Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1903-02-14
Dave RObinSOn'S Awakening
A VALENTINE STORY.

spoke, he seemed to see Susan as she
looked when he married her. Her
hair was so fluffy and curly, and her
eyes such q pretty, innocent blue.
He hadn't thought of it for years;
he had been too busy.
"Well, them" said the little mil
liner, "a feel sure this bonnet will be
becoming to your wife. Blue is its
prevailing color, and this particular
shade goes nicely with such hair and
eyes. Don't you think so, sir?"
Poor Dave was completely out Of
his depth, but he answered bravely
that he agreed with her, and would
take the bonnet. which the milliner
had really chosen with great discrim-
nation. Tie price startled him con-
siderably, but he wasn't going to say
so. "Ive just paid good round sum
for that cultivator, and won't kick
at this"
He carefully placed the bonnet-box
under the wagon seat as he rode
home that night. To tell the truth,
he exceedingly dreaded the presenta-
ton. Susan wasn't accustomed to
this sort Of thing, like Sans wife,
and he didn't know how she'd take
it. But in spite of these forebodings,
there was a pleasurable excitement
in the unusual sensation that he was
taking home a present to his wife.
"a valentine" he said, chuckling.
(He pronounced it volentine, but
what's the difference?)
He didn't produce the bonnet as
soon as he got home. He waited till
after supper when the chores were
all done. Then he sat down by the
table and began to read the weekly
paper he had brought out.
But the reading was failure, and
he sat and watched his wife over the
paper till she said: "What in crea-
tion's the matter with you tonight,
Dave Robinson? Is there anything
wrong with my looks? You've been
starin' at me like all possessed"
Dave gave an embarrassed laugh
and retired behind the paper again.
Suddenly he spoke: "Did you know
it's Valentines day, Susar?"
"Bless the man. does he think I'd
be apt to remember Valentines day,
with all I've got to think of? l
b'lieve, though, I did hear the chill
dren a-talkin' about it. Whatever
put it in your head, Dave?"
"Oh, heard about it downtown.
and, Susan-Susan-I met Sam Scott
to-day and-and he was a-buyin'
present for Milly and calm it val
entine. 1t struck me twas pretty
nice idee, and as I'm rs able any day
to buy my wife present as he is,
why-I bought-you-this bonnet!"
And here he produced the box.
"Open it, Susan. Why don't you
open it? Here, give it to me-" for
the poor woman's hands were shak-
ing so that she couldn't unite the
string. "There, now! What do you
think of that for bonnet?"
Susan had found enough voice now
to say: "Why, Dave! Why, Dave
Robinson!" over and over. But she
was pleased; it was easy to see that.
"You oughtn't to have done it," she
said, as she held the pretty bonnet
on one hand, and turned it round
and round carefully. "It's too good
for me, Dave, and l expect it cost a
heap"
"Never mind what it cost" an
swered her husband, heartily. "Put
it on, Susan, and let's see if it be-
comes you. BY George, that milliner
woman just hit it. 1t suits you TO n
dot. You look ten years younger"
And truly she did. But l think
something besides the bonnet brought
that pretty flush to her cheek, and
brightness to her eyes.
Happiness is a wonderful rejuvena-
tor, and women like to be remem-
bered by their husbands"
Susan turned away from the little
looking-glass and tenderly placed the
bonnet in its box. "I'll fix my hair
little different when / wear it
more like / used to-" she said. And
then, going over to Dave, who was
pretending to read his paper, she
timidly-yery timidly, for they were
not demonstrative conple-kissed
the little bald spot on his head.
'Thank you, Dave, for remember
ing me-" she said softly; and her
husband had his reward.
If he had told his thoughts, which
were supposed to be on the paper.
they would have been as follows;
Lets see, what's the next anniver-
sary day? Oh, yes, it's Easter. Well,
she shall have another keepsake
then."-Ladies' World, New York.
Tight Money.