Old Valentines / A Love Story

nice girl, as I have observed. But these places, my dear, these social settlements, as they call them, Saint Ruth's, and-er-the

see the motion-pictures which make them forget their hard, drudging, colorless lives for a little while,"-here Phyllis caught her breath in that fascinating way she has-"if there were no such helpful places, I should think they might be more hopeless and bitter. But when they k

pose these-er-social settlements are maintained by the County Council, and supported by the rates. And I rat

known it. Now, how can you sit in your library here and analyze the thoughts and motives of th

sh to offer any objection to your going there if you are interested. Good idea; see the other side. Of course, you won't ever go alone, though. Those East End streets, you know-better take the car and have Thompson wait. I

d for a likeness of Saint Ruth herself, found plenty of work for her. And Phyllis did love the babies; they did not a

r salutation "My word! Don't

's nearly every day. The work was engrossing; Dr. Thorpe warned her

whom his misgivings were clear. "Miss Oglebay and I a

," said the doctor; "but

Peter knew a man when he saw one. Mrs. Thorpe made him chuckle; so he liked her, too. The place was crowded; mostly with the very poor, i

mitted by Dr. Thorpe. Sir Peter paced off the rooms for himself and gave his opinion. Dr. Thorpe consulted st

r the entertainment and Phyl

Thorpe and Father Carroll and Mr. Landless are the committee. Father Carroll will

uted! Every child had honorable mention, at least. Father Carroll told the funniest stories;

he stood very straight; one stood at at

Peter. "You don't happen to be of the Sussex Landle

are my people. H

ook orders, did he not? I

last Ju

of him after he left the University. He was a most likeable fellow

g to keep me there, and I felt I must b

e seen her face flush slightly; an anxious look c

" asked Sir Peter.

noticeable now. "I follow

aimed Sir Peter, and

st cause. "Mr. Landless means to be a poet. That is his chosen profession. Don't you think it fine to mak

hort, hard laugh. "A pastime, perhaps; a recreation; but not a professio

Phyllis ventured a look at John, s

lingness to see something of me. My father would have been pleased. When I was going through his papers I fancy I ran across yo

ve not heard that name in thirty

lis put him at his ease in no time. The Honorable Margaret and John Landless were sworn friends. John had applied the tes

as all very interesting and new. You will help me to remember

remark, ever so casually, about Mr. Landless; concluded s

ed, oblivious, while John recited his verses to Phyllis at the other end of the long library. They were pretty verses; Phyllis thought them beautiful. You should have

Phyllis, also, but she went with him into the hall. Sir Peter fol

Neville, and quite often John Landless went with her. The squalor and misery all about them was shocking to every sense; hideous at its worst; but the sharp, sweet, bi

spring. Carrying a parcel, John walked beside Phyllis. The soft air was filled w

himself with the parcel, and failing "Please do

nd slackened her pace. "Is there good news of your book? Do

act-well, I am glad my opinion of

t his face; but the chin was

lub making prog

want to talk ab

e words. The subtle spring

tly John was preparing his sentences,

he poignant beauty of the still unspoken words. Phyllis was willing to wait; he had nothing to tell

enements; past knots of lounging men; little mothers with heavy babies struggling

s?" asked John, breaki

ALL YOU

sh-and if you think

true and the false. I know its freedom from selfishness, and all littleness. I know its purity and its steadfastness I know your capable hands, Phyllis, and your eager, pitying heart,-for I have seen them at work day after day, and week after week. I love you, my dearest, and I must tell you so. I think I have loved you longer than I have known you, but I know I have loved you as long. Perhaps you can care for me, and perhaps you can't. Sometimes I have dared to hope you might, but almost always I have known it was too high a hope. For I am only a poor poet

e took one of his hands

were forced to separate, to pass a group o

e, first," he said, "but I knew he would

d! Of all the days in the year I should have chosen to-day. You don't know why

of her mother's name, and of h

d me you love me

y heart singing i

ear you say the

John," said P

ise to marry me-so

ay," she re

not afraid of

d up at him. "You must take me home,

held it there. Their mood was exalted. The streets were glorified; the gloomy buildings had

fallen when they reached the great gates of the park. John stopped and laid a de

st the park gates except for the warning whis

ed, as he shot past. John glare

had no doubt of the outcome; Sir Peter's frown was without terrors for her, but to

id Burbage, in the hall. "He said he would be home b

hed at thi

he said. "I must hurry away, Miss Oglebay."

d garnets, was left in the hand he had pressed; one of his mother's rings, worn on his watch-chain. Phyllis seized Burbage and danced her up