The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-09-09

little forward to get glimpse OF the young
lady spoken OF. ''Why, scarlet geranium.
of course; and very becoming it is to her
Andaluslsn style. But, are you Ill, Courte-
nay? Shall get you glass OF wine?
mo; / am perfectly well, returned
C0urtenay, speaking in a strange unnatural
tone.
For an instant the brilliant confusion Of
the ballroom seemed to have ebbed away,
aud he saw only the wide old farmhouse
kitchen with its low ceiling, and-oD. pest
remembered of albany Wilson's seraph
face half visible among the scarlet gera-
Dium blossoms as she gaZed down the dark
ening road watching for his coming f0rm
All the mists of sophism and worldly pride
melted from around his breast and he saw
himself as he was-a recreant l0yer-a cold
bloOded decelYer.
ut is not yet too latel" he murmured in
wardly. "Great heavens, and could IL be
possible that ] could have contemplated
marrying a woman | never loved, merely
for her wealth and position? Oh, Amy. my
first and only love, help me to prove true TO
myself and thee!'
Going, Courtenay-and so early? Why.
you have not even spoken to Miss Franees!'
calculated the colonel, in establishment, as
his friend turned to leave the room.
II must go. / have just remembered busi-
ness of the utmost Importance" said
Courtenay, in hurried and constrained ac-
and my adieus, also. il you will be so kind,
colonel? / find myself Obliged to leave
town for an indefinite period Of time"
Before Colonel Anderton could recover
breath TO ask the meaning OF this strange
freak. Alfred COurtenay had left the room
and the house.
The red leaves were raining sorrowfully
down from the great tree at the turn of the
road as Alfred Courtenay came III front of
the old brown farmhouse with its weather.
stained chimneys and the apple orchard at
its back.
He paused and shaded his eyes with one
tremulous hand. There was the window
with its white muslin curtains-and there,
also. scarlet geranium blossomed.
81 accent the omeD," he murmured, once
more stridng forward. IF she had taken
il away should have felt that my place in
her heart was Justly fOrfeited-now / am
Teassuredp'
Softly-softly his footsteps fell on the
gray dOOrstone and the warm threshold
softly his hand fell on the latch.
The fire flashed up as ne entered the
room, so that ne could see Amy's brown
hair dropping around her head as she sat
with her back TO him YEARLY trying to read.
The latch slipped from his touch and clicked
wRrningly.
Grace, is It you?"
There was no answer, and Amy turned
round in surprise. Another instant and the
bitter years OF waiting and disappointment
were all forgotten upon Alfred Courtenay's
breastl
When Grace Warren came in, rosy with
her frosty walk, she scarcely recognized
pale, fragile Amy Wilton in the blushing.
smiling girl who sat there beside the
tall visitor. Happiness is better physician
than all the NJ. DIS in creation.
And when Amy Wilton was married her
young friends all marveled that instead of
orange buds white loSSaminp sha WOTn
in her soft curls only q blossom Of the
scarlet geranium. When they questioned
her on the subject she answered simply;
1T Is Alfred's fav0rite flower