The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-04-24
Whose
Valentine!
The Question Was Soon
Settled

BY CLARISSA MACKIE

| Louise Arden always flushed ana STOP
ped when she reached this point in
her oft repeated remark. In her own
mind the real conclusion OF the sen
Itence was when there IL such u
young and beautiful girl as ! am In
the same house." or course you can
see that Louise was only sixteen and
very conceited or she never would
have been guilty OF such remark
She was a sweet girl. though. and
perhaps the years would broaden
what now was very narrow outlook
on life
"Why, Aunt lou is thirty years old
II she's a day." went on Louise.
! Miss Lou Haysland was more than
thirty years old She was thirty-two.
but nobody would have guessed it, be-
cause she retained all her glrlish slim
ness of form and her graceful carriage
OF shoulders and poise of head Miss
Haysland had wealth OF deep chest
nut hair that rippled from brow to
nape of her white neck, and she had
great violet eyes, with long, thick
llashes and the most charming fea-
lures in the world. Besides all this
personal beauty, she had a sunny dis
position and was sweet and amiable
TO the point OF self sacrifice.
Her namesake. Louise. had watched
her pretty aunt vanish down the
snowy street tucked under the buffalo
robes in Roger Brisbin's sleigh. and 1t
was slight attack of jealousy that
was responsible for the younger Lou
ise's unllind remarks. She would have
been proud to be Rogers companion,
but IL was Aunt Lou whom he chose
TO invite on every occasion, and peo-
pie were beginning TO say that Roger
Brisbin certainly meant business.
| Louise dressed herself in pretty
gray chinchilla coat. I'm which she
looked especially lovely, for she was Il
dark. sparkling beauty. with black eyes
and brilliant color of cheek and lips.
On her head she pinned saucy gray
hat with scarlet wing. and, tucking
her hands In her muff. she went down
the street toward Homer Bec!:ford's
stationery store.
In front or the window she waited
long while, gazing ut the handsome
display of valentines in the two large
windows. She intended to buy sew
eral TO send anonymously to girl
friends, but her bright eyes could not
help but stray to the handsomest one
in the window.
II was a large white satin affair
with hand painted cupids and hearts
upon it intwined with wreaths of tiny
roses. Be.eath all this was a sen
tence. II have waited for thee"
Louise s.shed. she would have been
happy indeed IL she had received that
valentine and known that Roger Bris-
bin had sent 1t to her, for-yes, l must
confess that Louise was almost in love
with her charming aunt's admirer.
She slipped inside the store TO make
sure of something. Her romantic mind
harbored the idea that possibly, by
some freak of circumstance, Roger
Brisbin really did prefer her to her
time break off with Miss Haysland. IL
this was the case and Roger was Sc
cretly nourishing a preference for Lou
Use instead of Lou, then-then, conclud-
ed Louise, what was more natural
than he should send her beautiful
valentine? He would no doubt select
the most beautiful and costly one in
Beckford's store, and that was the
white satin beauty.
III she did receive the white satin
valentine Louise would know from
whence 1t came unless there happened
to be more than one of the white ones
in the store; then IL might be from most
anybody. for Louise Arden had several
boyish admirers. She would go in and
inquire now.
The store was empty Of customers
as she entered. Homer Beckford's son,
young Homer, stood behind the coun-
ter looking over n tray OF valentines
and rearranging them in order, for It
had been busy afternoon. When he
saw Louise coming in little flush
Redeemed his ears. and his light blue
eyes sparkled. He was in love with
pretty young Louise.
Good afternoon, Homer" said Lou
Use carelessly as she came up to the
counter. II want to inquire the price
OF that white satin beauty in the win
dow"
Five dollars. Louise" said Homer.
But you're too late-it's sold"
who bought it," inquired Louise
saucily.
You know can't tell that"
mot to me? / won't tell" urged
Louise.
II can't-don't ask me to. II Il was
anything except a valentine / might
tell" Homer was looking much en-
barrassed and distressed over the mat
ter--suspiciously so.
"Humph" commented the displeased
Louise as she walked down the store
toward the show window. 81 suppose
may look at 1t moment. Any rule
against that?'
None at ALL" was Homer's cheerful
reply. and he unlocked the white SAT.
In valentine from its place in the win
dow and gave 1t into Louise's hands.
She looked at II long and earnestly
She had seen 1t before-in fact. ever
Cf In q haA