Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-01-02
One Valentines
Mysterious
Career
BY Cora Stuart Wheeler


81 don't know why | shouldn't"
said Harrie Arnold. slowly.
Nobody thinks much OF valentines
unless they are-truly in love'-with
quick husband ii he is that,
vaguely, why, he will be just too
pleased to think of criticising me,
even il he guesses who sent 1t.
wonder If that simpering clerk has
sold il by this time; oh, hope not
About this time, Clayton Dukes was
taking life comfortably in his sisters
luxurious library.
February IA" he exclaimed st.
Valentines day see-hence the
Cupids. Why anything so suggestive
of the buresque stage should recall
Miss Arnold. | have no idea: but the
fact remains that | am reminded or
that fascinating young person ana
would like to send her some flowers.
A few hours later. at The Kensing-
ton on the mob side" of Gramercy
park, a very blonde young man was
standing in an unmistakable bachelors
den. gazing with helpless bewilder-
ment into box which he had just re-
ceived from the florists boy.
"Jove, what superb roscs," he ex-
claimed. filter for girl than great
fellow like me. No mistake, however,
there it is-'Mr Harry Arnold who
could have sent them? I've only been
in town week wish dared send
them to my dear little Coz. Here he
bent over the fragrant box, searching
9airlv for a clue.
WHO could-ah - M - m - nit
must be that my fair cousin has taken
this way To tell me that | am not for
yotten. What joke. If had sent her
ond cousin, anyhow. and | don't see
why her mother should object"
Mr.. Clayton Dukes, having left his
card and given the address: Miss
Harlie Arnold, verbally, 10 the
florists clerk. waited in some sus-
nense an opportunity to learn the re-
ception of his flowers. To his sur
prise, instead of having appeased the
sudden memory OF pretty Miss Arnold.
which stirred him on Valentines day,
hat mischievous saint had kindled a
BIT of fame which every breeze of
circumstance blew to greater height.
heretofore, TO meet the smiling,
IMPLIED maiden. bad seemingly been
IN everyday chance, but now that he
vas no longer Indifferent. he waited
in vain
st Valentine, who evens up matters
Usually in a manner mysterious to
nortals. made an exception in this
ase, since while in town, young
Dukes watched in vain for Miss Ar
mold. Second Cousin Harry Rugged
himself with glee at finding himself
one of the guests at the Cawnthorpes
IN Lenox. Being tacitly turned over
20 his charming relative, he was left
quite at liberty to make hay in the
sun of her smiles.
All these days, two very inferior be-
lngs were playing a most important
part in this comedy Of three albeit
unconscious of the mischief they were
brewing. as were their victims, who in
hat lofty and uplilted region called
swelldom." va!nly imagined they
we're having things their own way In
the first place Tomplins, the florists
clerk, had young woman awaiting
him at the moment when he was
called upon to arrange the box of
roses for Miss Arnold That waiting
Young woman certainly weakened
Tompkin's mind temporarily to such
an extent that he slipped Mr.. Dukes
card into his waistcoat pocket. and
when he saw the name Harry"
which he had written. with its mas
culne termination he at once decided
that his ears had deceived him, and
that the gentleman did not say Miss;
addressing the box with neatness and
accuracy to MIR. Harry Arnold" he
left ii to be delivered in due season at
Judge Arnold's. He got no farther
than the door. however, when the but
Ter informed the bearer. that Mr.
Harry Arnold lived at The Kensing-
ton" Gramercy park, where it was
duly delivered.
The other inferior being" was a
district messenger boy to whom Miss
Harrie Arnold had intrusted her
votive offering TO ST. Valentine as be-
ing safer than the post, while, lest her
writing betray her, she printed the
name only. on the package. and faint
ly in one corner Of the valentine, Civ
ing the boy one of Mr.. Clayton Dukes
own cards. upon which was the adj
dress of his club, with instructions to
deliver IL into his hands.
Now. Teddy Bowles, at the instant
of receiving the package, was an in.
ward volcano of ire on the eve OF
eruption. at a fellow-messenger, for
the double offense of having called
Teddy's grown-up sister carrot
head" and reporting Teddy at the Of
fee the day before for taking pay for
message at both ends OF trip. I'm
luckily. as he ragged along toward the
club. round a corner came his enemy.
who greeted him with an exasperating
grin That was enough. Out went a
dirty fist. bang into the grin, whose
proprietor made a vengeful snatch at
the prpciOus DackaRe with which h.,