Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-02-14

ply wanted to break with me-" she said
to herself as she stood look ing Mt her
pale image in tn" glass. and ut the last
words she drew herself up and her
breath came quickly. Then she said
to the woman in the glass. aS If she
were another person: No. no lie did
love YOU. lie did think you were beau
tiful. He did. Iut that is all over now.
and You are not {" make Yourself con
tcmptibIc and ridiculous wailing for
any man. 10 you hear" And the wo-
man in the glass she had always been
a girl before. but she was Il woman
NOW luoi;cd back nj her with eyes rs
hard aS her words.
kitty was Il yorn:; cousin who was
fpcnding the winter wish ImoCcnc. Il
pretty. gay gil who perhaps was a
Iriic too audac!ouS ami rattle beaded.
but. as She said. Il have T." do Souc-
thing to keep people in mind of me or
I'd be completely overShadowcd 10y
Imogcnc.'
Imogene started to kittN'S room to
see the last valentine. but she did not
get there. She met a maid un the stair
WAY coming to tell her that Herbert
Hughes was in the drawin" roGm and
asked 10 see her.
lmoGcnc was in In" mood 10 spare
herself nothing or she would have es-
capped Mr.. Hughes. He had been hang,
ing about her for months ana boring
her.
She went to meet him. H.. stood
awaiting; her just rs .linSi"y mad don"
two hours before. bat now it WHS he
who cNtc!.'l,>l both hands. almost as if
he w"r" &oin" to embrace her. She
drew back with Il lirtI" start
"Oh. Imn-cnc." said hughes in a
strange. '.'.i;atc'l. deep voice, don't
play with U" You know love you.
You have net deceived n!o. lave you. in
making lar think YOU love me-"
Imogcuc stared nj him and dropped
into Il chair "Sit down." she said. Il
don't know whether I'm losing my
mind or every enc else * mad but it
must I've one way or the other.
Poor lIu2ivs turned very pal" and
seated himself without Il word. Im"-
gene had Il l,ang of pity for hiln Mr..
Hughes" Sic said. Il don't want to
appear h,artic less. but You must :dmt
that you have given your declaration
Il strange form.
Miss Nariry." said Ill" youn" man,
forgive me il my feelings have carrie!
me 700 far; but indeed. seemed 10 have
Il Kind of warrant for my expectations.
Don't tell me they are bascl"sS. Is not
this yours: 1t must be" Aud he drew
from the breast pocket of his coat
dark blue cIlN clopc. the very stationery
that Imo"Cur affected. ana hand,d Il
sheet OF paper he drew forth I" lcr.
She crinlSonc1 at the sight of il. even
before her eyes peruScd it. and ~ she
looked closer her expression of hcWil-
dermcnt returned. mingled with con
sternation. On the paper in Il peculiar
kind of dainty printed lettering wer"
these verses:
. heart of miIi".
] pri:hCc writ" a valentine
i'or m" To send away
Upon loves letter day!
What ,'i ! send To thee
Since thou hast all of me;
Thou art my valentine.
Anu am thine,
"Whcre did You get this" said she.
"It came to me by post this morning.
Don't tell me YOU did not send it. said
he.
"NIr Hughes, | did not. and had no
thought of you in writing it. | cant
forgive you for thinking | would do
such an unwomanly. childish thing.
"Don't be cruel. What else could |
think when | wanted To think il so
pasSionatcly: But did YOU write it to
some one: Tell me that Miss Narncy.
Is il hopeless for me-"
YES. it's hopeless fu" you. am
sorry this outrag gcous incident should
have miSlcd You. Let III" see the en-
vclopr. want to get to the b0ttcin of
this mystery.
He handed ii To her and ut the same
time rose to 90. She abSiractcd hcl
mind fram the envelope with difficulty
and rose also. Then. suddenly. with II
sharp change of expression, she Said
Tell m". Mr. Hughes. has amy one
seen this uunScnSc: Did you make amy
one contidant of your dclusionS:"
Miss Narney, how can you ask me:
OF course | made no cuniidant. no one