The Penn's Grove record., 1914-02-13


escort of DR.. Davis. went home.
The remainder OF that night she
passed in tears, and 1t was with .
heavy heart that she rose on Valen-
tines day.
The day itself was beautiful and
mild-with a south wind blowing.
The Imp had swallowed his breakfast
and was begging his sister to make .
kite. 1t was while she was cutting
and pasting on this toy that he, IL
chattering about the neighborhood at
large, told her the reaso for Franks
delay the evening before. He had
heard it at the party.
Yes" he finished as his sister, with
a shaking hand, passed him his com
pleted kite, The had to fetch Marge
Roper, himself. That was when we
saw him, wasn't it, Sis?"
1t would have been difficult to clas-
sify Billie's sensations. She felt mean
and unworthy, yet there was a streak
Of pure glory running through all.
Frank was noble and self-sacrifcing
and-best of all-he was faithful.
Clearly, she must apologize. 1t was
hard to do, but it was the only way
out. She wasted the morning in
wretched indecision then, at last, a
thought struck her. Why not get out
of it gracefully by writing a valen-
tine. She could be much bolder-on
a valentine.
The valentine was written. 1t must
be delivered that day by a messenger,
and, since the Imp had helped to
cause the trouble, he must act the
part of st. Valentines envoy and
make peace.
She put on her pretty brown dress
and her brown and scarlet toque and
went forth in search of the small boy.
When she found him he was having
much enjoyment with the kite. AS
Billie tramped across the new ground
towards him. she saw a tall, broad
shouldered mar in a long overcoat
backed up against the fence watching
the Imp's maneuvers with the kite.
She decided to pretend she had not
seen him, though a wonderful scheme
darted into her brain as soon as she
caught sight of him.
She soon reached the Imp, and after
a few earnest words with her he drew
in the kite. They worked over it a
minute then, while she held it aloft,
he took the cord and scampered away
An obliging puff of wind came along
and shot the kite upward. The Imp
sped on. The kite, true to its nature,
swayed from side to side and, as the
boy paid out the Irvine, scared up
ward, made an erratic side-swipe. zig
tagged around for a hundred yards or
more, then, with a triumphant squirt
of speed, sailed into a leafess cherry
tree near the fence.
The Imp came to a halt and looked
m%ournfully at the kite nodding its
three-cornered head over a limb.
Then, apparently for the first time.
the small boy discovered DR.. Frank
Miller standing near him.
Please, Frank" whined the Imp.
"get me the kite. You can stand on
the fance and reach it with your
cane
And, since the Imp had a sweet, un-
kind sister, poor Frank climbed the
fence and, after a trial Or two. dis
lodged the kite which came swaying
downward with a waggish, g~rotesque
movement into his hand.
I Pinned across its knowing face was
a sheet of note paper on which, in
Billie's writing, was scrubbed the fol
lowing:
Frank, you dear, cross old Valen-
tine! Don't be horrid any more, but
give your heart-broken Billie forgive
ness"
The Imp, grinning in sympathy, was
left suddenly with his mouth ajar in
amazement at a long-legged mailman
tearing across the field, headed for q
brown and red apparition and. to the
Imp's disgust, carrying the kite with
him.
Amt big folks silly?" remarked
the Imp.
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