Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-01-09
The Broken Hearted
Blind Girl.

studied that pure face, the eyes that-as
is often the case with those who are born
without sigbt-laree. bright, and liquid,
seemed endowed with rarcr powers of
perception Than is usual-the polished
brow, over which auburn tresses were
folded-ihe oval face SO spiritual in its
outlines and its coloring-the sensitive
lips. scarlet rs berries-aud | could not
believe for the moment that she did not
see me watching her SO attentively. She
must reprove nc, thought, by look
but no. The eyes took the direction
of the many voices about her, wandering
now here, now there. but never rested on
me. ! had not spoken"
The speaker paused. He was man
Of middle age and plainly dressed-a
man of elegant tastes, Keen. quick, and
observant of men and matters. One
gentleman who was with me had been
bantering aim about his sin l. state, and
thoughtlessly wounded him.
1t is not safe to Jest upon such mat
tiers. The lip may not tremble, nor the
eye grow less steady, ner the color flutter
back from the checks, but sometimes our
words press upon buried thorn, and the
heart is probed and b ceds anew. Tho
story might have been told for his own
instruction. l will give it in his own
words:
was Young man then, fresh from
the country. / had become a clerk in
one of the first firms in the city, and con-
quentiy felt myself able 10 live in what
seemed to me good style. Ny friend
Frank Appleby, who had been my com
panion at school and my chum at college,
met me almost upon the moment of my
arrival with the exclamation, "l've got
capital lodgings little way out Of town
only three p week, but its - splendid
place / promise you"
So l went with him, deposited my
trunk in his room, which was handsome
and spacious, and that night as / return
ed and sat down 10 supper after an in
PRODUCTION TO the family, | first saw Emf
ly Houston. There were two daughters.
The house was kept by widow who
had all her life been accustomed Ia refine
ments and the eleganccs Of wealth, until
the death Of her husband FIVE years be-
fore. Since that time she had supported
herself by taking in gentleman boarders.
Emily WAS the Youngest daughter: the
blind one, whom / have dlscribed-
Charlotte. the elder, was far less lovely,
though some would have called her beau
ty more striking. / did not. As said
before, my chances toward her were so
frequent rs to call forth some remark
from Frank Appleby.
81 never saw so sweet creature" /
said with fervor.
"She is dear little thing" WAS his
careless reply; land between you and
me-" he added more earnestly, 81 thiok
she likes me little too we'll"
1 shall never forget how felt az he
said this. A flush of mingled resent
ment aud contempt flew TO my checks; it
seemed sacrilige to speak sorlightly of SO
beautiful a creature. Besides, | found
she had made a deep impression on my
own imagination, and | remembered
how her eyes had turned more quickly at
the sound of Franks voice than at any
other; that, even when he passed her she
seemed to know it. To look more eagerly,
10 listen more intently. Every day | be.
came more enamored of this lovely girl.
and it panied me inexpressiLly TO see
Frank, rs | thought tritfe with her. lie
paid real court To the more regal Char
lotte, but his vanity could not withstand
the mule homage Of her sister. | often
watched them together watched till it
almost madicned me; for | would have
given worlds for one Of the peculiar
smiles she always bestowed on lin.
One day saw him stanling at the
door which led out upon small plot of
garden ground, now regal with fDIl Grim
son, and the deep hues Of trees, whose
branches leaned over the wall. One
arm was placed around her waist, with
the other hand lie was pressing back the
black wavy hair.
''Tou have n remarkably beautiful
forehead, Emily" he said.
"tlave | do yen th:uk 81? Oh,
so glad" she said, arlI'ss!y.
"What makes you glad, Emily 2" lie
asked in the sufiest of tones.
because, whatever YOU like in me
always makes me glad" she said inno-
Gently. THAT beautiful song, a Ring
of Gold she gave me- do you know I
have learned that be cause You liked il
SO well? | can sing every word of it."
''Can you!" he sail. ''rI'ank you for
learning it for me. | viii hear you sing
it this evening. Yes" ho continued. sti /
inusingly, lyon have rerna' kabIy intel
ligent brow; | think you could write poe
try. little one"
"Ah, if | could but see you might"
was the low. sweet reply.
"Well, well, there's a confession"
said Frank, laughing lightly, yet from
where stood | saw his cheek flush will,
pleasure. "Now, how do you suppose l
look 2"
"Oh, | have heard often" said the in
nocent creature. ''Sistcr Lottie has told
me that you have black. curling hair and
black eyes. And think. ms Lottie says.
you must be very handsome"
''Ob, yes; I'm prodigiously hand
some fellow" said Frank. conceitedIy,