Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-09-21
THE LOST GERANIUM.

Mrs. Wigley had no back garden what
ever, only u tiny piece of ground IN front
with a wooden paling, and there was not
much growing there, but a remarkably
fine geraaium, bearing magnificent trusses
of d pale pink tint, stood in a pot on the
windowsill. This geranium was the pride
of Mrs. Wigley's simple soul. She took
daily delight in it in spite of failing sight,
and words of praise from admiring neigh
bors warmed the cookies of her heart.
Her friend Mrs. Hubbard, Christian
name Eliza, who lived at West Winthrop,
was more eulogistic than all the rest put
together, for Mrs. Hubbard was . great
gardener and knew a fine specimen Al
we'll Us any one and better than most.
Her own garden was q perfect picture, but
she could not show a %geranium like Sarah
Wigley's nor, indeed, anything to compare
with it. She called in on a certain Satur-
day afternoon and paused before entering
the cottage to inspect her friends possess
sion. 1t was in full bloom.
"Well, / neyer!" cried Eliza Hubbard.
"What a waste!"
Sarah Wigley was staring out of win
dow, but failed to recognize her friend.
Her eyes were contracted to q narrow slit,
and she strove her hardest to trace the
familiar features, but in vain.
"What a waste!" reiterated Mrs. Hub
bard. "She can't see me, though l am rs
big as life and twice as ugly, and yet the
Lord let's that fine pink geraniuih grow
| and blow under her very nose. 1t isn't
| any kind of good to her, and it would be
a real blessing to me-
SIS that you, ElizaY'' asked Mrs. Wigley.
If it amt, Sarah, it's my double"
you've been looking at my geranium,
Eliza" said her friend. Isn't it q pic
ture?"
Mrs. Hubbard responded heartily. There
was much talk about the flower, how fears
had been entertained that the blight had
I got to it, etc.
| go in, my dear" she said to Sarah
Wigley. "You will catch your death Of
cold"
Mrs. Wigley retired, Eliza Hubbard
drew the door close. Her face was Grim
son, her heart beat fast.
SIT isn't as though she could sec it,"
said she. ''She won't even know it Is
gone, and if she does what does it signify
What the eye don't see the heart can't
grieve for!'"
She seemed rather proud of the quota
ton. Of a certainty it had never been
used in such a connection before. But
pride was replaced by a dull sense of shame
as she lifted up the geranium and, hiding
it under her shawl, sped home with 1t. As
she walked she planned where she would
place the geranium. 1t would look best,
she thought, between two fine white ones
Of which she was uncommonly proud, and
there she deposited it in the darkness.
. i Having lone so, she retired to bed, having
first knelt down to say her prayers. Oddly
enough, however, the words would moi
come.
A few days later Eliza Hubbard callet
on Sarah Wigley. She peeped in through
the window and saw her old friend sitting
> over the handful of fire, though the even
ing was sultry, shivering and holding hel
! thin hands to the blaze.
!, my gracious!' said she, stepping brisk
J, Nv in. "You amt cold tonight, are your
Sarah Wigley rose stiflly. ".
, , "I'm a bit poorly, my dear. l amt fel
! myself since my loss. You've heard tel
, how some tramp or the other made OF
) with my pink gcranium, haven't your
Mrs. Hubbard was apparently a bit poor
ly also, for shesshivered likewise.
II did hear some such tale" said she
"But Idon't suppose you grieve much, eh
Sarah? 1t amt as if your eyesight was a
good as mine. You can't keep looking a
the blossoms"
' For answer Sarah Wiglcy burst into
food Of tears.
II know I am worse than a fool to max
/ q fuss about u geranium plant, y said she
"but 1 suppose l am kind Of low in health
Anyway / can't help myself. / ought t
. be ashamed Of myself" said she, tat m
time of life not to have faith greater tina;
a grain of mustard seed. Haven't 1 praye
the good Lord to put it into the heart
) that tramp to bring me back my gerf
MUM, and who knows that he won't see 4
y to do it? I'd had that geranium thre
e years, Lila, and I'd got to set store on
l. as though it was a child. Ihope you don
think me a weak sort"
Eliza Hubbard cleared her throat.
I'll emo" she said softly, II don't. Iwis
I was half as good as you. But I amt.
yield to temptation right away. I ain
more strength Of mind than a baby.
l. say, Sarah, I wouldn't take on SO if I ",
d YOU. Perhaps-perhaps''-she hesitate
! and cleared her throat again-''perhal
you'll get your flower back again, aft
4, ALL"
nj She leaned forward and kissed h,
IS friends wrinkled check. 1t was an III
usual action, but accounted for by the III
usual circumstances
II "Good night, Sarah" said she. ST
~ pray again tonight, if I was you, just
X you did before"
EYES," replied Sarah meekly, IT mea
to-"
u She was cheered by her friends syn
u patty, There was = glow at her heart,
y ring !. confidence in her auavering tone
" The moment she rose the naxt mornin
10 she glanced out Of the window. Did HI
weak eyes deceive herr Was 1t really Il
i'd geranium she saw belowp She dressed he
* self hastily and hurried down stairs. Ye
~ there was no mistake about 1t, 1t was b
pet flower, in the same pot, with q
I'd splotch Of red paint on its rim.
ne "The Lord be praisedl" said she, hu
ging 1t close. "The Lord be praisedv"
e. And Eliza Hubbard meanwhile, her fa
N red with shame, clasped her hands toget
er and offered her prayer. s
a. "There amt q meaner sinner on ear
re than me" said she, "but / never found
out till now" She stopped low and d
up her finest white geranium.
"I'm going round to Sarah's now
Y once" said she, land while I'm about
NJ I'll take this other white ~geranium to b
VI as we'll. The pink one will look uncol
mon nice between them two. "-Windf
I'D Magazine.
Conquered.
20: She-He insulted me grossly. He act
er- ally stole q kiss.
ex His Friend-I know 1t, but he told I
,utl you surely could not miss 1t, for 60 han
some a woman as you could get plen