The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-12-17

sat on low stool and
z~7y watched red rose bios
s4 lal!e som marvelously under
kAunt Louis slim, white fingers. "Val.
Sntines next best to Christmas, 1
think. Why, had eight How many
did you get, Aunt Lou?'
Auntie Lou pushed back a rebellious
curl before she answered, absently, 81
did not get any. I do not care for
gaIentines."
Margery stared wild-eyed at such
&eresy.
~ 'But you used to care-you used to
get them." she exclaimed.
"Ah, that was so long ago. with a
hard little laugh 81 had forgotten"
'Then 1t depends whether people
are old?" Margery asked, anxiously.
eyes, it depends on that-and on
other people"
How could you forget" the child
asked, accusingly, when you saved
one? It's in the little brown trunk
up in the attic. I know it was
naughty Of me to look" she added in
guilty haste; "but it was raining hours
and hours, and l had nothing to do, so
q explored and found the trunk First
U thought there was nothing but stu
pid letters, but down in one corner
WAS the cuteSt box and inside valen-
fine, all lace paper and red hearts
You don't mind my looking?" and she
gazed anxiously at her aunt.
The girl was silent. She bent close
~ over her embroidery, but the aston
sshed Margery saw a tear splash down
Unto the golden heart of the rose.
T. "Why, Auntie Lou, you're cryingw
J "It's nothing" Auntie Lou inter-
posed, hastily. 81 ran my needle into
my finger. That's what made me
cry"
Margery still stared. 81 thought
groWn-up folks never cried over such
little things" she said, trife con-
Eemptuously. "Nanette says they don't.
And when she combs my hair and I
cry, she scolds. Perhaps this is an
extra bad prick, though. Let me see.
Auntie Lou
= But Auntie Lou rose in haste. "Its
all right now" she averred in some
confusion. And Margery, dear, it is
time for your afternoon walk. Nan
ette must be waiting. SO run along"
Margery went up to her nursery So
berry. Auntie Lou had behaved
strangely, that was certain.
"Nanette,' she said, decidedly, when
at last they were out in the sunshine,
eve can't go to the park to-day. I
have to go downtown, to Mr.. Dan
Hortor's Office. I know the way, for
Auntie Lou took me there one day
210 Broadway, that's the place."
t'But, Miss Margery," protested Nan.
cite, what will your mamma say?
ooh, that's all right" Margery an.
'swered, easily. "Its most necessary
L should go. have to carry message
for. Auntie Lou"
Now, Nanette was a firm believer
I'm Auntie Lou. so at last she con.
scented. sxee~.f"ea =
That is why the elevator of TIC
Broadway was that afternoon honored
by the presence of an anxious-fa
child and a. reluctant nurse maid. You
see, during the long trip downtown
Margery had begun to doubt the wis.
dom Of her course, while Nanette was
Aew sure Of what mamma would say,
But Margery's courage began to re-
wive when Dan Horton glanced up
from his desk. His smile was SO re.
assuring that she stepped forward
eagerly. -.s- 4sssss-s~s
"Nanette's outside" she explained
while he helped her into one Of the
big chairs. II told her I had to ash
you something very private"
Mr.. Horizons eyes twinkled, though
ne said, gravely, "You want to con
Sult me about case?"
81 don't kno7v whether you call it q
case. It's about Auntie Lou"
"Auntie Lou?" Mr.. Horton bent for
ward, eagerly. did she send your?
"No, / canned all myself" Margery
was too triumphant to notice how sud
denly the young mans face changed
sTt's about her and a valentine. She
didn't get single one. and she feels
awful bad about It."
Mr.. Horton was nervously playing
with papef cutter. He did not lool
at Margery as he asked. very low
~And why do you think l could d.
anything to helpr
Its just this way" Margery ex
planned, cheerfully. "She said she had
forgotten all about valentines. And
then told her she ought not to forge,
when she had one saved up in the lit
lie trunk in the attic. all white paper
Lace and red hearts,
Dan Horton caught his breath sharp
Iy.
And then she ran a needle into he,
finger and cried. But grown-up folks
don't cry over such little things. d.
fhey7 She wouldn't even show mt
the place. So Ire been thinking thai