The chronicle=news., 1914-11-12


"I have always been too busy doing
edged Marcia pointedly. ito bother
much about my looks"
But 1t isn't necessary for you to do
SO. Cousin Marcia: you might take life
AS easy as ! do, II you would. People
| think it a pity that you have never
married"
II do not know why they should. es-
pecialiy." Marcia's eyes flashed sud.
. denly. You have never married
I yourself. Lucy"
But that is because I have never
cared to do SO. dear. ! 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
II. but never believed II. You. are not
Henry's style"
81 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 we'll tell you" she
confessed. that I have about decided
to accept Henry"
ITO accept Henry" Marcia set her
newly Iced cake perilously near the
edge OF the table. Il did not know he
ever thought of you"
NO. | have never given him any en-
couragement. but 1 have long known
what I 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 valentine as the most
graceful and romantic way OF letting
him understand my attitude"
A valentine! Marcia finished her
work as II 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 a valentine my
SELF,
AmaZement filled the prosaic soul of
Henry Howard when he found the con.
tents Of the big envelope to he a val.
entine. As he considered it. his Sc
date. middle.aged heart began to warm
unaccountably.
Now, that's real thoughtful of Lucy.
I'm sure. | haven't had n valentine in
SO many years I'd forgotten how 1t
seemed 1t is n fine thing to keep ones
youth az Lucy has
It 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
a 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
I'll tell her what | mean to do, too;
she's got pretty sensible head. Mar
cia has
II woman IN no older than she
looks. Marcia had certainiy'lost a good
ten years OF her age when she greeted
Henry Howard in her imnaculate front
hall.
And this" he said. "is' what have
been cheating myself out. Of for the
last fifteen years. l find it. rather lone
ly in my big houee. Marcia"
Yes" answered Marcia. demurely.
pouring the coffee.
i've been thinking lately that I
have bean foolish to live.alone 80 long.
Do you suppose anyone could be in
duced to have an old felApw like mA?"
oh. yes,' Marcia sniisd across the
centerMece.
viii you. Narcia7" He,couId hard
ly credit the, inst that his sar. heard
Henry Howard asking any woman to
marry him.
The next instant he had gone round
the table and gathered her cold fingers
into hts warm, strong hands. why.
the time and did not know It; would
you believe a man could be 20 foolish
and blindf-
Yes whispered Marcia. Il have
been. too until to-day"
Upon this Interesting tabieau the
door opened unexpectedly, and Lucy
stoddard stood transAxed.
Come In, Lacy" called the man
heartily. You shall be tho first to.con-
gratulate me. It was your valemine
that set me thinking how lonely | zeal
lyswAs. But liked Narcia's valentine
best: painted hearts and printed
verses may be satisfactory to roman
tic young fellows. but nothing appeals
to us older fellows Like good din
nsr:" .s-
II any look of chagrin chnded the
sprightly face in the doorway 1t was
instantly concealed by an overwheln-
ing smile. II knew all you needed was
little jogging" she said, Ito make
you the two happieat people in the
world" - .s..-tH 49,
-rE .ef-,
..a.