Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1914-02-06
Golden
Heart
A Story For st. Val
entine's Day
By cLARIssA MAcKIH

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Among all the gay valentines in the
window Of the bookshop one stood out
distinctly
Jack Edmonds saw nothing save that
golden satin heart. dainty with lace
and ribbons aud bearing message for
whoever might read.
Here's a message for you. heart Of gold.
[ am waiting with secret yet untold.
Oh, heart Of gold. accept this yalentinei
It bears the messase-iove, be mlnei
Heart Of gold" murmured jack
grimly; that's what used to call
little Rose before she grew lndepend-
ent and ran out into the world won
der II | Will ever lind my heart Of
goldy
Good morning. Mr. Edmonds." a
gay, sweet voice broke in ON his mus
lngs. Are not the valentines perfect
" dears''
VERY pretty indeed laughed Jack.
shaking hands with Margaret Nor
daunt 1T would be hard to make Il
choice
Margaret made some laughing re-
ioinder and they chatted D few mo
ments. the girl all a-sparkle with a
most betraying Ioyelight in her eyes.
More than once his eyes wandered to
the golden heart in the middle OF the
window. and she. guessing that per-
haps be desired to enter the shop and
purchase it for her. babe him a laugh
ing farewell while he banded her into
the waiting motorcar.
II hope you have not forgotten the
St Valentines ball" she cried eagerly
as the machine rolled away.
He smiled and nodded and replaced
his hat and returned to the window
a few moments later when he left the
shop the golden heart was gone from
the window
On the morning Of ST. Valentines
day Margaret Mordaunt entered the
library. where her mothers secretary
was sorting the morning mail
Good morning. Miss Blakely." said
Margaret, with pleasant carelessness.
Il hope you have a lot of letters fol
me this morning"
Rose Biakely smiled over her task
Miss Mordaunt was beautiful so
ciety favofite. and her share of mail
was usually a generous one. but on
this morning there were heaps Of EN-.
bossed envelopes. heart shaped boxes
CT sweets. and on a table were several
boxes Of flowers.
Margaret hastily scanned the boxes
and tossed them aside Then she
grasped the letters and tore them open.
looking within each one and then pick.
ing up another with an eagerness thai
surprised the little secretary. so differ
ent was it from Miss Mordaunt's Gus
tomary pose of cool indifference.
At last Margaret grasped the mis-
sives which Rose still held in her hand
One by one she tore open the large
square envelopes. only to cast them
aside Then she pounced on a Dat.
square box, ripped off the wrappings
and gazed entranced at the golden
heart
So he had sent it to her after all.
Rose Biakely. stepping to and fro
preparing for her days work. happened
to glaRce over Margaret's shoulder as
she passed. She saw the large golden
heart and Margaret's rapt face. Rose
smiled sympathetically. She wondered
which one Of Margaret's many suitors
bad sent this one; it was evidently the
favored lover. Who was be?
Look Miss Blakely,r said Marga-
ret. with unaccustomed condescension.
Isn't this perfectly lovelygT
Rose took the valentine. and as she
read the message addressed to Golden
Heart" her sweet little face went very
white. and she laid the valentine down
without a word.
''What is the matterg Don't you
think it is prettyy' asked Margaret
jealously
'lt is very pretty" gasped Rose. ''but
the room ia very warm don't you think
soYr She swayed a little. and Marga-
ret FASTENED to support her to couch
Il will ring for Sarah to bring you a
glass Of water"
While Rose slipped the water and lay
back with closed eyes and pale face
Margaret picked up her letters and
packages.
AS she picked up the white paper
which had iHeiosed the golden heart
Margaret glanced ut the SuperscriD-
ton. Her startled gaze concentrated
on the fine black characters. and the
letters swan before her vision. Again
and again she read the address, and
each time she looked furtively at the
pale face of the little secretary.
at is niue. in spite of air muttered
Margaret. as she swept from the room.
Il don't understand it. but he must
have sent it to me- He doesn't even
know her they have not met"
Mrs. Mordaunt faced her daughtet
with anger In her blue eyes.
mot invite Miss BIakely down.
stairs?'' she repeated. why. my dear
Margaret, You invited her yourself.
"Please. mother. I'd rather not have
her. Well. let her come down until the
unmasking. then"
Another Cinherellag" asked Mrs.
Murdannt quietly as she swept from
the room
Margaret made no answer She was
thinking of Jack Edmonds and his
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