The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-02-11

not sort over her old mementoes OF for-
mer days; but there was one paper slie
must get at and take with her. AS she
turned over a box full of papers she
came across a pink envelope, worn ana
faded, but one that in its day was eVl-
IDENTIFY chosen for its beauty to hold some
dainty message.
"Harry's valentine! poor fellow, poor
fellow! My own loving Harry" and she
opened the faded envelope with tast-
falling tears. 1t was not Henry Joyce,
the drunkard, of whom she thought; 1t
was her bonnie lover of those long years
back. She seemed to be standing again,
a loving, trusting girl of eighteen, and to
see his blue eyes so full of love, so beau
tiful and true to her, beaming upon her.
as he said:
'I wrote it myself, Pet, and l want
you to keep it always-from your var
entine"
"Always-foreverw she had answered
with a blush. All, there is always one
that gives, and one that takes, In love
affairs. If she had been the giver, pour
ing out her very life In devotion and
sacrifice for him, had she not found a
wonderful secret happiness, even in her
pain? Would she even now have her
past life different? She pressed the fad
ed valentine to her lips.
Aunt Madeline, have come to say
YOU need not pack your things. I'll give
up-PIl marry Rufus Clark. Herbert
will understand, poor fellow. Do stay
Aunt Madeline"
"Stay! who talked of going? What
nonsense Just because | choose to look
over my things on a rainy afternoon" ut
was perfectly dry outside, but the old
lady was hard put to it, ito take it fol
granted | am going! And as for Rufus
Clark let him go, my child, let him go
| suppose you want Herbert, for better
for worse, and If it's for worse, dear,
and the old lady's voice grew tender anc
solemn, "God will help you, as he has
helped many another. The happies'
marriages are not always the truest-
some one must bear with and sustain
the feeble ones. Keep your Herbert, al
Won love him, and God bless you"
The girl longed to say, but Herber
is not feeble, and there won't be AM
worse but all better in our marriage,
hut she was wise, and let the old lad!
have the floor.
"There. this old valentine conquered
me-mere doggerel, l suppose, the line
seem to YOU" and Aunt Madeline reaC
the verses to Kitty, which were doggerel
and probably only slightly altered iron
some old book, to suit the lovers pur
nose. Mere doggerel but keep you
valentines. dear, when they come iron
your true love; they may keep you iron
being heartless, meddlesOme oil
wretch, and separating two true hearts
as | came near doing"
Kitty's mother went down to the tea
table with bread. 1t would be almost a
bad to learn that Aunt Madeline was t
stay and dear Kitty sacrificed, as to bi
good-by to their one well-to-do relation
To her surprise, Kitty and Aunty entere
the dining room together, the young gil
beaming and blushing, the old lady wit
a tender light in her eyes, and delicat
flush on her withered cheek.
ITS all right, Motherdy," said Kit!
ioyously. "Aunty isn't going away, an
needn't marry Rufus. He'll have
wait for Minnie!'
"But-I.--" began Mrs. Price, wonder
ingly.
"Mother, st. Valentine shall be m
patron saint hereafter"
At which speech Aunty's flush deeper
| L 20, 1nxxrv,
fully from her former attitude.
II still think Kitty is foolish, but tim
will teach her her folly!" and no OIL
argued to the contrary.
The wedding came off on st. Valel
tines day, Kitty declaring that the sail
would bring them luck. Minnie wore ht
first "long dress" and Mr.. Clark SCENE
so much struck with her wonderful r
semblance to the bride that Aunty ma
still have one Of her nieces marie
, we'll" Herbert in spite of Aunt Mad
. lines fears, seems altogether for be
, ter" and not "fOr worse" He may ne
er be rich, but he is loving and honor
BILE, and on each wedding anniversal
. he gives his wife a valentine, which
carefully treasured. But Kitty begs
vain for the faded pink envelope and i
enclosure. "I'll leave il TO you, dear
I said Aunty, on the third anniversary
7 Kitty's marriage, "but as long as l Ii
I III keep my one valentine. May you
have only sweet memories enshrined
2 them! Mine, though precious, tells
; mixed tale of sorrow, hope, almost d
T spair. But, through 1t all, hope t
r umphs.",
b And Kitty. remembering the dyil
q bed. where the poor weak man had l
I pented Of his wasted life, felt that ev
d Aunt Madeline's choice had not been
o utterly a mistake as some would insi
y The Housewife.