Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-02-12

~ day l happened in about
four. 1t is the hour when n is
most likely to find her alone. The Ii
brary was full of the odor of old gar
dens and of places where the wild
flowers grow. There was a bunch Of
red roses in a jar or the table, and
there was a cluster of violets in q cup
on the mantel. Betty wore another
cluster. The flowers in both these
were of the double variety, and i'll
color they tended more to the blue.
They were well enough in their way,
but | do not care especially for that
sort myself. The single blossoms
that | had hoped to see were no
where in sight.
Betty welcomed me with a smile
which said secrets. When she smiles
that way you never can tell whether
you are a party to the affair or an
outsider.
you're just in time to make a call
with me-" she announced.
THAT depends where you're GO
ing"
ITO see a lady to whom you arc
very much devoted"
For this why should we leave the
house?" said /.
Its Miss Lyons. She's ILL.,"
Miss Lyons is a lonely old lady of
70, with very white hair and a saints
face. She has known both of us
since we were little.
Am l devoted to her?" l ques-
toned.
aren't you?" said Betty, by way
of answer 81 somehow thought yo,
were"
''The word is with you," said I, as
she got her coat.
You may hold it," she said.
Although | have also known Betty
since she was little, it is only on rare
occasions that | am allowed to assist
at the coat. | was a little surprised.
! wondered what was coming. l was
about to ask if the florist had made
a mistake about the violets and
hadn't sem them; but / changed my
mind.
Just why" I v%entured, as I tucked
in her sleeves, ',just why are favors
heaped upon me?"
Betty smiled systematically. "Do
you like my roses?" she asked.
proctor Lee sent Them
81 am of the same mind with Mr..
Dobson," said i. Il detest Persian
decoration"
perhaps you like violets better?
Mr.. Brede Sent those" and she mo-
toned to the mantel.
blue is a cold color" | submitted
George Curtin sent these" and
she touched the ones she wore.
They are not of the sort which
match your eyes" l declared.
Have a chocolate" she answered
81 forget who sent them"
l selected a comfit with a pistachio
tip, and held it up.
Betty looked at me out of the cor
ner of her eyes, and smiled. / pulled
down the corners of my mouth, and
her smile fed into laughter.
I'm ready" she announced; and
we went out.
There was just a suggestion, d
sense of spring in the air, although
the ground was snow-covered. It
was a little breath out of the warn
south. Betty lifted her face to it,
and the color came into err cheeks.
We walked nearly a block without
speaking.
after all, valentines are nice,'
Betty broke out finally.
| nodded.
"They make you feel that you
aren't quite forgotten ! by your
friends"
"And if they take the form of choc-
olates one can eat them" l observed.
l still had a taste of the pistachio-
nut.
sit would be horrible if one had
no valentines-and no friends"
ut is a situation that Miss Mallard
will never know"
"When one gets DID," said she, 'if
people remember one at all it is only
on holidays when they can send use
full things
1T is one of the penalties of age"
said !.
"As if old people did not need flow
ers and bonbons!" said Betty.
"There is more virtue in Cruel" I
hazarded.
81 hate useful things" said Betty.
1--WE have to put up with them oc.
casiae ally" said l.