The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-12-11
ONLY AN EPISODE.
by. +. II. STACEFER.

UnI cnanRe came over me. KIe" moEe
thoughtful. My life seemed to be opening
to q more earnest beauty. There was re-
gretfulncss in the present, and longing for
a sweeter fulilment of the fuutre.
Why this was so, could not tell. Mr..
Emerson was nothing to me. did not love
him; do not know that even admired
him. There was little affinity between Us.
lie was cain, stern, reserved, and ut times,
when he provoked me by his words or ac-
,ions, proud; arrogant, and presumptive.
lie was too deep for me; too deep in learn
ing, and too deep in observation. In con-
trast with myself, these traits and qualities
were especially prominent. | was wild,
giddy, thoughtless; coupled with these indo-
l.ncr, and dislike to study, and to the
every day actualties of life, and you can
make fair estimate of my character.
knew that was beautiful; but | am
happy to say, with this consciousness, there
was no vanity. Ny beauty was Of peculiar
style; fresh, piquant, consisting Of comb.
nation, or nt lenst u beauty not to a sub
jected to individulism.
Mr.. Emerson, on the contrary, was not
handsome. True, be was well formed and
graceful in his movements, but his face had
nothing attractive about it. His lips be-
spoke too. much determination for me, and
there seemed to be something so pa,ronizing
about his smile, that liked him less when
he smiled. His nose WIS large, yet cores
ponding with an iron mouth, like his, while
his ewes were cold and stern, rarely soften
ing. They would look into your face as
though it were page Of some an,iquated
volume, only deepineng in their color when
true or beautiful sentiment was expressed.
often though. that hated Emerson.-
lie wns a sort of shadow resting on my
buoyancy. The cold, positive .mesmerism
Of his character was driving me to the wall.
1t repelled, and it attracted me by turns,
and ut last could not tell whether loved
or hated him very much. lie made no ad-
vanccs Of love toward me; be did not even
seem to wish to strengthen our friendship.
There was nothing about me for him to love,
except my beauty. And what was beauty
to John Emerson? A wreath of smoke, II
mist of vapor; he recognized no beauty be-
yond the beauty of the soul.
was sitting listlessly upon the verandah
one evening. | had never felt so dissatis-
fed with myself in my life, as did just
then; and, Us a consequence, l was dissat-
isicd with everything around me. l felt
peevi.h and fretful-in a mood to quarrel
with any one, but especially with John
Emerson.
lie was sitting a short di.tanco from m c,
with his chair leaning back against the
railing. With him that was favorte way
of sitting. He had been reading, but as the
twilight was deepening, he closed the book
and looked over to where sat. A minute
nfterward, he drew his chair nearer to me,
and said, in his quiet way,
whats the matter Kate? You seem sad;
nay, what is worse, discontented. You are
in no mood to appreciate yonder beautiful
sunset. Look! let some of its gorgeousness
drop into your love and
Il would prefer, sir, to have you drop the
conversation | interrupted crustily.
Il do not choose to drop it, ma belle hs
said quietly.
Thank Heaven, I have an alternative
then. Good evening, SIR
II arose and gathered up my dress to de-
part.
you are not going, Kste7 Don't spoil
your pretty face with that look Of scorn.-
You must sit down and hear me OUT
'Nust!' Did hear right?'
gazed nt him with passion; and yet his
calm, brown eyes seemed to draw the FIRE
out Of my own. Before was aware of it.,
was sitting down again. could hardly
account for the fact, and 80 bit my lip in
vexation.
'That's right, Kate. knew you wouldn't
90. You anticipated q lecture, eh2'
Il do not recognize your right to lecture
me. You are nothing to me. nm getting
to hate you more and more every day.
ooh, no; you don't hate me one bit Kate.
Besides, | wouldn't care if you did. (Ths
presumptive fellowD Your love or your
hatred is nothing to me. (Worse still!) As
you anticipated Il lecture, you shall not be
disappointed. lhave some unpleasant truths
to tell you.'
Unpleasant to you, or to me?'
Unpleasant to both of us, Kate. Do you
know that you are not living up to the grand
eur of your estate; to the ful6lment Of your
destiny? Some Of your most glorious pow
ers are rusting,s absolutely rusting for the
want of exercise. This inactivity is warping
your soul. You are growing dissatisfied
with your own indolenee. Why don't you
shake this off? Why don't YOU try to be
somebody? to benefit yourself and the world
around you Positively such drones as you
are should blush from shame.'
'You, in turn, Mr.. Emerson, should blush
for your impudence? Your conduct is
outrageous.
Il am not done yet, Kate. Your Incidence
has become the subject of remark. You
loll around, employing neither your head OF
hands. You do not even seem capable Of
any noble emotions; and above all, You are
extremely selfish. Why, compared with the
plow-boy now coming whistline down the
lane, you sink into the most abjecs picture
Of imbecility.'
lsprnng to my feet. l was very angry.
'Mr. Emerson | said, you can lay no
claim whatever, to the title Of gentleman.
To such insults will not submit. shall
never allow q repetition of them; and wish
you, hereafter, to address no remarks to me
whatever. l hate you.'
lswept past him-down the steps to the