Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-04-23


Winterbottox. ,coSs>c IT. ,
was them that said-for the lands
sake! Is that wilder Barnes with Sam
Smith? Coin into the parsons house,
too! What in the world-guess I'll be
goin'. L owe Mrs. Parson Hicks
CALL" She reached for her bonnet and
shawl and noticed the letters again
That's valentine sure, Elizabeth
Moorei" she exclaimed. Folks don't
write common letters in big, square,
embossed envelopes my
friends don't. Good afternoon to you.
I'll run in to-morrJv and see what
news come IN your letters" she called
with emphasis as she went out
When she was at last alone Miss
Moore took the large white envelope
In her hand and turned it over and
over. 1t certainly did look like
valentine, but of course that could not
bel She never had but one in her life,
and that was as much as ten years
ago. David Stone, whom she was to
marry, had sent it. She remembered
how surprised and pleased she had
peen-then came the quarrel over that
girl from the city-which ended In
sharp words on both sides and q mu-
tual vow never to Rssa esnsa ecs1
the other had asked forgiveness. Ten
years ago! That was a long time to
live alone! Then she thought of Da-
| vid, also alone, in the house he had
built-for her! Just for a few foolish
words! That valentine of long ago
was still precious to her. She kept 1t
hidden away, but she could see it now
as plainly as if she held it in her
hands. She remembered every word
or the verses, too, she thought proud
ly. Then she came back to the present
with start, and opened the smaller
envelope; letter from her sister, full
OF commonplace news. There was a
postscript, however, that she read sew
eral times, with a little more color IN
her cheeks than usual
David Stone was here yesterday.
1t was the first time we had seen him
since you quarreled. He lives in the
house he built for you-all alone. He
has never married, nor been half civil
to any woman for years. L sometimes
wish we had not so much Moore
pride in our make up. OF course it Is
all right enough In its place, but there
T.
David asked many questions about you
the only subject that seemed to in
terest him.
Miss Moore laid the letter down with
a sigh. Could it be David ever
thought of her now-now, when she
was no longer youngy
Absent-mindedly she cut open the
other envelope-and then gasped in
establishment. There lay a handsome
valentine-one mass of flowers. birds,
gold lace and fligree, hearts and Gu
pids. There were so many that they
swan before her eyes. Who on earth
could have sent it! She turned to the
verses. The same words had been on
that other valentine of ten years ago.
that David had senti Davidi II must
have been David! Breathlessly she
hurried to find the old valentine, to be
sure that her memory had not played
her false. Comparison showed the new
valentine to be far handsomer and
more elaborate than the old-but the
verses were the ones she had remem-
bered all through those long years:
This valentine to thee l send,
To prove my love. my dearest friend.
My valentine, Oh! wilt thou be,
My love. my life. I'll give to thee"
For a long time she gazed at The
lines. and the burden of years seemed
to roll away. With eyes very bright
she walked across the room to the old
fashioned desk in the corner. David
had done his part; she must do hers.
Dear David" she wrote, yours re-
celved. Please forgive me.
ELIZABETH MOORE.
She sealed it with trembling hands
and called little Pat Ryan to go to the
| other end of the town and deliver 1t
into Mr.. Stones own hands. He
started. as 1t seemed, reluctantly.
What ails the child to-day?" she
said to herself. HE doesn't act natu-
raj. Surely he knows I'll pay him for
going! wonder IL David will come to-
| uight7"
At the thought she flew from room
to room trying to make the immacu.
| late little cottage even cleaner.
1t was early in the evening when
| David came. They greeted each other
rather bashfully and there was an
awkward silence. David shuffied his
feet uneasily. then burst out
II came, Beth, soon's got your
| note. But I want you should know
that I was coming tonight anyway.
I'd made up my mind before heard
from you. don't know what you mean
| by yours received for decided not
| to write, but to just come and sur
| prise you"
''You didn't send this!" gasped Miss
! Moore in CONSERVATION, bringing out
| Nobody else would"
81 wish I could say yes but
| didn't know, or didn't think, what day
| 1T was, Now, Beth, want to talk to
| you"
An hour later a knock was heard
| and little Pat Ryan's mother stood
shivering on the doorstep.
"Ah, no, Miss Moore, I'll not come
in, SEEM yer hev company. I'll Jest
be after sayin' that Patsy's feelin' that
I A.