The San Francisco call., 1904-02-14
why's VALENTINE.
By Oreho B. Senga.

silas could be "braced up" to a pro-
posing point.
That night an inquisitive moon, ris-
ing soft over the hilltops. looked down
into the peaceful valley. and the moon
was the only one that saw Silas Simp-
son as he hurried toward the Perkins
farm with his sisters big pollow
clothes basket over his shoulder. The
curious moon veered around the big
pine tree and watched Silas as he ad-
justed the ropes that were attached to
the handles Of the basket over the
doorknob. arranging for the basket TO
rest on the upper step.
"a most singular proceeding" COM
mented the watching moon.
But at Silas' next move the moon
nearly collapsed. for Silas pinned
paper to his coat sleeve and, doubling
his awkward body into the basket.
reached up and changed the big brass
knocker.
Alone IN the bright. warm kitchen.
Miss Why started to her feet at the
sound of the knocker.
"a valentine," she exclaimed: well.
I'll give 'em a chance to scoot-
don't want to ketch nobody"
She went slowly through the sitting
room into the entry and, pushing back
the bolt, essayed to open the door. 1t
was apparently held from the outside.
Grasping the knob with both hands.
she gave a tremendous pull The door
flew open, bringing the basket with 1t.
and emptying it's contents in an un-
dignifed tangle at Miss Why's feet.
For the land sakel" she cried.
whatever possessed you, Silas Simp-
SOM"
Silas scrambled to his feet and point
ed to the paper on his sleeve. which
bore In large letters the name. Miss
Why Perkins
Il knew I'd never git my courage up
to offer myself to you IN any other
way. Why, and so I thou-ht I'd be
your valentine"
And a pretty mess you've made Of
II, as usual" said Miss Why. sharply.
He raised his head manfully; some
thing very tender, almost noble, came
over the dull features and Strengthened
the awkward body. II shan't make
any blunders in lovin' you and takin'
care of you, Why" he said simply.
A strange. new feeling of submission
crept into Miss Why's heart.
You come in here. Silas. and I'll
show you what I was just goin' to
send you 1 made it myself" she
added, as she handed him an envelope
addressed to "Silas Simpson"
He drew out the sheet Of paper care
fully. A big red heart vas pasted at
the top and the lines below were in
Miss Why's cramped. but legible, hand
writing. He read aloud slowly. in a
high-pitched. sing-song tone that IN his
school days had always been reserved
for poetry:
If Silas Simpson me will we'd,
No further groans or tears I'll shed.
But hurry round, as best I'm able.
To cook his meals and set the table.
Now. Silas. speak. and III say Yes"
No need of waiting long. 1 guess;
A month from now and I'll be ready
To hold your hand before ParsOn
Steady.
You cut out that hearth he said.
hesitatingly, putting a thick forehnger
on the scarlet representation.
Miss Why nodded, watching his face
with unwonted timidity.
But the verses-they amt yours. be
they?'' in an awed tone
YES. they be-" affirmed Miss Why.
tasting for the first time the delights
of authorship.
Silas gazed at her in silent admira-
ton.
Il writ 'em in a hurry she explained
modestly ooh, the trail Of the serpentD,
''mebbe if I'd taken more time"
Why" interrupted SiIas with con-
viction. Il never seen any better po'try
In print"