The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-07-31
" 1t is beautiful" said the servant ad-

"lti is beautiful" said the servant ad
dressed.
"Can we go over it Z" continued tn,
young man.
Certainly, sir; l was about to offe
to show it TO you"
Il shall remain here" said Geral
dine. "My shoes are very thin; be
sides wish to have another look at the
pictures2
Edward demurred, but the young
girl bade him go at once, and the ODE
dlent lover took the mammals arm and
went into the garden.
The instant ali were gone. Geraldine
rose from her chair and tottered across
the room. She was pale, and looked
cautiously around, as if about to do
some guilty act. Presently she stood
before a cnrtain which had been hastily
drawn before kind of niche in the
wall, or rather before a portion OF the
room. But it was done very quickly,
and through two apertures you could
see stained glass, and on a small table
something under glass case, Geral-
dine could not restrain herself She
pulled away the curtain, and there, un-
der large glass on velvet cushion.
lay the rose which had been cnt from
her head-dress on the ight she had ac-
cepted the hand of her cousin. Near
it was pencil sketch of herself.
"My Godm she cried, passionately,
" he did love me them What fool |
have been! Wicked pride, to what
will YOU lead mew
"MF GeraIdinew exclaimed Alfred,
who rose from a chair where he had
been seated in dark conner" pardon
me, but | could not resist the tempta-
tion-to see, to hear you once more, for
the last time, was my only wish. Do
you forgive me-"
"Do you forgive mez" said GeraI-
dine, hanging down her head. and
speaking in a low, soft. sweet voice,
that never had been hers before.
MY God! wha;w exclaimed Alfred,
who, pale and trembling. stood by her
side.
You will nGt force me to say. AL
fred,-" she continued, III beSeech-
ing tone.
"Do understand Alright 2" Oh! for
give ne, Geraldine, if say too much
but is it possible that you do not hate
me I"
Hate you, Alfred! How can hate
one so generous and good! If you think
me not bold 10 say ii. will say love
you. After behaving is | did, that
confession will be my punishment"
My Geraldine why then did you
refuse me 7" cried Alfred, in passionate
Ieliuht
aBecanse you did not seem 10 love
me-because you only, in my eyes,
sought to marry me because others
did"
Geraldine, I seemed cold because
loved you with all my heart and soul
But was known SatIriSt on marriage,
and I was ashamed to let the world see
my deep affection. wanted them to
think that married merely because il
was a triumph to carry off the reignlng
belle"
You deceived ME aud all the world
together" replied Geraldine i" but TO
own the truth, after you were gone. and
took my rose with you, | guessed the
TRUTH
THE rose but did you know"
.. guessed"
NV God !" cried Edward, returning
alone to fetch Geraldine. to whom he
wanted to show the garden" what is
the meaning of this p
My good consin," said Geraldine,
advancing and taking both his hands,
"come here-you will forgive Geral-
dine. won't YOU | have been very
wicked. Do excuse your cousin, will
you not? bat was only going to marry
you because | thought Alfred did not
love me-"
"Eh!" exclaimed Edward quite be-
wildered
"Don't be angry with me-" continued
Geraldine; " @hould have been very
good wife, and have loved you very
much, had [ married you"
''Oh then do you not mean to marry
me now 2" said Edward in a tone of
deep sadness.
"What am / 10 do 2" cried Geraldine.
"See, my dear cousin, how he loved
me. How can | marry you when my
heart is given to another? ?" r
shower Of rain,7 said Edward, with
vain attempt at gravity. But take her,
Mr.. AlfIed-I think after all Pm lucky
to have escaped her! | don't forgive
YOU a bit, because it's hard to find out
that when, at least, one thinks ones
self beloved, the lady was only pretend
ing"
dine, shaking her head and putting his
hand into that of Alfred, who shook 1t
warmly. >,
ayes, yes! of course you're pleased!
But | must marry now. shall ask
Helen. of Bordeaux, to have me, as no.
body there will know anything o: my
present mishap."
At this moment Mons. and Madam
DeIisle returned. Their astonlshment
was of course very great. Edward
gravely introduced the young couple
"You see, madam" he said, that
,yh;lo Won were walking round the