Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1883 — THE LEAF OF GERANIUM. [ARTICLE]

THE LEAF OF GERANIUM.

It is strange, when we come to think •boat it, on what small cogs and pivots the wheels of fate ran, and what a slight jar will do toward changing the whole machinery, and set it to running in an entirely different direction. It was a geranium leaf that altered the whole course at my life. But for the trivial leaf picked by a yoc.ng girl in a thoughtless mood I should not have been sitting here to-day in this pleasant dining-room, where the «nn oomes in through the vine wreathed windows and falls upon the geranium pots inside; and this little girl would not be upon my knee, nor yonder red-cheeked maidpm on the veranda with young Smithere; and neither would that very handsome matron who just passed into the parlor have been in her present situation. If you will listen an hour or so I will tell you my story. It was just twenty years ago this summer that I married Carrie Dean. She was 21 and I was 27 —both old enough to know what we meant and what we were about—at least I was, but Carrie was such a coquette that I used to think she had no mind of her own. Oh, but she was lovely! All rose-ool-ered and white, and brown-tressed, and pearly teeth, with the roundest, plumpest figure, and as graceful as a fairy in every movement, and with beautiful, shapely hands that were a constant delight to the eyes. I was just home from college, and she was on a visit to my Btepmothar,her aunt, and my half sister Lilia, her cousin. I had seen a good many girls in my •even years at college, and some of the belies of the land; but I had never yet had my heart stirred by any woman’s yes as Carrie Dean’s stirred it when my eyes met her’s in greeting, and the touch of her soft fingers completely set me •float on the sea of love. I was her slave from that hour—not Iter slave, either, but her passionate lover and worshipper. And, of course, she knew it, and, of course, being a finished eoquet, she queened it over me right royally.

There was Fred Town, the country physician, and Tom Delano, the handsome young farmer, both as badly off as I was; and a pretty time we had of it Fred and chums in former days —were at swords' points now, and hated each other splendidly for a few weeks, and Tom I held in the utmost contempt, and railed at them both whenever opportunity presented itself, for Carrie’s edification, after the manner of men, and was repaid by.seeing her bestow her sweetest smiles and'lflanbes upon them the next time they met. Fred drove a splendid span of bays, and almost every day they dashed up the avenue, and dashed out again with Miss Carrie’s added weight. And Tom was on hand nearly evening, and she was just as sweet to one as the other, and just the same to me; and that was what maddened me. I was not to be satisfied with a “widew’s third” by any means, and I told her so at last, and asked her how the matter was to be settled. *T love you better than those brainkss tops know how to love,” I said, hotly “and now decide between us.” She had listened to my love confession with blushing cheeks and downcast eyes; bat when I said this she turned defiantly on me. They are no more fops than you are,” she said, “even if they have not spent •even yean in college. They are gentleman, and I can’t say that of every man of my acquaintance.” And here she shut the door between WB with a slam and left me to my pleasant meditations, and half an honr later I met her at the gate with Fred going out for a ride, which aggravating I must confess. * I thought over my conduct that night l

and concluded that I had been a brute. The next morning I found Carrie at the diningroom window alone and sought her side. She had her hand among the leaves of a sweet-scented geranium, and just as I approached she plucked a leaf and twined it among her braids. I remember how bright and green it looked among the dark locks. . -Carrier I began, “I fear I was very rule yarterday. * **l know you were,” she said, looking indifferently out of the window. This was a bad beginning but I went on. * "But, Carrie I love you so, and when I see you with that Fred ” But here Mira Carrie turned on her heel. "I am not going to listen to you while you slander my friends,”<she said. When you can speak respectfully of Mr. Town I will return.” and here she left me again. I left the house then and did not return until afternoon. As I came up the path I met Tom Delano. Poor fellow, he looked like the last rose of summer after a rain. “Good-by,” he said gloomily. Tm going away. She has sent me of£ and I can’t stay in the plaoe. I hope you are the happy one —I do, honestly, AL She said her heart was given to another, and it’s either you or Fred. I hope it is you and God bless you!” Here Tom dashed away and left me staring after him in amazement. “Given her heart to another!” I repeated, with a pain in my chest somewhere. “Well, it is- evident that I am not the other, and that Fred is. Poor Tom—poor me! The best thing I can do is to follow snit and leave, too. I can never see her the wife of another, and the sooner I am off the better.” So I went moodily up to my room and paoked a satchel and got all things in readiness for a speedy departure. On my way up I met Carrie just emerging from her room arrayed in her jaunty riding habit, and I could hear Frank’ deep tones shouting “Whoa!” down in the yard below. I watched her trip down the stairs and out of sight, thinking that it was the last time I should see her for years, perhaps forever.

When I had strapped the last buokle on my satchel and all waa in {readiness, I went to say good-bye to father, mother and Lilia. Lilia was not indoors,and my parents looked at me in amazement “But Allen, my son, pleaded father, “I had thought you would enter into business with me. There is a grand opening for you, and I have held the position in reserve.” ' I thank you for all that, but I want to travel a year or two before going into business,” was all I could answer; and father gave me up in despair. Lilia was still absent; but it was quite dark, and the train would leave in half an hour, so I left a “good-bye”ffor her and passed out into the hall. It was a long, narrow hall, reaching the whole length of the house, and with several rooms opening into it; but as yet it was unlighted, and as dark as Egypt. About half way through it I heard the street door open and shut, and a moment later ran full against some one entering. It is Lilia I thought and reaching out my arms caught her between them. “Is it you, Lilia?” I said.

But she did not- answer, only twined her two arms about my neck. “Why, little sister,” I said, softly, “do you love me so much?” For Lilia was not demonstrative, as a usual thing, and I was surprised at her movement. “Oh, better, than all the world beside, Allen !’’ she said in a whisper. And then, as I lifted the face to my lips, the sweet odor of geranium perfumed the air, and my heart gave a great leap. It was Carrie, and not Lilia, that I held in my arms. She was trying to disengage herself now, but I suddenly caught her light form in my two stout arms, and opening the library door, I carried her into the brilliantly-lighted room. Her face was hot with blushes now, and her eyes full of tears. “You are too bad,” she sobbed, “and I hate you.” But then she notioed my traveling attire and paused abruptly. “Why, where are you going?” she asked, with interest “I was going away, never to return,” I answered, “but since you said what you did in the hall I have changed my mind.” Carrie pouted. “I was only speaking for Lilia.” “Then I shall go, shall I, and leave you to marry Fred ?” “I detest Fred,” she cried. “And you love me better than all the world ?" “Yes.” r«But how did yon know it waa not Lilia, she asked, as we sat together. “By the geranium leaf I saw you put in your hair thin morning. “And but for that you would have

gene away and not come back for yeara?” “Yes ; perhaps never come back, but for that tell-tale leaf.” Then we will keep this leaf always,” she said, taking it from her hair. And So we have. I procured a little golden box, and there it is to-day, one of our dearest treasures. Of oourse I married Carrie, and of course that blooming is she. * * .* * ♦ Tom Delano did not die of a broken heart, but married a lovely girl out west a few months after his departure, and Fred Town is our family physician, and has a pretty wife of his own.