Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1903-04-30
boarders in Mrs. Benson's boarding

| st. Valentine Qay was approach.
ing, and the little god of Love whis-
pered to the students pretty tormen-
tor what to do.
"Jolly!" she cried to herself, when
the hint shot into her active brain.
"Nothing could be better. I don't
know just what will happen, but
there is sure to be- scene with lots
of fun in it, >."
So it came about that as Miss
Featherstone was going in to dinner
on the Fourteenth of February she
was met by Maize in the hall.
ooh, Grace" cried the tormentor
in her sweetest voice, show pretty
you do look in that gown! You lack
only one thing to make you fetching
beyond expression. You should have
a bit Of color in your hair. You must
have. Wait, this rosebud. Just the
thing. No, don't care for it, real
~. I have too much color, anyway.
There! That is perfect"
"The professor has got valcn-
tine" cried Maize, as they seated
themselves at the table. "Look at
the dainty envelope with the Cupids
in the corner. We must make him
show it to u.s."
"You surely would not be so rude
as to ask him to do such a thing"
said Miss Featherstone, with height
ened color.
won't I? Just you wait and see."
The coming of the professor put
an end to further remarks; but he
had barely seated himself in his place
before Maize cried:
"You have a valentine, professor,
the only one at the table. We have
taken a vote and decided that you
must pay the penalty of the day and
read it to us. No, we will accept no
excuses, will we, ladies and gentle
men?"
"Not on your life," cried the re-
porter.
1T is the custom in all countries"
added the insurance agent. m
1T will not be betrayal of conf
dence," declared the young attorney.
valentines are never signed. I think
we may rightfully, as members of the
same, family, demand to know the
contents" ~,sg e&
Miss Featherstone alone was silent.
II am sure it can make but little
difference" said the professor. with
a blush. "You are welcome to it,
Miss Appleby." He handed the mis-
sive across the table and bent over
his plate, glad to still the comment.
"Oh, isn't that delightful! I am to
open it and be the first to gaze upon
the pretty verses" She broke the
seal, ran her eyes hastily over the
page and then, rising, read:
She who would be your valentine
Is pleased this day to wear
AS token of her love for you
a rosebud in her hair.
There was momentary burst. of
! laughter, followed by such sudden
and intense silence that the profess
sor looked up from his plate startled.>
A glance showed him that all eyes
were. turned on Miss Featherstone.
He looked and, seeing the rose in her
hair, sprang suddenly to his feet, pale
with anger.
"Give it to mel" he cried, hoarse-
~, reaching a trembling hand across
the table. Give it to me! How dare
you read it,! T did not know. In
deed, Miss Featherstone, 1 did not"
"Did not know what?" she asked,
looking up calmly. Then seeing all
eyes fixed upon her and remembering
the rose in her hair, she blushed GRIM
son, and rising, would have hurried
from the room had not the student
detained her.
Don't 60, Miss Featherstone, if it
is true-if you care for me, what
should we care? I love you with all
my heart, all my being. I have
dreamed of nothing but you for
months. Your face has come between
me and every page of my books. l
have heard your voice in every sound
and it has made them all sweet and
beautiful"
''But, professor, didn't send the
valentine, and the rose was placed
in my hair by accident"
Nevertheless, love you,'' he cried.
The girl cast one quick glance at
the faces of those about them, saw
the twinkle in Mazie's eyes, and, di-
vining the intended joke, she turned
to the student, and holding out both
her hands, said, quietly:
II believe you, professor. and I am
glad of it. I did not send that silly
valentine, but-now wish I had!
The professor took her hands in his
and, kissing them tenderly, said:
whoever sent it, thank them with
all my heart. 1t has brought me the
great blessing of my life
And that evening, while the profess
sor and his betrothed sat in the par
lor making plans for the future. Ma.
zie sobbed upon her pillow and whis.
pered secret that before she had
never owned. even to herself. For
she, too, had loved the professor.
in the sand areas of the southern
states-the poor whites among