The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-12-11
THE GERANIUM LEAF,

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think about it, ON what small cogs
and pivots the wheels of fate turn, and
what slight jar will do toward chang
ing the whole machinery and set it to
turning in am entirely different direc-
ton.
1t was a geranium leaf that altered
the whole course of my life; butfor the
trivial leaf, picked by a. young girl in
thoughtless mood, I should not be
sitting here to-day in this pleasant
dining-room, where the sun comes in
through the -wreathed windows
and falls upon the geranium pots in
side; and this little girl would not be
upon my knee, nor yonder red checked
maiden on the veranda with young
Smithers; and neither would that very
handsome matron who hasSust passed
into the parlor have been in her pres
ent condition. Hyou will listen an
hour or so will tell you my story.
1t was just twenty years ago this sum-
mer that fell in love with Carrie
Dean. She was 21 and I 27-both
old enough to know what we meant
and what we were about; at least 1
was, but Carrie was such a little
coquette that used to think she had
no mind of her own.
Oh, but she was lovely! all rose-eol-
! ored and white, and brown -tressed and
pearly- y-teethed, with the roundest,
plumpest figure, as graceful as a fairy
IN every movement, and with beauti-
full, shapely hands that were a con-
stant delight to the eyes. Twas just
home from college, and she was on
visit to my step-mother, her aunt, and
my half sister, Lila, and her cousin.
had seen agood many girls in my seven
years at college, and someof the bellies
of the land; but had never yet had
my heart stirred by any woman s eyes
as Carrie Dean stirred it when her
glance met mine in greeting; and the
touch other soft fingers completely set
me afoat on the sea of love-
l was her slavefrom that hour-not
her slave either, but her passionate
lover and worshiper. And, of course,
she knew it-and, of course, being a
finished little f1irt, she queened it over
me right royalty.
There was Fred Town, the country
physician, and Tom Delano, the hand
some young farmer, both as badly off
as I was; and pretty time we had
of it. Fred and /, old chums in for
mer days, were at swords point now
and hated each other splendidly for q
few weeks. And Tom I held in the ut
most contempt, and rallied at them
both whenever opportunity presented
itself, for Carries edification after the
manner of men, and was repaid by
seeing her bestow her sweetest smiles
and glances upon them the next time
they met.
Fred drove a 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 as sweet to one as
the other, and just the same to me;
and that was what maddened me.
was not to be satisfied with a widows
third" by any means, and I told her
so at last, and asked her how the mat
ter was to be settled.
"I love you better than those BRAIN
less tops know how to love-" 1 said |
hotly. "And now decide between u.s."
She had listened to my love confes-
sion with blushing cheeks and down
cast eyes, but when I said this she
turned defantly on me.
'"They are no more fops than you
are," she said, "even if they have not
spent seven years in college. They are
gentlemen, and can't say that for
every man of my acquaintance"
And here she shut the door between
us with a slam and left me to my
pleasant reflections, and half an hour
later met her at the gate with Fred
going out for ride. which was very
aggravating, must confess. l
thought over my conduct that night
and concluded that Ihad been brute
The next morning found Carrie at
the dining-room window alone and
sought her side. She had her hand
among the leaves of sweet-scented
geranium, and just as I approached
she plucked a leaf and twined it around
her braids. I remember just how
bright and green it looked among her
dark locks.
Carrie" ;" began, II fear I was very
rude yesterday"
~ know you were," she said, look
ing indifferently out of the window.
This was bad beginning, but went
on:
"But, Carrie, I love you so, and
when 1 see you with that Fred"
Here Miss Carrie turned on her heel
81 am not going to listen to you
while you slander my friends" she
said. "When you can speak respect
fully of Mr.. Town 1 will return"
and she left me again.
left the house then, and did not re-
turn till afternoon. AS came up the
path met Tom Delano. Poor fellow!
He looked like the last rose of sum-
mer after rain.s
"Good-by, old fellowl" he said,
gloomily. "I'm going away. She has
sent me off and can't stay in the
place. hope you are the happy one
i do honestly, AL. She said her
heart was given to another, and it's
either you or Fred" Ihope it is you,
and God bless you'll"
Here Tom dashed away, and left me