Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-08-31

scented geranium, and just as ] y
preached she plucked leaf and twiSd
1t among her braids. I rememberlov
bright and green it locked anon the
dark looks,
"Carrie," I began, "I fear las very
rude yesterday"
81 know you were," she sgi, looking
indifferently out of the wipow.
This was a bad beginnip' but went
on:
"But, Carrie, I love Su so, and when
I see you with that Frd-"
But here Miss Cayle turned on her
heel.
"I am not goag to listen to you
while you slanderny friends" she said.
"When you can speak respectfully OF
Mr.. Town, 1 Wi return" and here she
left me again.
Ileft the buse then and did not re-
turn till afsrnoon. As / came up the
path, I me Tom Delano. Poor fellow,
he lookeSlike the Last rose of summer
after rsn.
Goodbye, old fellow" he said,
gloomiy; "Pm going away. She has
sent ue off and can't stay in the place.
hpe you are the happy one-I do,
hoiest, al. She said her heart was
gRen to another, and it is either you Or
Jred. Ihope it is you, and God bless
you"
Here Tom dashed away and left me
staring after him in amazement.
"Giveu her heart to another y I re-
peated, with great pain in my chest
swell, it is evident that I
am not the other, and that Fred is.
Poor Tom-poor me The best thing
can do is to follow suit and leave too. I
can never see her the wife of another,
and the sooner I am off the better"
So went moodily up to my room
and packed satchel, and got all things
in readiness for speedy departure.
On my my way up met Carrie just
from her room, arrayed in
her jaunty riding habit, and I could
hear Fred's deep tones shouting
" Whoa |" down in the yard below.
I watched her trip down the stairs
and out of sight, thinking it was the
last time I should see her for years,
perhaps forever.
When I had strapped the last buckle
on my satchel and all was in readiness,
went down to say goodbye to father,
mother and Lila. Lila was not indoors.
and my parents looked at me in amaze
ment.
"But, Allen, my son, pleaded father,
" had thought you would enter into
business with me. There is q grand
opening for you, and I have held the
position in reserve"
81 thank you for all that, but want
TO travel year or two before going into
business" was all could answer ; and
my father gave up in despair.
Lila was still absent but it was
quite dark, and the train would leave in
half an hour, SO left goodbye" for
her, and passed out into the hall.
It was long, narrow hall, reaching
lhe whole length of the house, aud with
several rooms opening into it; but as
yet it was unlighted and as dark as
Egypt.
About half way through it I heard
,he street-door open and shut and
moment later ran full against some one
who was entering.
"It is Lila" Thought, and reaching
out my arms caught her between them.
i' Is it you, Lilla2" I said.
But she did not answer, only twined
her two arms about my neck.
"Why, little sister," said, softly,
:" do you love me so muohp"
For Lila was not demonstrative as q
usual thing, and I was surprised at her
"Oh, better than all the world
beside, Allenl" she said, in whisper.
And then, as lifted the face to my
lips, the sweet odor Of geranium per-
fuped the air, and my heart gave
great leap.
1t was Carrie, not Lila, whom held
in my arms!
She was trying to disengage herself
now, but suddenly caught her light
form in my two stout arms, and, open.
ing the library door, carried her into
the brilliantly-lighted room. Her face
was hot with bushes now and her eyes
full OF tears.
"You are too bad" she sobbed. sand