The Meeker herald., 1914-01-31

privilege Of naming the guests wal
that wished Mrs. Rarstow to Be Of
the party. and intended to send my
valentine 10 her.
1t was funny tn see tho fellows avoid
ing or trying to appear to avoid tbt
girls to whom they intended to send
did the same thing. Every one Of
them. boys and girls alike. supposed
that he or she was deceiving all It'd
rest. Every one was happy and on the
tipto~ Of expectation. AZ for me. en-
toyed 1t all immensely. Indeed. Bot
and 1, being the organizers Of the Af
sair. looked for something interesting
Bob held the key to the identity Of the
guests. while l--well. held the key tt
the situation. though ] was the only
one who knew this.
Never In my life have seen such
akirm!shing-every fellow for the girl
be wnnted. every girl for the fellow
she wanted and all trying to conceal
their preference. had suggested fol-
invitation those who would he likely
to produce Just such result. and
was not disappointed. Every day pro
duced 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 be
Intended sending bis 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
dny we all handed Bob sealed envel-
ope containing our names and private
marks for our valentines and before
going to bed slipped our Cupid's mis-
sives into box provided for the pur-
nose. l. as had intended from the
first, sent mine to the widow. Hav-
ing done No returned to my room
and to bed. In the morning I saw 3
fancy envelope on the 6oor. which had
evidently been slipped under my door
during the night ! 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 1t was from her.
We breakfasted at . O'Clock on St
Valentines morning. Bob sat st 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 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 as
sober as Judge. though now and
again could see slight quirking up
wnri of the corners Of his mouth
When breakfast was finished he drew
a memorandum from his pocket. but
It wns not needed.
II regret to tell You all" he said.
''that my plan for celebrating St Val
entiue's day has not turned out a.
might have been expected"
He then went on to speak Of the val
entines the girls had sent. and thes
were quite evenly distributed.
"And now" he continued. ~ must
make an announcement that I would
prefer It should have turned out 9TH
erwIse. But before doing no ! have to
request that may he permitted to
keep II secret"
This. Of course. only stimulated GU
riosity. and he was commanded to pro-
reed.
well, them" 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 II he had stolen
4 sheep and In the eyes Of every CIR,
there was IL lurid fire. suppose ! am
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 Valentines party could
but induce her tn Jake the necessary
steps, she would gather all the men's
valentines to herself. When ] pro-
posed the plan to her abe demurred.
bn. finally consented.
That was the end Of the st. valen.
tines mouse party. AIter DteakIast
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.
snnounced that abe was needed at
horne or an engagement had been
made for her and she must take the
afternoon train. Most of the men who
were sorry for Whist they had done
went with them to try to make 1t up"
The chaneron couldn't stay alone with
two men. 80 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