Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-20

Sklrm!ShinS-eYery Fellow Tor the girl
he wanted. every girl for the fellow
she wanted and all trying to conceal
their preference. I had suggested for
invitation those who would be likely
to produce just such result, and
was not disappointed. Every day pro-
duced a stronger undercurrent than the
preceding one Usually there is more
chicanery in such matters among wo-
men than among men, hut in this case
the men out-Heroded Herod. Every
man was showing plainly the girl he
intended sending his valentine. only
he didn't intend any such thing As
for the girls, their diplomacy lay In
showing nothing as to what they
would do.
The evening before st. Valentines
day we all handed Bob a sealed envel-
ope containing our names and private
marks for our valentines and before
going to bed slipped our Cupid's mis-
sives into a box provided for the pur-
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 q
fancy envelope on the floor, which had
evidently been slipped under my door
during the night l knew at once that
it. was a valentine, and since Mrs
Barstow had announced that she
would not be a part of the regular
scheme judged it was from her
We breakfasted at 9 o'clock on St
Valentines morning. Bob sat at the
nR ell
IN his pocket He had been up long
enough to examine them and find out
Just how many couples If any had eI-
changed. But l 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 AZ
sober as a judge, though now and
again l could see slight quirkinE up
ward OF the corners of his mouth
When breakfast was finished he drew
a 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 thew
were quite evenly distributed.
And now" he contiIuef. al must
make an announcement that | would
prefer it should have turned out 9TH
erwise But before doing so 1 have to
7 no tA1 m
keep ii a secret"
This, of course. only stimulated Gu
riosity, and he was commanded to pro-
coed
We'll, then" he said reluctantly,
'all the mems valentines were adj
dressed TO our good chaueron, Mrs.
Barstow"
cast my eyes around the table.
Every man looked as If he had stolen
a sheep, and in the eyes of every girl
there was lurid fire. l suppose l am
a cynical sort of chap. At any rate
had arranged matters for this result
and was satisfied. l knew that IL
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 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 It up"
The chaperon couldn't stay alone with
two men. so she departed also. The
consequence was that on ST Valen-
tines day at Z 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. I'm looking for
ward to a real honeymoon"
with whom
1.-The widow"
! tossed the valentine I had received
from her, and when he didn't find 4
mark on It told him how 1t had been
left under my door.
When the next St Valentines day
came round | had married the widow.
/ and we sent out invitations TO all who
had been guests at Bob Edwards house
party for one at our own residence A
| year before the lady who was now
! nv wife wss not popular among the
! girls OF those present. and they would
/ have then scorned her invitation, but
| meanwhile they had made it up with
/ the men. and some Of them bad mar
/ ried those TO whom they had sent their
/ valentines So they accepted cordially.
Bob was there too. but on condition
| that ] bad no valentine scheme on
hand He has not to this day quite
forgiven me for spelling his idea for
renovating the anniversary.