The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1914-07-20

to her front door she carried a handful
of letters and newspapers. Milly was
waiting with thinly disguised impa-
tience in the coy sitting room.
"Any mail for me, Aunt Amelia?" she
asked.
Eyes: a box of candy from some
one" laughed Amelia.
Milly snatched up the big box of
sweets. and the look of eager anticipa-
ton died from her face as she scanned
the address.
"Oh. It's only from Billy Wake
man. she said carelessly, pushing it
aside.
Amelia removed her cloak and hat
and sat down to look over the mail
that had come to her. She read several
letters with quiet enjoyment, then
picked up a large square white mis-
sive heavily embossed.
"A valentine for meI' she cried. with
gentle excitement. She carefully open
ed the envelope with her embroidery
scissors and drew out a large white
satin heart. on which was painted a
smaller heart of forgetmenots. In the
center of the small heart was verse
in gold lettering:
Though bitter pride holds US apart.
Thy image fingers in my heart.
Amelia read the lines over and over
with trembling lips that refused to ut
ter more than a whisper Then she
bowed her head, where the crinkled
bronze tresses were mingled with a
powdering of white. and she wept
softly.
Milly crept to her and listened to
the old story of lovers quarrel ex-
tending over many years. and now OF
the valentine which had come as an
olive branch of peace from her old
lover.
at was so unexpected. my dear,
sobbed Aunt Amelia Il never ex.
pected to hear from Henry Blake
again"
Henry Blake?" echoed Milly. pick
ing up the embossed envelope and
scanning the address. She knew the
bold masculine hand that had penned
the words giving her the formal name
by which she had been christened as
Aunt Amelias namesake:
Miss Amelia Telford. Fern Hollow.
N. H"
How funny that her aunt should have
thought the valentine was for her
from her old sweetheart. OF course it
was for the young MiIly, from Harry
himself.
"Just fancy one valentine doing for
two of usr' thought AIilly ecstatically
Then. with sudden thought. she added:
"You said his name was Henry
Blake. Aunt Amelia?"
Amelia lifted her tear wet eyes; she
was smiling happily. His name is
Henry Blake. and he is your Harry
Blake's uncle. Of course | never told
you that | knew him when he lived in
the old stone house across the valley.
/ never expected this She was hold
ing the valentine close to her heart
How odd-' breathed Milly incredu-
lousy, And Harry lives with his
Uncle Henry. you know: they keep
bachelors hall in the most delightful
apartment-and dear. there is the
doorbell"
Milly few to the front door to admit
the tall. dignifed form of Mr.. Henry
Blake. why. Millyr' he cried cor
daily. clasping her hand. '1-er-came
-eri- Milly saw that in one hand
he carried fiat package wrapped in
white paper with broken red seals.
"You came to see Aunt Amelia"
smiled Milly. as she pushed him to-
ward the sitting room door. Il know
all about it," she nodded wisely.
..Yesi al Ia u
can see that | recognized Amelia's seal
and her violet ink. But that rascal
Harry fought to the last ditch that 1T
was intended for him. This duplicat-
ing family names is a nuisance"
Its a blessing in disguise some
times giggled Miliy as he disappeared
within the sitting room.
Ten minutes later MiIly was in the
village drug store talking over the
telephone to Harry Blake in New York
did you send me valentine
Harryw she asked. and when he an
swered in the affirmative she told him
enough of the story to bring him down
to Fern Hollow by the next train.
Conspicuous among the wedding
presents received by Mr. and Mrs
Harry Blake We're two valentines. al
most alike in design and each bearing
the same trite little couplet. Attached
were the cards of Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Blake
'"Those valentines" explained the
bride to her dearest friend. ARE proof
to me that st Valentine in truth keeps
a watchful eye on his people. Almost
identical. they crossed each other IN
transit and brought happiness to four
people-and that's expecting good
deal from two Valentines"