Middletown transcript., 1907-06-22

/ think 1 can stop Tor q little
while, be said, returning his
nephew's confidential glance. So
they followed Miss Burroughs
into the dim. pleasant parlor.
There was a cheerful FIRE in
the hearth. with comfortable
chairs drawn up aboutit-a pleas
antstopping place on q February
afternoon. gelia's aunty sank
into one of the chairs and Uncle
Jack took another, but Stuart
looked about restlessly.
Where's Celia? he asked.
IN the nursery looking at her
valentines, replied Celia S aunty.
But wait a minute, dear. What
have you in that big envelope?
She lifted Stuart on her knee
and bent her pretty head close
LID
to his, for she knew that Uncle.
Jack was watching her and she
did not want to look in his eyes.
Stuart displayed his treasure.
IT isn't as pretty as the valentine
in the window he said, regretfully
but I couldn't get that on Sun
day. Do you think she'll like it9
OF course. Did. you make IT,
all yourself, Stuart?
No. Uncle Jack cut the heart
ont for me;he knows more about
hearts than I do.
Oh!
I made one first, went on
Stuart, but it wasn't just right.
Uncle Jack said it looked like his
heart, though.
Really What does Uncle Jack s
heart look like, Stuart?
Celia's aunty was very rosy
again, but she was looking
straight at the little boy in her
lap. Stuart thought she had for
gotten that Uncle Jack was
there.
Oh, it was all crumpled and
shipped up, he replied.
And with a girls face in it,
don't forget that, yeungster, said
Uncle Jack, softly.
Yes, I cut her out Of an adver-
tisement card. Isn'tshe pretty?
said Stuart, peinting to the pic
ture. And see the printing! I
did that, myself.
Celia's aunty read it carefully
And why were you mad with
Celia? she asked, gravely.
Oh, cause she didn't dance
with me when she'd promised.
Really? Tn sorry, was the
gentle reply. Twill tell Celia so.
Now you'd better run and find
her, and kiss and be friends
again.
But Stuart fingered to look up
in her face. Then suddenly his
arms went about the pretty neck.
I wish you were my aunty really!
he exclaimed.
The lady drew him close with
a gentle shake. Oh, you foolish
little boy! she said, laughing.
Stuart was slipping from her
lap to the floor, when he was
seized with another inspiration.
Uncle Jack, he said, can I show
her your valentine?
don't mind, said Uncle JACK,
carelessly. He was lounging
back in the heeasy-chair, his hands
clasped behind his head, and
his eyes twinKled.
Stuart took up the violet box
and opened it with great care.
They'r for the little girl Uncle
JACK likes best, he explained.
Uncle Jack was mad with her,
too, but he isn't any more and so
he got these for a valentine. Ny!
Aren't they sweet!
Very sweet, said the lady,
softly.
Don't you think she'll like
them?
She ought to.
Uncle Jack says she's an aw,
full pretty little girl-prettier
than Celia but I don't believe
that, do you2
No, indeed, said Celia's aunty, /
warmly. Then she lifted the
great bunch of yiolets, and a
paper heart was discovered on
the bottom of the box: What is
this? she asked, smiling
Hush. exclaimed Stuart, in a
stage whisper. Uncle Jack
doesn't know about, that. I did
it for him cause he was afraid to.
I made it just like mine; only It'll
isn't cut out SO nice. But !
guess she'll like it. It seems
more like a valentine than flow
oy.c do