Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-09-15
MIsCELLAMEoUs.
ONLY A FLOWER

WILL "a 1OW Lii
st was a beautiful plant, with straight
stalk. green and clear almost as crystal
Ga the top was one blossom. emitting the
most delightful fragrance that ever inhaled
"How good of you to send me this ]"
cried. turning to my steptather. for he had
just placed the pot on' my window sill. "I
have coveted it so much"
He smiled. peculiar sort of smile, that
even then sent a chill through my heart.
.'Be very careful of it, Nell, he responded
II prize it very highly"
II promised, and he left. Then buried
my face in the green leaves until the perfume
almost intoxicated me.
When l was but a babe my own father
had died. He left my mother as my sole
guardian, knowing that she would always do
that which best by me. But my mother
was young, and still beautiful, and when this
strange man with his fascinating face, came
to WOO her. she gave herselft to him He was
very kind to her but he took long journeys
away on unknown business. Ten years after
their marriage he brought home this plant
1t was in bloom, and my mother was infatu>
ated with it. 1t was the last present my step.
father ever gave her, for she began to fail,
and died OF what the doctors call rapid de
cline month later. Before she lef: US she
made her will, appointing my stepfather as
my guardian until either married or became
eighteen years of age.
My stePtather was very kind to me, as he
had been to my mother. had nothing to
complain of. l met old DR.. Hartley and we
became engaged. He gave US his sanction,
though he wished me not to marry until was
of age.
Eighteen is young enough for any girl to
loose her Freedom" he said laughingly, and
we could raise no valid objections.
De was going away now on one of his mys
terious journeys, and before he started, he
brought this plant in.
Since my mothers death, he had kept It in
his study, and would not allow any one to
tend it but himself 1t only bIoomed once in
seven years, aud this was the first blooming
after her death. 1t made me sad although
loved it so much, for was passionsteIy fond
of flowers, and this one seemed to be charmed.
/ think must have inhaled the perfume
for the space of fifteen minutes, when q
servant brought word that DR.. Hartley was
awaiting me in the parlor. started to go to
him. but felt strange faiutness creeping
over me As [ grouped my way toward the
door. l saw q letter lying on the fnor and I
picked it up mechanically, and carried it in
my hand.
"Merciful Heavens! what ails you p" the
doctor cried as went in. You look - be-
wiIdered, as your mother did before she died -
He placed me in great chair, and opened
window for the fresh air to come In unon
me, then he called servant to bring glass
of wine.
. Twenty minutes later, reyiye5 -
Nov tell ME 8lsai el.is.;h,arrr p - -
s..fs.:
powered nie
swest-ss',s .ssss
w ~ ! h;,t. ~ nv K e ftof
he oas Iss Ereplaite gave my inothey.
years ago, 4saaswered: i never bloomed
since. nnllthis morning and he wasgoing
on journey ne gave. itsiuto: my keeping Z
wish yon could see it I"
Il must see it, - he ssid
l led him up into my room. He took itdp
The mystery is solved ~ he excIaimed.-
life !"
What is the trouble?" asked.
For answer he called servant, and told
him to 90 over for botanist that kept a large
nursery of select plants.
And tell him." he added. "to bring with
him his manual of poisonous plants
Fifteen minutes later the botanist entered.
He walked over to the window.
My God T! get out of this room !" he cried.
This plant gives forth the most subtle of all
poisOns, for it destroys life and yet leaves no
traces behind it"
We stepped back awe.struck.
''What letter is that?" Dr. Hartley asked.
Zone Mr. Tremaine dropped"
"Read it"
1 obeyed him mechanically so far as draw
ing the letter out of the envelope
"My darling" it began, as the time draws
near that you will be free, am filed with
thousand doubts and fears All the years I
have lived on your secret visits in hopes of the
hour of our triumph and freedom, and now,
that the plant will bloom again am strangely
depressed. Don't let your heart fail you. my
darling, my own, for know I've been your
only love since first We met"
will not quote that epistle at length. -
We gathered enough from it to know that all
his secret journeys were visits to the writer,
and that she was his wife.
DR. Hartley took me home to his house,
and for some time he almost despaired of the
poison being drived from my veins.
e