The Meeker herald., 1914-04-11
Golden
Heart
A Story For St. Val
sntine's Day

. a story cOr St. var
sntine's Day I
s ~ cLARIssA MAcKIB
e%%>>>&essse>ee>eese<see&
Among ali tho 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 and bearing message for
whoever might read:
Here's . message for you, heart Of gold.
am waiting with secret yet untold.
Oh. heart Of gold. accept this valentinsi
II bears the msssags-love. b. mine!
Heart Of gold" murmured Jack
grimly; sthat's Whist l used to call
little Rose before she grew independ-
emit and ran ost into the world. won
der II I viii ever lind my heart Of
goldr
Good morning. Mr.. Edmonds."
gay, sweet voice broke In on his mus
inss. Are not tho valentines perfect
y dsarf"
Every pretty indeed" laughed Jack.
shaking hands with Margaret Nor
daunt sit would b hard to make
choice"
Margaret made some laughing r.
joinder and they chatted few mo
ments. the GIRL all a-sparkle with .
most bstraying loveiisht 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 II for her. babe him 4 laugh
ing fareweil while be handed her into
the waiting moforcar.
II hope you have not forgotten the
St. valentins's ball." she cried eagerly
% the machine rolled away.
He SMILED and nodded and replaced
his hat and returned to the window.
A few moments later when be left the
shop the golden heart was gone from
the window.
On the morning Of ct. Valentines
day Margaret Aordaunt entered the
library, where her mothers secretary
was sorting the morning mail.
GOOD morning, Miss Blakely." said
Margaret, with pleasant carelessness:
II hops you have 4 lot Of letters for
me this morning"
Rose Blakeiy smiled over her task.
Miss Nosdaunt was Z beautiful ~
cisy favorits, and hsr share Of mail
was usually . esnsxous ona. but q
thts morning thsrs were heaps Of en-
hosssd envelopes, heart shaped boxea
Of sweets, and on tabls wers several
boxes Of nowers.
Margaret hastily scanned the boxes
and tossed them aside. Then she
Srasped the letters and tore them open.
looking within each one and then pick
ing up another with an eageEness that
surprised the little secretary. 70 differ
emit was 1t from Miss Mordaunt's Gus
tomary pose Of cool indifference.
At last Margaret grasped the mis-
Eives which Rose still held in her hand.
One by one she tore open the large
square envelopes. only to cast them
aside. Then she bounced on . dat.
\ square box, ripped OF the wrappings
and sased entranced at the golden
heart.
% be had sent It to her after all!
Rose Blakely, stepping to and fro.
preparing for her days work. happened
to glance over Margaret's shoulder ~
she passed. She saw the large golden
heart and Margaret's rapt face. Rose
smiled sympathetically. She wondered
which one Of Marsaret's many suit0rs
had sent this one; It was evidently the
favored lover. Who was hef
~Look, Miss Blakely." said Marga-
not, with unaccustomed condescension.
Isn't this perfectly lovelyr'
Rose took the valentine. and AZ she
rad the message addressed to Golden
Heart" her sweet little face went very
white, and she laid the valentine down
without q word.
''What 10 the matterr Don't you
think It h prettyr' asked Margaret
1eaiously.
.lt 10 very pretty" sasped Rose. "but
the room II very warm-don't you think
sor' She swayed = little. and MarYa-
ret hastened to support her to couch.
u will ring for Sarah to bring you q
glass Of water"
While Rose slipped the water and lay
back with closed eyes and pale face
Margaret picked mp her letters and
packages.
AZ she picked mp the white paper
which had inclosed the golden heart
Margaret glanced at the superscrip-
t5o0. Her startled gaze concentrated
on tho nns black characters, and the
letters swan before her vision. Again
and again she read the address, and
each time abe looked furtively at the
pale face Of the little secretary.
at u mine, in spite Of ALT" muttered
Margaret. ~ she swept from the room.
esI Ann,f understand II hsak ha r,au~A