The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1910-02-10
THE LOST GERAN|UM

in front with wooden paling, and
there was not much growing there, but
Il remarkably fine geranium, bearing
magnificent trusses Of pale pink tint,
stood in pot on the window sill. This
geranium was the pride Of Mrs. Wig
ley's simple soul
Her friend. Mrs Hubbard, Christian
name Eliza. who lived at West Win
throp, was more eulogistic than all the
rest put together. for Mrs. Hubbard
was a great gardener and knew fine
specimen as we'll as any one. Her own
garden was perfect picture, but she
could not show geranium like Sarah
Wigley's. nor, indeed. anything to com
pare with it, She called in on a GER
tain Saturday afternoon and paused
before entering the cottage to inspect
her friends possession. 1t was in full
bloom.
well, | never" cried Eliza Hubbard.
What a waste!'
Sarah Wigley was staring out Of
the window. but failed to recognize her
friend.
What wastev' reiterated Mrs.
Hubbard "She can't see me. though
am as big as life and twice as ugly.
and yet the Lord lets that fine pink
geranium 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-"
"Is that you. Eliza?" asked Mrs
Wigley
If it amt, Sarah. it's my double"
you've been looking at my gerani-
UNI. Eliza" said her friend. Isn't it
picture"
Mrs. Hubbard responded heartily.
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
crimson, her heart beat fast.
1T isn't as though she could see 1t,
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 foro
She seemed rather proud Of the quo
tation OF certainty it had never
been used in such a connection be-
fore 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 it, AS she
walked she planned where she would
place the geranium. 1t would look
best, she thought. between two fine
l. III,
monty proud, and there she deposited
it in the darkness.
A few DAYS later Eliza Hubbard
called on Sarah Wigley. She peeped
in through the window and saw her
old friend sitting over. the HANDFUL
of fire, though the evening was sultry,
shivering and holding her thin hands
to the blaze.
My gracious" said she, stepping
briskly in. You amt cold tonight
are you"
Sarah Wigley rose stiff1y.
pm bit poorly, my dear. l amt
felt myself since my loss. You've
heard tell how some tramp or the
other made off with my pink geranl
um, haven't you?"
Mrs. Hubbard was apparently bl1
poorly also, for she shivered likewise
Il did hear some such tale, sale
she. But don't suppose you srleVs
much eh. Sarah? 1t amt as II your
eyesight was as good as mine. You
can't keep looking at the blossoms.
For answer Sarah Wigley burst int
a food of tears
81 know | am worse than fool II
make fuss about u geranium plant,
said she. but | suppose l am KIND o.
low in health. Anyway, 1 cant nell
myself | ought to be ashamed or my
self" said she, lat my time OF LIE no
to have faith greater than a gram
mustard seed. Haven't l prayed I'M
good Lord to put it into the heart
that tramp to bring me back my gera
nium and who knows that he won
see 6t TO do it? I'd had that seranl
um three years, Liza, and Ia got Z
SET store on it as though it was
child"
Eliza Hubbard cleared her throat
No" she said softly. Il don't.
wish l was half as good as you. hu
| amt. l yield TO temptation rlgn
away. l amt more strength Oh MN
than a baby. l say. Sarah, l woulon
take on so if l was you. Perhaps
perhaps"-she hesitated and cieare
her throat again-"perhaps youll &c
YOUR flower back again, after all"
She leaned forward and kissed he
friends Wrinkled cheek.
Good night, Sarah" said She ~
pray again tonight, if l was you, Jus
as you did before"
Yes" replied Sarah meekly, Il mea
to-"
She was cheered by her friend
sympathy.
The moment she rose the next morn
ing she glanced out Of the wlndo'
Did her weak eyes deceive her? W.
it really the geranium she saw Delo"
She dressed herself hastily and hu
Vnr hnr