Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1863-03-05

gagement became public aud something mort
than feeling of triumph found its way intt
| bis heart. There was, at first, vague sense
of uneasness, followed by doubts and cues
tionings. Smarting suspicoa crept in. He
became keen eyed. But all be discovered was
dim veil dropping down over the couutenanct
/ of its sunshine. In his eagernesS to grasp the
angel whose beauty had fascinated his gaze
be had rubbed portion of the luStre from bel
wings.
But she had taken her place at his side
and no ailurement could have drawn bel
| thence, though she walked 10 perpetual shad
ow, and though sharp stones cut her feet a
every step. She was too stroug in purity enc
truth to waveF from the lines of duty. The
path might be difficult, but she woud no
turn aside even though she failed She hac
the courage to die, but not to waver.
L" Mine !" said Percival when his kisses
were laid on the almost irresponsiva lips oi
| his bride ard even as be said it, away down
! in his nnermest convictions another voice an
swered. " Not mine |"
So their welded life began. It took nearly
year for Liston the artist, to recover from
| his disappointment. few times, during this
period, be met Mrs Perciyal, and read, in her
inward looking eyes, that she was not hap
by wife aud more than this he read, pen
trating, by quick-sighted perception, the vel
! iu which she had enveoped herself, After
| this period he was master Of his soul again, and
dwelt in bis art. Years passed, and though
he went into society, Mr.. Liston did not mar
| ~. As an artist, be rose steadily, and some
Of his works attracted much attention.
Among them was personifcation of Hope. in
the single figure Of woman, eXqusitely beau
tifu yet showing in every feature of the ten
derry pure face trial aud triumph.
Have yon seeo Mr. Liston's Hope ut the
! Academy T. asked friend, addressing Mrs.
! Peycival, few days after the Exhibition had
opened
Not YET was answered.
You must see it, Every one is charmed
And, do you know, it bears d remarkable
! likeness TO yourself pge heard several per-
sons speak of this By the way, is it cou-
pment Of an accident ? 1t is said that lie
is one of your old admirers"
The friends laughed, end in laughing, SO
| dmmed her own vision, tbet she did net see
the strange startled look which came for al
| unguarded moment into Mrs Percival's eyes
| In company with her husband, Mrs. Per,
cigal went to see the Hope of Mr.. Listcn.-
! Something in the ideal figure held her as by
| fascination. Mr. PercjVal recognized the like.
ness, and with a sense of wearness Many
times, from the painting bis eyes turned to
the couutenance of his wife. Its expression
was not satisfactory. There was moe 10 it
than admiration for 6le picture. From the
painting, be saw her, once, turu half around,
! suddenly as if spoken to but DO voice had
reached his ear. He turned also, in the same
| direction, and looked into the artists face
but did not encodnter his eyes, for they were
resting on his wife The act Of Mrs Perci-
val vas but momentury. She tuTned again to
the pictar; at the same time placing her hand
on the arm of her husband, aud, by the move
ment. intmating her wish to leave that part
of the Institution. Mr. Percvai did not fail
to observe that his Wife's interest in the exhi-
bition was, from this time, partial and forced.
Are you not well 2 he asked, in bis US
ual kind but half-constraned manner.
Ny head is aching" she answered, fore
| ing o smile
Shall We 60 home ?"
"If you have s.ad long enough" vas re,
piled.
And so they went away, not again veutur-
ing to look at Mr.. Lston's Hope and not
again visiting the Academy while it was
there.
The eyes Of Mrs Percval we're just d little
Sadder after this and so were the artists
eyes and the heart of Mr.. Pereival was just
little heavier But all three were pure
enough, true enough, and strong enough to
| bear the burdens this great error had laid up
upon them, though in bearing there was pain
that made life wearisome.
Alas for these sad eyes See well to it
maiden, that in accepting some boldly wooiDg
lover, you do not like Mrs. PercvaI, commit
one of life's saddest errors, and so look ont
with dreary eyes, upon the world through al
your coming years.