The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-03-25
WHOLE NUMBER 1877.

Poor Tom.-poor me! The best thing
can do is to follow suit, and leave
too. can never can see her the wife
of another, and the sooner / am off the
better for me.
So went moodily up to my room
and packed a satchel, and got all
things in readiness for a speedy de-
pariure. On my way up met Carrie,
just emerging from her room, arrayed
in hcr riding-habit. and could hear
Fred's deep tones shouting '.whoai in
in the yard below. / watched her trip
down the stairs and out Of sight, think
her for years, perhaps forever.
When had strapped the last buckle
on my satchel, and all was in readiness,
| went down TO say good-by to father,
mother and Lila. Lila wasnot in
doors; and my parents looked at me in
amazemcnt.
but, Allan, my son. pleaded
father. i thought you would enter
into business with me. There is 4
grand opening for you, and have
held the position in reserve.
Il thank you for all that, but / want
to travel year or two before going
into business, 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 iu
half an hour, 50 | left ..good-by'' for
her, and passed out into the hall. 1,
was long. narrow hall, reaching the
whole length of the house, and with
several rooms opening INTO it. but a.
yet it was unlighted, and was as dark
AS Egypt.
About halfway through it, | heard
the street door open and shut, and q
moment later ran full against some
one who was entering.
1T is Lila thought; and reach
ing out my arms caught her between
them. is it you, Lilla?'' | said; but
she did not answer, only twined her
two arms about my neck. why,
little sister, l said softly, ..do you
love me SO much?" for Lila was not
demonstrative as usual thing, and
was surprised at her movement.
'.Oh. better than all the world
beside, Allan,'' she said in a whisper;
and then as | lifted the face to my
lips, the sweet odor of geranium per.
fumed the air, and my heart gave a
great leap.
1t was Carrie. not Lila, whom | held
in my arms! She was trying to dis.
engage herself now, but / suddenly
caught her light form in my arms and.
opening the library door carried he.
into the brilliantly lighted room. He.
face was hot with bushes now, and hel
eyes full Of tears.
lyon are too bad!'' she sobbed
And hate you!''
But just then she noticed my travel
ing attire and paused abruptly.
why, where are you going?' she
asked with interest.
Il was going away. never to return, :
answered. but since you said what
you did in the hall, | have changed my
mind
Carrie pouted.
Il was only speaking for Lila
'.Then ! shall 60. shall l, and leave
you to marry Fred?''
Il detest Fredv' she cried.
"And you love me better than all th.
world:"
Yes
So the flirt was conquered at last
and was the victor.
but how did you know it was mo-
Lilla? she asked, rs We sat together
by the geranlum leaf saw you pu
in your hair this morning.
..And but for that YOU would hay.
gone away and not come back fol
years?'
YES; perhaps never come back, bu
| for that teli-tale leaf
Then we will keep this leaf always.
she said. taking it from her hair.
And SO we have. procured littl,
golden box. and there it is to-day. on,
of our dearest treasures. Of course
married Carrie, and Of course tha
blooming matron is she.
Tom Delano didn't die of broker
heart, but married lovely girl on
West few months after his departure
and Fred Town is our family physician
and has . pretty wife Of his own.