Smyrna times., 1892-09-14

For Courtenay had paused suddenly
with strange pallOr overspreadine
his cheek, as his eye fell upon Miss
frances beautiful profile.
Tell me" he said, turning to Colo.
mel AndertOn, who stood near bv. and
speaking in a husky whisper, dwhat
Hover is that Miss Frances wears in
her hair ?"
':Flower?" repeated Anderton. lean.
ing little forward to get a glimpse OF
the young lady spoken of. "Why,
scarlet geranium, of course and verv
becoming it is to her Andalusian style!
But, are you i'll, COurtenay? Shall l
get you glass of water ?"
No. am perfectly well" returned
COurtenay, speaking in a strange, un-
natural tone.
For an instant the brilliant confusion
of the ballroom seemed to have ebbed
away, and he saw only the wide old
farmhouse kitchen, with its low cell
lRg, and-Oh, best remembered of all
Amy Wilton's seraph face, half visible
among the scarlet geranium blossoms.
as she gazed down the darkened road
watching for his coming form Ali
the mists of sophism and worldly pride
melted from his breast, and he saw
himself as he was-a recreant lover-a
cold blOoded deceiver!
1T is not yet too late !" he mur-
INJURED inwardly. Great heavens aud
could it be possible that could have
contemplated marrying a woman l
never loved, merely for her wealth and
position p? 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 Frances !" calculated the Colonel.
In establishment, as his friend turned
to leave the room.
Il must 90. have Just remembered
business of utmost importance. said
Courtenay, in hurried and constrained
accents. Make my excuse to the
iadles-and my adieus also, if you will
be so kind, Colonel l find myself
Obliged to leave town for an indefinite
period of time"
Before Colonel Anderton could re.
cover breath to ask the meaning ofthis
strange freak, Alfred Courtenay had
LETT the room and the house.
The red leaves were raining SORROW
fully down from the great tree at the
turn of the road as Alfred Courtenav
came IN front of the old brown farm.
mouse, with its weather stained Chin
neys and the apple orchard at its back. |
he paused and shaded his ewes with !
one tremulous hand. There was the |
window with its white muslin curtains
and there, also, a scarlet geranium
Il accept the omen !" he murmured.
once more strding forward. eff she |
had taken it away | should have felt
that my place in her heart was Justly
| am reassured ~
Sotlly-softly his footsteps fell on
The gray doorstone and the warm
-hreshold-softly his hand fell on the
atch.
The fire flashed up as he entered the
room, so that he could see Amv's |
crown 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
warningly.
Grace, is it you?n
There was no answer, and Amv
'urned round in surprise. Another
instant, and the bitter years of waiting
ma disappointment were all forgott en-
IN Alfred Courtenay's breast.
When Grace Warren came in, rosv
With her frosty walk, she scarcely rec
,gnized pale, fragile Amy Wilton in
he blushing, smiling girl who sat
here beside the tall visitor. Happiness
3 better physician than all the M.
O.s iu creation.
Aud when Amy Wilton was married
Ter young friends all marvelled that
instead OF orange buds, or white iessa-
nine, she wore in her soft curls ONLY a
blossom of the scarlet geraniHm.
When they questioned her on the sub
ect she answered simply.
Its Alfredis faVOrite fOwar