Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-12-09

shC hdPpN Oue-i uo, hoHSStiN a.. S"N
said her heart was given to another, and
it's either YOU or Fred. hope il is you.
and God bless you"
Here Tom dashed away and left me
staring after him in amazemcnt.
Given her heart TO another" repeat
ed, with pain in my chest somewhere.
"Wcll, 1t IS evident that l ann not the
other, and that Fred is. Poor Tom-pOor
me. The best thing can do is to follow
suit ana leave too. can never see her
the wife Of another, and the sooner L am
off the better"
So went modify mp 10 my room and
packed a sstchel, and got all things in
readiness for speedy departure.
On my way up met Carrie just emery
ing from her room, arrayed in her jaunly
riding habit, and could hear Fred's deep
tones shouting .'Whoa :" down in the yard
below.
watched her trip down the stairs and
out of sight, thinking that il was the last
time | should see her FOR years, perhaps
forever.
When l bad strapped the last buckle OK
down to say goodbye TO father, mother
and Lila. Lila was not indoors, aud my
parents looked at me in amazemCnt.
"But, Allen, my son." pleancd father,
Il had thought YOU would enter into bus
mess with me. There i.'a grand opening
tor you, and have held the position il
reserve"
IL thank you for all that, but want to
travel Il year or two before going into bus
iless," was all could answer, aud my
father gave up in despair.
Lila was still absent, but il was quite
clark, and the train would .cayc in half an
hour, SO l left a goodbye for her and
passed out into the hall.
IL was a long narrow hall, reaching the
whole length of the house, and with sew
cral rooms opening into it; but rs yet ii
was uulighted and us dark rs Egypt.
About half way through it heard the
street door open and shut, and moment
later ran full against some one entering.
alt is Lilla," Thought, and reaching
out my arms caught her between them.
"ls it You, Lilla?" said.
But she did not answer, only twincd
her two arms about my neck.
"Why, little sister," ! said softly, "do
you love me so much?"
For Lilla was not dcmonstrativc as a
usual thing, ana | was surprised ut her
movement.
''Oh, better tllan al the world beside,
Allen," she said in whisper.
And then, as lifted the face to my lips,
the sweet odor of gcranium perfumed the
air, and my heart gave a great leap.
II was Carrie, not Lila, that | held in
my arms.
She was trying to discngaSe herself
now, but l suddenly caught her ligh. form
in M, Two stout arms, and opening the
library door carried her into the bIil-
liantly lighted room. Her face was hot
with bushes now, and her eyes full OF
tears.
"You are too bad, ," she sobbed, "and |
hate you"
But just then she noticed my travelling
attire and paused abruptly.
"Why, where are you goingi' she asked
with interest.
81 was going away, never to RETURN l
answered, "but since you said what you
did in the hall have changed my mind.
Carrie poutcd.
81 was only speaking for Lila
"Then shall go, shall !, aud leave you
to marry Frc?"
81 t.etest Fred" she cried.
"And you love me better than all the
world?"
"Yes.n
SO the flirt was conquered at last, and
was the victor.
"But how did you know it was not
Lillaf" she asked, MS we sat together.
"By the geranium leaf that saw you
put in your hair this morning"
"And but for that you would have gone
away and not come back for years."
"Then we will keep this leaf always"
she said, taking it from her hair.
And so we have. / procured a little
golden box, and there il is to-day one Of
our dearest treasures.
or course married Carrie, and Of course
that blooming matron is she.
Tom Dclano did not die Of a broken
heart, but married loyelier girl out West
a few months after his departure; aud
Fred Town is our family physician, and
has pretty wife of his own