Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1903-02-11
Aunt SeIina'S Valentine

OPHE postman's whistle was clear

EDHE postman's whistle was clear
and sHrill that morning, the 14th of
x Febru and as he lifted the
knocker on a unt Selina's narrow green
door the sound echoed through the house
and reached the ears of the little lady,
who hastily threw aside the brush she
was using and, shaking the dust from
her long print apron, opened the door
with pleasant smile.
The smile vanished, however. and
look of surprise took its place as she was
given a large square envelope, pure
white, and tied with dainty pink ribbons
and quaint little bows, which even her
nimble fingers found it hard to untie but
little later it was spread out on the
table before her. valentine. all lace and
flowers and satin bows, with two angels
bearing up line of love-
Aunt Selinas face was a study. In
deed, she made picture sitting there by
the old Preside trying TO solve this mys-
terry, and when evening came and when
she wen. to feed her chickens and dog
Rover, her only companions, she was still
asking herself over and over:
who in all the wide world can care
enough for me to send me such mes
sage OF love?'
Aunt Selna's | fe had been quiet one;
her mother had died while she was a
child, and, with the help of an old nurse,
she had been housekeeper for her father
and one brother, older than herself, and
when this brother married she was Aunt
Selma. not only TO his children, but to
their little friends as well. for her sunny
nature made her favorite with them
all. When her father died she was left
with the cottage and little garden and
enough money to live comfortably in u
| quiet way.
But, though 30 years of age, she had
never had lover, so now as her mind
ran over the gentlemen whom she knew
she could think of no on who would
send her valentine. Still there was the
| Baysville postmark, the town where she
lived, and once again she went through
| her list of acquaintance.
There's Deacon Hayes-but he is so
old and gray it can't be he. And Carlos
| Brown, he sits in the pew at my right,
but he is really too poor to think of
| taking wife"
For. some way, Aunt Selma felt that
! it meant that else why should one send
so costly a valentine to an old maid?
Once she thought of asking the post.
man, and then laughed at the idea. As
| if he would know. He was a bachelor
| of middle age, and rumor said that he
| had no liking for ladies' society, owing to
! some experience before coming to Bays
| vile.
Aunt Selma thought that his manner
| bore out this statement, as he had made
| few friends and seemed not to care fo1
| the cheerful Good morning" which she
| gaze him whenever he stopped at hel
| door.
1t must be confessed that when the
| next Sunday came, Aunt Selma was I'M
| usually careful of her dress. She wore
| her new black silk, and her wavy brown
| hair was neatly coiled beneath the small
| velvet bonnet. which she had freshened
| lip with new satin bow, for she felt
| sure that her valentine friend would be
| at church that morning. and as she en-.
| tered the color rose in her fair face. fol
| she felt that the deacon had spoken
| more kindly than usual, as she came
M the gravel walk, Mr.. Brown had tax.
| en- her hand in greeting and Squire Wat
| kins. her fathers old friend, had in.
| quired for her health.
As she went back to her quiet home
| she wondered if brighter future were
| in store for her, something besides the
| loneliness that had been her lot for MANY
| years.
Time passed. and at length. hearing
nothing more from the sender of her val.
| entine. she decided that either he did not
| wish to be known, or had not the cour-
age to carry the matter farther. so the
| little token was laid away, the one ro-
| nance of Aunt Salinas life.
| One day boy came running to her
| door with a message. which read:
II am very sick; viii you come to me
| Your postman. JOHN MOORE.
! BLEAK House. Baysyilc."
Yes. Aunt Salina would go, she was
| always ready to help the suffering, but
! when she entered the room where John
| Moore lay, the nurse came quickly to-
ward her. telling her that he had not
| long to .. and she thought the same
! w.1en she saw what a wreck the fever
| had made Of the once strong man.
Perhaps it was his constitution that
| brought him through. or it may have
| been Aunt Selina's cheerful face and gen
/ tie ways. for John Moore did not die,
although it was many weeks before he
could travel his rounds again. and dur
! ing that time Aunt Selma learned how
much he had cared for her. and that it
| was he syno had sent the valentine, bop
/ ing the little message would. in some
/ way. help him TO gain her love, for it
] was not true, the report which the Cos
/ sips Of Baysville had brought sainst
/ him. but more a reserved nature which
had made him seem Indifferent to those
who would like 20 have been his frienls.
Aunt Selma soon found that be was a
noble. true-hearted man, one she could
trust with her whole love and l.fc. and
when he asked:
"Will you share the home l have made
ready with the thought Of yOuE" she did
not refuse. but a little later went quiet
IL into the church which the children