The Caldwell tribune., 1905-03-25
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An EuC0REB VALENTINE.

@mRS. VAN ORM'S reception had
iMl been a great success. The mob
SAOGS had gone now, but the family
still fingered in the deserted drawing
room to refresh themselves with a little
conversation after the fatiguing phrase
making of the evening. There were only
four of them, the host and the hostess;
nretty, quiet little Mrs. Mitchell and
Mrs, Van Orm's brother, Paul Jarvis.
The men had claimed the privilege Of
smoking to antidote the awful things
they had been eating, and the womenShad
"relaxed" in accordance with the latest
and most approved theory Of rest.
How do you manage to greet every
individual with so much personal enthu-
siasm that he is convinced that his abb
sence would have spoiled your pleasure
And how can you appear as serene as If
vour confidence in maids and. caterers
could not possibly be abusedT' Mrs.
Mitchell had asked.
"Oh, l really am gladto see every body,
and, as for the serenity, make every
nossible preparation beforehand, and
then. when have corralled Charles and
made sure that he viii not appear in a
smoking jacket and straw hat, and
have taken my place to receive my
guests, | leave everything to Providence.
I wash MY hands of the whole matter.
1t is no longer my reception. OF course,
| sometimes wonder if the orchestra can
be heard above the din or If the women
ure getting anything to eat, but only in
a languid, impersonal sort of way" s
Yes, the wife of Tarquinius Superbus
was not more serene when she was
driving her chariot wheels over her faith
er's remains as she rode in triumph to-
ward the Esquiline hill to meet her hus-
band"
"That's a marital privilege. You
mustn't mind Charles. He is only trying
to get even for being forced to assume
the virtue of civilization for few
hours" And Mrs. Van Orm affected an
air of impudent languor.
Her brother said nothing. He watch
ed his pretty sister with an indulgent
air, wondering gravely where she, whom
he remembered as an unsophisticated lit
tie country girl, had acquired her air of
perfect ease and self-possession. He him
self was not yet adjusted"
Years ago he had left his quiet village
home, and since that time had been
taught by severe experiences the value
and responsibility of life. He had lived
seriously, and the futter and frivolity,
the sham and uselessness, of the social
world puzzled him. 1t helped no one
and how could it interest or amuse
grownup people?
Perhaps he could adopt it, as Jeanne
had done-she took to it as naturally as
a duck to water-but he was too tall to
bend gracefully over a lady's hand, his
feet were too big and clumsy for dancing
and his mind too slow and grave for So
ciety persihage.
Even the authors discussed were al
most unknown to him, and his familiar
Ompanions-Herrick and Shakespeare
and Lamb and others-were scarcely ad-
mitted to the charmed circle. He was
hopelessly old-fashioned, distanced. He
was painfully conscious of all this to-
night for of late to this ''looker on in
Venice the general spectacle had be-
gun to focus. Receptions and dinners
were beginning to mean Mrs. Mitchell to
him. She was very kind. In her pres
ence he was never reminded of his awk-
wardness or his ignorance of social OBJ
Bervances.
Her smile always welcomed him, and
somehow among the coterie- of her ad-
mirers there was always room for him.
But the more she favored him with her
sincere interest, the more he looked into
her beautiful face and saw the soul made
pure by sorrow shining from her eyes, the
more he withdrew, as from one too fair
and good for him. He knew her his
tory. They had been friends from child
hood. He knew that, mercifully released
BY death from the bonds of marriage
which had been a tragedy to her, she
could not again assume the risk of such
Ties. He felt that she could never again
trust her peace and happiness to another
after they had once been wrecked. What
was he that he should hope she would
ever regard him in the light of one nearer
than faithful friend? He forced him
sell to wear the armor of reticence and
tormality. Tonight she was more charm
Ing more sincere, more impossible, than
ever
The conversa tion had turned, apropos
OF nothing, to st. Valentines day, which
came on the morrow.
Holidays and all sweet observances'
nave either lapsed or been relegated to
the nursery. The world is growing old.
Corydon once hung branches of blossom
Ing hawthorne over Phyllis door. Stall
Wart lads and dainty lassies tripped it
round the May pole. Dignified ladies and
gentlemen, married as well as single.
chose their valentines, and were loyal to
them, too, for the whole year. And think
OF the valentines of our grandmothers!
1hey were not only works of art, but
represented hours of patient, loving toll.
Now how is it? Mere babies. who should
Know nothing whatever of the little god
with the bow, have usurped to themselves
oll these pretty rites of love- Who ever
gets n real valentine nowadays? No
body"
There was silence for moment after
MRS. Van Orm's rather energetic TRADE.
Then Mrs. Mitchell spoke, with a little
air OF embarrassment
Il am living refutation of your state
ment, for l, even l, have received a val
entine, real one, after was quite be-
Sond little girlhOod, though that was a
soon many years ago. And the world has
certainly aged a great deal since" she
ADDED sadly. sit came from nv first
lover, whom | did not Iove-+han-bs-