The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-04-16


Are you gcing to send us on our sew
eral ways TO cheer sorrowful lovers
and make little children smile"
No. Mr. Timothy Scott was not going
to help the valentines to fulfill their
several missions. He frowned aggres-
slvely into the fire. and the glowing
embers sent shafts of light up the
chimney and framed pictures In which
valentines played many a part, and
that was very strange too.
There was picture of a girl, such a
pretty girl, small and dainty, with
black hair asd soft black eyes. She
wore whits gown and blue ribbon
and she was giving Mr.. Timothy Scott
a valentine. and Mr.. Timothy Scott
seemed to be very glad to get 1t. And
here was another picture of the same
girl, and white gown and blue rib
bon, but her eyes were full of tears
and pleading, while Mr.. Timothy Scott
was frowning at her with thick brows
drawn closely together and a very an.
cry countenance, and young Mr.. Scott
turned away and left the girl, and he
never once looked back
Thirty long years had he waited for
her to send for him, but she had never
eyinced a sign that she knew Mr.. Tim
othy Scott, save that she dipped a little
old fashioned courtesy whenever they
met. And that had all happened thirty
years ago, and she had never married
aud neither had he. She lived in big
lonely house at one end of, the village
and he at. the other in a house Just as
large and as lonely.
Something rolled down Mr. limo
thy's nose and splashed on the white
waistcoat He jumped up and blew
his nose Violently He rang the bell for
Benjamin.
More wood. Benjamin" he ordered
sharply. My fire is going out and l
am taking a cold"
The next morning after breakfast
Mr. Timothy locked himself In the IL
brary and went to his safe, where he
unlocked secret drawer and took out
n yellowed envelope, from which he
drew faded little valentine. the self
same valentine that the girl IN the fire
picture had given to young Timothy
Scott This he placed carefully in his
letter case. Then he called Benjamin.
Have the sleigh around at III
O'clock" he said amiably, and the grin
ming old servant hobbled away with
alacrity.
Down the village street glided the
great Russian sleigh, Benjamin guild
ing the handsome bays and Mr.. Tim
othy Scott multled to the ears In furs
sitting in the back People stared aft
er the sleigh curiously, for the sight
of the master of Scott house recalled
to their minds that he WAS responsible
for the fact that few people in Beech
cove had received valentines that
morning
Through the great bronze gateway.
which he had not passed since that
other day 50 many years ago they
dashed up the broad avenue sweeping
In front of the colonial house, and be
allghted with brisk agility. The long
wait In the familiar drawing room, the
parting of the velvet curtains, the com
ing of n dimmutiye figure with snowy
hair piled high. soft black eyes and
willie dress. with knots of violet rib
bon, and then, "TimotbY,' she said
gently. Il knew you must come some
day"
The minister married them that aft
ernoon-Nlolet Alien and Timothy
Sect Then the newly welded pair
entered the sleigh and We're sped down
the avenue aud mp the street to the
Scott house. where old IIetty baked
aud brewed In a whirl of mad excite
ment. Benjamin WAS sent on fifty or
rands about the village. and when
evening came there WAS merry gath
ering of people in the old house Every
man. woman and child who was able
to be afoot was there. The walls of the
fine rooms were hung with gay yalen
tines. The tables were covered with
them They were pinned To the dra
peries and suspended from the chande
liers.
Timothy Scott and his beautiful bride
received their neighhors cordially,
There was n banquet in the huge din
Ing room. music in the hall, aud then
the bride gave TO each departing guest
a valentine as souvenir of the occasion.
"Timothy." said the bride when they
stood alone before the hearth fire, I'VE
must repeat this every year when Val
entlnes day comes around-the recep-
ton. the supper, the music, the giving
of valentines"
I'VE will" said Timothy solemnly.