The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-11-27
THE GERANIUM LEAF.

w. "AS't WV S'A w
think about it, on what small cogs
and pivots the wheels of fateturn, and
what q slight Jar willdo toward chang
ing the whole machinery and set it to
turning in an entirely different direc-
lion.
1t was O geranium leaf that altered
the whole course OF my life; but for the
trivial leaf, picked by a young girl in
thoughtless mood, l should not be
sitting here to-day in this pleasant
iining-room, where the sun comes in
through the vine-wreathed windows
and falls upon the geranium pots in
side; and this little girl would not be
npon my knee, noryonder red, checked
maiden on the veranda with young
smithers; and neither would that very
handsome r,atron who has just passed
into the parlor have been in her pres
ent condition. Ii you will listen an
hour or so l will tell you my story.
1t was just twenty years ago this sum-
mer that | fell in love with Carrie
Dean. She was 81 and | 27-both
old enough to know what we meant
and what we were about; at least |
vas, but Carrie was such a little
,oGuctte that used to think she had
40 mind OF her own.
Oh, but she was lovely! all rose-col-
bred and white, and brown-tressed, and
pearly-tcethed, with the r%oundest,
plumpest figure, as graceful as a fairy
N every movement, and with beauti-
jul, shapely hands that were a con-
slant delight to the eyes. was Just
home from college, and she was on a
visit to mystep-mother, her aunt, and
my hall sister, Lila, and her cousin. |
had seen agood many girls inmy seven
years at college, and someof the bellies
Of the land; but | had never yet had
my heart stirred by any woman'seyes
as Carrie Dean stirred it when her
glance met mine in greeting; and the
touch other soft fingers completely set
me afioat on the sea Of love.
Twas her siavefrom 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 tlirt, she queened it over
me right royalty.
There was Fred Town, the country
physician, and Tom Delano, hehand-
some young farmer, both as badly off
as l was; and a pretty time We had
Of it. Fred and /, old chums in for
mer days, were ut swords point now
and hated each other splendidly for q
lew weeks. And Tom | heldin 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 spano of bays,
and almost every day they dashed UP
the avenue and dashed out again with
Miss Carries added weight. And Tom
was or hand nearly every evening,
and she was just as sweet to n us
The other, and Just the same to me-;
md that was what maddened me. l
vas not to be satisfied with a widows
third" by any means, and l told her
SO at last, and asked her howthe mat
ter IA to be settled.
81 love you better ~thanthose brain
'ess tops know how to love-" l said
hotly. "And nowdecide between u.s."
She had listened to my love comics
sion with blushing cheeks and down
cast eyes, but. when l said this she
turned deiantly on me.
are," she said, "even if they have not
spent sever yearsin college. They are
gentlemen, and l can't say that Tor
every man of my acquaintance"
And here she shut the door between
us with q slam and left me to my
pleasant reflections, and half an hour
later Lmet her at the gate with Fred
going out for Il ride, which was very
negravating, l must confess.
thought over my conduct that night
and concludedth HAD been a brute.
The next morning l found Carrie at
the dining-room window alone and
sought her side. She had her hand
among the leaves of q sweet-scented
geranium, and just as | approached
She plucked aleafand twined it around
her braids. l remember lust how
bright and green it looked among hel
dark locks.
Carrie" l began, ~ fear I was very
rude yesterday"
81 know you WERE" she said, look,
ing inditferently out OF the window.
This was a bad beginning, butt went
on:
"But, Carrie, I love you so, anG
when | see you with that Fred"
Here Miss Carrie turned on her heel
II am not going to listen to you
while you Islander my friends sht
said. "When you can speak respect
iully of Mr.. Town | will return
and she left me again.
/ left the house then, and did not re
turn till afternoon. AS came up thu
path l met Tom Delano. Poorfellow
He looked like the last rose of sum
mer after q rain.
"Good-by, old fellow" he said
%gloomily. Pm going away. She ha'
sent me off and Ican't stay in tn,
place. hope you I the happy on,
i do honestly, Al. She said he
heart was given to another, and it
either you or Fred. Ihope it is you
and God bless you!"
Here Tom dashed away, and left IN
staring after him in amazement.
"Given her heart to anotherl" I re
peated, with u great pain in my ches
Somewhere. Well, it is evident that
nm not that other, and that Fred is
Poor Tom!-poor me! The best thin
can do is to follow suit, and leav
too. can never see her the wife c
another, and the sooner Pm off tn
better for me-"
So ! went moodily up to my roor
and packed q satchel, and | got a
things in readiness for C. speedy dc
parture. On my way up met cal
RE, just emerging from her room
arrayed in her riding habit, and
could hear Fred's deep tones slloutin