The Meeker herald., 1913-08-02

tOyed It all Immensely. Indeed. Boz
and I, being the organizers Of the NJ.
sair. looked for something interesting
Bob held the key to the identity Of ths
g,,ssta, while I-wsll, held the key u
the situation. though was the only
one who knew this.
Never In my life have seen such
kirmishinx-every fellow for the Rsrl
be wanted. every girl for the fellow
she wanted and all trying to conceal
their preference. had suggested fol
invitation those who would be likely
to produce Just snch result. and !
was NOT disappointed. Every day pro.
duced stronger undercurrent than the
preceding ore. Usually there il more
rhicanery In such matters among wo-
men than among men. hut In this cass
the men out Heroded Herod. Every
man was showing plainlv the girl he
Intended sending his valentine. only
he didn't intend any such thing. Al
for the girls. their diplomacy lay In
showing nothing - to what they
would do.
The evening before st. Valentines
INV VIC n1uUcu 6V1 = oC8tSA RA
ope containing our names and private
marks for our valentines and before
going to bed slipped our Cupid's mis-
sivea into a bog provided for the pur-
poss. I, a. had intended from the
arat. SAINT mine to the widow. Hav.
ing done ~ returned to my room
and to bed. In thu morning I saw ,
fancy envelope on the boor. which had
evidently been slipped under my door
during the night knsw at once that
H. was q valentine. and since ME-
Barstow had announced that she
would not BE- part Of the regular
scheme judged It was from her.
We breakfasted at Q O'Clock on st.
Valentines morning. Bob sat st the
head Of the table with the valentines
IN his pocket. He had been mp long
enough to examine them and and out
just how many couples II any had ex-
changed. But 1 noticed look Of dis
appointment ON his physiognomy.
There was scarcely anv 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 ~
sober a. a Judge. though now and
again couId zee slight quirkinG up
ward Of the corners Of his mouth.
When breakfast wax finished he drew
memorandum from bis pocket bat
II vas not needed.
II regret to tell you ALL" he said.
''that my plan for celebrating st. Val
enhne's day has not turned out -
might have hsen sxpected.''
He then went on to speak Of the val.
sntinas the girls had sent. and thay
were quite evenly distributed.
"And now" be continued. II must
make ar announcement that would
prefer 1t should have turned ont 9TH
erwise. But before doing 10 have to
request that I may bs permitted to
keep It q secret"
This. Of conrae. only stimulated Gu
riosity. and he waS commanded to pro
ceed.
.weil. them" he said reluctantly.
"all the meD's valentines wera ad.
dressed to our good chaDeron. Mrs
Barstow."
cast my eyes around the table.
Every man looked As II he had stolen
4 sheep. and in the eyes Of every girl
there was a iurid nre ! suppose am
a cynical sort Of chap. At any rate
I had arranged matters for this result
and was satisfied. knew that II
Mrs. Barstow were admitted to Bob
Edwards 81 valentins's party (could
but induce her tn take the neceasary
stepsl she would gather all the men's
valentines to herself. When pro-
po~ed the plan to her she demurred.
bu. finally consented.
Tint was the end Of the St. valan-
tines house party. After breakfast
the girls went up to their rocma os
each others rooms. and We could hear
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 II up."
The chaneron couldn't stay alous with
two men. 30 she departed also. The
consequence was that on st valen-
tines day at O'Clock iu the evening
Bob and dined alone.
Billy" said Bob. ''you provided more
tfue for the honeymoons than was
needed after ALL"
.Bob." replied. "J'm looking for.
ward to real honeymoon"
"With whomr
''The widow"
tossed the valentine had received
from her. and when he didn't dnd
mark ON It l told him how Il had been
left under my door.
When the next st. Valentines day
came rsund had married the widow.
and We sent ont invitations to all who
had been guests at Bob Edwards house
Marty for one at our own residence, A