Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-03-16

1t vas the man who had been in.
structed to hang the sarlands, and
Geraldine rose calmly, though Annie
trembled so that she could scarcely
stand.
All night and all the next day she
wondered at Geraldine's GOODNESS. The
beautiful garden was tnronged with
happy g,Sests. She heard Captain Will
tons name spoken, and looked UP to
see blue-eyed, refined looking man,
in epaulets, who seemed quite alone in
the gay crowd. But all day he was not
to be seen in the vicinity of Geraldine g
beautiful presence. Her costume was
of white and silver, and she waved her
| little white-laced fan.
Annie's dress was also of white, but
her criDbons, flowers and fan were blue.
The latter accidentally fell from her
hand, and passing footstep crushed it.
"Take mine," said Geraldine, 81 have
80 much to do. am afraid shall lose
| it."
So, waving the little fan of white lace,
as the colored lanterns were hung,
Annie passed into the spring grotto for
moment of GOODNESS and rest. Vivian
Stuart saw the white fan fiutter under
the vines into the darkness of the secret
nook. He followed. As soon as Annie
heard his voice she knew ne bad mis-.
taken her for Geraldine. He sat beside
her on the rustic bench"
Do you love me ?"
There was an instant silence, broken
only by the tinkle of the rill and the
distant music Of the band.
Yes" breathed voice, too utterly
sad for Geraldine's but Vivian Stuart
had no suspicion of the truth.
His eyes were covered by the hand
upon which his face was bent. He did
not see white figure fit into the grot-
to, start at finding it occupied, hasten,
then pause, Just inside the further en-
trance, at his next words.
"Oh, Geraldinel.' he groaned. 'it's all
wrong. | respect you, admire you, am
fascinated by your beauty, but, before
Godl my heart Of hearts belongs to a
little girl whom basely deserted in her
hour of need. Three years ago, in her
luxurious, happy home l petted and
loved har-won her heart. Indolent,
selfish, saw her homeless and poor,
fancying did not want to marry, suf-
fered her to go forth and labor fer her
daily bread. If / had only asked her
to come to the shelter ofmy arms. Now
she despises meP Butt will perjure my
self no further Gerald, now you know
me, selfish and coward, you will not
say you love me-"
"No," came clearly from the willow
opening "Your sins be upon your own
head-butI love another"
The crimson light of the fireworks
penetrated the gloom as Geraldine
parted the willow branches and went
out of the grotto. The two who re-
manned heard her utter q cry--saw the
flash of an epaulette but Vivian Stu
art was too amazed to think of aught
but the delicate white face that mo-
mentary light had revealed.
"Anniel Annie !" he murmured, you
have learned the truth. / do not ask
for your forgiveness"
4 little while before, she would not
have believed she could so have spoken,
but now the words came very sweetly.
"Vivian, it is yours"
What is to be, will be. IL spite Of
everything and everybody, there were
two happy and finally acceptable we'd
dings that fall-Vivian Stuart and An
ME Lind, and Geraldine Blake and
Captain Wilton. The latter, chanaing
to pause under the willow, wondering
at the nearness of voices--not know
ing of the existence of the grotto had
heard al, and received Geraldine, after
her confession, in his arms-as much
to her surprise as his