The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-04-24

suffering from a secret love for her
and would send II TO her under cover
of the day dedicated to the sending OF
tender misslves.
II the valentine was sold the name
OF the purchaser was probably traced
on the back of the missive. IL Ho-
mer would only turn his head the 9th
er way she would steaia glance at the
reverse OF the valentine and see
whether Roger really Vas the pur-
chaser II his name was there II
must be for her. He certainly would
never dream of sending anything so
sweetly romantic 10 woman as old
as Aunt Lou-an old maid.
''Wil you please bring me n drink
OF water. Homer?' she asked prettlly.
and Homer fastened. to obey her re.
quest While he was gone she turned
the valentine over and saw the word
"Sold" and the initials "R. b." Her
heart sang with JOY.
When Homer Beckford returned
Louise had replaced the valentine In
the window and was looking over
trayful OF Tess expensive ones. Her
eyes sparkled with happiness, and she
was very gracious to Homer Beck
ford, who felt exceedingly happy him
self.
"You liked that white satin one.
didn't you, Louise?" he asked as he
wrapped her purchases.
ut is lovely" sighed Louise "Is it
the only one you've got?"
Eyes, the only one we had in stock
any use in stocking up with many ex-
pensive ones, as there isn't much sale
for them here in Haleford."
81 wouldn't mind receiving that one
myself" limited Louise as she left the
store.
Perhaps you WILL" called young
Homer, and Immediately ducked down
beneath the counter to hide his EN-
barrassment.
The following day would be st. Val
entine's day. Louise was reading in
the library when her Aunt Lou reach
ed home just at dusk. Miss Haysland
came into the room. looking very love-
! ly in her dark blue velvet and furs
Her cheeks were delicately flushed.
and her large violet eyes held depth
of feeling they had never displayed
before.
Louise caught her breath as she re-
allied her aunt's loneliness, and for a
moment she felt very sorry to think
of the tragedy that lay i'm store for
Aunt Lou. She wondered IL she ought
not to probe her aunt's feelings con-
corning the matter and sort Of pave
the way for the denouement that must
one day come when Aunt Lou discov-
c-e1 that Roger Brisbin loved the
beautiful young niece and not the
handsome aunt.
well. pussie. you are snug and
warm in here" smiled Aunt Lou.
] bending down to kiss her niece's cheek
and then holding her own hands to the
J fire.
"Yes. Oh. Aunt Lou. Can you sit
down moment? l want TO ask you
"A question. You will try TO be calm
and not break down. won't youY' urged
her romantic niece
what is the matter? What has
happened?" cried Miss Haysland I'm
alarm. starting toward the door.
"Your mother
ITS not that sort OF trouble, Aunt
Lou" cried Louise lmpatiently. "lts
would you feel very badly
II Roger Brisbin really was eating his
heart out for another girl-somebody
quite young and beautiful-who-wh
couldn't help his falling in love with
her" Louise warmed to the subject.
She felt like the heroine In a melo-
drama.
Miss Haysland grew very pale and
leaned against the mantel. "What do
You mean, Louise? What right have
you to ask me such n question? What
/ right have you to attack Mr.. Brisbin
In that manner"
Louise was frightened. and she turn
ed her head away. and sullen look
came around her mouth. "Of course
you wouldn't believe it." she said sig
nificantly.
mo. l would not" said Miss Hays
land with emphasis. look here. Lou
ise,' and she held out her slender left
hand, on which cleaned a large dia-
mond. IL am engaged to be married
to Mr.. Brlsbin. You can understand
why must laugh at anything so RI
diculous as you suggest"
I'm very glad. I'm sure" said Lou
ise stiffiy and left the room after Civ
ing her aunt cool kiss of congratula-
tion. Later on she made up for her
coldness by a delightful warmth. Now
she was hurt aud jealous and was
anxious to seek the seclusion of her
own room.
AS she crossed the hall the door open
ed and her brother Dick entered with
the evening mail. "a big valentine
for you. Louise" he called and tossed
her square white package.
Despite his brotherly gibes she flew
up to her room and tore open the
wrappings. Inside was the white sat-
In valentine. She turned 1t over. The
initials had been erased. but she could
see the faint indentation OF the pencil,
marks. The Grst initial must have
been an "II" inofaod Of -.