The mountain Democrat., 1863-03-28

| ness 10 grasp tue anger whose beauty nae
fascinated his gaze, he had rubbed por
tion of lustre from her wings.
But she had taken her place at his side
and no allurcment could have drawn her
thence, though she walked in perpetua
shadow, and though sharp stones cut hel
feet at every step.
She was too strong in purity and truth
to wavcr from the line Of duty. The path
might be difficult, but she would not turn
aside, even though she failed. She had
the courage to die, but not to waver.
Mine y said Percival, when his kisses
were laid on the almost irresponsive lips
Of his bride, and even as he said it, away
| down III his inncrmost convictions another
voice answered, Not mine!'
So their dded life began. 1t took
nearly year For Liston, the artist, to re.
cover from his disappointment, A few
times, during this period, he met Mrs.
Percival and read, in her inward looking
eyes, that she was not happy wife and
more than this he read, penetrating, by
| quick sighted perception, the veil in which
she had enveloped herself After this Pc
riod he was master of his soul again, and
dwelt in his art
Years passed, and though he went into
society, Mr.. Liston did not marry. AS an
artist he rose steadily, and some Of his
works attracted much attention. Among
them was a perSoniication of Hope, in
the single figure of woman, exquisitely
beautiful, yet showing in every feature OF
the tenderly pure and speaking face, trial
and triumph.
Have you seen Mr.. Listens Hope at
the Academy = asked friend, addressing
Mrs. Percival, few days after the Exhi.
bltion had opened.
Not yet, was answered.
You must see it; every one is charm
cd. And, do you know, it bears remark
able likeness to yourself; I've heard sew
eral persons speak Of this. BY the way,
is it a compliment or all accident, ell p
1t is said that he is one Of your old ad-
mircrS.'
The friend laughed, and in laughing, SO
dimmcd her own vision that she did not
see the strange startled look which came
for an unguarded moment into Mrs. Per-
cival'S eyes.
In company with her husband. Mrs.
Percival went to see the Hope Of Mr. Lis
ton. Something in the ideal figure held
her as by fascination. Mr.. Percival re-
cognizcd the likeness, and with sense Of
weariness. Many times, from the paint
| ing, his eyes turned to the countenance OF
his wife. Its expression was not satiSfac'
/ tory. There was more in it than admira-
! tiou for n fine picture.
From the painting he saw her, once
turn half around, suddenly, as if Spoker
to; but 10 voice had reached his ear
He tnrncd, also, in the same direction, anc
looked into the artists face ; but did moi
encounter his eyes, for they were resting
Oh lis wife.
The act of Mrs. Prrcival was but mo-
mcntary. She turned again to the pic
tune, at the same time placing her hanC
on the arm of her husband, and, by the
movement. intimating her wish to leave
that part of the institution. Mr.. Pcrciva
did not fai, to observe that his wlfe's in
trrc,t in the Exhibition was, from this
/ tine. partial and forced.
Are You not weli;' he inquired, in
/ hi~ usual kind, but half lf-constrained man
| tier.
My head is aching,' she answered, for
| cling a smile.
Shall We go homcF
If you have staid long enough, was
replied.
And so they went away, not again ven.
turing to look at Mr.. Listens Hope and
not again visiting the Academy while it
was there.
The eyes Of Mrs. Percival were just a
little satder after this; and so were the
artist $ eyes; and the heart of Mr.. Perciva
was just little heavier. But all three
were pure enough true enough and strong
enough to bear the burdens this one grea
error had laid upon them, though IN bear
ing there was pain that made life weari
some.
Alas, for these sad eyes See we'll tc
it, maiden, that in accepting some boldly
wooing lover, you do not, like Mrs. Perci
val, commit one of life's saddest errors
and so look out, with dreary eyes, upor
the world, through all your long coming
years.