Little Falls transcript., 1884-10-10
HTS FlTORlTE FLOWER.


Is. There it stood in the old farm house window,
hat scarlet gsraniunn, iss clusters Of blossoms
glowing like spots Of Hane, and tho velvety
green OF its leaves expanding with almost trop-
ical luxuriance OF growth No petted favorite
of the greenhouse ever throYe more deter
minedlyy, for it5took its stand on the good old
democratic platform, and grew just as vigor-
ously in that low-ceiled room as If it were the
Conservatory of o ducal palace W. s s-
The FIRE in the chimney leaped ard fell fit
fully with the uncertain gusts Of wind that
walled round the lonely house, and sent the
red leaves whirling down the road The sky
was gray and cheerless, save where belt OF
iurid gold above the western woods marked the
coming of the sullsn November sunset; and an
Indescribable something Of the contagious mel
anchely in earth, cir, and sky seemed to have
arifted down on Annie Wiltons heart as she
lay on the chintz- covered sofa beside the fire,
her large brown eyes half-closed, and the needle
lying idly on the delicate strip of rutiling with
which she had been busying herself.
Was she pretty, do you ask me-? Well, that
depends entirely upon one's idea Of prettiness
Of color, freshness, rosy bloom, she had none.
Do you call a pale ane,none, fragile violet, or
acolorless statue beautiful? OF all these things,
Anne Wilton might have reminded one, as she
lay there, white and still, the brown braias fall
ing around her oval cheeks, and the small
hands crossed upon her breast
"My goodness Anne, the fires all going out,
and here you are half asleep!"
Ammo opened her eyes and became cognizant
OF the bustling presence Of q rosy, dimpled
damsel, with cheeks like winter apples, and
black, roguish eyes, who threw fresh coal upon
the fire, gave tho hearthrug an adjusting shake,
and hustled round the room with infectious
activity. 49,.
f'Better tonight, Anne?" she asked sudden
ly pausing beside the chintz sofa, as bird
might light abruptly on the branch OF a tree,
for she was not unlike bird in her quick
motions and easy grace, this brisht-eyed little
maiden.
FsI shall be better very soon, Grace?" said ths
sick girl, evasivey, taking Grace Warren's rosy
hngags in her own transparent palm. 'Did you
inquire for letters at the postotlice, as you
eame by?"
eyes; but there were no letters, of course. "
Anne was silent moment, and tho unshed
tears trembled on her ]ashes
'Grace," she said softly, edo you remember
that it is three years ago to-day since--since
Alfred went away" n. "... q"
:sRemeniber ib?-of course do; and I've not
q bit OF patience when I rememberit. TO think
how he has thrown us all aside, the friends Of
his youth and poverty, like outgrown gar
ments, now that he has become d prosperous
lawyer and a famous man! And he has even
forgotten you, Anne, his promised wife!"
nent between us. 81
II don't care!"g calculated Grace, with spark
ling eyes; s'the compact was mono the less
sacred in Heavens eyes; and il Alfred Courte-
nay marries that rich heiress people talk about
don't turn SO pale, Anne-surely the room is
too warm, Shall call your mother?"
smile. "It was only momentary faintness."
s'I know what is is ~ said Grace, nodding her
head emphatically. CDR. Jay always said it
wasn't healthy to keep that large geranium in
the window. Those spreading branches aud
clusters of flowers absorb every breath Of
fresh air Let me take it up stairs, Anne?"
'sNot for the world, dearn said Anne, earnest
ly. II would not miss the sight of its cheer
full flowers for anything earth can give. Alfred
brought it to mo when it was little sprjg
scarcely two inches high, and he always used
to say that its bright blossoms in the window
seemed like welcome to him in the winter
evenings. when"
Anne's voice broke down hero, and she turned
her cheek to the pillow, crying quietly. Grace
said nothing, only stroked her friends brown
hair with touch that was full Of unspoken
sympathy. She knew that tears we're Anne's
best medicine just then.
And SO we leave the two young girls in the
red glinting Of the freight and the chill gleam
of the November sunset, and turn to a far diff
ferent scene.
Mrs. Montague Frances was" at home"-ssat
home" amid blazing chandeliers, hot-house
japonicas, and gilded ceilings, to her dear FIVE
hundred friends in brocades and jewels. The
mansion WAS in a glow from cellar to basement
long lines of carriages were setting down
the fashionable world at the carpeted door,
steps--and the band had just struck up a ma
zurka, when Mr.. Courtenay lounged into the
SALON.
''Theres your fascinating young lawyer,
Madelon," whispered a blooming masron in
black velvet and diamonds
And Madelon Frances turned her stately
head, while the deep rose-color suffused her
cheek and brow.
The hostess beautiful daughter was brill,
iant brunette; the liquid softness of her jet
black eyes and clear, dark skin made you think
of something almost imperial i'll the curve OF
her small rose-red mouth. Her dress was of
simple white muslin, without solitary orna-
ment, and amid the shining profusion of her
raven locks were twisted two or three vivid
blossoms of the scarlet geranium.
Nor was she the oply one in the throng who
noticed Courtenay's entrance. A rising man"
his brilliant talents had already constituted
him somewhat of % '8ion" in metropolitan
circles, and he was greeted OH all sides by
welcoming words.
"Here comes Courtenay,-,wonder, when he
means to propose!" languidly remarked an ex-
quisitely dressed spTig Of the jeunesse doree.
''Propose-to whom," asked his companion.
stWhy, to Miss Madelon, of course 1t ia
pretty plain that she likes him. and he would
be a fool to hesitate at the chance of obtaining
3 beautiful wife and fortune at the same
time. Lucky fellow, that!'
"Well, l. for one, never could 500 what the
ladies' find to admire in Courtenay," remarked
the other, misanthropicaIy, lowering his
voice as the gentleman in question passed by.
''Hallo what's tho matter? He isn't Ill, is
he?" liz D..
For Courtonay had paused suddenly, with !.
strange pallor oyerspreading his check, as his
we feA upon Miss Frances beautiful profile. =.
,''Tel me, he said turning TO Colonel Ander-
on, who stood close by, and speaking in a
husky Whisper "what flower is that Miss
Frances wears in her hair?"
'Flower?" repeated Anderton, leaning lit
he forward to get a glimpse Of the young lady
ipoken Of. "Why, scarlet geraniun, Of course;
md very becoming it is to her AndalusiaG
!!tyle! But you are not i'll, Courtenay? Shall
get you q glass of wine?''
'sNo; am perfectly wen," returned Court
may, speaking in strange, unnatural tone.
For an instant ths brilliant confusion OF the
,all-room seemed to have ebbsd from sight,
md he saw only the wide'old farmhouse kit
hen, with it's low ceiling, and-oh, best re-
nembered Of all-Anne Wilton's seraph face,
talf-visibie among the scarlet geranium bios
IONS, % she gazed down the darkened road,
watching for his coming form! All the mists
II sophism and worldly pride melted from
Around his breast, and no saw himself rs he
yas-a recreant lovsr--a cold blooded deceirer!
"Is ID not yet too latsl' he 1nurmured in.
Fardly. Great heavens! and could it be pos
Gble that / could have contemplated marrying
woman never loved, merely for her wealth
and position? Oh, Anne, my first and only
love, help mo to prove true to myself and
heel"
Going Courtenay -and 80 early! Why, you
rave not even spoken to Miss Frances"
,jaculated Colonel Anderton, in astonishment,
IS his friend turned to leave the room
II must 60, have just remembered busi-