Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-02-20
HER VALENTINE.

gathered about the CHEEKY open crate.
Heavy curtains yelled the windows,
electric lights turned the fires flick
ering shadows into the merest phan-
toms Of themselves. On the velvet
rug sat Flossy, pencil and paper in
hand. slowly writing something. and
knitting her flaxen brows over the IA
borious task. Her father watched her
for while with an amused smile. At
last he spoke.
What are you doing, Flossy? You
look as IL it was something impor-
tant."
ut is, papa. I'm making list Of
people want to send valentines to.
There! I'm just done, and please
give me the money to buy them"
But, my DEAR 1t occurs to me that
If | furnish the money that pays for
them" and Mr.. Osborne held out his
hand for the list
mo, sir; ! want you to give me the
money. Then It'll be mine, won't It?
Well, then I'll take 1t and buy the val
entines;" and the small philosopher
settled herself in her fathers arms as
If assuredrof his cooperation
well, let, me see about this Whom
does this letter p stand for?".
ooh, | can't tell you that it's, a; .se-
cret But you'll know on Valentines
Day. The M stands for mamma
had to make a few Of the names just
letters, so people wouldn't guess"
and the sweet mouth dimpled glee.
fully at thought Of her precious secret
Very well; be sure to tell me on
Valentines Day. 'P.' and M ten
cents apiece. C. one dollar. Why,
bless us! who is the favored one?"
and the father pretended to frown on
such favoritism.
The rosy face grew sober, and
Flossy whispered:
IT'S for grandma. I want to give 1t
to her Just in money, so she can buy
some valentines herself"
Why. child, what an idea! Grand
mo doesn't care for such things"
Yes. she does. When / told her I
was going. to make a list, she sort Of
sighed, and said 1t had been long
time since she had bought valentines.
l asked her did she want to, and she
said she thought she should enjoy it
very much. Then41 said, why didn't
she. and she didn't answer, but her
cheeks got pink. said, Haven't you
got any money? cause that's why
don't buy things and she said, No
iFlossy, real soft, and then she began
to talk about the pretty day, and did
/ have a nice time sleigh-riding. So
thought I'd give her some of my mon
ey"
THAT was right. grille; but you
needn't do it. Father will see to that.
You can have what you need for the
rest. Now run away awhile-I. want
to read
1t may have been Mr.. Osborne's de-
sire to read. but he took queer way
to accomplish 1t, for he held his paper
upside down and fastened his gaze on
the glowing coals.> Flossy's words
had suggested new idea to him. and
he was bordering 1t. It seemed alb
surd to suppose that mother wanted
money-mother, whose every wish was
supplied as soon as expressed, whose
comfort was never neglected What
could she want with money? Not
but she was welcome to 1t. He had
withheld 1t only to save her from be-
ing worried with It's expenditure.
Marcia attended to her wardrobe most
carefully, and people were always CON
graduating her on the excellent care
her children bestowed upon her. Was
1T possible they had all made mis-
take? Come to think Of it, there had
seemed shadow over the peaceful
face on Christmas day-almost visit
full look. He had wondered at 1t and
tried to dispel it by added attentions.
He hadn't realized before that the
only gifts mother gave had been
trif1es of her own handiwork-more
precious to the recipients than costly
purchases, but perhaps she didn't I'M
derstand that At all events, 1t was
worth experimenting on It couldn't
excite her unduly to buy few vaIen-
tines. Perhaps, for all her gentle
dignity, she was growing childish; but
even if she was. she should be hui
mored in her-whims. Such a good
mother as she had always been!
With Mr.. Osborne, to resolve was to
act so the very next morning he hand
ed the desired amount to Flossy, then.
turning to his wife, said:
How about you, Marcia?''
Il never refuse was the laughing
reply.
"Nor I,papa." Nor T." clamored the
older children.
He listened and laughed with them
all. but watched his mothers pretty
soft cheeks flush an eager pink, though
she didn't speak.
wait, youngsters! Your turn later.
What have you to say mother? Maybe
you'd like to buy some valentines this
year,"
'Wh, yes, Homer one or two. I'd
like 1t very much If it would be conve-
nient."
well, it just is convenient! Please,
ma'am, may be your escort when you
go a-shopping? I'll promise to be very
good"
Could there be tears behind the
glasses? At any rate, the gentle voice
shook a little as the mother said:
THAT would be lovely, Homer dear, if
you can spare the time" 4.
II can, ma'am. SO. that is. settled.
I'll; be. here at one O'Clock. sharp. Fol
low Flossy's example and have your
list made out. Here's your money.
Well have a lark, I'll promise you!
No. Flossy, not this time. Nobody
but grandma and papa today. Here