The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-02-01
THE LEAF OF GER, MUM.

THE LEAF OF GER, MUM.
1t ls very strange, when we come tc
think OF it, on what small cogs and
pivots the wheels Of fate run, and what
slight Jar will do towards changing
the whole machinery and set it to run
ming in an entirely different direction.
1t was geranium leaf that altered the
whole course of my life. But for the
trivial lcaf picked by young girl in a
thoughtlees mood I should not he sit
ting here to-day in this pleasant dining
room, where the sun comes in through
tho yine-wreathed windows and falls
upon the qeranium pots inside and
this little girl would not be upon my
knee, nor yonder red-cheeked maiden
on the verapdah with young Smithers ;
and neither would that very handsome
matrcn who just passed into the parlor
have been in her present situation.
If you will listen an hour or 30. I
will tell you my story. It was lust
twenty years ago this summer that T
married Carrie Dean. She was twenty
one and was twenty-seven--both old
enough to know what we meant and
what we were about-at least 1 was.
but Carrie was such coquette that
used to think she had no mind Of her
own.
On, but she was lovely All rose
col0red and white and brown tressed,
and pearly teethed, with the roundest,
plumpest figure, as graceful as a fairy
III every movement. and with beautiful,
shapely hands that were constant de-
light to the eyes.
L was just homo from college md she
was on visit to- my stepmother. her
aunt, and my half sister Lila, and her
cousin.
L have seen good many girls. In my
seven years at college, and some of the
bellies Of the land but hod never yet
had my heart stirred by any woman's
eyes as Carrie Dean stirred it when my
eyes met hers in greeting ; and tho
touch OF her soft fingers completely set
mo ahoat on the sea of love.
l was her slave from that hour--not
her slave, either, but her passionate
lover and worshipper. And of course
she knew it, and of course, beng
finished coquette, she quecned it over
mo right royalty.
There was Fred Town. the country
physician, and Tom Delano, the hand
some young farmer, both as badly off
rs was end a pretty time We had of it.
Fred and I--old chums in former
days--were at swords' points now, and
hated each other splendldly for few
weeks. And Tom held in the utmost
contempt. and ralled at them both when
ever oppo1 tunity presented itself, for
Carries editication, after the manner
OF men, and was repaid by seeing her
bestow her sweetest smiles anl chances
UPON them the next time they met.
Fred drove splendid span OF bays,
and almost every day they dashed up
the avenue, and dashed out again with
Miss Carries added weight. And Tom
was on hand nearly every evening, and
she was just Us sweet to one as the
other, and just tho same to mo and
that was what maddened mo.
/ was not to be satisfied with n
widows third" by any means, and l
told her so at last, and asked her how
tho matter was to bo settled,
Love you better than those brain
less tops, know how to love" I said.
holly "and now decide between us. "
She had listened to my love confess
sion with hlushing cheeks and down.
cast eyes hut when L said this she
turned detiantly on mo.
''Ihoy are no more fops than you
are," she SAID, ''evon ii they have not
spent seven years in college They are
gentlemen and can't say that for ev. ry
man OF my acquaintance"
And here she smut tho door between
lis with slam and left me DO my pleas.
ant medita,ions, ana huff an hour later
met her Mt the gate with Fred, going
out Tor ride, whlch WIS very aggruva-
ting, l must coufVss.
l thought over my conduct that night,
and concluded that had been brute.
The next morning found Carrie at the
dlnlnB-room window alone and sought
her side. Sho had her hand among tho
leaves OF sweet-scented geranium, and
just ns approached sho plucked leaf
and twined 1t amC ny Aor bralds. / re-
member how bright and green it looked
among the dark locks.
.,'C"rrie," began, "I fear was very
rude Yesterday"
II know you were," she said. looking
mdliierently ont Of the widow.
AA1s ""S pho peBlnnlng, Dut L went
on:
"But, Carrie, l love yous and when
SEQ you with that Fred"
But here Miss Cnrrio turned on her
heel.
II am not going to listen to you
while you slander my friends" she
said. when you can spoak respect
fully Of MIR. Town, l will return :" and
here she loft me again.
left tho house then, and did not re-
turn till afternoon. As / como up the
path met Tom Delano. Poor fellow,
he Locked like the last rose of summer
after raa0.
''Geod.bye," he said, gloomily Sim
geing away. She has sent mo oil, and
! can't stay In the place. hope you