Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1912-01-27


er way she would steal glance at the
reverse of the valentine and see
whether Roger really was the pur-
chaser. If his name was there it
must be for her. He certainly would
never dream of sending anything 80
sweetly romantic to a woman as old
as Aunt Lou-an old maidl
"Will you please bring me drink
of water. Homer" she asked prettily,
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 BeclSford returned
Louise had replaced the valentine in
the window and was looking over
trayful of less 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.
at is lovely" sighed Louise. SIS it
the only one you've got?"
Yes, the only one we had in stock
like that. Father thought there wasn't
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-
1y 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
moment she felt very sorry to think
of the tragedy that lay in store for
Aunt Lou. She wondered If she ought
corning the matter and sort of pave
the way for the denouement that must
one day come when Aunt Lou discov-
cred 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
fire.
Eyes. oh, Aunt Lou! Can you sit
down a moment? 1 want to ask you
a question. You will try to be calm
and not break down, won't your urged
her romantic niece.
"What is the matter? What has
happenedP cried Miss Haysland in
alarm, starting toward the door.
"Your mother
Its not that sort of trouble, Aunt
Lou! cried Louise impatiently. Its
only-only-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
She felt like the heroine in a melo-
drama.
Miss Haysland grew very pale and
leaned against the mante1. "What do
you mean, Louise? What right have
you to ask me such a question? What
right have you to attack Mr.. Brisbin
In that mannerT
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, would not" said Miss Hays
land with emphasis. "Look here. Lou.
ise," and she held out her slender left
hand, on which cleaned large dia-
mond. ~ am engaged to be married
to Mr.. Brisbin. You can understand
why must laugh at anything so ri
diculous as you suggest"
"Pm very glad, I'm sure" said Lou
Use stiffiy and left the room after CIV
ing her aunt a cool kiss of congratuIa-
ton. Later on she made up for her
coldness by delightful warmth. Now
she was hurt and jealous and was
0h0AOho W oCCh thC oSSiuSlOh VI hCt
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 few
up to her room and tore open the
wrappings. Inside was the white sat
in valentine. She turned it over. The
initials had been erased. but she could
see the faint indentation of the pencil
marks. The first initial must have
been an "H" instead of an "R."
Who was "H. B.?
She asked herself this question as
she went down the stairs. and her
brother Dick answered it as he grin
ned up at her.
''You needn't try to make secret of
who sent you that valentine, sis, be-
cause I saw that big lunatic of Ho-
ner Beckford slipping it into the mail
box just before they gave 1t to mev'
Louise sprang to the defense of Ho-
mer Beckford, and in that moment
there died out the romance she had