Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-06-14
By SADIE oLCOTT

ne Noulu lItdsuTt forever. Il OTeNcr
was the last word of the second line
and rimed with sever" the last word
of the first line. He didn't disguise
his handwriting. for he was proud OF
his coupet and didn't wish it or the
beautiful valentine to 20 To waste.
Jimmy addressed, stamped and mail
ed his valentines early In the after
noon of the 18th OF February. The
next morning the postman brought
him batch of valentines. The first
one he opened he recognized as one he
had sent out himself the day before
There was an Endorsement on it as fol-
lows:
My love for you Is Just as warm as
when sent you this just one year ago.
The blood mounted TO Jim's cheek at
being detected IN using an old valen-
tine.
Better luck next time" and he open.
ed another
The luck was certainly better, for he
had never seen the Enclosure before.
The third. and the fourth were also
new TO him. On the fifth. which was
one he had sent was an Endorsement
What did you send il back for? don't
want it.
Jim had grown somewhat callous by
this time. but the truth is he was look
ipg for his valentine from Helen
Strong. Beside hers the rest were OF
very little Importance. However he
'0pened them all without coming upon
one that bore any trace whatever OF
having been sent by her.
III get 1t by the next mail" he NUT
tered and tossed those he had received
on 10 a table from which they were
destined later on 10 be brushed into a
waste paper basket. During the day
he lounged about the house, and when
ever he heard the postmans whistle
he went 10 tho door himself in eager
expectancy Of his valentine from Hell
en-. But no valentine came In the
evening he called up on the telephone:
rs that you, Helen;
I'm Jim. sxEEss4.
-Got anything On hand this even
ing!
~ run III lOi ~ lltllc Willie.
'Did you get many valentines to-
day?
Il sent you one. 1t was beauty;
cost $3.50.
Yes, mine was the one with the
s3ulis. --DsS~s-,~-H
I'm glad you liked EN-.
Eyes, fatter myself that protrud-
ing-what dye call tits very pretty.
Il didn't write anything under the
Cupid.
cant you tell me what il was on
the phone?
well, Ill be over in few minutes"
When Jimmy arrived he found Helen
sitting by IA table in her own private
parlor with Il stack Of valentines be-
side her. Before she would answer any
questions she insisted upon showing her
love missiveS. Jim took no interest in
those that had been sent by any one
except himself. but Helen forced him
to look NJ every one of them and to
take lot OF time in doing so When
the last one had been admired she took
up Jim's valentine. She read the
couplet over several times and said she
hadn't believed that he could write
poetry like that" This made Jim very
proud of himself.
But, Jimmy she said at last,
the valentineT
Certainly not. 1t took all my saw
ings."
I'm sure it didn't cost so much"
"Why are you sureT"
Because | bought it myself year
ago. and paper wasn't near SO high
then as it is today"
eye.
Jim resolved TO make blum.
I've heard before this of girls accus-
ing fellows o: sending back their own
valentines. You can't come that racket
on me-"
"Whatll you bet?'
Bet WHAT"
THAT l can't prove YOU sent me back
a valentine l sent YOU"
MAKE it a pound Of candy against a
box Of cigars"
Done"
Inserting the points OF hairpin I'M
der the Cupid In the valentine, she ex-
posed the letters II. s.
THAT stands for Helen Strong"
Jimmy was game.
"Oh, II was easy enough for you 10
write those letters in there after you
received the valentine"
Helen burst out laughing.