Carolyn Wells

The Lover's Baedeker and Guide to Arcady Carolyn Wells

Lothario Lee was saddened, the world seemed grim and gray; For Lothario Lee was a lover bold, and today was St. Valentine's Day.'Twas St. Valentine's Day, and he fain would send his heart to the fair Florelle, For the radiant maid had inspired in his breast a passion he could not quell. But alas! for the gay Lothario, his heart was held in feeDown at Dan Cupid's pawnshop, at the sign of the roses three. Willingly would the lovelorn knight that errant heart reclaim, But alas! the luckless Lothario hadn't a cent to his name. So he sadly sat and pondered, as doleful as he could be; When a brilliant notion struck him-"Done!" cried Lothario Lee."I'll send her the pawnshop ticket, my tale of wo 'twill tell, For she alone can redeem my heart-the rich and rare Florelle."He sent her the tell-tale ticket, he scribbled a hasty line, Bidding her call at Dan Cupid's shop and claim her valentine. And as she read the message, in the soul of the fair FlorelleA joyful thought rang merrily, like a far-away marriage bell. With her heart in a frantic flutter, adown the street sped she, Till she reached Dan Cupid's pawnshop, at the sign of the roses three. Cupid sat at a work-bench, mending a broken dart;"I am Florelle," said she, "and I come to claim Lothario's heart."Here is the ticket, Cupid; what are the ransom fees?See, I will pay you the money; give me the heart, if you please.""But I am blind," said Cupid, "I cannot see the name; Describe the heart you are looking for, and so make good your claim.""Lothario's heart," said the lady, "is brave and knows no fear.""Alas!" said Cupid, dejectedly, "no such heart is here.""His heart," said the lady, further, "is honest, and good, and true.""No," said Dan Cupid, wofully, "not one of these hearts will