The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-12

ing an mfr of dignity, her arms folded bravely over her breast.
 All laughed gaiy at her challei. c. after which Billy said: "All in good time pop None so blind as those who won't see. Eeep your eyes open. that's my advice.'
 ''Yes. dear. be patient for patience is a virtue" laughed Mrs. Thompson. "All things come to him who waits"
 Maybe there'll be some things l shall not want suggested MT. Thomp- on, looking at Myrtle with q twinkle in his eye But, my dear, l don't quite agree with you on the truth of that quota tion." he added, turning to Mrs. Thomp,, son. Now I've waited for you all evening in the library and you have not come. So here l am to fetch you. Can't these two youngsters finish their plan of maneuvers without further scheming from you?
 Then, with many little jokes and pleas antries, the conspirators adjourned sine die, Myrtle running off to her own room, Billy getting out his books and MT. and to finish the evening with their papers and magazines.
 When St Valentines Day arrived aIl was stir and excitement in the Thomp- son household. Mrs. Thompson had re- lieyed Myrtle and Billy of all responsi- bilty. so that their school work might not be Interfered with. and was carryng out their plans to the letter.
 As soon as supper was over MT. Thompson who declared he had been smelling mouse in the corner" all day, and grandpapa Thompson, who smiled knowingly and wlnked at Billy, were ordered by the mistress of the house to their rooms to dress for the evening.
 Lights flashed from the eparlorand recep- tion-room windows and shone from the guest chamber up stairs, informing the passers-by that the Thompsons were entertaining. The dining-room looked "a dream" as Myrtle expressed it. w'.h It's long table rich under snowy damaAN, sparkling cut glass. dainty china and gleaming silver.
 At 8 o'clock the hall bell pealed. and trooped Il young girls. Myrtles and Billy's intimate friends, chaperoned by Mrs. Lawson. Maimie Lawson's mother. Hardly had this gay bevy swarmed up stairs in the guest chamber to lay off wraps and .'primp'' a bit. when a second peal sounded at the door and the maid admitted another eager, noisy. happy eleven They were boys this time, and nered young fellows could not be brought together anywhere.
 Mir. Thompson. assisted by grandpa (who was in the gayest spirits. carrying hBabe" in his arms), seated the young gentlemen in the parlor: then Mrs. Thompson entered, and, after the most cordial greeting all round, announced that since all present had doubtless sent valentines 10 their young lady friends that day. she thought 1t only fitting that good St Valentine should present each of them with a valentine in fair ex- change. Then she pointed to large screen that filled an arched door be- tween the parlor and library and told them that behind it was stationed old St. Valentine with his beautiful valen- tines. He had promised that each gen. tieman present should draw by hook and line one of these gems of rare price to serve as company to him at the ban uuet To enhance the pleasure of the evening the good St. Valentine had touched with magic wand each valen- tine. animating 1t with life and voice. Then she gave to MT. Thompson a bas- tributed among the guests On unroil- ing these balls each was found to have