Gage returned, she clasp
ed Charlotte in her arms and, kissing
her, said: my darling. | never saw
you look so well and happy in my life.
Mrs. Dale and Virginia must be
witches"
mot at ALL Frances" answered Mrs.
Dale. mo witches or faiaies have been
around her except perhaps one. al
though be was neither In fact I've
heard lie was saint-St. Valentine.
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