Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-09-22
Mistellantous,
IMPERISHABLE BEAUTY.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

1t was a very plain face. Ny eyes
rested upon il for moment or two, and
then wandered away TO the countenance
of another maiden whose beauty ravished
the eye of every beholder; ar d as l gazpd
with feeling of delight upon its trans
cending loveliness an impulse OF thank
fulness stirred in my hearl-ihankful-
ness to the creator OF beauty. The first
maiden sat alone; around the other was a
group of admirers. So marked a cen
irast between the two, as well in features,
as in the impression made thereby, ex-
cited first, something like pity for whom
nature had endowed so poorly; and l
turned to look at her again with kinder
feeling in my heart.
There she sat all alone. Yes her
face was very, very plain; but it did not
strike me as repulsve The mouth,
which had nothing Of the ri pc fulness
hat gave such an enamoring grace to
the other maiden, was placid; and lhough
not encircled with perpetual wreath of
smiles, calmly enthroned the gentle spirit
of content. Her eyes were small. the
lashes thin and the arch above them
fainlly visible. ArchI can hardly
give it that graceful desi gnaiion. | had
not yet seen the expression Of those eyes.
As looked toward her, with that strange
consciousness of observation which all
have remarked, but which few can eX-
plain, she TUNED her eyes from another
part of the room N looked at me. They
did not fash brilliantly, ncr, strike, al
the first glance as having in them any
thing peculiar. They we're the common
eyes we meet at every tcrn-no soul in
them. Ny second was different. had
turned my eyes away; but something l
had seen caused them almost involunia-
rily TO wander. back TO The maiden's face.
A friend, who | highly regarded, a
young man, of more than common worth,
had crossed the room, and was standing
before her. She had lifted her ewes 10
his face, and there was now light in the m
moi dazzling, but soft, winning light,
that purity and love made almost beau;i-
ful.
They were conversing, and watched
for some time he play of that unaitract-
i've conienanee, unatraciive no longer.
'Ah said H. there is a beautiful soul
within that casket.
And as | spoke thus, in The silence of
my own thoughts, | looked towards the
olher maiden, who was still surrounded
by crowd Of admirers.
Her beauty is wonderful | could
not help ;he utterance of this tribute 10
her charms Yet had scarcely spoken
The words, when she turned 10 one of the
group which had gathered about her, a
slight curl of uniovely scorn upon her
lips, and threw az him an arrowy word
that wounded as it struck. She saw that
it hurt, and glance of pleasure went
forth from her brilliant eyes.
a fiImy veil came between my eyes
and that counienance, which little while
before had shone upon me with lowell.
ness that was absolutely enchanting.
turned again 10 The other maiden.-
Ny friend was still before her, an her
eyes were lifted TO his face. She was
uitering senliments-what, did not
hear, but they must have been good aud
beautiful in conception, to have filed
every lineament with such a winning
grace.
'Ahp said |, the real truth dawning upon
my mind, here is the inner, imperishable
beauty. The beauty which instead of
loosing its spring time freshness, forever
and ever advances toward eternal youth
A few weeks later, and my friend
communicated TO me The intelligence that
his heart had been won by the charms of
this unattractive maiden. Once he been
a worshipper at the shrine of beauty, and
| know that only a few months before,
hand and heart were ready TO be offered.
Accepted they would have been, for he
had personal beauty, attractive manners,
wealth, and above all, a manly, honora-
bic spirit.
For all had seen l was scarcely pre-
pared for this The maiden might be |
good did not question that-but she
was so homely, and this homeliness
would be only the more apparent in con-
trast with his exterior. 1t was almost on
my lips 10 remonstrate-io suggest this
thought to his mind. But prudently |
forbore.
You know her well, Ihope?' could
not help the utterance of this caution.
She is not thought 10 be beautiful he
replied, seeming 10 perceive my thoughts;
indeed as 10 features she is plain, yet in
person she is tall, dignifed, and with
carriage that queen might envy.
This was true to the letter. had not
thought Of il before. Nature had given
st less, this compensation. !