The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-02-13
The Euenine Story
V0lenf1nGS.
(By Clarence Moore.)

Valentines.
(By Clarence Moore)
On the morning of st. Valentines
day the boarders at Mrs. Munson's
gathered around the long table with
perhaps an unusual interest in the
mornings mail.
But the postman was late and
breakfast Jagged Once or twice Mrs.
Munson had thrust her sharp nose
into the room and had even asked
Mr.. Root If there was anything more
he wished.
Now, as q matter of fact, Mr.. Asa
Root ate q birdlike breakfast and
never had been known to take a Sec
ond helping of anything; but this
morning, the pOstman not having ar
rived, Mr.. Root smiled blandly at his
1andlady and informed her that he
would take q second cup OF coffee.
Second helpings Of anything being
rare at the Munson table, Mr.. Roots
fellow boarders grinned appreciatively
when Selma thudded heavily in with
second cup of a muddy mixture. pO-
litely called coffee.
It was notable that Mr.. Root never
even glanced at the replenished cup.
His twinkling blue eyes were fixed on
the basement window, where one
could glimpse the first appearance OF
the postTnan's gray-clad legs ere he
descended into the areaway.
Expecting a valentine, Mr.. Root ~
asked mischievous Ethel Raymond.
the little stenographer. who was to be
married at Easter.
Mr.. Root blushed furiously and
locked into his coffee.
II am looking for an important let
ter" he said-severely.
valentines are important" leased
Ethel, for she liked the quiet little
gray man who had been bookkeeper
for twenty-five years in downtown
warehouse. Mr.. Roots bachelor
quarters at the top of the house had
been spoken of as a model OF COM
fort by the men OF the MunsOn board
ing house but the women would have
it that the little man must be lone
some, and among themselves they had
secretly decided that 1t would be q
fitting romance il Mr.. Root married
Miss Ida Wingfield, the school teacher
who sat at the end Of the table.
Miss Wingfield. once pretty. now
pale and tired, with rather distfn-
Euished air lent by her abundant gray
hair. always played Mr.. Roots &C
compartments when he brought his
violin down to the parlOr.
There's the postman now" cried
Ethel Raymond eagerly.
A loud knock came at the basement
door and Selma plodded slowly to
take the handful OF letters.
Selma could not read English, SO
the mail was given into Mrs. Mum
sons toll worn hands. and that lady
proceeded to distribute it with exas-
perating slowness.
"A card for Mr.. Henshaw-humph.
| it's only an ad., Mr. Henshaw!" pass
ing it over to that indignant young
clerk. "A missionary paper for Mrs.
Dodd-and a letter from your moth
| err. Miss Raymond-and here's a val
entine for Miss Winfield! Good land"
| Mrs. Munson's contempt OF the tender
missive was only exceeded by Ida
Winpfield's embarrassment
lone Of my pupils" she murmured
as she hid it in her lap.
More fools they!" commented
Mrs. Munson tartly, ito spend money
| like enough it's a comic. Here's
valentine for you Mr.. Root declare,
never see such foolishness! I sup
pose they're contest" she challenged
boldly.
VERY likely" said Asa Root gravely.
For that reason I'll not open mine
until I am alone-it would be fear
fully embarrassing to have to exhibit
it to the whole family
"Shucks!" shifted Mrs. Munson. Il
suppose you feel the same way, Miss
Wingfield?'
Ida Wingfield picked up her valen-
tine. broke the seal with a reverent
finger and pulled out a charming con-
hearts and flying cupids. There were
roses and forget-me-nOts and arrows
scattered everywhere.
"Ah!" breathed the excited table as
Miss Wingfield replaced it in the en-
You are satisfied, Mrs. Munson? ?"
asked Mr.. Root in a rasping tone.
I'D like to know who sent it" sndf-
fed Mrs. Munson as she went out and
banged the door after her.
| "Impertinent-Insu gasp
ed old Mrs Dodd, as she followed the
school teacher out into the basement
hall. Il wouldn't remain here a day
| longer only Mrs Munson is an excel
ally she is impossible!" She pounded
her gold-headed cane on the stairs as
she mounted.
| Ida Wingfield slipped into her warm
cloak and went out into the snowy
streets The wonderful valentine burn
ed against her heart she was conscious
Of its proximity all day. 1t took away
the sting from the comic one she found
in her desk, and it upheld her through
a trying day with her pupils.
Night found her coming home to the
boarding house and her dull room
with star-like eyes and flush cheeks.
She looked positively lovely. Romance
was not dead after all
Mrs. Munson came into the dining
room with importance written on her
sallOW countenace.
Miss wingfield. I'm dreadfully
sorry but I'm afraid that valentine you
GOT THIS uiOIHAu8 AStA = All JOop oAeoA
all Along about noon q lady came
1 in from next door and said that her
name was Wingfield and wanted to
know IL any mail for her had been left
her by mistake. Said her name was
Inez Wingfield-so 1 guess, maybe,
that valentine was for her."
Ida Wingfield suddenly looked i'll
all the light and color died out OF her
face. Slowly she took the envelope
from her bosom and passed II to the
ihard-featured woman beside her.