The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1906-04-03
HOW TEMPTATION AND RE-
PENTANCE ENTERED THE
SOUL OF ELIZA.

/
of ground in front with a wooden
paling; and there was not much
growing there, but a remarkably
fine geranium, bearing magnificent
trusses of a pale pink tint, that
stood in a pot on the windowsill.
Her friend, Mrs. Eliza Hubbard.
was a great gardener. and knew a
fine specimen as we'll as anyone,
and better than most.
hSe called in On a certain Satur-
day afternoon and paused before
entering Jasmine cottage to inspect
her friends possession. 1t was in
full bloom.
"Well, l never!" cried Eliza Hub
bard; what a waste!"
Sarah Wigfey was staring out of
the window, but failed to recognize
her friend; her eyes were contract
ed to a narrow slit, and she strove
her hardest to trace the familiar
features, but in vain.
THAT there geranium is deliber-
ately wasting itself" said she.
At this moment Sarah Wigley
opened the window and stood re-
vealed-a small, shrunken, widow
woman, with a pale face and pair
OF gentle eyes.
SIS that you, Eliza?"
eff it amt, Sarah, it's my dOu-
ble."
Come right away in, then, do!"
you've been looking at my ger
anium, Eliza" said her friend.
"Isn't it a picture?"
Your sight amt as good as it
used to be-" remarked her guest.
NO" replied Sarah, family; "it's
going fast"
'"There isn't any scent in a ger
anium," Eliza said to herself; sit
isn't as if she could smell it. A
blind person might get enjoyment
out of a rose, or cherry pie-but
a geranium, bah!"
They sat far into the evening,
the hostess knitting, the guest fash
ioning a neat garment. About 8
Mrs. Hubbard rose. 81 must be 60
ing, Sarah" said she.
Mrs. Wigley retired, Eliza Hub
bard drew the door close. Her face
was crimson, her heart beat fast.
at isn't as though she could see
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 fort"
She seemed rather proud of the
quotation. But pride was replaced
by dull sense of shame as she
lifted up the geranium and, hiding
it under her shawl. sped home with
it.
Sarah Wigley's next door neigh
Dor, Selma Pringle, CHANGED to close
her street door behind her just as
Sarah Wigley emerged next morn
ing duly dressed for church. She
looked over the paling, said Good
morning." and then exclaimed with
sudden energy:
"Why, bless my soul! whatever
have you done with your gerani-
um?"
at was here safe and sound last
night" said she; ELIZA Hubbard
was admiring it."
well, 1t isn't there now"
This fact was self-evident; the
two musks stood alone, there was a
vacant space between them.
"Deary( deary mel" cried Sarah
Wigley. did you ever?"
The tears stood in her dim eyes.
81 can't go to worship this morn
ing" she observed, though l know
it's my duty; it seems as though I
had lost my heart altogether"
She re-entered the cottage and
sat blankly bordering over her be-
reavement. hardly noticing how the
time passed.
She was glad when o'clock
came; she could go to bed now, that
was one comfort. Alas, no! Rat,
tat, tat on the door. and in walked
Selma Prlngle.
at amt no tramp" said she. 81
saw your fine pink geranium in
Eliza Hubbard's front garden"
81 don't believe it."
Then you think l tell false
hoods"
81 don't think anything; my time
for thinking is past. and my time