10 THE ACORN Betty's Valentine "Johnny's medicine has run out and, the nurse being- gone, I am alone and need some one to go down to the druggist for me. Does Betty know the way?" said Mrs. Hilton as she called to her next door neighbor Mrs. Moore. Just then Betty came running from the barnyard where she had been finding her pet lamb. "I'll go for you Mrs. Hilton." "Hand him this prescription and he will give you a box of small pills." A moment later Betty had her hat and coat on and was hurrying down the street, holding tightly in her hand the small piece of paper. She first passed the long avenue on which she lived, then the beautiful street with the magnificent residences, which ended on main street where the large stores were. There was the drug store. She knew it in a moment, the fourth door to her right. It seemed almost an hour from the time the tall dark-complexioned gentleman told her to be seated for about ten minutes until he returned. But when he did come, Betty felt relieved and hurried home, thinking probably Johnny had been waiting for her all this time. Mrs. Hilton met her at the door and for the first time since his long illness, took her in to see her little friend. It seemed so good to see him again. He said. "Next week I can sit up in a chair by the window." When Betty was leaving, Mrs. Hilton dropped into her hand a small piece of money. It was the first money she had ever earned. It must be made the very best use of. It was only a week until Valentine day. She would buy a valentine for Cleora, she thought. Cleora was so sweet and loving and Cleora had been her truest and best friend ever since she started to school. The thought of the Valentine remained in her mind; and as she passed the shop windows on her way to school next morning, not one of the display escaped her notice, for Cleora was to have the very prettiest. Probably more would be displayed later, so she thought she would wait to see and watch every day. Just before the eventful day she stood gazing wistfully in at the windows, trying to decide upon one. But they all were so beautiful that she did not know which one she liked best. Just then she saw one over in the corner. It had not been there before. It was the one she had been waiting for. Yes, a small piece of celleloid with dainty roses and violets, Cleora's favorites. If she waited till another time Cleora might be with her, she thought, and it might be gone, so she lost no time in buying it. Betty could scarcely wait to show it to her mother. As she approached her home, she could see some one standing in the doorway. It was old Mr. Squeer THE ACORN 11 and she could hear him saying, "yes t'will be the fourteenth and, bless me, Valentine day again." A haggard look crossed his face. "Of all days, that is the worst. Boys are so rude. If we go to bed we can't sleep for they keep knocking and pounding till we come to the door. I tell you, Mrs. Moore, when I was young you didn't see me sending ugly valentines. A person can't help his looks anyway," he said as he walked slowly down the path toward the gate. "Oh, how cruel," murmured Betty when he had passed down the street, "to send a poor old man, and a good old soul too, such horrid things. How he must feel! And don't you know when he passes down the isle in the church with his squeeky shoes, the old umbrella and the quaint old lady walking close behind, how they chuckle, and when he goes down town with his large basket, they even venture to ask him where he got it, and if Geo. Washington lived at that time." Although the time passed slowly Valentine night came at last. As Betty dried the dishes for her mother, her face was sad, the old man's words rung in her ears. Probably not one kind person would think to send him something to make him happy. She laid down her towel and seemed to be thinking intently. "What person could show him a kindness better than I," were the thoughts which passed through her mind. "I will send him my valentine but Cleora must have it." She knew Cleora would receive so many beautiful ones, as every one loved her, while poor, old Mr Squeer. A half an hour later, Betty walked down the street toward the old man's house. She crept slowly up the walk and laying it on the door step tapped lightly on the door. Then she turned and ran as fast as she could through the gate and around the corner without pausing for a moment. It was not very dark, and she remembered seeing them through the window; as the light had been lit but the shades had not been drawn. Thinking she might see them, she crept back and looking through the window she saw the old man standing beside his wife who was sitting by the fire. He was holding in his hand the valentine. He looked at it for a moment and then at his wife. Then Betty saw him take from his pocket his red handkerchief and lift it to his eyes, while the old lady brushed away a tear with her apron. There seemed to be a lump in Betty's throat which she could not swallow; and for the first time she realized the true meaning of the words, "It is more blessed to give than to receive. Olive Belnap, '06.