Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-03-31
VERMONT PHGNIx BRATTLEBORO MARCH 81 1905

for some unaccountable reason Harold
preferred to walk.
As he neared the finer residence por-
tion of the town. his steps slowed httle,
and before a yellow Colonial mouse WIN
White trimmings he stopped abruptly. IL
v,os NOT his home, for the Cushman house
wos farther up the street and was built
90 rod brick There was no sign OF lie
about the place The great elms In the
door-vard stood motionless against the
night sky. casting the delicate tracery
Of their shadows over the house. Ine lar-
off whistle of a train ana tne ulstan i
barking of a dog were tine ohy sVuiiuS
on the still night air 49,,
But the young man saw more thah
another standing by him might have seen.
He saw the room inside the mousse a long
large pleasant room, with pretty windows
and cozy-cushioned window-seats. Inc
gas-light and fire-lght shone softly on
the polished floor on the handsome rugs
and chairs. the books and vases ana
choice pictures He seemed to be stand
ing there by the fireplace alone. with
fierce tumult in his heart, and then he
heard the rustic OF a skirt upon the stairs,
and a woman. young ana Deautltul anu
povned in white stood before him hold
ing out to him some letters ana ring
that sparkled in the light Her face mad
been so cold so cruelty cold and beauti-
there little longer. and then, not seeing
very well. he went on up the street.
He had gone only few rods when his
foot struck something lying on the walk
II was square and dark. and picking It
up. he discovered that 1t was small
black box. He started to open 1t. but
hearing footsteps coming rapidly down
side street. he dropped the box into his
ulster pocket and strobe on to the well
come awaiting him at the red brick
house
II was late when Harold Cushman slept
that night and late when he awakened
in his own familiar room the next MORN
ing. When he went down stairs he found
the family already assembled at the
breakfast table, and excitedly discussing
burglary which had taken place in the
village between eleven and twelve the
previous evening.
The yellow and white Colonial house
had been entered and two watches. con-
siderable silver, and some money had
been stolen. Cynthla's watch had been
taken from the dressing table in her
room, and her desk had been broken open.
1t had been a bold venture for moon
light night, and the town was stirred
over the affair.
As his sister finished reading the ac-
count OF the burglary. Harold remember
ed the black box, and hastily excusing
himself. he mounted the stairs. three
steps at a time. His ulster was hanging
over chair in his room. as he left IL the
night before, and diving into one Of the
pockets. he drew out the box which he
found in the street. 1t was Of ebony and
exquisitely carved. He lifted the lid, ex-
pecting to find the box either empty or
containing jewels. but 1t was not empty
and neither did 1t contain Jewels Against
the delicate blue lining lay a little old en-
4 NaUaar F.aw H.
saw that it was addressed to Cynthia in
his own aforementioned boyish hand.
There was a strange clutching at his heart
when he took out the tear-stained bit of
lace paper. with it's cupids and its roses,
and read again the foolish little verse.
1t was two mornings later and st.
Valentines day. Cynthia stood by a
window in her room looking listlessly out
at the snowy expanse of lawn. Her
stolen watch had been recovered the day
before. but her ebony box had not been
found. and she could not well advertise
for box containing an old valentine.
She had heard that Harold was at
home. and looking well and particularly
happy. but she had not seen him. She
must look happy too, when they should
meet. for she would die rather than have
him guess how her heart ached.
The door-bell rang sharply and she
heard someone go through the lower hall
to answer the ring, but she did not take
notice of what was happening until Annie
raped gently at her door. For YOU
Miss Cynthia" the maid said. looking in
and handing to her mistress large white
paste-board box. The maids face was
demure. but there was glad light in her
eyes that sent the blood rushing tu-
multuousy into Cynthia's pale cheeks.
Her fingers trembled as they unfastened
the cord and lifted the cover In the
white tissue paper lay a great bunch of
fragrant violets with their rich green
leaves, and nestled in among them was
small white envelope Opening 1t, the
girl drew out her cherished and lost
valentine and with II a sheet of paper.
On the paper, in Harold's strong. manly
hand, was written: when I see YOU. I
viii explain to you how I came by this
valentine, which I sent you years ago.
The fact that you have treasured II has
given me hope and courage. We do not
need TO wait to be older before the ioyous
fulhllment OF the last line of the valen-
tines verse. l shall come to you this
evening"
He came, and stood again in that
large pleasant room, waiting for Cyn-
tina. He heard again the rustic of her
skirt upon the stair. and looking up. he
saw her coming down. She wore a gown
OF white, as she had done that other
night. so filed with pain for both Of
them but his violets were in her hair and
against her breast, and unabashed the
love of him was shining in her ewes
1.-THE Ladies' World.