The Ocala evening star., 1922-10-07
The Pink
Valentines
By CLARISSA MACKlE

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 vii
lage, but the investment Of some of
his small inheritance in a well-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 op-
pressed him 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 a 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.
81 can't seem to think Of anything
to say until after they go out" pleaded
Philip.
"He-he," chuckled old Basil, "the
women certainly do talk man down !;
but remember this, lad, if man can
just get a good strong word in edge
wise and then follow it up and keep on
talking a woman will listen like any
thing. Try it,
every WELL" said patient Philip as
he put away their entire assortment
Of note paper and envelopes. "PI
have to take your word for 1t, Mr..
Crowther, because 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 wonderfully.
Some of these young schOolmarms used
to go way over to Deckerville for
school supplies-I counted five of 'em
in here yesterday all at one timer
sit 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 fem
inine sex.
"Good evening, Philip" said stout
Mrs. Graham. eve just stopped in to
wish you good luck in your new busi-
ness; didn't we, Rosa"
Eyes, 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 valentinesT' asked
Rosa, looking around the little store.
"Valentines?" Philips voice pene-
trated to the rear where Basil was
bent over the bookkeeping.
ga whole box of them. Come and
open them, they just arrived today,
and 1 expect a whole lot of them will
find their way into your letter box,
Rosa Graham" leased the old man as
he brought out large box and pro-
ceeded to unite the cords that
bound it.
"How you do love to torment me,
Mr.. Crowther," pouted Rosa. "Ah 7"
she sighed as she began to open some
smaller boxes contained in the ship
ping case. II am afraid will never
get one as lovely as this !" She looked
wistfully at the box containing 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
theirs eyes blinked behind his large
spectacles, 81 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, I will send yeu 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, Philly, just wrap me up
three or four of those pink ones like
the one in your hand"
Through some mistake there is only
one like this" said Philip coolly.
''Give me that one-and an envelope,
then. I'll just send it along to little
Rosy Posy Brown Eyes. Hurry, kid,
1 am on my way to the sociable."
Philip hesitated a 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
followed by strange explosion of high
laughter from the corner.
fHILp nuFrleU AROUND LQeTo. ANY
thing the matter, sfr?" he wanted to
know.
Basil Crowther removed his spec.
tacles and wiped his eyes: "I 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