The Holly chieftain., 1913-02-07

DR.. March, on his rounds, dropped
In to see Annie Tupper as matter of
course. Annie was a cripple and de-
pendent for home upon her married
brother. a hard-working mechanic;
and though her good friends. busy folk
all called as often as they could to
make sure that comforts we're not
lacking. she spent many hours alone.
When Annie saw who was at the door
her face frightened with pleasure,
for the blum. kindly old surgeon had
been her friend and confidant for
many years.
What's all this. Annie?' he asked
with interest; been playing paper
dolls all by yourself?"
She laughed in some embarrassment
There. now! was hoping you didn't
notice; but II you won't tell I'll let
you into the secret. Well. doctor. I'm
making valentines"
'Valentines!" There was wonder
ment in his tone
Sounds foolish. don't It! But it's
like this: Sitting here alone. l guess
think more about the holidays than
II was up and doing; and sometimes
get low-spirited. thinking how much
more they used to mean than they do
now. Wicked, amt it, and me SO well
fixed? The other day, when l saw
how near the 14th was, l began think
ing about the days when was young
and straight and pretty and used to
get peck of valentines every year.
l was getting real sorry for myself.
when all Of sudden, thinks l, Annie
Tupper, do you s'pose your plain. mid.
dle-aged face is the only one ST. Val
entine don't notice nowadays? How
many Of your friends that's over fifty
ever see valentine any more?' To
be sure, their lives are fuller'n mine.
so maybe they don't miss such things
much! but all the same ! bet they
like 1t when some one remembers. So
made list of the getting-middle
aged ladies with no beaux or hus-
bands, and the married ones with hus-
bands that look too busy or matter.
of-fact to remember birthdays and
Valentine days and such things, and
made up my mind I'd send 'em each
little remembrance my own self.
even If 1t wasn't much.
'I'think it's beautiful idea," said
the doctor, heartily. He was deeply
touched by the thought OF those pa
tient hands undertaking such a labor
of love; he wondered, too. whether his
own quiet. gray-haired wife was on
the list. and counted remorsefully the
years since he had remembered her
sary. You're good little soul. An
nie!" he added. impulsively.
mot such saint as might be-"
Annie confessed. with a twinkle OF
fun in the brown eyes: sometimes.
looking through the list, can't help
being tickled. thinking what good
subjects for comics some OF 'em
would make There's Mrs. Adams
slack housekeeping, and her bonnet
over one eye; and the way Mrs. Wood
gossips; and Mary Trask, with her big
hats and short dresses and high heels,
trying to look like spring chicken;
and-oh! lots of funny little ways that
folks hsve But when such things
come to me- remember how Mrs
Adams wore herself out nursing me
when had fever. and how generous
Mrs Wood is; and as for Mary. she's
perfect angel to her grumpy old
father, and master hand at cooking,
as I've reason to know. Every one OF
ems been good to me, and l only
wish had something better to give
than my little paper fixings."
Valentines day arrived, bright and
cold Toward evening Doctor March
could not resist dropping In to see
Annie for a few moments. The in
valid sat in her chair by the window.
her face flushed with excitement and
Annie looked at him with radiant
eyes, "Oh, Doctor March, what good
time I've had!" she sighed. blissfully.
why, all day long the doorbell's been
and valentines Just pouring
in-some OF 'em so funny and cute
they made me laugh. and some SO
sweet l most cried. And even my
pussy cat got one-didn't you, TopsyY