La Junta tribune., 1903-02-14

picious edgfng OF lace around the en-
veiope. The girls snickered and ran
away. watching. however to see what
Miss Nancy would do with it-she sell
dom received letters. and this was
something unusual Turning II over
and over suspiciously. she looked
around furuvely and put it in the bos-
ON of her dress without opening it.
By and by she went up to her own lit
tie room and opening it. this is what
she read:
This heart I present to Miss Nancy.
Dare hope that some day she'll be
mine?
For her l have long had fancy.
l confess it in this valentine"
Her usually pale cheek flushed a
vivid scarlet, but she looked over TO-
ward the colonel's garden Lottie
bursting in upon her. she hastily hid
the missive in her bosom.
''Oh. Auntie. Auntie. did you get
valentine? What fun, a valentine Mt
last. saw the postman deliver 1t.
and 1t looks Just like one of mine"
mo. II is not a valentine said Miss
Nancy stiffiy, lit is a letter from
friend" She blushed again at the
prevarication. for Nancy was truthful.
too much so. some said. Lottie saw
it and rushed over to MaoePs.
"She's got it. Mabel. she's got II.
and she says 1t is from friend Come
over and wen finish our scheme"
The horrid girls danced in upon
Miss Nancy and actually caught her
- VNffnnuf
listening to her protestations. they
each gave her good hug. and seized
the valentine.
who is 1t from" queried Lottfe.
Mabel examined 1t critically. and
whispered mysteriousiy in her friends
ear. loud enough. however. for Miss
Nancy to overhear:
1T looks like papa's writing: 1t Is
papa's writing" Tlen handing it back.
she said aloud: What "A beautiful
valentine 1t is actually hand painted.
See. dear Miss Nancy. 1t is like a
heart. with little pink hearts all over
1t and sprigs of lovely forget-ne-nots
intertwined. Whoever sent you that
loves you truly. | wonder what II can
be?"
Il know" said Miss Nancy shortly.
the impudent fellow"
Clapping on her hat, she went
straight up to the colonels front doo..
which he happened to open Mt that
moment 10 go out With an'indignant
toss of her head and without uttering
word. she cast at the amazed colo
nels feet the poor innocent valentine.
and. turning. fled hone again with her
heart going pit-a-pat and her knees
shaking under her. Within an hour.
special messenger handed Miss
Nancy a plain envelope. Opening it..
the same valentine cropped out. but
written in a bold hand In penman-
ship unlike the rest, were the words:
II accept the authorship Of this val
entine and stand by it,"
Miss Nancy. with a woman's intui-
ton. perceived that she had made q
mistake, and in her confusion rushed
up to her little room. locked the door
and dropped the curtain. probably to
keep the impudent colonel out. But
he was watching and accepted the
signs as favorable. for he called that
evening to apologize.
Miss Nancy" he said. permit me
TO call you that. everybody else does:
was amazed that you should even
suspect me of such an underhand act
as sending a valentine when l have
tongue to talk with and express my
sentiments. l saw Immediately that
somebody will not say who"-he
looked at the two girls sharply. who
blushed and stole away-"but as l
have long held the same sentiments
in your regard. l accept the situation
and resolve to speak my mind. the OPP
portunity presenting itself. Can you
forgive me. my dear Miss Nancy?"
Miss Nancy evidently did forgive
him. for the neighbors. not SO very
long afterward. were astonished to see
the belongings of one house moving
into the other. the girls superintend-
ing the matter, the colonel and Miss
Nancy being mysteriously absent on o
trip somewhere.