The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-02-11
ESTABLISHED 1875

pose. l. as l had intended from the
first, sent mine to the widow Hav-
ing done so l returned TO my room
and to bed In the morning I saw /
fancy envelope on the floor, which had
evidently been slipped under my door /
during the night. | knew at once that |
1t was a valentine and since Mrs.
Barstow had announced that she
would not be a part of the regular
scheme l judged it was from her.
We breakfasted at 8 o'clock on st.
Valentines morning. Bob sat at the
head of the table with the valentines
in his pocket. He had been up long
enough to examine them and find out
just how many couples If any had ex-
changed. But l noticed a look Of dis
appointment on his physiognomy.
There was scarcely any conversation
at the table, though every one tried to
talk Too much was at stake for all
to admit of anything more than dis
connected remarks. Bob remained as
sober as judge. though now and
again l could see a slight quirking up
ward of the corners of his mouth.
When breakfast was finished he drew
memorandum from his pocket, but
it was not needed.
81 regret to tell you ALL" he said,
that my plan for celebrating St Val
entine's day has not turned out as
might have been expected"
He then went on to speak of the val
entines the girls had sent. and they
were quite evenly distributed.
''And now" he continued, 81 must
make an announcement that l would
prefer it should have turned out 9th
erwise. But before doing so | have to
request that | may be permitted to
keep 1t a secret"
This, of course, only stimulated Gu
riosity, and he was commanded to pro
coed.
''Well, then,'' he said reluctantly
"all the mems valentines were ad
dressed to our good chaperon. Mrs
Barstow."
| cast my eyes around the table
Every man looked as if he had stolen
sheep. and in the eyes of every girl
there was lurid fire | suppose | am
cynical sort of chap At any rate
l had arranged matters for this result
and was satisfied | knew that If
Mrs. Barstow were admitted to Bob
Edwards St Valentines -party could
but induce her to take the necessary
steps, she would gather all the mems
valentines to herself. When pro
posed the plan to her she demurred
but finally consented.
That was the end of the St. Valen
tines house party After breakfast
the girls went up to their rooms or
each others rooms, and we could hea
considerable discussion going on among
them in voices which bespoke their
feelings. First one girl, then another.
announced that she was needed at
home or an engagement had been
made for her and she must take the
afternoon train. Most of the men who
were sorry for what they had done
went with them to try to make it up.
The chaperen couldn't stay alone with
two men, so she departed also. The
consequence was that on st. valen-
tines day at o'clock in the evening
Bob and | dined alone.
BILLY" said Bob. you provided more
time for the honeymoons than was
needed after ALL"
Bob" | replied, Pm looking for
ward to a real honeymoon"
with whom?"
1.-THE widow"
tossed the valentine had received
from her, and when he didn't find p
mark on it told him how it had been
eft under my door.
When the next ST. Valentines day
came round had married the widow.
and we sent out invitations to ali who
had been guests at Bob Edwards house
party for one at our own residence
year before the lady who was now
my wife was not popular among the
girls of those present, and they would
have then scorned her invitation, but
meanwhile they had made 1t up with
the men. and some Of them had mar
ried those to whom they had sent their
valentines So they accepted cordially
Bob was there too. but on condition
that / had no valentine scheme on
hand. He has not to this day quite
forgiven me for spelling his idea for
renovating the anniversary.