Middletown transcript., 1907-02-16

Bshine mingling with the sea-
fragrance of the wind as it swept
along the cliff.
And Peggy walked there pen
sively, with the soft color gone
from her dainty cheek and weary
shadows about the pretty eyes.
She was very disappointed and
heartsore, and even the rainbow
lights over the tossing waves
| failed to awake her interest. The
world was out of tune to-day.
Others might smile and chatter
as they tripped along the cliff
path, but she felt sad and weary,
and the sunshine seemed feeting,
and beyond there were rain
clouds gathering. as if for a
storm.
And Duncan had said never a
word, had sent her no valentine,
not even a tiny verse of his own;
and he could make pretty rhymes
as she knew very well.
And had he not said he would
send her valentine /? He had
forgotten her, too, and Aunt
Priscilla was right when she said
that men were tickle and false,
and it were best to have naught
to do with them.
But her own true sweetheart
had seemed SO different-he had
spoken so lovingly, SO bravely,
and the light had shone so gaily
in his honest eyes, and the smile
had been so sweet on his lips.
She could never, never believe
him false, be the others what
they may.
She turned away from the
laughing sea-edge with sudden,
quick movement, and the wind
caught a soft curl of her hair and
blew it over her eyes, so that
she did not see someone who
crossed over to meet her, and
took both her little cold hands
into his own warm clasp. But
all the FLASHING of the waves and
the murmuring of the wind could
not drown his dear voice as he
whispered that he had come to
be her valentine himself, and
would she haze him, or must he
go away again ?
And Miss Priscilla has bidden
me come and find you, sweet
heart, and that is best of all, he
cried, gaily. She is aweary of
your sad looks and fearful eyes,
and she would fain make you
happy in your own way. Darling,
she loves you very dearly, and
she has known much trouble her
self.
And so in the sunshine of the
great world and the safe shelter
of love ther forgave Miss Pris-
ella, and wandered on into the
lovers paradise, where the skies.
are blue as with garlands Of for.
get-me-nots, and the paths are
twined with bride-roses and
honeysuckle.
But Miss Priscilla shed a quiet
tear over her darling at home,
and then smiled very gently as
they entered to bid them vel
come to her heart.
In the evening, as pretty Peggy
stood in her little white room,
hsS amt hronght Ml . little
picture, very. dainty and sweet,
with a tiny frame Of jewels
around it, and a thin chain of
quaint gold to wear it b b.
It was my sister, dehr heart,
she said, softly, touching the
little old fashioned tririket with
reverend fingers. She was like
you, Peggy very sweet and gen
tie, like a flower we used to say
in the old home, and She faded
like one too. She loved some
one very, very dearly the poor
voice quiyered pitifnlIy, and the
white hands that held the little
twists Of cleaning goldfrembled
and he broke her heartthat
is all Darling. I have been hard
and bitter, perhaps, since then
/ am sorry for it now. Forgive.
t.
me. and be happy with ora true
lover. for ! think he il agd and
true, aud win love you, as
you should Be loved. Aua sleep
safely nov. = y pfstty heaft, With
this little re--the best
4 have scilla ssded