The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-14
When a Saint interviewed

morning about the place" he thought
once more back to the lonely living
room. TN get away az soon as |
can't Viii he better for both of us''
/ He opened the big old-fashioned
secretary. Every compartment was
crowded with the accumulation Of
years. From an upper and seldom
of letters and spread them out be-
fore him on the lid.
His heart gave quick throb as
+ he noticed letter in Janets delicate
writing; he reached for IL eagerly,
and then dropped 1t into the waste
basket with a shrug at his own weak
ness There were also letters from
his brother and long envelope, into
which had been eareIessly thrust
some printed papers. As he drew
out these a letter fell from among
the sheets. face downward on the
table. 1t was sealed and he turned
II over wonderingly.
ON the face, in his own strong let
ters. stood the name Of Janet Bates!
Gazing al II, his eyes grew dark with
apprehension and a hot wave seemed
to stop his heartbeats. His fingers
tremhled as he tore open the envel-
one and unfolded the sheet. Facing
him were the words;
hS ddI itIk gill We tIicd 10 una
valentine good enough for you, but
il cannot be done Gilt hearts and
cupids seem but poor things when
! / think of you.
VIII you let me tell you what
really want to give you, dear? l
want to tell you all by ourselves. and
/ want to tell YOU to-day--Saint Val
entines day
! There IL always confusion at
your brothers, and / want you all to
myself tonight VIII you let me
take you out this evening as we go
/ last2 When you are ready put the
lamp in the window and / viii come
/ "Janet-Janet. 1 want to give you
n real heart instead of "a gilded one!
! / want o give you"
With groan the man dropped the
letter and covered hts face with his
hands.
| How could ne have failed to post
/ this? What could Janet have thought
what could she not have suffered :?
4 Before him rose the long line Of I'M
kindnesses devised by his wounded
pride. His head sang down upon the
open letter.
Ten years" he whispered. ten
years In which to wound and hurt
her and XIII her love-"
His hands gripped the old secre-
tary.
The determination with which Miss
Janet returned home faded YEARLY
while she washed the supper dishes
Upstairs her sister-inlaw was put
ting the children to bed. In tho sit
ting room her brother read his even
ing paper Janet was alone in the
kitchen with her dishes
Answering tap at the door. she
heheld--James Whybrant standing In
the starlight,
Janet" he said very softly, under
cover Of the drumming plano. az he
stepped into the room. Janet, ! have
brought YOU a valentine"
Janet took the letter and read won
Il deringly. -.
/ II found that tonight. Janet
thought but that does not excuse
me. Can you care, after all this
time. after all l have made you SUI
fer? ?"
Janet's breath caught I'm sob. ant
he took her in his arms.
TT only YOU VIII trust me agair
I'll try so hard to make up to you fol
all these hard years.,
OH breathed Janet on protest
Let US have our ride tonight
dear. We will go down and tell Par,
son Andrews that we shall need him
to- morrow"
ITO morrow" cried Janet. reused
to action by this impetuous settlinG
Of affairs. "Oh, Jim, you know
cannot think or marrying you-to.
morrow"
The brightness In the mans face
died down,
"Of course, dear" he said humbly
IT do not wonder that you canno
trust me I viii do anything YOU say
wait as long as you wish"
Watching him. Janet reached III
suddenly and drew his face dowr
gently to her own.
M +. u Il >ese,r1e~ "xai4f7 you - she whisper
ed. And, Jim. do trust you know
that you witt be good and dear to me
always"