The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1914-03-04

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cha in her neat work dress.
"A woman" said Lucy, in the com.
placent way that always irritated Mar.
cha, 'is as old as she looks"
Il have always been too busy doing
useful and necessary work" acknowl-
edged Marcia pointedly, ito bother
much about my looks
But it isn't necessary for you to do
SO, Cousin Marcia; you might take life
as easy as l do, if you would. People
think it pity That you have never
married"
u do not know why they should, es-
pecially." Marcia's eyes flashed sud
denly. "You have never married,
yourself, Lucy"
But that is because l have never
cared to do so, dear. l have always
had an abundance of suitors. 1t has
been different with you, you know.
There did use to be talk that you and
Henry Howard would make match of
1t, but never believed it. You are not
Henry's style"
Il never thought of such thing as
marrying Henry Howard-or anyone
else" denied Marcia crisply.
How fortunate that is" Lucy spoke
with a malicious assumption of sym.
pathy. Il may as well tell you," she
confessed, that l have about decided
to accept Henry"
TO accept Henry" Marcia set her
newly iced cake perilously near the
edge of the table. 81 did not know he
ever thought of you"
No, have never given him any en-
couragement, but l have long known
what | could do If would. 1t has not
been easy to decide among so many"
Marcia's sniff of disbelief passed un-
noticed, but the sight of Henry's lone.
illness makes him seem worthy of the
sacrifice of my freedom. am going to
send him a valentine as the most
graceful and romantic way of letting
him understand my attitude"
A valentine! Marcia finished her
work as If in a dream
Then, Unexpectedly, she laughed out
with unwonted gayety. IF one valen-
tine is good, two ought to be better. !
think I'll send Henry valentine my
self"
Amusement filled the prosaie soul of
Henry Howard when he found the con.
tents Of the big envelope to be a val
entine. AS he considered it, his Sc
date, middle-aged heart began to warm
unaccountably.
Nov, that's real thoughtful of Lucy,
I'm sure. l haven't had valentine in
so many years I'd forgotten how it
seemed. 1t is fine thing to keep ones
youth as Lucy has"
1t was late in the afternoon before
he remembered to look at the other
letter he had received in the same
mail. After he had read it, he sat for
long time looking meditatively at the
windows of the next house
Il believe I'll go over-she's never
asked me before to dine with her, and
Marcia is a master cook. II believe
I'll tell her what l mean to do. too;
she's got pretty sensible head, Mar
cha has"
If woman is no older than she
looks, Marcia had certainly lost good
ten years of her age when she greeted
Henry Howard in her immaculate front
hall
"And this" he said, sis what have
been cheating myself out of for the
last fifteen years. find it rather lone.
Iu In, INV hio hopCa Moroia
YES" answered Marcia demurely,
pouring the coffee.
I've been thinking lately that
have been foolish to live alone so long,
Do you suppose anyone could be in
duced to have an old fellow like me?''
"Oh, yes" Marcia smiled across the
centerpiece.
will you, Marcia?" He could hard.
ly credit the fact that his ears heard
Henry Howard asking any woman to
marry him.
The next instant he had gone round
the table and gathered her cold fingers
into his warm, strong hands. why,
love you, Marcia. I've wanted you all
the time and did not know it; would
you believe a man could be SO foolish
and blind?"
YES" whispered Marcia, Il have
been, too, until today"
Upon this interesting tableau the
door opened Unexpectedly, and Lucy
Stoddard stood transfixed.
Come in, Lucy" called the man
heartily. You shall be the first to con
graduate me. 1t was your valentine
that set me thinking how lonely real
ly was. But liked Marcia's valentine
best; painted hearts and printed
verses may be satisfactory to roman
tic young fellows, but nothing appeals
to us older fellows like a good din
ner!"
If any look of chagrin clouded the
sprightly face in the doorway it was
instantly concealed by an oyerwhelm
ing smile. Il knew all you needed was
q little jogging" she said, ito make
you the two happiest people in the
world"