Mexico Missouri message., 1908-02-13

emperor himself was not half 80 Wise
or handsome. the foolish maiden
thought Her father. who was an
enthusiastic student OF astronomy
was a great friend OF Herr Max. and
the latter often came to his house,
where there was a fine observatory.
When the two men went up to the
house-top observatory to study the
heavenly bodies Freda. eager 10 learn,
went with them; but somehow the
consultations, comets. meteors and
asteroids she heard them speak OF
so 1uently were all so confusing that
she could understand nothing. try
hard as she might.
Hut she learned one thing. which
was not down in the books. all un.
consciously. During those long, de.
llcious nights spent upon the house
top watching the glowing heavens.
she had learned the lesson of love
and all the affection OF her pure,
young heart was layished upon the
professor
When the little German maid frat
realized that she loved him she was
annoyed az her audacity and trembled
lest he ind IL out. but later on when
the noble passion had filled her whole
heart she trembled lest he should
never know. or care for her in return.
Then" she tearfully said to her.
self, Il can but die To young, ro-
mantle maidens IL seems an easy
thing to die for love unrequited. but
he was wise who said that men have
died and worms have eaten them, but
not for love-
The soft summer nights passed and
they met no more upon the roof, but
the two astronomers spent many an
evening IN the Trainers coy little
parlor. with their books aud charts
spread on the table beside them. Then
the young hausfrau sat by quietly
knitting, feasting her eyes upon the
beloved countenance. but II by chance
Herr Max glanced in her direction.
she dropped her blue eyes. blushlng
deeply. And as she always dropped
her eyes she never saw the tender
smile that played upon his lips when
ever she repeated this harmless ma
newer
When ST. Valentines day came the
bright flower of hope blossomed in
Freda's heart, for this was surely the
opportunity she sought and she hoped
the good saint would lend her his
aid. With loudly beating heart she
entered the stationer's shop and
asked the young clerk 10 show her
the valentines. She pressed her hand
against her heart to still its beating
making. as she did so. a far prettier
picture than any OF the painted graces
on the valentines before her
Some one. passing by. caught a
glimpse OF her and thought so. too;
but Freda was so engrossed in trying
To find a valentine TO suit her, that she
did not know the professor had seen
her and had passed on with that rare
ly tender smile upon his lips.
At last she found what she wanted.
II was very simple little valentine,
but it told an eloquent story. On the
top OF the white embossed page
blazed a glorious star. with beams OF
light radiating from every point, and
beneath Il, as IL basking in its rays,
lay a tiny heart pierced by an arrow
shot from the bow Of n roguiBh cupid.
"Ach!" thought Freda, the star Is
Herr Max and mine is the heart. But
| fear he can never stoop low enough
10 reach It," With this humble
thought she tremblingly addressed the
envelope and then ran to drop It In
the nearest postboX. A score of times
she wished Il back and reproached
herself for her boldness. but now he
was coming to tea and II he under.
stood he would reveal II In his conduct
and she would soon know her fate.
At last the preparations for supper
were completed. and. with tired sigh,
she sat down by the bright fire to rest.
Pleasant visions filled her mind, and
she did not hear the footsteps which
softly drew near. aud only knew she
was not alone when something
dropped into her lap.
II was the valentine shc IAd sent
that morning-he had brought OF sent
II back to her. she knew not which, for
grief and shame so overcame her she
dared not turn her head to see.
Thinking he thus refused her love
she was about to cast the now hateful
valentine into the IRE and then rush
away and never look at tho professol
again. when something stopped her
Her eyes fell upon the valentine. Il
was the same. and yet not the same
for. although the great star still blazeC
at the top of the card. the little hear
was no longer far beneath II. but, In
stead, rested within the heart OF the
star.
A deep Joy filled little Fredai
breast! When. at last, she tool
courage and looked around she saw
the professor standing behind her, an,
saw for the first time the tender
loving smile as he gently drew her d
him and folded her IN HIS arms.
Then, she knew, In truth, that tn
beautiful star had stopped down an,
raised tho little heart 10 la own Level