The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1882-12-20

men and can't say that for every maj
OF my acquaintance"
And here she shut the door betwee,
US with slam and left me to my pleasar,
medltatlons, and half an hour later
met q her at the gate with Fred, going on
1or ride, which was very aggravating.
must confess.
thought over my conduct that night
ana concluded that had been a brute
Inc next morning found Carrie at The
dllung room window alone and sough
her SIDE: She had her hand among the
leaves OF sWeet-scented geranium. and
Just as approached she plucked a lea1
and twined it among her braids 70
member how bright and green it looked
among the dark locks. .:
Carrie" began, "I fear was yery
rude yesterday" ~
;! know you WERE" she said, looking
lndifierently out of the window
This was bad beginning, but l went
/ on: eA'
500 But But, Can. Carrie, ! love you SO and when
/ see you with that Fred
heel. ''i'i'' vi Her
Il am not going to listen to you while
S you SANDER my friends" she said
r Nnen you can speak respectfully of Mr..
Iown, will return, and here she left
me again, = i'
lett the house then, and did not re-
Iurn TIL afternoon. AS came uD the
PAIN met Tom Delano. Poor fellow. he
looked like the last rose of summer after
rain. E'''s'
Goodbye" he said, gloomily "I,m
gong away. She has sent me off. and T
can't stay in the place. hope You nre
the happy one-I do, honestly, Al, She
said her heart was given to another and
It's either you or Fred. | hone it is vow vow
and God bless youn' ON'
here Tom dashed away as left me
''a al!s altef nun III amazement.
Given her heart to anothcrw 7 re-
peace, with pain in my chest some,
Where' We'll, it is evident that | am
~ not the other, and that Fred is. Poor
Iom-poor me! The best thing ] can
90 Is to follow suit and leave too. Tcon
never see her the wife of another and
the sooner ON off the better"
so went moodily up to nv room and
packed satchel and got all tbipcs in
readiness ior speedy departure.
IN my way up met Carrie just emery
ing from her room, arrayed in her iaunty
Ildlng habit, and could hear Fredfs
dtleep tones shouting "Whoaw down in
the yard below. III
l watched her trip down the stairs and
out Of sight, thinking that if was tho f 1as't
time should see her for wears nerb ,,,os
forever. p'''''i''
When I had strapped the last buckle
on my satchel and all was in readiness +
went down to say good bye to father
mother and Lila. Lila was not indoors
ana my parents looked at me in amaze,
ment. ''i''"Ae-
-. But Allen, my son." pleaded father
Il had thought you would enter into
business with me. There is oran and
opening for you, and ! have held the M.
sition in reserve,n -l| WV ~
l than.., you for all that, but want to
III year oy two before going into |
yoaEess,h 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, 50 lefta goodbye" for her
and passed out into the hall.
1t was long, narrow hall. reaching
the whole length of the house, and with
several tootls opening into it; but as vet |
1t was unlighted and as dark as Egypt,
About halfway through it heard the
street door open and shut, and a mo.
ment later ran full against some one en-
tering.
1t Is Lila, thought, and reaching
out my arms caught her between them, |
is it you Lilla?" l said.
But she did not answer, only twined
her two arms about my neck.
why, little sister," | said softly, edo
you love me so much?"
For Lila was not demonstratiye as q
usual thing, and was surprised at her
oh, better than all the world beside,
Allen" she said in whisper.
And then, as / lifted the face to nv
Ups, the sweet odor of geranium per
tuned the air, and my heart gave great
cap.
1t was Carrie, not Lila, that held in
ny arms. A.E
She was trying to disengage herself
low, but / suddenly caught her light
orm IN my two stout arms, and opening
he library door, carried her into the
brilliantly lighted room. Her face was
lot with bushes now, and her eyes full
# tears.
"You are too bad" she sobbed, "and 1
late you'll"
But just then she noticed my travelling
tire and paused abruptly.
Why, where are you goiDg?" she ask
d with interest.
81 was going away never to return" /
nswered, "but since you said what you
i'd in the hall l have changed my mind"
Carrie pouted.
Il was only speaking for Lila"
"Then | shall go, shall I, and leave !
on to marry Fred ?"
II detest Fred" she cried.
and you love me better than all the
,crld?" i,
eyes," ,,
So the firt was conquered at last and I
as the victor. :
"But how did you know it was not =
illa?" she asked, as we sat together. +
"By the geranium leaf | saw you put =
1 your hair this morning"
"And but for that you would have gone
way and not come back for wears p"