The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-03-23
On the Brink.
GERALDINE +.

GERALDINE +.
(which shall be my choice-wild rose or
blue-bell-the red or the blue? Suppose
draw and let the last deside for ine?" Kate
Marmion said to herself as she stopped be.
side the pre:tily draped table of her own
little sitting room.
On the olive plush table-scarf, which
her own deft and dainty hands had em-
broidered in cunning wheat ears and spears
of silky grasses, two exquisitely arranged
bouquets lay side by side.
Ore was Of half-blown wild roses, mingled
with golden MOSES; and the other was Of
delicate and dewY bue-bels, fringed with
teathery asparagus sprays. Both were
equally artistic and lovely. each in its diff
ferent way.
Looking into the mirror before her, the
girl held the roses for a moment against
the wayy richness of her chestnut hair,
against The whiteness Of her beautifully
moulded throat, against the slender corsage
of her white gown.
The flowers seemed to suit her own lovli-
ness-the alabaster of her oval face, the
changeful pink of her cheeks, the sparkl-
ing azure of her dark-lashed eyes.
She blushed slightly as she put it down
and took up the other bouquet.
But the blue'bells became her also: each
flower was equally becoming to her own
fairness in its contrast or harmony.
And then her thoughts turned to the
givers.
The roses had been sent by Rufus Carris-
ford--the handsome, gay, and fascinating
nephew of millionaire neighbor.
Although young Carrisford was appar-
emily the favorite of his uncle and was be-
leved to be the heir of the millions, he had
been abroad for years, Kate's acq1aiHt-
ance with him dated from his return home
few months previously.
From the beginning he bad wooed heI
impetuously and with ardor. He was pol
ished of bearing. magnetic of address, ant
brilliant conyersationalist. Kate wa:
ambitious to a certain extent; she had 6
life which the very limited means of hel
parents had never permitted her TO crafty
And one could scarcely wonder if hel
preference were inclined toward the hand
some young Carrisford heir, who coult
lavish upon her all the splendors her girlisl
ambition had ever coveted.
The giver of the blue-bells was LeonarC
Fairfax; and he was also old Mr.. Carris
ford's nephew, although there was no kin
ship between him and the heir.
There was an impression generally tha
the old gentleman had no liking for Leon
ard, and that unhappy differences wer
frequent between them. He occupied th
position of under-superintenden of The es
tate: but he was not an inmate of the pa
latial old Carrisford mansion.
Leonard had none of the physical attrac
tions of the favorite nephew. His franz
was tall and angular; his features wer
rugged; his cheeks and his shapely hand
showed a sun-brorzed tiRt. His brow
eyes were grave; he was rather blunt o
speech; and his manners were quiet almos
to shyness.
Kate had known him from childhood
and even while they we're but children, sh
knew that he loYed her, that he would hay
"Gird to death for her fair lMnd."
But it was with her two suffers as it wa
with her two bouquets-she was unable l.
decide between them. She liked bot
equally well-each in his own differen
way.
"Shall it be the red or the blue? l wi
draw, and the last shall be my choice" sh
said to herself that evening in the solitud
of her pretty sitting room.
She united the blooms, carefully separat
ed them from the golden moss and feather
green foliage, and jumbled them into
glowing, scented heap.
And then, smiling at her own absurdit!
she began;
"Rose-blue-bell, rose-bell, red-blu
Rufus-LennY-"
And then she checked herself.
She was vexed at herself for murmuriH
the names of her lovers so foolishly.
"Red-blue, Ted-blue-blue."
She had drawn the last, and it was
blue bell, as exquisilely cut and as dark
translucent as if thinlY carved from lap
lazuli.
But she tossed it impatiently away.
Such is the my sterY and Inconsistency
the girlish heart.
Throwing aside. at random, a quaint
of the blooms, she again began TO drs
from the newly jumbled pile.
"Red-blue. rose-bell, rose-bell, b
again" she exclaimed, as she drew the Ia
a second time.
| Again il was a blue -bell-the most dali
" ily perfect of the entire bunch.
But won't wear it," she declar
mentally "There is no use in fattrri
!, Lenny; can never marry him, for he v
always be poor, and l have had enou
of poverty"
Again she threw aside quantity of
Blossoms; there were but FIVE remainiI
She closed her eyes and drew blindlY.
% And still, for tie third time, she acco
plished the same result. She lifted
long lashes 10 behold dewy bell as b
I as her azure eyes.
"How provoking" Kate eiaculated
herself. 81 can't wear the blue-bels
shouldn't like TO encourage Lenny, BY 7
n ferring his flowers 1 should be v
wicked 10 do so, when We can never
= anything 10 each other"
, But Alas had net her sweet bushes