Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-07-17
A WOman's Choice

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SAN ARGARET ASHTON gazed
M arssmy ,at, at her sns own ,tt,a Fssst'Sn s;,a
of satisfaction played around the. cor
ners of her daintily curved lips.
Yes, she was beautiful, but tonight
was to attend the DeForsh's ball, and
Charley was to be there.
She put few last finishing touches
to her hair and clasped the pearl neck
lace carefully about her throat, then
picked up the two separate bouquets
that lay awaiting her.
White roses and lilies of the valley;
she raised the latter to her lips softly,
for they We're from Charley, of course.
They We're her favorite flowers and
he always sent them, and the roses
were from Gerald Lorrimer.
She held them up against her dress
to note the effect. and instead of the
usual card note fell from each.
She opened Charley Hamilton's first;
it ran as follows:
Dearest Margaret-You were to give
me my answer. tonight. If it Is yes,
as 1 fondly hope, please wear my flow
ers as token.
Margaret, 1 plead my love for you
as the only basis Of my hope, knowing
how unworthy I am to become your
husband. ~a ...a. ,..'s IL
But, Margaret, love you with all Of
a. true mans devotion, and will work
for you as 1 never have before.
Perhaps some day 1 will be able to
give you all the luxuries you now have
and deserve. pray God that may.
Think Of my love, and If you can
give me any hope, wear my flowers
this evening. Your old friend and true
lover. CHARLEY.
Her eyes shone softly and her lips
trembled, as she read it through the
third time.
She picked up the lilies of the valley
and pinned them tremblingly against
her corsage.
Life with Charley! What meant pow
erty or care or anything else, SO long
as she had his love?
Then she noticed the other note lying
all forgotten at her feet.
She picked it up and opened it.
Let us glance over her shoulder.
My Dear Miss Ashton take this
opportunity of proposing for your hand
in marriage.
You may be surprised, but have had
you in mind for some time as most
proper person to share my wealth and
position.
1 can give you anything you desire,
as you well know, and shall think your
beauty and wit fair return.
If your answer is favorable, wear
my roses tonight at the De Forsh's.
Yours truly,
GERALD LORRIMER.
1t was short and to the point.
Her face grew pale and she shivered
slightly as she read it.
There was no mention of love- Well,
she was glad, for she hated him.
He was selfish and contemplate in
her sight.
She read the note again. ra
Yes, he certainly could give her ev-
erything to which she was accustomed.
He was wealthy beyond doubt,
She was sorely tempted. Life with
him meant wealth and ease. Life with
Charley, economy and toll
She held up one slim hand and ex-
amined it carefully. 1t was never
meant for hard work
She unpinned the flowers and put
them in a bowl Of water, then pinned
the roses in their place.
She sat back in the corner of the
carriage with her wrap drawn closely
around her, as she was driven away.
1t was rather late, but what did it
matter? Nothing mattered now.
She decided to marry Mr.. Lorrimer.
She must have wealth and Charley
couldn't give it to her.
Her uncle wouldn't be expected to
keep her in luXuries after she was
married. So
She had put love and gold in the bal
ance and gold outweighed love.
Weighed in the balances and found
wanting.
Would she be happy?
Charley's face was continually be-
fore her white and hopeless; she
couldn't shut it out.
Poor Charley, how he would miss her
friendship, how lonely he would be,
and She
What would she do without him?
She loved him.
They were nearly there now.
She called to the eoachman, James,
drive back to the house as quickly as
possible; have the wrong flowers"
And as the carriage turned she threw
the white roses far into the street, to
be rampled under foot
Love had won.-Indianapolis Sun.