The San Francisco call., 1909-02-13


= short crisp brown curls on his
- shapely head These redeeming
features helped one forget his unde-
.S5t-ed nose and somewhat large mouth.
srd the fact that he was poorly
zdEessed and that his hands were rather
giihny
A: the moment when our story be-
Elts his face was lit UP with such
a-zffied- expression that q teacher OF
==s9se#ssrte might with great advantage.
s7e used him as an illustration Of
e emotions Happiness, triumph. ex-
#:i1atlons ooubt anxiety, appeared al
: s.za lately,- and finally settled them
..sSsst%Fes into what IN grown man
JElsnI be called "bravadO," but IN this
-=slsE5le mite was simply courage He
; vas on ms way 10 the great house"
s:ast TIE village To his eyes il was a
%eFF grand place with its slOping lawn.
.~lIS broad avenue. its wide verandas
.@tifG large windows The boy avoided
..ace graveled walk and. skirting the
I.sTer- beds and shrubbery, reached
:=ne Neranda unseen by any one.
&fimoing over the railing, at one end.
--.,ite edged his way close to the wall
94nti- the hall door was reached. This
p -Was partly open and the warm Feb
--7oI( lhe crimson carpet that covered the
= door.
: %. The boy put his hand inside his
b. lattered jacket and carefully drew out
: a. square package. 1t was wrapped in
.yellow paper and tied with a red
-sstring. For a moment he looked about
.s..lllll, heslrateo, and then laid il in the
i:.-.e2ter Of the square of light A
-'eslght noise startled him and he was
#-olE like "a fash and the next moment
>. l.as safely hid behind the trunk Of a
.ssaarge elm where he waited for devel-
= +Qpments.
soon out OF the half open door came
pretty. winsome. little maiden. The
vide open brown eyes were sparkling
%" 5ffth Fun, her fuzzy golden hair fell
:. .-s3Qut her shoulders in great waves
>.-.t color, her rosy mouth was made TO
=. l<lssi and her dress showed her to be
= "a. petted darling. As she stepped out
:. ti .-the veranda her eyes caught sight
s: q The little packet. She picked il up
and seating herself on a step. turned
. <lt- over and over. For Edna" she
..rsad. The writing was scrawly and
slgne with a lead pencil, and she had
7.lever seen il before. Quickly the
- c-i.d undid the wrappings. Fold after
s:fold Of paper and then-a valentine
was gorgeous one-all lace paper
@::aQd red roses. and cupids and doves
':~4ad hearts and arrows and a verse OF
" :slch delicious poetry:
If you love me as I love you.
~. We teach each other viii be true;
= Some day 7 hope TO call you mine,
Ill then IN be your valentine"
~ The girls eyes wandered over the
=. iawn and rested on the trees where
=. 1re. buds were already beginning to
!: swel. The boy could have sworn they
crooked right at him. and oh, how his
:. :hesrt beat Then she read the verse
.saEain. A rosy color suffused her
j. checks. and after quick glance
F *arouud. she raised the valentine to
: rer lips and kissed ii. She was only
. a.child, but IN embryo woman. re-
member. and such things are born in
women.
The Judge was weary that night
tedious trial with its train OF stupid
witnesses. wrangling lawyers and AL
the cumbersome machinery OF the law
had left him too tired for the opera
A which he and his bride had expected to
Ntteno. and his easy chair, his slippers
and the companionship Of a charming
Tolnan appeared 10 him to combine
the requisites Of perfect happiness
.. How long IS il since / Hrst met you
g.: Csgs12" said he, as he idly played with
:: .she rings on her delicate hand. Just
+. eiIree years is it not2"
=: yes" she answered. 1T is about
..tlree years since I came TO the city
10 YOU know, Caryl, il seems TO ms
sometimes that / have always known
your once in q while ] see Ia youl
eyes a look I am sure ] have seen IN
some one, somewhere. but can no
remember whom or when"
Probably 81 was one OF your ole
sgreethearts." she laughed You must
9fave had several before you met me-"
.s..,--s.s-s-s-e-s-s