Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-13
II seful
Hints
w oman and Home
The Morning Story
VALENTINES.
by Clarence Moore.

But the postman was late, and break
fast Jagged Once or twice Mrs. Mum
son had thrust her sharp nose into the
room. ana had even asked MIR. Root II
there was anything more he wished.
Now, as matter OF fact, Mr.. Asa
Root ate a brdlike breakfast, and
never had been known to take second
helping OF anything; hut this morn
ing the postman not having arrived,
Mr. Root smiled blandly at his land
lady, and informed her that he would
take second cup of coffee.
Second helpings of anything being
rare at the Munson table, Mr.. Roots
fellow boarders grinned approximately
when Selma thudded heavily in with
second cup OF muddy mixture, po-
litcly called coffee.
II was notable that Mr.. Root never
even glanced at the repienished cup.
His twinkling blue eyes were fixed on
the basement window, where one could
glimpse the first appearance of the
postman's gray-clad legs ere he de-
seconded Into the areaway.
Expecting u Valentine, Mr.. Root?"
asked mischievous Ethel Raymond. the
little stenographer. who was to be mar
ried at Easter.
Mr.. Root blushed furiousiy and
looked into his coffee.
II am looking for an important let
ter, he said, severely.
valentines are important" teased
Ethel for she liked the quiet little
gray who had been bookkeeper
for twenty-five years in a downtown
warehouse. MIR. Roots bachelor quar-
tiers at the ton OF the house had been
spoken of as model of comfort by
the men Of the Munson boarding house,
but the women would have 1t that the
little man must be lonesome and
among themselves they had secretly
decided that it would he a fitting ro-
nance II Mr. Root married Miss Ida
W!ngfeld, the school-teacher who sat
al the end OF the table,
Miss Wingheld, once pretty. now pale !
ana tired, with rather distinguished
air lent by her abundant gray hair |
always played Mr. Roots accountant
ments when he brought his violin dow n !
TO the psrlor.
here's the postman now" cried
Elhel Raymond eagerly.
4 loud knock cana at the basemen, /,
doIT and Selma ploided slowly to take |
in the handful of letters
Selma could nos read English. SO |
NC mail was given into Mrs Munson's
worn hands, and that lady pro-
ceeded TO distribute II with exasperat-
ing slowness
"A card for Mr.. Observation-Disclosures
It's only an add. Mr.. Eenshaw" pass
lng II over to that indignant young |
clerk. "a missionary paper for Mrs
l,cdd-and Il letter from your mother !
MISS Raymond-and here's valentine ,
ior Miss Wingfeld. Good landw Mrs. !
Muhsoh's contempt of the tender mis-
SiNe was only exceeded by Ida Wing |
he!ds embarrassment.
One Of my pupils" she murmured
as she aid 1t in her lap.
More fools they" commented Mrs
Muhson tartiy, ITO spend money IN
handsome embossed encyclopaedia
enough it's comic. Here's n yalen
tine for you, Mr.. Root declare. 7
never see such foolshness! ! suppose
'heHre COMICS" she challenged boldly
very likely" said Asa Root grave
~ for that reason I'll not open mine
until ] am alone--it would be fearfully
embarrassing to have TO exhibit, it to I
the whole family"
Shucks." shifted Mrs Munson. 81
suppose you feel the same say. Miss
Wingfeld'"
Ida Wingheld picked up her valen-
line, broke the seal with a reverent
finger and pulled out a char.nln.; con
c"ction Of lace paper and golden
hearts and tiying cupids There we're
r"scs and forget 'lne-not aat arrows
scattered every where
All" breathed the excited table as
Miss Wingheld replaced 1t in the en-
Velope.
You are satisfied. Mrs. Munson,"
asked MT. Root In rasping tone.
I'd like TO know who sent H."
shifted Mrs. Munson as she went out
ana banged tle door after her
"lmpertin@nt,. a! nsu'ff e-able!" gasped !
"id Mrs bodd. as she followed the |
S'nooi-tcacher out into the basement /
nan i wouldn't remain here n doy
Longer only Mrs. Munson is an cxccll.n,
COOK and As neat as wax.-pcrsonallv
sne IL inpossiblc," She poundcd no.
gold headed cane on the stairs as she ,
mounted. "e
Ida WingAcld slipped into her w-rr,
cloak and went out into the snHu'"
sFeets The wonderful valentino
hurhed against her heart: she was CON
Sc!ous OF its proximity all dav. II
S""H away the sting from the comic
ono sue round in her dask and II nm /
her pupils. ~"
Night found her coming home "a
We boarding hous. and her dun room
WIN star Ike eyes and flushed checks
she looked positively lovely. Romonrn
was not dead after all
Mrs Munson came into the dining
room with Importance written on nor
sallow countcnancc
MISC WinsAeld. I'm drcadfully |
So,Fy. out I'm afraid that valentine |,
you got this morning isn't for yo,, 4
after all Along about noon a iady
came IN from nest door and said ina, |
heT name was Wingneld. and wanted ,
10 hno" II any mail for her mad boon
.rat mere hE mistake Said her name |
was jncZ Wingheld--so guess ,n,,
be. that valentine was sor her"
ida Wingfeld suddenly looked III /
al! tho light ana color died out Of her
race. SLOWLY she took the enyelonc
rom her bosom ana passed IL 10 the
haFu-teatured woman beside her
Perhaps you are rjgh, t cot,
Yearly III is addressed TO Miss
Wingneld" '" l.
There was silence around tho tail.
Tor an instant Then before Mrs
Muhson couid move away Asa Root {
got up and held out his hand
VIII take that letter II vou ,,,.,,. |
Mrs: Munso'. II belongs to Miss Wing
neid-l khow--bccaise sent i, Ia nor, .
Perhaps you may recognize nv hana,
wri''ns. lie took the valentine from
MIS- Muna"n's reluctant hand ann
going around the table. laid I, hcsjan
IDA Wingaeid's plate. then he placed = (
hsnd on her thin shoulder with =
protecting gesture that hrougb,
amazing comfort TO the lonely teacher
All the beautiful color came b,rk "a
her fac.--Phc w. rnmn. - W !