The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-14
EOening Story
Pink Valentines
BY cLARIssA MAcKIE.

When Philip Barton went into part
nership with old Mr.. Crowther he was
doing several very unexpected things;
one was to enter into the selling of
books and stationery, for he had al
ways worked on the farm near the
village, but the Investment of some of
his small inheritance in a welI-estab-
lished business was attractive. An
other thing, he was learning to meet
and mingle with people every day and
to lose some of the loneliness that OPP
pressed hinls when he closed the door
of his empty house. And there was
his painful shyness; that, too, was in
! measure forgotten.
you've got to have tongue in
your head, lad, if you're going to keep
customers" reminded Basil Crowther
after Philip had had an embarrassing
encounter with a talkative woman.
IT can't seem to think of anything
to say until after they go out" pleaded
Philip
"He-he,. chuckIed old Basil, "the
women certainly do talk a man down;
but remember this, lad, If a man can
just get, good strong word in edge
wise and then follow it up and keep
on talking a woman will listen like
anything. Try it,
VERY WE'LL" said patient Philip as
he put away their entire assortment
of note paper and envelopes. "Tl
have to take your word for it, Mr..
Crowther, because I don't know, much
about some of them
You'll be wiser before very long,
Philip. Now that I have an up-and-
coming young man here, I've noticed
that trade is picking up wonderfuliyA
Some OF these young schoolmarms
used to go way over TO Deckerville for
school supplies-I counted five of 'em
in heer yesterday all at one time
1T is your new line of postcards
and the sheet music, and other things"
stammered Philip. his good-looking
face reddening as the door opened to
admit two more of the feminine sex.
Good evening, Philip said stout
Mrs. Graham. I'VE just stopped in to
wish you god luck in your new BUSH
ness; didn't we. Rosa %
Yes. indeed" murmured dark-eyed
Rosa as she flashed a smile that made
! Philips heart Jump wildly.
Thank you; it is very kind of you
both-er-I hope you will come in
often.'
1--WE shall be steady customers after
this, but we must hurry-we are go
ing to the sociable and supper at the
| church tonight. Coming?"
Not tonight; it is my turn to keep
| the shop open"
Have you any valentines?' asked
Rosa, looking around the little store.
valentines Phillips voice pene-
| trated to the rear where Basil was
bent over his bookkeeping.
"A whole box of them. Come and
open them, they just arrived today,
and I expect a whole lot of them will
! find their Way into YOUR letter box
Rosa Graham teased the old man, as
he brought out a large box and pro-
ceeded to unite the cords that
bound it. =
'How you do love to torment me,
Mr.. Crowther," pouted Rosa. ''Ahi'
| she sighed as he began to open some
/ smaller hOveS Ontainpd in ho shin
/ ping case. Il am afraid 1 will never
| get one as lovely as this!" She looked
wistfully at the box containing a large
| pink lace paper heart, around which
rosy Cupids danced with garlands of
pale blue forget-me-nots.
See here, Rosy" and old Mr.. Crow
Tiers eyes blinked behind his large
| specta cles, Il will make a promise.
| If no one comes in and buys that val
| entine, or if it is sold and you do not
receive it, will send you one just
like it," ~
Thank you. Mr.. Crowther; you are
a dear!" and Rosa went away with her
mother, laughing at the old stationer's
kindly joke
IF that one is sold let me know.
Philip" smiled Mr.. Crowther. He
went back to his little corner, and as
he turned the pages of his ledgers he
was still smiling at the rapt. intent
| look of young Philip, who was staring
dreamily at the pink valentine.
| The door opened to admit Roger
Darnell, a popular youth among the
girls. He had a bold manner and a
cool insolence that was amusing and
at the same time very unpleasant.
valentines? Hey? Some assort-
ment. Say, PhilIy, just wrap me up
| three or four of those pink ones like
| the one in your hand!"
Thru some mistake there is only
| one like this" said Philip.
Give me that one-and an enve1-
ope, then. I'll just send it along to
little Rosy Posy Brown Eyes. Hurry,
kid, am on my way to the sociable"
Philip hesitated 4 second, then he
said grimly: you're too late, Roger,
this ones sold already. Here's one.
and this, and this"
Roger grumblingly selected half a
dozen for as many eXpectant girls and
dashed out. His departure was fol-
| lowed by a strange explosion of high
laughter from the corner.
Philip hurried around there. ANY
thing the matter, sir?" he wanted to
know.
Basil Crowther removed his spec
| tacles and wiped his eyes. II was
| just laughing over human nature,
Philip. You'd be surprised how much
there is in keeping shop-it's like a
play on the stage"
Valentine day came and went. The
little shop was busy all day and the
partners even had to send to Decker
vile for more OF the tender missives,
so great had been the demand.
Never heard anything like it," NUT
tered Basil Crowther over his books,
as Philip hurried to and fro, waiting
on people with a strange expeetant
look on his fine face. 1.-The boys all
keyed up about something can
guess what it is-Annie suspected he
has been sweet on Rosa Graham
, wouldn't they make a fine pair? She
is so flighty and sweet, and he is so
steady and right down good. Hope he
sent 1T to her-maybe he was too
scared at the last moment he is So