Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-06-06

skin, made you think of some glowing
Spanish picture, while there was some
thing imperial in the curve of her small,
rose. red mouth. Her dress was of sim
pie white muslin, without a solitary
ornament, and amid the shining pro
fusion of her raven curls were twisted
two or three vivid blossoms OF the scar
let geranium.
Nor was she the only one in the
throng who noticed Courtenay's en-
trance. A rising man." his brilliant
talents had already constituted him
somewhat of lion" in the metropolitan
circles, and he was greeted on all sides
with welcoming words.
Here comes C%ourtenay. Wonder
when he means to propose?" languidly
remark an exquisitelv-dressed sprig Of
the i%euness doree.
Propose to whom?" asked his COM
panion.
why, to Miss Madelon, OF course; it
is pretty certain that she likes him, and
he would be a fool to hesitate at the
chance of obtaining q beautiful wife
and a fortune at the same time. Lucky
fellow, that
Well, l, for one, never could see
what the ladies find to admire in
Courtenav," remarked the other, mis-
anthropically, lowering his voice as the
gentleman in question passed by.
"Halloo! what's the matter? He isn't
sick, is he?"
For Courtenay had paused suddenly,
with a strange pallor overspreading his
,LooJ, %, IL, o,o Coll u,o, NT;ac Franoas'
beautiful profile.
Tell me-" he said, turning to Colonel
Andetron, who stood close by, and
speaking in a husk whisper, what
flower is that Miss Frances wears in her
hair"
"Flower?" repeated Anderton, lean
ing a little forward to get a glimpse of
the young lady spoken of. why, scar
let geranium, Of course, and very be-
coming it is to her Andalusian style.
But you are not i'll, Courtenay? Shall
1 get you a glass of wine?"
mo, / am perfectly WE'LL" returned
Courtenay, speaking in a strange, I'M
natural tone.
For an instant the brilliant confusion
of the ballroom seemed to have ebbed
from sight, and he saw only the white
old farmhouse kitchen, with its low
ceiling, and the blazing logs upon the
hearth, and-eh! best remembered OF
all-Anne Wilton's seraph face, halt
visible among the scarlet geranium
blossoms, as she gazed down the dark
ening road, watching for his coming
form! All the mists of sophism and
worldly pride melted from around his
breast, and he saw himself as he was
ceiver!
"It is not yet too late!" he muir.
INJURED, inwardly. Great heavens
and could it be possible that l coulo
have contemplated marrying a woman
never loved, merely for her wealth and
position? Oh, Anne, my only love
help me to prove true to myself and
thee!"
"Going, Courtenay-and so early
Why, you have not even spoken to Mis-;
Francesl" calculated Col. Anderton
in establishment, as his friend turned
to leave the room.
business of the utmost Importance,
said Courtenay, in hurried and con
strained accents. make my excuse
to the lady, and my adieux, also, if 20,
wish to be so kind, Colonel. 1 find my
self obliged to leave town for an in
definite period of time"
Before Col. Anderton could recove
breath to ask the meaning of thi
strange freak, Alfred C%ourtenay la,
left the room and the house.
The red leaves were raining sorrow
fully down from the great maple ire
at the turn Of the road as Alfred Court
enay came in sight of the old brow,
| farmhouse. with its weather-staine
chimneys, and the apple orchard at it
) back. He paused, and shaded his eye
3 with one tremulous hand. There wa
: the window with it's white muslin cu1
tains-and there, also, blossomed
scarlet geranium.
II accept the omenw he murmureG
once more striding forward. eff sh
had taken it away, l should have fe3
that my place in her heart was iustl
forfeited, but now | am reassured!"
e Softly, softly his footsteps fell on th
+ gray door-stone and the warm threshol
b softly his hand touched the latch.
The fire flashed up as he entered til
u room, so that he could see Anne's brow
}" hair dropping around her head.
she sat with her back to him, weari]
trying to read. The latch slipped fro,
his touch and clicked warning1y.
1Grace, is it you?"
y There was no answer, and AM
p turned round in surprise. Another il
slant, and the bitter years Of waltz
and disappointment we're all forgotte
upon Alfred Courtenay's breast.
When Grace Warren came in, 70,
with her frosty walk, she scarce
70 recognized pale, fragile Anne Wilton
g the blushing, smiling girl who sat the
o beside the tail visitor. Happiness is
y better physician than all the M. DIS
20 creation.
lie And when Anne Wilton was marie
N her young friends all marve!ed that, i
stcad of orange buds or white jessamin
d she wore in her soft ours only the bic
= som of the scarlet geranium. VIII,
they questioned her on the subject, 81
If answered, simply, ut is Alfred's favori
n flower"