The Colfax chronicle., 1904-04-30

1
over. 1t certainly did look like a
valentine, but of course that could not
be! 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
been-then came the quarrel over that
| girl from the city-which ended in
sharp words on both sides and mu
tual vow never to meet again until
the other had asked forgiveness. Ten
years ago! That was long time to
live alone! Then she thought of Da-
vid, also alone, in the house he had
| built-for her. Just for 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
of 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 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 nm 70 afs
wish we had not so much Moore
pride in our make up. OF course it is
all right enough in it's place, but there
are other things that are worth more
David asked many questions about you
the only subject that seemed to in.
terest him."
Miss Moore laid the letter down witt.
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
astonishment. There lay a handsome
valentine-one mass of flowers, birds,
gold lace and filigree, 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 sent! David! 1t 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 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
ceived. 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 il
into Mr.. Stones own hands. He
started, as it 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! l wonder il David will come to-
night?"
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 I got your
note. But I want you should know
that l 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
the valentine. why you must have!
Nobody else would!"
Il wish l 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 knock was heard |
and little Pat Ryan's mother stood
on the doorstep.
"Ah, no, Miss Moore, I'll not come
In, seein' yer hev company. I'll Jest
be after sayin' that Patsy's feelin' that
bad cause yer didn't say nothin' at
Ill about the valingtine he bought yer
wid his own money, that L"
Patsy! Was it Patsy?" demanded
Miss Moore, grasping both of the
hands. "Oh, didn't know
indeed, didn't! Poor child! Mrs.
Ryan. that valentine has brought me /
he greatest happiness of my life! i
And now you send Patsy right over
lere. We've want to thank him."
Soon after Patsy Ryan sat in the lit.
lie clean kitchen munching ginger
.akes with great satisfaction, and
the big man that was hold.
ng Miss Moores hand Although this
ime Cupid" was red-headed and GOV.
red with freckles and dirt, he had